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*) Iran says satellite-based attack killed scientist remotely A top Iranian security official says the assassination of a nuclear scientist was carried out solely with electronic devices and without anyone present. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's funeral was held on Monday in Tehran. The government has accused Israel of his death, with Iranian General and Chief of Security Ali Shamkhani saying it was a satellite-based attack that caught the country off-guard. *) Trump suffers another crushing defeat US President Donald Trump's hopes of overturning the results of the 2020 election appear to be fading. Two more states, Arizona and Wisconsin, have certified votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Meanwhile, Joe Biden is set to formally announce former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as his pick for Secretary of the US Treasury. *) France to rewrite controversial police security bill France has given in to days of protests over its controversial police security bill, and agreed to completely rewrite the proposal. The bill would have strengthened government surveillance tools and curbed the public's right to film police officers in action. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people held rallies across the country, saying the bill will curb freedom of the press and reduce police accountability. *) UK retailer Topshop faces closure UK retail giant Topshop is among several brands facing closure, after its parent company, The Arcadia Group, collapsed into administration, putting 13-thousand jobs at risk. Falling sales due to the pandemic have been blamed for the company's financial troubles. Arcadia is owned by British billionaire Sir Philip Green. And finally… *) Destruction of Amazon rainforest hits highest level in 12 years The destruction of Brazil's Amazon rainforest has hit its highest level in 12 years, according to Brazil's national space agency. Deforestation in the Amazon has increased by almost ten percent since last year. The area lost between July 2019 and August of this year is 11,000 square kilometres – roughly twice the size of Rio de Janeiro.

*) Tigray hospitals overwhelmed and running short of supplies Hospitals in Ethiopia's Tigray are overwhelmed and running dangerously low on supplies, a day after PM Abiy Ahmed claimed military victory there. The Red Cross says health workers in capital Mekelle are struggling with shortages of food and medical supplies, including body bags. Hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago, with the UN urging for humanitarian access as soon as possible. *) Iran’s top nuclear scientist buried Iran’s top nuclear scientist has been buried in Tehran. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated on Friday in an ambush on a highway. The country has vowed to avenge his murder, which it blames on Israel. Tel Aviv has denied responsibility. *) Biden picks all-women press team US President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-women senior communications team, a first for the White House. Biden campaign press chief Kate Bedingfield will serve as communications director for the oval office. Four of the seven top communications roles at the west wing will be filled by women of colour. *) More bushfires as Australia records hottest November Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales are battling to contain dozens of bushfires brought on by hot weather. The country is currently experiencing its hottest November on record, with temperatures passing 45 degrees Celsius. Australian scientists say climate change will continue to exacerbate bushfires, droughts and cyclones in the country. And finally… *) F1 driver miraculously escapes fireball crash French Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has miraculously survived a high-speed crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Haas racer tore into half and was engulfed in flames as it speared through protective barriers at 250 kph. Grosjean escaped with only light burns to his hands and ankles, thanks to the car's modern safety systems. The sport's heroic rescue team are also being praised after they braved the fire to get Grosjean to safety.

*)Trump says he'll leave if Electoral College seats Biden President Donald Trump has said he will leave the White House if the Electoral College formalises Democratic rival Joe Biden's victory. Trump spent his Thanksgiving renewing baseless claims that “massive fraud” and crooked officials in battleground states caused his election defeat. Biden won the November 3 presidential election with 306 Electoral College votes to Trump's 232. *) Vaccine deliveries to begin next week in US Staying in the US, President Trump has said that delivery of the coronavirus vaccine would begin next week and the week after. Speaking to US troops overseas to mark Thanksgiving, he said the vaccine would initially be sent to front-line workers, medical personnel and senior citizens. In the meantime, millions of Americans took to the skies and the highways ahead of Thanksgiving despite warnings to stay home to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. *) Australia to discharge 13 soldiers after Afghan war crimes probe Australia’s army has moved to discharge 13 soldiers following a report that points to their involvement in war crimes in Afghanistan. Army chief Rick Burr said administrative action notices have been served to terminate their service in two weeks' time unless they successfully appeal. A years-long investigation last week reported that Australia's elite special forces "unlawfully killed" 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan. *) Burkina Faso President Kabore secures re-election Burkina Faso President Roch Kabore has won re-election, according to preliminary results. Kabore won over 57 percent of the vote, as the official tally from the electoral commission showed. He needed over 50 percent to avoid a second round. Some analysts had expected a closer contest but poor turnout due to the violence may have helped Kabore. And finally… *) Museum to record Londoners' Covid dreams The Museum of London has announced a project to collect the dreams of Londoners during the coronavirus pandemic. The "Guardians of Sleep" project aims to document the impact of the Covid-19 crisis through the collection of dreams that would be orally narrated. It will also explore what insight dreams might offer into mental health and ways of coping with external stresses, especially in times of crisis.

