QUICK HITS

1 JAPAN OKS COVID-19

PILL: Japan has approved the COVID-19 pill developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. for use beginning next week, the Japanese health minister said Friday. Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto told reporters that a ministry drug panel authorized Merck’s molnupiravir under a fast-track process and the drug will be shipped to hospitals and pharmacies beginning next week.

2 CORONAVIRUS SPREADING:

Australia’s New South Wales state is reporting more than 5,000 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours for the second straight day as the state and federal governments roll out measures meant to curb the spread of the virus. The federal health minister also said experts have recommended the gap between second vaccine doses and boosters be shortened from five months to four starting Jan. 4 and down to three beginning Jan. 31.

3 PAYMENTS FOR VACCINES:

Bulgarians aged over 65 are being offered a one-off payment of $43 in addition to their monthly pensions if they get a COVID-19 vaccine. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said Thursday that pensioners who have not received a jab will get the payment after the first dose. Those who have had one dose will get the money after receiving a second dose and those getting a booster dose when the program kicks off.

4 CHINA DENOUNCES U.S.:

The Chinese government on Friday denounced a U.S. law that restricts imports from Xinjiang as a violation of international law and dismissed complaints of abuses against mostly Muslim minorities in the northwestern region as lies.

5 PROTESTS OVER VACCINE:

Protesters angry over virus and vaccine rules occupied Guadeloupe’s regional legislature because of stalled negotiations over their grievances about management of the French Caribbean island.