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*) Magnitude 6.4 quake hits Argentina An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 has shaken western and central Argentina and parts of neighbouring Chile. The US Geological Survey reported that the epicentre was near the town of Pocito, in San Juan province, about 1,000 kilometres from capital Buenos Aires. The US Tsunami Warning System said no tsunami warning has been issued for the earthquake and no casualties or significant damage have been reported. *) Guatemala troops, police break up Honduran migrant caravan Guatemalan security forces have broken up a caravan of some 4,000 Honduran migrants trying to reach the United States. Migrants who are desperate to escape poverty, unemployment, gang and drug violence are hoping for a better life in the US under the leadership of Joe Biden. They are planning to reach Guatemala and then Mexico, walking all the way to the United States. *) Biden to prioritise legal status of immigrants after inauguration President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil an immigration bill on day one of his administration. The bill will provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the US without legal status. With the bill, Biden will keep his campaign promise to Latino voters and other immigrant communities. *) Hundreds of youths clash with police in Tunisia Hundreds of young Tunisians have clashed with police in cities across Tunisia, throwing stones and gasoline bombs in the capital, Tunis. Tunisia has seen the new wave of street clashes since the north African country marked the 10th anniversary of its revolution last week. The young people take the streets to protest the country's deep social and economic crises. And finally… *) Michelin awards first star to a vegan restaurant in France A vegan restaurant in the French southwest has won a Michelin Guide star. ONA, which stands for “animal-free origin”, is the first vegan restaurant in France to win a star. The restaurant also won a green star, which Michelin introduced only last year to reward establishments with a strong record for ethical practices.

*) FBI screens troops ahead of US inauguration We start in the US where the FBI is screening National Guard members to make sure they do not pose a security risk during President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday. Security officials have raised alarms over rising threats since the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said the Guard members are also getting trained to identify potential insider threats. *) Trapped Chinese workers in gold mine still alive Miners trapped underground in eastern China for more than a week after a blast at a gold mine have managed to send up a note to rescuers. Twelve workers have been trapped since a blast occurred in a gold mine near Qixia city in eastern Shandong province last week. The note said four of the workers were injured and that the condition of others was deteriorating because of a lack of fresh air and water. *) China economy grows in 2020 despite pandemic The Chinese economy has grown 2.3 percent in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic. The Asian giant became the only major economy in the world to avoid a contraction last year. Growth in the three months ending in December rose to 6.5 percent over a year earlier, up from the previous quarter’s 4.9 percent. *) Aid effort intensifies after Indonesia quake Rescuers have intensified their work to find those buried in the rubble after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported 70 people died in the hardest-hit city of Mamuju and 11 in the neighbouring district of Majene. Nearly 800 people were injured, with more than half of them still receiving treatment for serious injuries. And finally… *) Wheelchair climber attempts to scale Hong Kong skyscraper Paraplegic athlete Lai Chi-wai has become the first in Hong Kong to climb more than 250 metres of a skyscraper while strapped into a wheelchair. Lai could not make it to the top of the 300-metre-tall Nina Tower due to safety concerns but his feat raised money for spinal cord patients. The event clocked more than $670,600 in donations.

*) Quake hits Indonesia’s West Sulawesi At least seven people have died and hundreds more injured after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s province of West Sulawesi. Officials say more than 3,000 people were left displaced as the tremors damaged at least 60 homes and flattened some large buildings. Rescuers were searching for a dozen patients and staff who were trapped under the rubble of a collapsed hospital. *) Deadly attacks on civilians in eastern DRC At least 46 civilians have been killed in an attack by suspected militants on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Local security forces have been dispatched to the village in Irumu territory to investigate, provincial interior minister Adjio Gidi said by phone. He blamed the Allied Democratic Forces for the raid, an armed group that is accused of carrying out a string of massacres in the region. *) US rejects UN officials plea to reverse Yemen's Houthis terror designation Top UN officials have been urging the US to roll back its decision to designate Yemen's Houthis a foreign terrorist organisation. But the Trump administration has doubled down despite warnings that it would push the country into a large-scale famine and waylay peace efforts. The US said the step is the right move if they want the political process to move forward. *) Turkey begins Covid-19 vaccine rollout More than a quarter of a million health workers have received the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine on the first day of Turkey’s national rollout campaign. The campaign is seen as key to reducing the spread of the virus that has killed more than 23,000 people in the country. Turkey has acquired three million doses of CoronaVac with more shipments expected in the coming months. And finally… *) Lady Gaga, J Lo to perform at Biden inauguration Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez will take the stage at Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony in Washington next week. It appears Hollywood is back and eager to embrace the new US president-elect after many big names stayed away from President Trump’s inauguration. The primetime TV special hosted by Tom Hanks will also include other performers like Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato and Ant Clemons.