*) Trump pardons ex-aide Flynn, who pleaded guilty of lying in Russia probe US President Donald Trump has pardoned his former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Trump tweeted his decision and wished Flynn a happy Thanksgiving, drawing condemnation from the Democrats. *) Ethiopian forces surround Tigray's capital Mekelle as ultimatum expires In Ethiopia, a 72-hour deadline given by the government for Tigray fighters to surrender has expired. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has issued a warning to the Tigray People's Liberation Front to lay down its arms, or face an assault on Mekelle. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in the ongoing fighting in the country’s Tigray region and thousands have been displaced. *) Cyclone Nivar tears down power lines, trees in India A severe cyclone has slammed into India's southern coast, uprooting trees and power lines but there have been no immediate reports of loss of life. Cyclone Nivar made landfall near the city of Puducherry in the southern state of Tamil Nadu with winds of up to 130 km per hour. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from low-lying areas of Tamil Nadu ahead of the storm's landfall. *) Football icon Diego Maradona dies of heart attack One of the greatest footballers of all time, Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack. In Buenos Aires, heartbroken fans of Maradona gathered to mourn the soccer legend's death, laying flowers and singing chants. Three days of national mourning have been declared in Argentina and his body will lie in state at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. And finally… *) Six of Pakistan's squad positive for coronavirus – New Zealand Cricket Six members of Pakistan's touring cricket squad have tested positive for Covid-19 in New Zealand, throwing preparations for the series into turmoil. All six have been moved into quarantine and the team's exemption to train while in isolation has been temporarily revoked, according to New Zealand Cricket. Pakistan are due to play three Twenty20 internationals and two tests from December 18.

*) Coronavirus has infected over 60 million people globally The number of coronavirus cases has surpassed the grim milestone of 60 million cases worldwide. Covid-19 has killed more than 1.4 million people across the world since the outbreak of the pandemic in January. The United States is the worst affected country in terms of caseload, followed by India and Brazil. *) UN chief calls for de-escalation of tensions in Tigray UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, calling for a de-escalation of tensions. The appeal comes as an Ethiopian human rights organisation accused a Tigrayan Youth Group of killing as many as 600 civilians earlier this month. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has given the Tigray People's Liberation Front until Wednesday night to surrender. *) Biden presents security and foreign policy team US President-elect Joe Biden has formally introduced the first round of nominations for his new cabinet. His picks include secretary of state, national security advisor, homeland security secretary, intelligence chief, UN ambassador and climate change envoy. This all comes after US President Donald Trump suffered further setbacks in his efforts to overturn the results of the election with claims of fraud. *) Hundreds protest clearance of migrant camp by police In France, hundreds have demonstrated in Paris against violent treatment of migrants at a camp by police. They were filmed overturning tents, using tear gas to disperse crowds and hitting people with riot shields. France's Interior Ministry has also launched an investigation into clashes that broke out on Monday after police cleared the migrant camp. And finally… *) Scores of pilot whales dead in New Zealand stranding Almost 100 pilot whales have died in a mass stranding on New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands. At least 69 whales had already died by the time wildlife officers reached the beach. Over two dozen pilot whales were euthanised. The causes of mass stranding remain unknown despite scientists studying the phenomenon for decades.

