On tonight's top story: The arrival of the more contagious COVID-19 variant in Canada is sparking new worries. Abigail Bimman reports on the growing calls to ramp up the country's vaccine rollout, and to better prepare for this variant and other ones that could develop.

The new COVID-19 variant is believed to be fueling the United Kingdom's record-breaking surge in cases. As Redmond Shannon reports, more countries are imposing U.K. travel bans or quarantines to prevent the spread of further infections.

Loujain al-Hathloul, a women's rights activist in Saudi Arabia, has been sentenced to six years in prison under the country's broadly-worded counterterrorism law. Ross Lord reports on the campaign for her freedom, al-Hathloul's connection to Canada, and the push for Ottawa to intervene.

America's staggering COVID-19 death toll continues to climb, and hospitals are reaching their limits. Jackson Proskow reports on the growing fears the new coronavirus variant will worsen the situation, as the vaccination campaign, dubbed Operation Warp Speed, falls behind its timeline.

The pandemic has forced many Canadians to work from home. However, essential workers still have to go to their workplace, doing hands-on work that many of us take for granted. Global National anchor and executive editor Dawna Friesen reflects on the pandemic's everyday heroes