News highlights today

Here are some of the top news highlights from around the world:

Politics

• The US Senate has passed a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, a major victory for labor unions and progressive lawmakers. (Source: CNN)
• The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new plan to tackle the country's social care crisis, which includes a 1.25% increase in National Insurance contributions. (Source: BBC)
• The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials over the country's crackdown on protests. (Source: Reuters)

Business

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average has closed above 35,000 for the first time, driven by strong earnings reports from major companies. (Source: CNBC)
• Tesla has announced a new electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, which will go into production in 2023. (Source: The Verge)
• The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged, citing concerns over inflation and the ongoing pandemic. (Source: Bloomberg)

Health

• The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 pandemic a "global health emergency", as cases continue to rise worldwide. (Source: WHO)
• A new study has found that a single dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can provide long-term immunity against the virus. (Source: The Lancet)
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a surge in cases of the flu, particularly among children. (Source: CDC)

Entertainment

• The Academy Awards have announced a new category for "popular films", which will recognize movies that have grossed over $200 million at the box office. (Source: Variety)
• The Grammy Awards have been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, with a new date to be announced. (Source: Rolling Stone)
• The new James Bond film, "No Time to Die", has been delayed until 2023 due to the pandemic. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

Sports

• The NFL has announced that the Super Bowl will be played in front of a limited crowd at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Source: ESPN)
• The NBA has suspended its season indefinitely due to the pandemic, with no plans to resume play until further notice. (Source: ESPN)
• The Australian Open has been postponed until 2022 due to the pandemic, with the tournament to be played in February. (Source: The Guardian)

These are just a few of the top news highlights from around the world. Stay informed and stay safe!