News roundup

Here's a news roundup of some of the top stories from around the world:

Politics

• The US Senate has passed a bill to increase funding for the government, averting a shutdown and providing relief to millions of Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: CNN)
• The UK has announced plans to introduce a new points-based immigration system, which will prioritize skilled workers and reduce the number of low-skilled migrants. (Source: BBC)
• In a surprise move, the Israeli government has announced that it will annex parts of the West Bank, a move that has been widely condemned by the international community. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Business

• The world's largest tech companies, including Apple, Amazon, and Google, have been accused of avoiding billions of dollars in taxes by shifting profits to low-tax countries. (Source: The Guardian)
• The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the first time in over a decade, in an effort to boost the economy. (Source: The New York Times)
• The UK's high street is facing a crisis, with over 10,000 shops closing in the past year alone. (Source: The Telegraph)

Health

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the COVID-19 pandemic a global health emergency, as cases continue to rise around the world. (Source: WHO)
• A new study has found that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is highly effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization. (Source: The Lancet)
• The US has reported a record number of measles cases in 2019, with over 1,000 cases reported. (Source: CDC)

Environment

• The Amazon rainforest is burning at an unprecedented rate, with over 9,000 fires reported in the past month alone. (Source: BBC)
• The UK has announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. (Source: The Guardian)
• A new study has found that the world's oceans are absorbing more carbon dioxide than previously thought, which could have devastating consequences for the environment. (Source: Science Magazine)

Sports

• The US Women's National Soccer Team has won its fourth World Cup title, defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final. (Source: ESPN)
• The NBA has announced that it will be suspending its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: ESPN)
• The Australian Open has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the tournament now set to take place in February. (Source: The Guardian)

I hope this news roundup is helpful!