*) Trump finally agrees to Biden transition - but still not conceding US President Donald Trump has inched closer to admitting election defeat, noting that it was time for the government agency to ease White House transitions to "do what needs to be done". This comes after the General Services Administration said it was finally lifting its unprecedented block on assistance during the transition. Before the announcement, Biden had pushed ahead with plans for his cabinet, and nominations for key positions came in. The nominations include Antony Blinken for Secretary of State and John Kerry for the climate envoy on the National Security Council. *) UN calls for civilians to be protected after PM's ultimatum The UN Security Council will be holding its first meeting on Ethiopia in an attempt to mediate between the conflict in the dissident Tigray region. The global organisation has urged Ethiopian officials to ensure the safety of civilians as the army prepares for an attack in the capital of Tigray. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced a deadline for the rebels to surrender but the Tigray People's Liberation Front has vowed not to give up. *) Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine 'up to 90 percent effective' Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca have announced their coronavirus vaccine can be up to 90 percent effective. It is cheaper to produce than its rivals Pfizer and Moderna and can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures. This makes it ideal for mass production and distribution with up to 3 billion doses of the vaccine expected to be produced by 2021. *) Turkish court resumes trial of 20 Saudi suspects in absentia A Turkish court will resume the trial in absentia of 20 Saudi suspects, accused of murdering Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul’s Saudi consulate. The first hearing was held in Istanbul back in July. Prosecutors are seeking life sentences for all accused of the 2018 murder. And finally… *) China launches mission to bring back material from moon China’s Chang'e 5 lunar probe has been launched from the Wenchang Space Centre. It's on a mission to collect rock samples from the moon, which scientists hope will help them learn more about its origins and formation. If successful, China will be only the third country to have retrieved samples from the Moon, following the US and the Soviet Union in the 60s and 70s.

*) Prominent Hong Kong activists plead guilty Prominent Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong, Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow have pleaded guilty over their involvement in last year's protests. Hong Kong was convulsed by seven straight months of violent anti-Beijing rallies in which millions took to the streets last year. Beijing and local authorities refused demands for free elections and responded with a widening crackdown against protesters. All three activists were remanded into custody pending a sentencing hearing on December 2. *) Top Republicans urge Trump to concede election Several Republican lawmakers are urging US President Donald Trump to concede the election. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie is calling Trump's legal team an embarrassment after they alleged election fraud but provided no evidence to support their claim. Several states also overturned legal requests from Trump's team to discredit Joe Biden's win. *) Covid-19 vaccine could be rolled out in US in December Some good news for our US listeners: coronavirus vaccinations could be distributed in America by December 11. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech requested emergency regulatory authorisation on Friday. Distribution of the vaccine will begin 24 hours after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. *) G20 leaders pledge to help struggling countries This year's G20 Summit, held virtually by Saudi Arabia, has ended with a pledge to do what's necessary to help poorer countries with coronavirus tests and treatment. Many developing countries have been plunged into economic turmoil because of the virus. G20 leaders also endorsed a plan to extend a freeze in debt payments from struggling countries. And finally… *) Taylor Swift named Artist of the Year at AMAs Taylor Swift has been named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards for a record sixth time. She did not show up at the Los Angeles ceremony though, saying that she is re-recording her early tracks after her catalogue was sold. Swift beat Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Roddy Ricch for the coveted award and also won Favorite Music Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.

US reports record one-day high in new Covid-19 infections and 'Shuggie Bain' writer Douglas Stuart wins Booker Prize *) US registers record single-day rise in new Covid cases The US has reported a world record of more than 200,000 new cases of Covid-19 in a single day. The world's worst-hit country also reported 2,239 fatalities – the highest death toll since May – with citizens urged to stay home for Thanksgiving. The pandemic has infected more than 57 million people and claimed at least 1.3 million lives around the world. *) Ethiopia's latest air strike reportedly hits Tigray university Rebel forces have alleged that air strikes by Ethiopian federal forces targeted a university injuring several students in the northern Tigray region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military campaign in the northern region in response to what he says were attacks by the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The two-week-old conflict has since killed hundreds, sent 36,000 refugees into Sudan and worsened a humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. *) Biden condemns Trump's 'irresponsible' fight US President-elect Joe Biden says that incumbent President Donald Trump's challenge of the election results is "totally irresponsible". The incumbent US president has refused to accept his loss in the presidential race despite his opponent getting over six million more votes. Meanwhile, Georgia has confirmed Biden as the winner in the state after completing a hand audit of nearly 5 million ballots. *) Deaths mount after Bobi Wine arrest triggers unrest in Uganda At least 16 people have been killed in clashes between Ugandan security forces and supporters of detained opposition leader Bobi Wine. The violence also left at least 45 people injured, which comes two months before a presidential election in the country. Opposition candidate Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi was arrested for allegedly violating coronavirus measures at his rallies. And finally… *) 'Shuggie Bain' writer Douglas Stuart wins Booker Prize Scottish author Douglas Stuart has won the 2020 Booker Prize for his acclaimed debut novel "Shuggie Bain”. The 44-year-old writer won the prestigious $66,000 award for his first published novel, which is the product of a decade of work. He was the only UK-born author on a US-dominated list of six finalists for the prize, which is open to English-language novels from around the world.

