The UK’s disclosure on Friday that a new variant of the virus could be more deadly than the original has silenced those who had called for a swift return to life as before.

The UK government is expected to announce in the coming days that it will extend and tighten the nationwide lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson this month. Schools can remain closed until Easter, while overseas travelers may need to be quarantined in hotels for 10 days.

For Mr Johnson, who has faced relentless pressure from members of his own Conservative Party to relax restrictions, the warning of the variant made a strong case that Britain may be in the middle of a serious new phase of the pandemic – and that it does relaxed constraints now could be disastrous.

Effects: While scholars agree that the evidence of the variant’s greater lethality is preliminary, they said it was nonetheless served government purposes in the lockdown debate in which Mr Johnson, drawn between science and politics, is often Has shown an aversion to tough steps.

Here are the latest updates and maps of the pandemic.

In other developments:

  • Larry King, who interviewed presidents, movie stars and people from all walks of life, died on Saturday in Los Angeles at the age of 87. He had recently been treated for Covid-19.

  • Israel will suspend most air travel in and out of the country for at least a week from midnight on Monday to block the invasion of emerging variants.

  • Egypt began vaccinating health workers in isolation facilities, pulmonary hospitals and fever wards on Sunday in the country’s first wave of vaccine rollouts.

  • Protesters in the Netherlands clashed with police in two cities on Sunday and a coronavirus testing facility burned down on Saturday as fury over a nationwide lockdown grew.

  • The European Union said it would take legal action if necessary to ensure that pharmaceutical companies fulfill contracts to supply vaccines to the block after manufacturers announced possible delays.

Some right-wing extremists, united around the world by a racist ideology charged by social media, were spurred on by the January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol.

While many online users disapproved of storming the Capitol as an amateur botch, others saw it as a teaching moment – how to pursue their goal of overthrowing democratic governments in a more concerted and concrete way.

It is difficult to say exactly how deep and lasting the ties are between the American right and its European counterparts. However, officials are increasingly concerned about a web of diffuse international connections, and fear that the networks that were encouraged back in the Trump era have become more resolute in recent weeks.

Germany: Following the violence in the US, German authorities tightened security around the parliament building in Berlin, where far-right protesters, waving many of the same flags and symbols as the Washington rioters, tried to force their way out in August. 29. No specific plans for attacks have currently been identified in Germany.

As the world nears 100 million coronavirus cases – with 25 million in the US as of Saturday and nearly 30 million in Europe – questions are emerging about new variants of the virus that could slow or even reverse progress in ending the pandemic as well about the uneven adoption of vaccines around the world.

One of these questions is how effective the current vaccines will be against these modified versions of the virus that originally appeared in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and the US. Some seem more contagious than the original version, and all of them are little known.

At the same time, failure to distribute Covid-19 vaccines to poor countries is likely to lead to global economic devastation in which wealthy countries will be hit almost as badly as in developing countries, according to a new study commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce is released today.

By the numbers: In the most extreme scenario – with rich nations fully vaccinated by the middle of this year and poor countries largely closed – the study concludes that the global economy would suffer losses of more than $ 9 trillion, a sum , which is above the annual production of Japan and Germany combined.

On the impoverished northeastern Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, the predominantly indigenous population is dependent on fishing – and high-priced lobster is one of the most sought-after quarries.

But lobster there is an amazingly dangerous pursuit. Hundreds of fishermen are paralyzed from hunting for lobsters and other delicacies such as clams and sea cucumbers found deep in the ocean.

Trump impeachment proceedings: The House of Representatives will file its indictment against former President Donald Trump with the Senate today, but the trial won’t begin until February 8.

Asia’s “El Chapo”: Tse Chi Lop, allegedly the leader of a billionaire drug consortium, was arrested on Friday in Amsterdam and is about to be extradited to Australia.

Chinese miners: Two weeks after an explosion trapped a group of miners underground in Shandong Province, at least eleven were found alive and lifted to the surface on Sunday.

Snapshot: Above, supporters of the imprisoned opposition leader Aleksei Navalny held banners in Moscow on Saturday with the inscription: “Do not be afraid. Do not be still ”and“ One for all and all for one. “On Saturday there were demonstrations in more than 100 cities, the largest protests in Russia since at least 2017. Analysts say the stalemate between the Kremlin and its critics seems to be worsening.

Cosmically lost and found: Missing: a very, very large black hole. One of the largest galaxies in the universe appears to be missing the dark centerpiece – and despite the efforts of astronomers, they are no closer to finding it.

“That was for Nepal”: A group of climbers from Nepal earlier this month became the first people in the world to climb K2 in winter, a mountaineering challenge that many thought was impossible.

What we read: This GQ piece by Douglas Emhoff about his role as the first “second gentleman”. It’s interesting read about reinvention.

Knit: Artisans in search of Harry Styles ‘colorful cardigan and Bernie Sanders’ housewarming gloves are redesigning their own patterns.

Clock: Repeat – or maybe enjoy for the first time – five films that define the romantic comedies of the 1980s.

You can stay safe and take your time. At Home offers a comprehensive collection of ideas for what to read, cook, see, and do while inside.

With reporter-manned offices in around 30 countries, The Times can quickly cover breaking news that occurs almost anywhere. At the heart of this effort are our three main hubs for the newsroom – New York, London and an Asia hub located in Hong Kong but moving to Seoul. Here’s a look at how it works.

At the end of the working day in New York, the editors will pass the coverage to the editors in Hong Kong and Seoul, who are currently 13 and 14 hours in advance. While the editors in Asia wind down their day, a lively London newsroom will act as the main hub. A few hours later that team will return the baton back to New York and everything repeats itself again, a rotation that is vital to a 24 hour news operation.

“There is a lot of overlap,” said Adrienne Carter, Asia editor for the Times, “so there are probably only a handful of hours that a group is alone.”

When Asia hands the reporting over to London, a newsroom with around 70 employees on four continents will have to keep watch. Journalists begin with the newsroom’s coverage of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, often coordinating the early morning US news with the international, national, and academic desks, as well as the Washington office.

Jim Yardley, the Europe editor, said the way the international newsrooms are structured makes the collaborative effort seamless. “One of the things about London and Hong Kong is that they emerge primarily from the international desk, but in many ways they are part of every desk,” he said. “It’s an attempt to actually make the work more collaborative and less silly.”

That’s it for this briefing. I wish you a pleasant start to the week.

– Natasha

Many Thanks
To Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.

PS
• We listen to “The Daily”. Our final installment is about President Biden’s instructions and how to deal with government by decree.
• Here is our mini crossword puzzle and a clue: Champ or Major for the Bidens (three letters). You can find all of our puzzles here.
• Marcela Valdes, who has been reporting on politics, culture, immigration and more for the New York Times Magazine for many years, joins the magazine as a contributor.

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