The world passed the grim milestone of 1.5 million coronavirus deaths on Thursday, as several nations planned to deliver much hoped-for vaccines early next year to break the cycle of lockdowns and restrictions.
US President-elect Joe Biden said that on his first day in office he would ask Americans to wear masks for 100 days to help reduce transmission of the virus that is again surging in the country with the world’s highest number of deaths and infections.
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MIDDLE EAST
Biden reaffirms pledge to revive Iranian nuclear deal.
U.S. sanctions Iran-linked group over chemical weapons.
Iraqi activists go underground after wave of attacks by pro-Iran militias.
US confirms it will pull some personnel at Baghdad embassy.
Gulf nations, US signal progress to resolve Qatar crisis.
Nearly half of Yemenis face acute food insecurity, UN says, pushing country closer to famine.
Donors say Beirut's recovery will cost $2.5 billion.
Turkey's President Erdogan says he hopes France will 'get rid of Macron' as soon as possible and declares the French leader 'trouble'.
Normalization with Israel requires Palestinian state: Saudi FM.
Israeli scientists are warned they could be assassination targets in revenge for hit carried out on Iranian nuke expert.
Israeli police arrest suspect after arson attempt at Gethsemane church.
Biblical city of Bethlehem quiet as Christmas season begins without tourists.
ASIA
China flies its flag on the moon: Beijing flaunts picture of its national emblem on lunar surface as probe Chang'e-5 makes its return journey to Earth with rock samples.
US State Dept sanctions Chinese govt officials over ‘coercive influence activities’.
US restricts visas to Chinese online trolls.
Bangladesh ships 1,600 Rohingya to controversial island.
International Red Cross workers evacuated from North Korea.
India summons Canada envoy after Trudeau backs protests.
2021 Tokyo Olympics to symbolise pandemic end, despite billion-dollar postponement costs.
AFRICA
Trump to withdraw most troops from Somalia as part of global pullback.
UN says Tigray fighting hampers aid delivery despite deal.
Ethiopia aid delayed amid reports Tigray fighting continues - UN.
Ousted I.Coast president Gbagbo plans to return home this month.
Montenegro approves new coalition, overturning three decades of socialist role.
EUROPE
EU negotiator Michel Barnier cancels meeting to continue Brexit talks.
Post-Brexit trade talks paused as UK, EU fail to reach deal in London.
UN chief urges Karabakh talks under international format.
Covid infection rates fall across most of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
More than half of Spaniards unwilling to take COVID-19 vaccine immediately, survey shows.
Viktor Orban: Hungary will stick by EU budget veto threat.
UN rights chief tells Belarus to free protesters.
AMERICAS
America's worst day of the pandemic so far: US hits record 2,879 deaths, 100,667 patients in hospital and 217,664 new cases - as Fauci warns the post-Thanksgiving surge is still to come and LA is reduced to a ghost town after lockdown is ordered.
'I said yes right on the spot': Dr. Anthony Fauci accepts Joe Biden's offer to be chief medical adviser - but warns 'January is going to be terrible' and says masks might be needed beyond president-elect's call for 100 days face coverings.
US economy gains just 245,000 jobs in November as recovery runs out of steam amid fears of worse to come as COVID cases surge.
Georgia's GOP secretary of state says he has already investigated 'bombshell' video Rudy Giuliani claimed proves voting fraud and says it shows nothing out of the ordinary.
Venezuela’s Guaido risks political irrelevance as Maduro eyes poll victory.
Venezuela urges firms to sign trade deals with Turkey, Iran.
US House passes federal cannabis decriminalisation bill.
US in discussions with Huawei on Meng Wanzhou's return to China: WSJ.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Islamic State shadow follows families as Iraq closes camps.
Hezbollah files lawsuits over Beirut blast claims.
Belgian court to give verdict in Iran diplomat case on Jan 22.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street hits highs as slowing job growth spurs stimulus bets.
Pandemic may pull 32M back into extreme poverty, U.N. economists warn.
Deadline looms to sell US TikTok platform.
S Justice Department sues Facebook for 'discriminating against American workers and reserving thousands of well-paying jobs exclusively for immigrants with temporary visas'.