*) Ethiopia’s PM vows ‘final and crucial’ offensive in Tigray Ethiopia's prime minister says a "final and crucial" military offensive will soon be launched in the restive northern region of Tigray. The UN has warned of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the region as over 27,000 refugees have fled to Sudan amid escalating unrest. Other aid agencies are reporting people are going hungry in Tigray as there is very little food left to buy even if locals do have the purchasing power. *) Iota, weakened but deadly, rips through Central America Fierce winds and floodwaters have raged through Honduras as Hurricane Iota batters the region, leaving at least six people dead in Nicaragua. The storm has unleashed torrential rain with damaging winds, causing damage to infrastructure and forcing more than 80,000 from their homes. Hurricane Iota comes just two weeks after devastating tropical storm Eta hit the region. *) Turkey's Parliament approves troop deployment to Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has approved a bill to deploy peacekeepers to Azerbaijan. Russia has previously said Turkish troops would be joining them in Nagorno-Karabakh to oversee a ceasefire deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Ankara says the decision to send in peacekeepers will bring more stability to the region. *) Trump fires top US election cybersecurity official via Twitter US President Donald Trump has, in a tweet, fired the director of the federal agency that vouched for the reliability of the 2020 election. Chris Krebs had declared the November 3rd election as “the most secure in American history”. Trump has repeatedly refused to concede defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, claiming the voting and count was replete with fraud without offering any evidence. And finally… *) FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Qatar in February The FIFA Club World Cup, originally planned for December, will now be held from February 1 to February 11 in Doha, Qatar. Organisers from FIFA say the tournament will bring together six continental champions from across the world. FIFA did not state if supporters would be able to attend any of the games as the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the world.

*) More than 1 million kids in US test positive for Covid-19 The number of US infants, children and teens diagnosed with Covid-19 has exceeded the one-million mark, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The number of infected children was just over 1 million on November 12. The data, based on reports from state health departments, shows at least 6,333 pediatric hospitalisations and 133 deaths since May. *) Ethiopia launches air strikes outside Tigray capital Ethiopia has carried out "precision led and surgical air operations" outside of Tigray's capital Makelle. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said a three-day ultimatum to surrender issued to Tigray forces and allied militias is now over, as a near two-week long conflict with defiant local leaders continues to flare. African leaders have tried to kickstart talks in Ethiopia's internal conflict as fighting in Tigray region has reportedly killed hundreds of people. *) Maximum Category 5 Hurricane Iota roars ashore in Nicaragua Hurricane Iota has made landfall in Nicaragua as a "catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane, threatening to deliver heavy rains and fierce winds. Authorities have been rushing to evacuate thousands of people from coastal areas of Nicaragua and Honduras in the immediate path of the hurricane. The storm has already left one person dead as it swept the Colombian Caribbean island territory of Providencia, where it caused widespread damage. *) Trump to order troop cuts in Afghanistan, Iraq US President Donald Trump is expected to cut a significant number of US troops in Afghanistan and a smaller number in Iraq in his final days of his presidency. The plan would run counter to military commanders' advice over the past year, while still falling short of Trump's much-touted goal to end America's long wars. There are 4,500 to 5,000 troops in Afghanistan and more than 3,000 in Iraq. And finally… *) SpaceX capsule with 4 astronauts reaches space station After a long 27-hour ride, SpaceX has docked with the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon spacecraft left Cape Canaveral in Florida on Sunday, with three Americans and one Japanese astronaut on board. The four astronauts are on a six-month journey to the ISS. This is SpaceX's second crewed mission for NASA.

