There is growing international alarm over a new variant of the coronavirus in the UK, with a host of countries imposing travel bans.
More than 40 countries have barred UK arrivals, as the EU held talks on forming a common policy.
Sweden banned foreign travellers from Denmark after cases of the variant were discovered there.
The new strain is more transmissible but there is no evidence it is more deadly.
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MIDDLE EAST
Morocco, Israel to seal normalisation with first direct flight.
Iraqis protest after currency value slashed.
EU foreign ministers pave way for revival of Iran nuclear deal.
World powers renew commitment to preserve Iran nuclear deal.
Turkish court sentences Kurdish former MP to 22 years in jail.
Blaze and toxic smoke follow oil pipeline leak in Iran, but 'worst is yet to come'.
Quiet Bethlehem Christmas means 'less business, more religion'.
ASIA
Asian stocks slip as new COVID-19 strain darkens recovery prospects.
8 killed, 15 injured in Afghan car blast targeting politician.
Japan PM Suga shies away from calling state of emergency as coronavirus cases rise.
Thailand reports biggest COVID-19 surge with more than 500 cases linked to seafood industry.
Hong Kong reels after the year that free speech died.
Former Japan PM Abe questioned Monday by prosecutors, NHK says.
AFRICA
Three years on, G5 Sahel force struggles with mission.
U.N. Security Council talks Western Sahara after Trump policy switch.
US poised to grant Sudan immunity over past attacks.
Central African Republic accuses ex-president Bozize of coup plot.
Russia, Rwanda send military support to Central Africa Republic to quell election violence.
UN peacekeepers say rebel push in Central African Republic 'under control'.
Thousands of protesters in Sudan demand faster political reform.
International operation disrupts illegal firearms trafficking in West Africa, Sahel.
South Africa working with WHO over its virus variant.
EUROPE
UK, EU hold emergency meetings over new COVID strain.
European Union regulators approve Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Britain, EU keep aiming for Brexit deal after Sunday deadline passes.
As Belarus shuts border, Lithuania invites NATO for war games with tanks & troops just 8km from shared frontier.
Nationalists set to win landmark vote in Bosnia’s divided Mostar.
Vietnamese truck deaths: UK court finds two men, Eamonn Harrison and Gheorghe Nica, guilty of manslaughter.
AMERICAS
US surpasses 18 mn reported Covid-19 cases: Johns Hopkins.
Congress unveils $2.3 trillion government spending and virus relief package.
Barr: No need for special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, election fraud.
Donald Trump hasn't received COVID vaccine yet. US president-elect Joe Biden got his today.
Trump downplays severity of cyber attack and avoids blaming Russia.
Poll: 59 percent say it's 'likely' Trump will run again in 2024.
Biden weighing plan to shield 1 million migrants from deportation.
US sanctions Nicaraguan officials, Cuba-related companies.
Mexico violence: Security raised in Puerto Vallarta after ambush.
Ontario announces hard lockdown after Covid cases surge.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US says will 'react' if Iran seeks to avenge Soleimani killing.
Justice Dept. charges Libyan man in 1988 Pan Am-Lockerbie bombing.
Germany and Finland bring home women from Islamic State camps.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Shares fall as new Covid strain spooks investors.
Movie studio behind 'James Bond' franchise explores sale.
As Tesla joins S&P 500, analysts mull what it’s really worth.
