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Category Archives: News
US to require negative COVID-19 tests for all UK passengers
CDC says passengers from the UK must test negative via either a PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of departure.
UK and EU have struck an historic trade deal. But what is in it?
Most goods traded between the UK and EU will not face new restrictions but many new bureaucratic hurdles will emerge.
Record COVID surge in South Korea despite tough distancing rules
Authorities call for 'strict' response against violations of COVID-19 rules as South Korea logs record high of 1,214 cases.
Syria’s air defences ‘intercept barrage of Israeli missiles’
State TV says Syrian air defences confronted an 'Israeli aggression', downing a barrage of missiles over Hama.
Canada receives first shipment of Moderna COVID vaccines
Officials say Moderna vaccine will be distributed to remote, isolated communities in northern Canada.
Iran says US approved its funds transfer to buy COVID vaccines
Iran's central bank says it received backing from the US to transfer money to a Swiss account to pay for the vaccines.
Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch sells for a song
Listed in 2015 for $100m, late pop star Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch sold for $22m, the WSJ reported.
Which countries have rolled out COVID vaccine?
Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines being administered to people in more than 10 countries.
Trump administration plans $500m arms sale to Riyadh: Reports
Critics slam proposed munitions deal in final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency as 'outrageous' and a 'moral outrage'.
Washington, DC mayor declares December 24 ‘Dr Fauci Day’
Mayor Muriel Bowser says day aims to honour Dr Anthony Fauci for his 'tireless' work during COVID-19 pandemic.
World reacts to UK-EU post-Brexit trade deal
Here are some of the reactions from around the world after the UK reaches a much-awaited trade deal with the EU.
CAR rebel groups announce ceasefire ahead of Sunday vote
Coalition of Patriots for Change says a 72-hour unilateral truce will be observed across the Central African Republic.
Whipsawed by Brexit, pound greets trade deal with a whimper
Strategists say much of the optimism over a Brexit trade deal was already baked into the price of sterling.
Israel most condemned by UN in 2020 – three times other nations
The UNGA adopted 17 resolutions against Israel this year, compared with six for the rest of the world.
Afghan women’s rights activist, brother shot dead
Gunmen on motorbike kill 29-year-old Freshta Kohistani and her brother in Kohistan district of Kapisa province.
US COVID aid at risk as legislators block Trump changes
Republicans block Democrat efforts to increase direct stimulus payments to Americans from $600 to $2,000 per person.
Turkey’s central bank boosts credibility with interest rate hike
Bigger-than-expected interest rate hike boosts the credibility of Turkey's new central bank chief, say analysts.
Another new COVID strain found in Nigeria, says Africa CDC
News comes after UK and South Africa report new and more contagious variants of virus, leading to travel restrictions.
Bitcoin defies critics with another banner year
Bitcoin's 224 percent rally this year invites comparisons with previous boom and bust cycles.