First Execution of Trump’s Final Days Goes Ahead
Death row inmate Brandon Bernard has been executed in Indiana after last-minute clemency pleas were rejected by the US Supreme Court. Bernard, 40, was convicted of murder in 1999 when
UK GDP Growth Slows to Six-Month Low as Covid Hits Hospitality
Britain’s economic recovery almost ground to a halt in October as a surge in coronavirus cases hammered the hospitality sector, adding to the chances that the economy will shrink over
US Senate Backs Massive Arms Sales to UAE, Biden Expected to Review $23bn Deal
The United States Senate has defeated an effort to block the Trump administration’s sale of $23bn in advanced fighter jets and drones to the United Arab Emirates. President Donald Trump
Brexit: ‘Large Gaps’ Remain After Trade Talks Between UK and EU
UK Priminister Boris Johnson’s dinner with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen – aimed at breaking the Brexit trade deadlock – has ended without agreement. A No 10 spokesperson said
Biden’s Son Facing Federal Investigation Over ‘Tax Affairs’
President-elect Joe Biden’s son Hunter has said his “tax affairs” are under federal investigation, putting a renewed spotlight on the questions about his financial dealings that dogged his father’s campaign.
Israel Sets December 27 as Target Date to Start Vaccinating Against Covid-19
Israel will begin administering the coronavirus vaccine to citizens on December 27, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday night. Speaking at a news conference on the day that the first
Biden Promises 100m Covid Vaccinations in First 100 Days
US President-elect Joe Biden has set a goal of 100 million Covid vaccinations in his first 100 days in office. He said his first months in office would not end
Ahead of Vaccine Approval Vote, US Regulator Says Pfizer Offers Strong Protection After First Dose
US regulators have confirmed the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine is 95% effective, paving the way for it to be approved for emergency use. According to new documents released by the US
Christchurch Inquiry Says New Zealand Couldn’t Have Prevented Mosque Attacks Despite Shortcomings
A comprehensive report into the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand mosque shootings in which 51 Muslim worshippers were slaughtered, sheds new light on how the gunman was able to elude detection
US Imposes Sanctions on Chinese Officials Over Hong Kong Crackdown
The United States has imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong last month.
Ninety-year-old Woman First in the World to Receive Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine
A 90-year-old woman has become the first person to be given a Covid jab as part of the mass vaccination programme being rolled out across the UK. Margaret Keenan, who
US Adds Nigeria to Religious Freedom Blacklist
The United States has designated Nigeria, China, Burma, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as countries of ‘particular interest’ for violating religious freedom. The US Department
India Investigates If Organochlorines Behind Unknown Illness
Indian authorities are investigating if organochlorines used as pesticides or in mosquito control caused the death of one person and hospitalisation of more than 400 in the southern state of
Iran: ‘Smart Satellite-controlled Machinegun’ Killed Nuclear Scientist
The killing of Iran’s top nuclear scientist last month was carried out remotely with artificial intelligence and a machinegun equipped with a “satellite-controlled smart system”, a senior commander has said.
Human Rights Abuses Center-stage as Egypt’s El-Sissi Begins State Visit to France
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to discuss terrorism, the conflict in Libya and other regional issues as part of a state visit to France, amid
Ex-French President Sarkozy Appears in Court for Questioning in Corruption Trial
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy appeared in court on Monday for questioning in trial involving allegations of corruption and influence-peddling. Sarkozy is accused of having tried to illegally obtain information
Venezuela’s Maduro Tightens Grip over Country After Disputed Election
President Nicolás Maduro’s party and his allies have won in Venezuela’s legislative elections that were boycotted by the main opposition parties. The win gives Maduro control of the last major
China’s Exports Surge On Hot Demand For PPE, Remote Working Tech
China’s exports rose at the fastest pace in almost three years in November, as strong global demand for goods needed to ride out the pandemic landed the world’s second-largest economy
California Faces Strict New Lockdown as US Cases Surge
Large parts of the US state of California are facing a strict new lockdown, as Covid-19 cases surge across the state and the country. The stay-at-home order affects around 85%
Trump Lawyer Rudy Giuliani Admitted to Hospital with Covid-19
US President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, is being treated in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. The president wrote in a tweet: “Get better soon Rudy, we will carry