*) Azerbaijan extends Armenian pullout deadline from Kalbajar Citing humanitarian grounds, Azerbaijan has agreed to extend the deadline for Armenian forces and illegal settlers to withdraw from Kalbajar until November 25. Both sides reached a deal earlier this month to end weeks of hostilities with Armenia to return Kalbajar and other districts under its illegal occupation. Kalbajar was exclusively populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis before they were forced out by Armenians in the war that followed the end of the Soviet Union. *) Ethiopia’s Tigray leader confirms firing missiles at Eritrea The leader of Ethiopia’s Tigray region Debretsion Gebremichael has confirmed his forces fired missiles at neighbouring Eritrea’s capital. The strikes mark the expansion of the deadly conflict, between the Ethiopian federal government and forces loyal to the northern Tigray region, across an international border. The offensive against Eritrea came on the same day the ruling party in Tigray, claimed rocket attacks on two airports in a separate region of Ethiopia. *) Israel advances plans in east Jerusalem settlement Israel's Housing Ministry opened up tenders for thousands of new homes in the Givat Hamatos area of Jerusalem. International law recognises the West Bank and East Jerusalem as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement-building activities there illegal. The move may test ties with the US President-elect Joe Biden, who could take a firmer tack against Israel’s illegal settlements. *) Peru's Interim President Merino resigns Peru's interim president Manuel Merino has resigned after violence during crackdown on protests. Merino stepped down immediately after the Peruvian congress asked him to resign in an emergency Congress session. Thousands of people staged days-long protests against Merino following the impeachment and ouster of his predecessor Martin Vizcarra on corruption allegations. And finally… *) Hamilton takes seventh F1 title with a win in Turkey Britain's Lewis Hamilton has won the Turkish Grand Prix with Mercedes to earn a record- equalling seventh Formula 1 world championship. Ferrari great Michael Schumacher is the only other driver with seven titles to his name. Turkey was hosting a Grand Prix for the first time since 2011 with the 14th round of the 2020 F1 season held in Istanbul.

*) US election officials find 'no evidence' of lost or changed votes US officials responsible for election security have found "no evidence" that votes were lost or changed in the presidential election. They rejected claims made by President Donald Trump that fraud and lost ballots led to his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in last week's election. The election officials across the country are currently "double-checking" their state and local results prior to certifying the numbers. *) Dozens of migrants drown after boat breaks down off Libya coast At least 74 migrants have drowned after their Europe-bound ship broke down off the coast of Libya. The International Organization for Migration said the boat was carrying over 120 migrants, including women and children. Only 47 people were rescued while 31 bodies have been retrieved as the search for the remaining victims continues. *) Hong Kong anti-Beijing legislators hand in resignations Hong Kong's legislature conducted a session empty of anti-Beijing lawmakers after the bloc said they would resign en masse. The opposition legislators later began submitting their resignations to protest the expulsion of four other lawmakers. The four disqualified lawmakers had urged foreign governments to sanction China and Hong Kong over Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in the territory. *) Amnesty: Scores of civilians killed in 'massacre' in Ethiopia's Tigray Amnesty International has said that scores of civilians were killed in what it called a "massacre" in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Witnesses blamed it on forces backing the local ruling party in its conflict with the federal government. More than 11,000 people have fled to neighbouring Sudan since the November 4 launch of military action against the Tigray People's Liberation Front party. And finally… *) US won't enforce TikTok ban following court ruling The US government has decided against enforcing a ban on Chinese-owned social media sensation TikTok. The decision comes following a federal court’s ruling issued in the national security case involving the video app owned by China-based ByteDance. The Trump administration contends the personal data collected by TikTok on 100 million Americans could be obtained by China's government.

*) Russia deploys peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh The first group of Russian peacekeepers has been deployed to the Karabakh conflict zone hours after the ceasefire deal. The deal came after significant advances by Azerbaijani forces that prompted the Armenian-backed leader of Nagorno-Karabakh to say it was impossible for them to carry on. Several ceasefires announced over the past six weeks crumbled almost immediately but the current agreement appeared to be holding. *) Libya talks reach election breakthrough - UN United Nations-led talks on Libya’s future have decided to hold elections within 18 months. Libya has been in chaos since 2011 and divided since 2014 between rival factions in east and west. The internationally recognised Government of National Accord holds power in the capital Tripoli, while warlord Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army holds sway in the east. *) US warns of more China sanctions over Hong Kong moves The United States has warned of further sanctions against China after the ousting of four anti-Beijing lawmakers. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said the US would continue to identify and sanction those responsible for extinguishing Hong Kong's freedom. The US has imposed sanctions on four more officials accused of curbing freedoms in Hong Kong. *) Iran enriched uranium 12 times over limit set in 2015 deal - IAEA The United Nations nuclear agency has reported that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is now more than 12 times the limit set in a 2015 deal. The report said that as of November 2, Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was almost 2443 kilogrammes. The 2015 nuclear deal allows Iran only to keep a stockpile of 202.8 kilogrammes. And finally… *) New PlayStation hits market ready for battle with latest Xbox Sony's PlayStation 5 goes on sale just two days after rival Microsoft released its newest Xbox. Currently, the PS5 is only available in Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, North America and South Korea. Gamers elsewhere will have to wait until November 19 to purchase it.

