Here are the top stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 7:00 A.M. GMT/ 2:00 A.M. ET. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect.
TOP STORIES
GLOBAL
HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-CHINA
China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-COVID
HONG KONG/SHANGHAI, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Travellers began streaming across land and sea crossings from Hong Kong to mainland China on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened borders that have been all but shut since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
UKRAINE-CRISIS-BLASTS-EASTUKRAINE
Moscow ends self-proclaimed ceasefire, vows to press ahead in Ukraine
Jan 8 (Reuters) - Russia's overnight bombing of regions in eastern Ukraine killed at least one, local officials said on Sunday, after Moscow ended a self-declared Christmas ceasefire and vowed to push on with combat until it reaches a victory over its neighbour.
U.S.
USA-CONGRESS-MCCARTHY-NEWSMAKER
McCarthy's dream job could become a nightmare
WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Kevin McCarthy woke up on Saturday morning with a long-held dream fulfilled: After a four-day standoff, he was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the most powerful member of the Republican Party.
USA-WEATHER
Heavy rains and snow clobber California and more is on the way
Jan 7 (Reuters) - Yet another "atmospheric river" of dense, moist tropical air will clobber California on Monday with rain and mountain snow - the fifth of the weather phenomenon since Christmas - even as the state was being pummeled by storms this weekend, forecasters said.
BUSINESS
CNH-INDUSTRIAL-STRIKE
CNH Industrial union workers at two U.S. plants reject proposed contract
Jan 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab developed by Eisai Co Ltd and Biogen Inc for patients in the earliest stages of the mind-wasting disease.
EISAI-BIOGEN-ALZHEIMERS-FDA
Eisai, Biogen get U.S. FDA approval for Alzheimer's drug, apply for full approval
Jan 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab developed by Eisai Co Ltd (4523.T) and Biogen Inc (BIIB.O) for patients in the earliest stages of the mind-wasting disease.
ENTERTAINMENT
BRITAIN-ROYALS-HARRY
Prince Harry set to deliver more broadsides at UK royals in TV interviews
LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Days after Prince Harry's memoir accidentally went on sale early with new allegations of discord and conflict within the British royal family, a series of TV interviews with him will start airing on Sunday with the prospect of yet more damaging attacks on the monarchy.
AUSTRALIA-ELVIS-FESTIVAL-ANNIVERSARY
Australian Elvis festival still 'fantastic' after 30 years
PARKES, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Elvis Presley impersonators paraded down the main street of Parkes on Saturday, as the Australian country town celebrated 30 years hosting an Elvis-tribute gala that has become one of the country's biggest festivals.
SPORTS
TENNIS-AUSOPEN-OSAKA
Former champion Osaka withdraws from Australian Open
Jan 8 (Reuters) - Two-times champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open, organisers of the year's first Grand Slam which begins on Jan. 16 said on Sunday without elaborating on the reason, as a cloud hung over one of the sport's brightest stars.
FOOTBALL-NFL-HAMLIN-PROGRESS
Bills' Hamlin continues to progress, shows 'excellent' neurological function
Jan 7 (Reuters) - Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin continues to make progress after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game last Monday but remains in critical condition, the NFL team said on Saturday.
UPCOMING
POLITICS / INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
BENIN-ELECTION/
Benin holds parliamentary election seen as test of democracy
Benin holds a parliamentary election seen as a test of democracy after a 2021 presidential poll was boycotted by much of the opposition and marred by violent protests. Benin's image as a bastion of democracy and stability in West Africa was dented by the exclusion of opposition parties from the last parliamentary elections in 2019.
8 Jan 02:00 ET / 07:00 GMT
CLIMATE-CHANGE/UN-PAKISTAN
Pakistan seeks help with $16 bln flood rebuilding at UN conference
Pakistan and the United Nations are holding a major conference in Geneva on Monday aimed at marshalling support to rebuild the country after devastating floods in what is expected to be a major test case for who pays for climate disasters.
8 Jan 03:00 ET / 08:00 GMT
INDONESIA-MALAYSIA/(PIX)(TV)
Malaysian PM Anwar visits Indonesia in first state trip
Malaysia's recently elected Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visits Indonesia in his first official trip abroad after assuming office.
9 Jan
USA-CONGRESS/
Republican-controlled U.S. House meets to vote on new rules
The newly Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Monday meets to vote on new rules to govern its operations over the next two years, some of which will limit Speaker Kevin McCarthy's power in his new role, as a result of concessions he made to hard-liners in his party to win the role.
9 Jan
NORTHAMERICA-SUMMIT/(PIX)(TV)
Biden, North American leaders meet in Mexico City for summit
U.S. President Joe Biden meets his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at North American leaders summit in Mexico City.
9 Jan
BUSINESS / ECONOMICS
BRITAIN-BOE/PILL
Bank of England's Huw Pill chairs panel at AEA conference
Bank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill chairs a panel discussion on monetary policy toolkits at the American Economic Association's annual conference in New Orleans
8 Jan 09:00 ET / 14:00 GMT
TRINIDAD-OIL/AUCTION
Trinidad's onshore bidding round results
Trinidad's government is expected to announce the results of a bidding round for onshore oil and gas blocks in the Caribbean country.
9 Jan
SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY
HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/THAILAND-CHINA(PIX)(TV)
Thai ministers inspect preparedness at Bangkok airport and welcome Chinese tourists
Thai health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, transport minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn inspect the preparation work at the Bankok Suvarnabhumi Airport to welcome back Chinese tourists after China dropped border controls for inbound travellers over the weekend. The ministers are also expected to attend a ceremony welcoming Chinese tourists arriving on the day.
9 Jan
BRITAIN-SPACE/LAUNCH(PIX)(TV)
The UK's first satellite launch takes off
Britain's maiden satellite launches from Cornwall.
9 Jan
RELIGION
RELIGION-PHILIPPINES/BLACK NAZARENE(PIX)(TV)
Philippines' Catholics parade "Black Nazarene" in celebration of Christ
Thousands of barefoot devotees attend mass in front of a Catholic church housing a centuries-old black wooden statue of Jesus Christ believed to have healing powers. This year's celebration does not include the tradition of parading the black statue due to COVID restrictions.
9 Jan
