Ethiopia Rebels “Retake” Town Despite Government Victory Claims
Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region say they have retaken a town and shot down a military plane in a setback for the national government.
World News
UK, EU resume face-to-face trade talks with time running out
Teams from Britain and the European Union resumed face-to-face talks on a post-Brexit trade deal Saturday, with both sides sounding gloomy about striking an agreement in the little time that remains.
‘COVID Passport’ to prove vaccination now in final stages of development
The International Air Transport Association said Saturday that the COVID passport could be key to saving the tourism industry.
U.S. Sends Air Craft Carrier To Persian Gulf As Iran Vows Retaliation For Killing Of Scientist
The U.S. ordered the U.S.S. Nimitz and its strike group to return to the Persian Gulf to serve in a defensive capacity as U.S. forces in the region continue to drawdown during the final weeks of the Trump administration. The action coincides with rising tensions in the region between U.S. allies and Iran after a top Iranian nuclear scientist was taken out in a highly coordinated hit this week.
Belarus President ‘Ready To Resign Under New Constitution’
Belarus’ longtime President Alexander Lukashenko says he is prepared to resign if a new constitution is adopted. His announcement follows months of protests against his disputed re-election in August.
Top Iranian nuclear scientist “assassinated”
An Iranian nuclear scientist, who Israel alleges was in charge of Iran’s military nuclear program until the early 2000s, has been assassinated, the Associated Press reports. Iranian state media have reported that Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed on Friday. Israel has not immediately commented on the death.
Hungary, Poland Vow To Uphold Veto Over EU Budget
Hungary and Poland’s prime ministers have vowed to uphold their veto of the European Union’s next budget — and its massive coronavirus pandemic relief fund. In Budapest, both leaders said they oppose a mechanism that ties payment of funds to the rule of law principles.
CIA paramilitary officer killed during operations against al-Shabab in Somalia
A CIA paramilitary officer was killed in operations involving the terror group al-Shabab in Somalia, according to intelligence sources.
Ethiopia launches ‘final phase’ of Tigray offensive
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday that the country’s military is in the “final phase” of its operation against fighters in the Tigray region’s capital, Mekele.
Pope Francis accuses lockdown protesters of turning ‘personal freedom’ into an ‘ideology’ in Thanksgiving op-ed
Pope Francis urged people to put others before themselves as the world struggles to come out of the coronavirus pandemic.
US envoy to Iran says more sanctions coming, urges Biden to maintain leverage
The Trump administration plans to tighten sanctions on Tehran during its final months in power, the top US envoy on Iran said on Wednesday, as he urged President-elect Joe Biden to use the leverage to press for a deal that reduces the regional and nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic.
Brexit: Next days ‘decisive’ for hopes of deal, says EU’s Ursula von der Leyen
The coming days in the Brexit negotiations will be “decisive” as to whether Britain and the EU are able to agree on a free trade deal, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
UK announces “freedom pass” scheme for people testing negative for COVID-19
The British government announced a new COVID-19 community-testing plan Monday, under which people who test negative for the virus in certain regions may face fewer restrictions, Forbes reports. Dubbed “freedom passes” by UK media, the lower restrictions would be available for people testing negative in areas of the country that will be coming under the strictest measures.
France Violently Dismantles Migrant Camp
Amid a mounting public outcry, France’s interior minister on Tuesday ordered an internal police investigation into police violence against migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty. He made the announcement after security forces were filmed tossing migrants out of tents while evacuating a Paris protest camp.
Germany Wants Controversial Coronavirus Vaccines To Reach Poor Nations
After Pope Francis urged “solidarity”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel demands the distribution of controversial coronavirus vaccines among poorer nations. Her appeal comes as countries rush to start with coronavirus vaccinations before Christmas, despite fresh concerns they impact people’s behavior and DNA.
China Pushing For A Global COVID QR Code To Track Travel, Limit Exposure To Coronavirus
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants other nations to adopt a coronavirus tracking system that uses QR codes to track travel during the pandemic.
Vaccination to Be a ‘Necessity’ for Overseas Travel, Qantas Says
Qantas Airways Ltd. plans to require future international passengers to have a Covid-19 vaccination before they fly, and said it’s likely to become a requirement at airlines across the world.
Beijing-Controlled News Outlet Paid US Newspapers Millions To Publish Propaganda This Year
An English-language newspaper controlled by the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda department paid U.S. media companies nearly $2 million for printing and advertising expenses over the past six months, even amid heightened scrutiny over Beijing’s disinformation efforts in the West.
Britain signs interim trade deal with Canada amid continued negotiations with EU
While still trying to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, the United Kingdom has been able to agree to an interim trade deal with Canada, Fox News reports. The agreement offers a source of business security for Britain, which must reach an agreement with the EU by the end of the post-Brexit transition period on 31 December or move instead into World Trade Organization terms with the European trading bloc.
US exits Open Skies Treaty citing Russian violations
The United States exited the Treaty on Open Skies on Sunday, six months after the Trump administration signaled it would. The administration cited repeated Russian Federation violations of the treaty designed to allow unarmed aerial surveillance flights by the treaty participants in Europe, Russia, and the U.S.