*) Trump impeached for a second time The US House of Representatives has voted 232-197 to impeach Donald Trump over last week’s Capitol riots. The articles of impeachment will now be sent on to the Senate for trial. The Senate, currently not in session, won’t hold a trial before January 20, when Democrat Joe Biden will be sworn in as president. Trump will, however, face a Senate trial after leaving office, and, if convicted, would be barred from seeking the presidency again in 2024. *) Israel launches major air strikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria Israeli air strikes on east Syria have killed at least 57 people, in the deadliest strikes since the start of the conflict. Syrian regime media said that Israel struck sites in Al Bukamal, a border town on the Euphrates river, as well as Deir Ezzor. Those killed include at least 14 Syrian regime forces, 16 Iraqi militia fighters and 11 Afghan members of the pro-Iran Fatimid Brigade, according to a war monitor. *) Ugandans lose voice, digital rights in pre-poll blackout Ugandans head to the polls for a general election that pits President Yoweri Museveni against leading opposition candidate Bobi Wine. The 76-year-old incumbent has rebuffed calls to step down after 34 years in power while authorities imposed an internet blackout on the eve of the polls. With promises to end corruption, create jobs and invest in public services, Wine has captured the hearts of many Ugandans in his clash with Museveni. *) WHO fact finding mission arrives in Wuhan An international team of experts from the World Health Organisation has arrived in China to probe the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. The team will investigate how the virus spread from animals to humans but the WHO has warned the public to keep expectations 'very low.' China granted permission to the team earlier this week, just days after the WHO chief criticised Beijing for holding up the mission, after some delays. And finally… *) Tesla asked to recall 158,000 cars over safety-related defect US road safety regulators have asked Tesla to recall 158,000 cars in America because of a safety-related defect. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the defect has been found in certain 2012 through 2018 Tesla Model S cars and 2016 through 2018 Model Xs. The agency said that a problem with the cars' display screen and related failures result in loss of rear view camera and other safety-related functions.

*) US House votes on resolution to remove Trump by 25th Amendment House Democrats in the US have voted to urge Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office. But Pence has rejected it, telling the House Speaker he doesn't believe the resolution is in the best interests of the nation. The House is now looking to impeach Trump for a second time on Wednesday. *) Erdogan: Turkey hasn't given up on becoming EU member President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey is still committed to joining the European Union. Speaking at a meeting with EU ambassadors in Ankara, the Turkish president said Turkey still sees its future with Europe. Erdogan also said Turkey is ready to set a "positive agenda" with the EU, using a long-term perspective to help get relations with the bloc back on track. *) Some 9,000 children died at Irish church-run homes in 1920-90s Around 9,000 children died in Ireland's "mother and baby homes", where unmarried mothers were regularly separated from their infant children. That's according to a report from Ireland's Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes that studied the homes over 76 years. Religious orders and the Irish state dictated the running of the homes which housed unmarried pregnant women, lacked partner and family support, and faced social stigma. *) Billionaire Republican donor Sheldon Adelson dies at 87 Billionaire casino magnate and donor to Republican and Jewish causes Sheldon Adelson has died of cancer at 87. He was known for his tireless advocacy for Israel and right-wing causes, and for his impassioned opposition to the Palestinian cause. One of the richest men in the world, Adelson was a prominent supporter of Trump and well-known in the American business community. And finally… *) WWF: Forest loss ‘hotspots’ bigger than California The world has lost tropical forests equivalent to the size of California over a 13-year period, according to a new report by World Wide Fund for Nature. More than 43 million hectares of forest were cleared in 24 deforestation hotspots across Asia, Latin America and Africa between 2004 and 2007. Swathes of forest continue to be flattened each year, as biodiversity-rich areas are cleared to create space for livestock and crops.