*) Erdogan: Turkey, Russia to supervise Karabakh truce Turkish President Erdogan says Ankara and Moscow will jointly supervise the implementation of a ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called the deal a defeat for Armenia. Turkish President Erdogan's office said the deal offered a chance "for a just and lasting peace in the region." *) US records new high of over 200,000 coronavirus cases The United States has far exceeded its previous daily record of new Covid-19 cases, adding over 200,000 cases in 24 hours. The world’s most affected country by the pandemic saw 1,535 more deaths as it struggles to contain the spread of the virus. For a week now, the number of new infections in the US has trended at over 100,000 each day. *) Biden calls Trump's failure to concede 'an embarrassment' US President-elect Joe Biden has called President Donald Trump's refusal to concede his election defeat an "embarrassment." A week after the US election, Trump has remained holed up inside the White House, filing lawsuits alleging voter fraud. The Democrat signalled that despite attempts by Trump to stymie his transition to power he was increasingly a president in waiting. *) France and Germany call for EU border reform after terrorist attacks Germany and France say the European Union must reform the open-border Schengen area in light of recent terrorist attacks. The attacks over the past weeks in Nice and Vienna involved assailants who moved freely between Schengen countries. The discussion about harsher security measures comes as the bloc’s executive has been making efforts for a “fresh start” on immigration. And finally… *) Istanbul will host Formula 1 after nine years Turkey is once again set to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Istanbul after nine years, but this time with no live spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Round 14 of the season will take place at the Intercity Istanbul Park in Tuzla district, located in the city's Asian side on November 15. The circuit's length is 5.3 kilometres and drivers will have to complete 58 laps.

*) Armenia accepts defeat in fight over occupied Azerbaijan territories Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has admitted defeat by signing a deal with Azerbaijan and Russia to end the conflict in occupied Karabakh. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev announced a Turkish and Russia joint peacekeeping mission in Karabakh and said the pact also includes the return of Agdam, Kalbajar and Lachin areas to Baku. The announcement was followed by celebrations on the Azerbaijanian side and anti-government protests in Armenia some of which reportedly turned violent. *) Pfizer vaccine trial success signals breakthrough in pandemic battle Pfizer Inc's experimental Covid-19 vaccine is more than 90 percent effective based on initial trial results, the drugmaker said. Mass roll-outs, which need regulatory approval, will not happen this year. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE said they can roll out up to 50 million doses this year if the US grants authorisation of its emergency use. *) Refusing to concede, Trump blocks cooperation on transition President Donald Trump has blocked government officials from cooperating with President-elect Joe Biden’s team on a presidential transition. Few Repubilcan lawmakers have acknowledged Biden's victory or even condemned Trump's firing of Defence Secretary Mark Esper. Meanwhile, Attorney General William Barr has authorised the Justice Department to probe unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud. *) Storm Eta kills dozens in hard-hit Honduras At least 57 people have died and eight others are missing in Honduras following Tropical Storm Eta. After striking Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane and killing nearly 70 people from Mexico to Panama, the storm moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Eta also caused flooding in the Florida Keys and poses a serious threat across Southern Florida in the US. And finally… *) McDonald's launching meatless 'McPlant' burger Fast food giant McDonald's announced it was launching a new plant-based burger named the "McPlant". The brand had fallen behind in the market to rival Burger King, which was the first to launch a vegetarian "Whopper" burger in April 2019. Other chains like Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks have also dipped their toes in the plant-based market as consumers become more aware of their health.

