World
Biden To Unveil Economic Team Next Week As Transition Moves Ahead
U.S. Presidentelect Joe Biden will announce his economic team and other key nominees next week, officials for his transition team said on Wednesday, after formal recognition of his election win this week allowed a transition to move forward.
Niger Ex-President Tandja, Toppled After Extending Rule, Dies At 82
Mamadou Tandja, a former Niger president who twice won election after the country's return to civilian rule in 1999 but was overthrown a decade later after altering the constitution to stay in power, has died aged 82, the government said on Tuesday.
Greek-operated Tanker Hit By Mine At Saudi Terminal
A Greekoperated tanker was damaged by a mine at a Saudi Arabian terminal on the Red Sea just north of the Yemeni border, damaging its hull, British maritime security company Ambrey said on Wednesday.
U.S. Surpasses 2,000 COVID Deaths In A Day With Hospitals Already Full
Daily U.S. deaths from COVID19 surpassed 2,000 for the first since May and with hospitals across the country already full, portending a surge in mortalities to come as the coronavirus pandemic casts a shadow over the holiday season.
Free COVID Tests For Czechs To Start Dec 18, Minister Says
The Czech Republic should begin offering free antigen tests for COVID19 for all who want them from Dec. 18, Health Minister Jan Blatny was quoted as saying in an interview on Wednesday.
As COVID-19 Cases Soar, U.S. Families Weigh Risks Of Welcoming College Kids Home
Nina Jain was regularly checking the nation's COVID19 data and holding out hope that her son Antonio, a sophomore who attends college in Iowa, could come home to Sacramento, California, for Thanksgiving this week.
EU Commission Chief Sees "Genuine Progress" In Brexit Talks, No-deal Outcome Still Possible
The head of the European Union's executive on Wednesday reported "genuine progress" in Brexit talks but said the risk of Britain leaving the EU without a deal on Dec. 31 remained, an outcome she said the bloc was prepared for.
Windies To Assess Bangladesh Bio-security Arrangements Before Tour
Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed on Tuesday the team will be the first to tour Bangladesh since the COVID19 pandemic struck but said they are sending officials this week to assess biosecurity arrangements before the side arrive in January.
Turkey Pardons On The Menu At White House Ceremony
In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, President Donald Trump will offer a reprieve to a pair of meaty turkeys as he makes a public appearance Tuesday following the Nov. 3 elections.
French PM Says Curbs On Identifying Police Not Targeting Journalists
A draft law that would make it a crime in certain circumstances to circulate an image of a police officer's face is not aimed at infringing journalists' right to report on public events, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Tuesday.
South Africa To Go With COVAX Vaccine Scheme For 10% Of Population, Official Says
The South African government is going with the COVAX global COVID19 vaccine distribution scheme, with a committed purchase for 10% of its population of 58 million, a senior health official told Reuters.
Papal Butler Convicted In "Vatileaks" Case Dies
Paolo Gabriele, the butler of former Pope Benedict who passed on the pontiff's personal documents to the media and was convicted in the socalled "Vatileaks" case, has died. He was 54.
Supreme Leader Dismisses Talks As Iran Looks To Post-Trump Future
Iran's supreme leader dismissed the prospect of new negotiations with the West on Tuesday, even as the Tehran government spoke optimistically about the return of foreign companies in "the absence of Trump" and his sanctions.
States Certifying Results Ahead Of Electoral College Meeting
States have begun certifying their results from the Nov. 3 presidential election in the run-up to the Electoral College meeting in mid-December.
UK Lockdown to End on Dec 2, Confirms Boris Johnson; Covid Winter Plan to Kick off Until March 2021
From the middle of next week, shops, personal care, gyms and churches can reopen as part of a bolstered three-tiered system. As part of the restrictions, people will be expected to continue to work from home if they live in a Tier 1 region; in Tier 2, alc...
Qatar Airport Police Officers Charged Over Invasive Searches Of Women
Qatar's public prosecutor has filed criminal charges against an unspecified number of police officers working at Qatar's Hamad airport after women said they were invasively searched there last month.