*) US designates Cuba as state sponsor of terror We begin in the US where the Trump administration has announced it is returning Cuba to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The designation is one of several last-minute foreign policy moves that Trump’s administration is making before leaving office on January 20th. On Saturday, the US also designated Yemen's Houthi rebels as a terrorist group. *) Twitter suspends thousands of QAnon accounts Staying with the US, Twitter says it has suspended more than 70,000 accounts linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory following the attack on the US Capitol. Amazon also said it was removing some QAnon products from its online marketplace due to a prohibition on offensive items or other inappropriate content. The bans come as the Pentagon says 15,000 National Guard troops will be deployed for Joe Biden's January 20 inauguration amid fears of more violence. *) Netanyahu orders new Israeli settlement in West Bank Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given the go ahead for the construction of 800 new homes for settlers in the occupied West Bank. The announcement came ahead of this month’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, who is critical of Israeli settlement policies. All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal by much of the international community. *) Qatar-Saudi Arabia direct flights resume after thaw A Qatar Airways jetliner has landed in Saudi Arabia, completing the first direct flight from Doha to Riyadh since a 2017 Riyadh-led boycott. The resumption of direct flights came after Saudi Arabia reopened its borders and airspace with Qatar last week. Qatar Airways tweeted that services to Jeddah and Dammam would resume later in the week. And finally… *) Gorillas at San Diego Zoo test positive for Covid-19 At least two gorillas at California's San Diego Zoo have caught the coronavirus. It is believed to be the first outbreak among such primates in captivity. California’s governor said two primates began coughing last week and tested positive for the virus, while a third is showing symptoms.

*) Democrats in Congress kick off efforts to drive Trump from office Democrats in Congress will begin their drive to force President Donald Trump from office in the aftermath of the deadly Capitol riots. The move kicks off a week of legislative action that could end with a vote that would make him the only president in US history to be impeached twice. Last week, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying President-elect Joe Biden's election win. *) Indonesia intensifies search for crashed plane's black boxes Indonesian divers are searching the waters of Jakarta as they hunt for the black boxes from the passenger jet that crashed over the weekend. The Boeing 737-500 jet, which was carrying 62 people, disappeared minutes after taking off from Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, during heavy rain. Authorities said signals from the boxes were detected between Lancang and Laki islands in the Thousand Island chain just north of Jakarta's coast. *) New coronavirus variant detected in Japan The Japanese Health Ministry has found a coronavirus variant in people arriving from Brazil that’s different from the ones in Britain and South Africa. The variant was found in airport tests carried out on a man in his 40s, a woman in her 30s and two teenagers. Japan is working with other nations, the WHO and medical experts to analyze the new version of the virus. *) US to designate Yemen's Houthis as foreign terrorist group Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States will designate Yemen's Houthi rebels as a terrorist group. The move could complicate President-elect Joe Biden administration's efforts to restart diplomacy with Iran, which has ties to the movement. The rebel group controls much of Yemen and is already under US sanctions. And finally… *) Turkish WhatsApp users quit app after WhatsApp update Turkish users are taking a quick flight from messaging app WhatsApp to other alternatives after it forced many users to agree to new privacy rules. Telegram, Signal - recommended by Elon Musk and BiP - developed by Turkish mobile network giant Turkcell are among the users’ favourites. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s media office and Turkey’s defence ministry also said they are quitting WhatsApp and shifting their groups to Bip.

*) Trump finally concedes to Biden US President Trump has finally conceded election defeat to Joe Biden and also condemned his supporters for their deadly raid on congress. It comes as chaos on Capitol Hill led to resignations in the Trump administration and calls for the president’s impeachment. The siege of the Capitol building left four protesters and one police officer dead. Now, an increasingly isolated Trump has promised to participate in a transition to the new administration on January 20. *) Air strike, suicide bombing hit southern Afghanistan At least 23 civilians and security forces have been killed in separate attacks in southern Afghanistan. A suicide bomber killed six security forces near a military base in southern Uruzgan province, while an airstrike in Helmand province killed at least five people. In northern Kunduz province, Taliban fighters stormed a military checkpoint killing at least 12 security personnel. *) WhatsApp to share data with Facebook WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, has announced a change in its privacy policy which will allow Facebook to access user data. Over 2 billion users will be presented with "an ultimatum" on February 8th to either accept the new privacy policies or delete their accounts. WhatsApp had assured users that their data would remain private when Facebook acquired it in 2014. *) Pfizer study suggests vaccine works against virus variants New research has shown that Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine can protect against a mutation found in two highly contagious variants of the virus spreading in UK and South Africa. The variants share a common mutation – a slight alteration of the spike protein coating the virus that could be responsible for greater transmissibility. The not-yet peer-reviewed study by Pfizer and scientists from the University of Texas Medical Branch indicated the vaccine was effective in neutralising virus with the mutation of the spike protein. And finally… *) Turkey launches fifth-generation satellite Turkey's new communications satellite that has been launched from the US-based company SpaceX at Cape Canaveral in Florida. With Turksat 5A in service, Turkey will add the Middle East and Africa to its coverage area, the country’s transportation minister said. Turkey will launch another communication satellite, the Turksat 5B, in June.