*) US President-elect Joe Biden begins transition period US President-elect Joe Biden has taken the first steps towards moving into the White House in 73 days. A transition website launched by Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris lists four priorities: Covid-19, economic recovery, racial equity and climate change. Meanwhile, incumbent President Donald Trump plans to file a string of lawsuits in the coming week, over what he says was election fraud. *) Azerbaijani army frees city of Shusha from Armenian occupation The city of Shusha has been retaken by Azerbaijan after 28 years of occupation by Armenian forces. Shusha which was occupied by Armenian forces on May 8, 1992, has critical importance in liberating Nagorno-Karabakh. It is located on the road to Khankendi, the region's largest city. *) Attack on Iraqi army post in Baghdad kills at least 11 Unidentified gunmen have killed at least 11 people and wounded eight others including soldiers in an attack on an Iraqi army post in Baghdad. The assailants in four vehicles attacked the post in the city's Al Radhwaniya district using grenades and automatic weapons, police sources said. Security sources and medics said that the attack was carried out by Daesh but there was no immediate claim of responsibility from the group. *) Ethiopia reshuffles top officials as Tigray conflict grows Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed has replaced his army chief as he sought to defend a growing military action against the country's defiant Tigray region. Abiy replaced army chief General Adem Mohammed with his deputy Berhanu Jula, as well as the country's foreign minister, federal police commissioner and head of intelligence service. The move comes as scores of soldiers were reportedly wounded in a five-day-old conflict in the country's northern Tigray region And finally… *) Iconic quiz-show host Alex Trebek dies at 80 Alex Trebek, whose decades as host of the quiz show "Jeopardy!" made him one of the most popular fixtures on American television, has died at the age of 80 years. Trebek had waged a very public fight against pancreatic cancer for nearly two years but continued taping his programme until recently. His death was announced on Twitter by the "Jeopardy!" account.

*) White House race narrows as Biden and Trump eye five states US President Donald Trump has again claimed without offering evidence that Democrats were trying to steal the presidential election as Joe Biden appeared to move closer to victory. As Americans wait for the outcome, Trump said he would "easily win" the race against Joe Biden without the alleged illegal votes. In response to lawsuits filed by Trump, two judges denied bids to stop the vote count in Philadelphia and Michigan. *) US daily Covid-10 cases hit new record, topping 120,000 The United States has reported a daily record of over 120,000 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, according to a tracking portal. While deaths remain lower than their worst levels in the spring, Thursday was also the third day in a row that fatalities were above a 1,000. Meanwhile, the United Nations is set to hold a special session in December focused on international coordination to fight the pandemic. *) Libyan parliamentarians meet for peace talks in Morocco Libyan politicians from rival administrations have met for the latest round of peace talks in Morocco. Thursday’s talks follow a UN-backed ceasefire agreement signed last month with an intention to reach a political solution to the country's conflict. Negotiators are pushing parallel efforts to broker peace, with the military section of talks taking place this week for the first time on Libyan soil. *) Storm Eta causes devastation in Central America Storm Eta has killed more than 50 people in Central America with torrential rains and catastrophic flooding. The storm turned the streets into waist-high water channels, spreading damage across Honduras and Guatemala. Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said speedboats and helicopters would be sent to rescue people in inaccessible areas. And finally… *) Star Wars toys discovered in trash net $525,000 for UK couple A British couple has found a treasure trove of Star Wars memorabilia worth five hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in trash bags. They inherited the trashed collection from a dead neighbour in Stourbridge town in the West Midlands. Among the treasure was a Star Destroyer Commander, one of only two known examples still to be in its original packaging, which sold for $42,000.

Joe Biden leads US election results and Rafael Nadal wins 1,000th match in an empty and silent stadium *) Biden in lead as anxious Americans await US election results Votes are still being counted in key states in the US presidential election, with Democrat challenger Joe Biden leading the race to win the required 270 electoral college votes. Incumbent President Donald Trump’s re-election bid has been aided by winning a series of key battleground states early including Florida, Ohio and Iowa. Former Vice President Biden is on the other hand projected to flip the battleground states of Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. The outcome of the US presidential election will become clearer by Thursday night *) Azerbaijan says it has retaken seven more villages from Armenian occupation Azerbaijan says it has retaken seven more villages in Jabrayil, Zangilan and Gubadli from Armenian occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkish Defence Ministry said Azerbaijan's military had shot down another Armenian Su-25 fighter jet, taking the total number of downed Armenian jets to seven. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan Presidential Aide Hikmet Hajiyev has accused Armenia of "continuing to use white phosphorus projectiles on civilians, villages.” *) Ethiopia edges towards civil war, deploys army to Tigray Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ordered his military to confront the country’s Tigray regional government. The move follows accusations against the region's Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of carrying out a deadly attack on an Ethiopian military base. The deployment to confront the well-armed TPLF raises concerns that one of Africa’s most populous and powerful countries could plunge back into war. *) Beijing bars arrivals from UK, Belgium due to second Covid-19 waves China has defended a ban on non-Chinese arrivals from Britain, Belgium and the Philippines as a guard against a resurgence of the coronavirus. Covid-19 first emerged in China’s Wuhan late last year, but Beijing has largely brought its own outbreak under control while the virus continues to rage around the world. The pandemic has infected more than 48.5 million people and claimed more than 1.2 million lives globally. And finally... *) Rafael Nadal wins 1,000th match in an empty and silent stadium Tennis great Rafael Nadal has become the fourth man to reach 1,000 match wins. He reached his milestone amid a cathedral-like silence in a 20,000-seater stadium in Paris left completely empty because of the coronavirus pandemic. There was only a fist bump from Feliciano Lopez, after Nadal beat him 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in a subdued atmosphere.

US vote count under way with both Trump and Biden predicting victory and legendary Argentine football icon Diego Maradona undergoes successful brain surgery *) Results of US election still awaited The results of the US election are still awaited with vote counting under way and no clear winner so far. Both incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and his Democrat challenger Joe Biden have predicted a win. Trump has made fraud allegations, without any proof, and said he would approach the US Supreme Court to resolve the matter while Biden's campaign says their lawyers are on standby for such an attempt. *) Search-and-rescue efforts completed in Turkey's quake-hit Izmir Turkey's disaster agency says all search-and-rescue efforts are over in Izmir province after last week’s deadly earthquake. The massive earthquake on Friday caused dozens of buildings to collapse and sent seawater surging into the streets along the coast in Izmir. The death toll in Turkey's Aegean region has risen to 114 with 137 victims still receiving treatment, while 898 have been discharged from hospitals. *) Probe into Vienna terror attack continues The investigation into Vienna's terror attack has expanded to Switzerland and North Macedonia. The assailant, a 20-year-old Austrian-North Macedonian dual citizen, was killed by police after the Daesh-claimed attack, which left four people dead and 22 wounded. Police in Vienna searched 18 properties including the suspect's apartment, detaining 14 people associated with the assailant over the attack. *) Indian police arrest, charge firebrand TV station founder Arnab Goswami Indian police said they arrested firebrand television news anchor Arnab Goswami and charged him with abetment to suicide. Police said the charges against Goswami are linked to the 2018 deaths of interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother, which police determined to be suicide. Goswami is known for aggressively backing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his nationalist policies during his nightly shows, often shouting down opponents. And finally... *) Maradona undergoes successful brain surgery: doctor Argentine football great Diego Maradona has undergone successful brain surgery on a blood clot, his personal doctor has said. Dr Leopoldo Luque said Maradona has an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain. Luque, who is a neurologist, said the problem was likely caused by an accident, but Maradona said he doesn't remember the event.

Vienna terror attack leaves three dead and several wounded, and Johnny Depp loses his high-stakes libel case against The Sun newspaper *) Austria hit by ‘repulsive terror attack’ Three people, including one attacker, have been killed in central Vienna in what Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has described as a "repulsive terror attack." Police said there was "one deceased person" and several injured, including one police officer. The attacks on late Monday were carried out by "several suspects armed with rifles," said police, adding that there had been "six different shooting locations." *) Trump, Biden lawyers on standby for election results Election Day in the US is finally under way with some 98 million people already having voted. But signature matches, late-arriving absentee votes, drop boxes, secrecy envelopes... These issues have already sent Democratic and Republican lawyers to court and victory for Donald Trump or Joe Biden might require a legal battle. *) Turkey's Izmir death toll rises past 100 The death toll from an earthquake in the Aegean Sea has risen to at least 102, Turkey’s disaster management agency has said. The massive earthquake on Friday caused dozens of buildings to collapse and sent seawater surging into the streets along the coast in Izmir. Rescue work continues with a renewed sense of hope after a three-year-old child was found alive under rubble 91 hours after the temblor. *) Argentina expects 10 million doses of Russian Covid-19 vaccine Argentina is expecting 10 million doses of Russia's main experimental Covid-19 vaccine between December and January, as infections continue to climb in the South American country. The vaccine, known as Sputnik V, is given in two doses and could begin arriving as early as next month, the Argentinian government said in a news release. The price of the Russian vaccine would be "more or less average" compared with others. And finally... *) Johnny Depp loses UK libel case over ‘wife-beater’ article Johnny Depp has lost his high-stakes libel case against The Sun tabloid newspaper for labeling him a “wife beater”. In a decision widely cheered by campaigners against domestic abuse, Justice Andrew Nicol said the defendants proved during the trial in London that their allegations against Depp were "substantially true.” Depp’s lawyers said it would be “ridiculous” if the actor didn't appeal the decision.