*) Mob storms US Capitol as Trump accused of 'coup' We start in the US, where Donald Trump's supporters stormed a session of Congress to certify Joe Biden's election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and accusations the president was attempting a coup. At least four people died in the ensuing violence as supporters gathered outside Capitol Hill with a demand to overturn the presidential election results. In surreal scenes, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, smashed windows and forced lawmakers into hiding. Social media platforms Facebook and Twitter temporarily blocked Trump's accounts for what they call inflammatory posts during the chaos. *) Some 2.2 million displaced by fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray Around 2.2 million people have been displaced within Ethiopia’s Tigray region since fighting erupted there in November last year. That’s according to an official in the interim administration in Tigray appointed by the federal government. Ethiopia's government restricted access to Tigray after fighting flared between its troops and the TPLF, a political party governing the province. *) Covid-19 claimed lives of over 600 journalists The coronavirus has taken the lives of 600 journalists since March 1 last year, a press freedom organisation says. The Press Emblem Campaign said that 303 deaths were from Latin America. Some 145 deaths were recorded in Asia, with 94 in Europe, 32 in North America, and 28 in Africa. *) WikiLeaks founder Assange denied bail in UK A court in the UK has denied bail to Julian Assange, ruling he must stay in a British prison. The judge is the same one who blocked the Australian's extradition to the US a few days ago. The founder of Wikileaks has been incarcerated at London's Belmarsh Prison since April 2019. And finally… *) Bitcoin hits new record high, breaks above $35,000 Bitcoin has broken a new record, rising to a high of thirty-five thousand, eight hundred and seventy-nine dollars ($35,879). The rise extends a rally that has seen the digital currency increase in value by more than 800 percent since mid-March. Bitcoin's advance has reflected expectations it will become a mainstream payment method.

*) Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with Qatar Gulf Arab leaders have ended a three-year blockade against Qatar. In a symbolic sign of warming relations, the Saudi crown prince embraced Qatar's emir after he arrived for a regional summit. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and being close to Iran, an accusation Doha denied. *) Ballot counting underway in Georgia ran-off election Democrats have claimed a major victory in the Georgia run-offs where candidate Raphael Warnock has declared he's won a seat in the US Senate. On the second senate seat, Democrat Jon Ossoff and his Republican challenger David Perdue are still in a neck and neck contest. Republicans only need one seat to retain their majority, but Democrats need to win both. The outcome could change how the incoming Biden administration works with lawmakers. *) Dozens of Hong Kong activists arrested Hong Kong police have arrested more than 50 opposition lawmakers and activists under its national security law. The new security law criminalises acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers to intervene in the its affairs. In recent months, Hong Kong has jailed many activists including Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow for their involvement in anti-Beijing protests. *) Iran issues Interpol notice for Trump's arrest Iran has issued a second arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump and 47 other US officials over last year’s killing of general Qasem Soleimani. Iran has also requested Interpol to issue a red notice for their arrest, a request comes two weeks before Trump has to leave the White House. Interpol said it does not consider requests for a red notice that are deemed to be motivated by political or military concerns. And finally… *) Premier League sees record number of Covid-19 cases The English Premier League has announced that a total of 40 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19. Since the new season kicked off, 171 individuals in the English top-flight have tested positive for the virus in 19 rounds of testing. The league did not name the people who tested positive but said they will self-isolate for 10 days.

*) Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain are reopening their airspace and land and sea borders to Qatar after three years. Riyadh and its allies launched the blockade in 2017, accusing Doha of supporting extremist groups and having warm ties with Iran. A senior Trump administration official said that an agreement to end their dispute is to be signed in Saudi Arabia. *) UK judge refuses US extradition of Assange A British judge has rejected a US’ request to extradite Julian Assange to face espionage charges over the publication of secret US documents. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said that Assange was likely to commit suicide if sent to the US. Lawyers for the government said they would appeal the decision, as the Department of Justice will continue to seek the WikiLeaks founder’s extradition. *) Iran prepares for drone exercise as tensions rise in region Tensions are brewing in the Middle East ahead of the administration change in Washington. Iran recently announced that it had begun enriching uranium up to 20 percent in violation of Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact with six major powers. Citing threats from Iran, the Pentagon said it was reversing the decision to bring back aircraft carrier USS Nimitz home from the Gulf. *) Pakistan provincial court bans virginity tests on rape victims A top provincial court in Pakistan has outlawed virginity tests on rape victims, a longstanding practice in the country. Critics of the tests, including an invasive "two-finger test”, had filed petitions in the eastern city of Lahore in a bid to have them outlawed. The World Health Organization has said there is no scientific merit to the examinations and considers them a human rights violation. And finally… *) Alibaba founder disappears, fueling speculation about his whereabouts Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s absence from public view has raised more questions after the Wall Street Journal reported that China aimed to take a bigger role in his empire. Jack Ma has not appeared in a public setting since a late October forum in Shanghai where he blasted China’s regulatory system in a speech. Chinese regulators have zeroed in on Ma's businesses since his October speech, including launching an antitrust probe into Alibaba.

*) Leaked call reveals Trump pressured Georgia election official US President Donald Trump has attempted to influence the results of the November 3 presidential election, according to a Washington Post report. The newspaper published a recording of a telephone call Trump had with election officials in the state of Georgia. Trump is heard pressuring Georgia's secretary of state to "find" enough votes in an attempt to overturn the state's election result. *) Gunmen kill 11 Shia Hazara coal miners in Pakistan Gunmen have killed at least 11 miners from Pakistan’s minority Shia Hazaras in Balochistan province. The attack took place early on Sunday morning near a coal mine in the Mach area of Balochistan's Bolan district. Initial investigation revealed the attackers identified the miners as being from the Hazara community before taking them away for execution. *) India's approval of homegrown vaccine criticised over lack of data India's emergency-use approval of a locally developed vaccine has faced criticism. Industry experts and opposition lawmakers said the step was taken without publishing efficacy data for the coronavirus vaccine by Bharat Biotech. India also approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which is being produced locally for poorer countries but has banned its export until local demand has been met. *) Israeli prosecutors spell out charges against Netanyahu Israeli prosecutors have released an amended indictment spelling out detailed corruption charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is alleged there were 315 incidents of Walla news agency being asked to make its coverage more favourable for Netanyahu and his family. The prosecutors said there were indications that Netanyahu was personally involved in 150 of those incidents. And finally… *) Over two-millennia-old Aphrodite temple discovered in Turkey A team of Turkish scientists and archaeologists have discovered the 2,500-year-old remains of an Aphrodite temple in Turkey’s Urla-Cesme peninsula. Aphrodite is an ancient goddess from Greek mythology associated with passion, beauty, pleasure and procreation. The first traces of the temple were discovered back in 2016 and were announced to the world by a journal article.

*) New year, same dilemmas It is officially 2021 but 2020's problems are still looming. This year, Britain will learn to go it alone after ending nearly 50 years in the EU common market. And US President Donald Trump's first term is ending, paving the way for a Biden presidency and a raft of policy changes. This will all be under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic as rich countries begin vaccine rollouts but that relief remains elusive to most poor countries. *) Brexit comes into effect We can all stop complaining about long quibbling Brexit negotiations now because the UK has now officially exited the European Union. Britain is no longer bound by EU rules as new policies on trades, travels, immigration, and security co-operation come into effect. The immediate consequence is an end to the free movement of more than 500 million people between Britain and the 27 EU states. *) UN ends peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s Darfur On to another exit, the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur has ended after 13 years of peacekeeping in the Sudanese region. The phased withdrawal of some 8,000 of the UN’s armed and civilian personnel will begin in January and be completed within six months. UN troops entered the area after fighting erupted in 2003 between ethnic minority rebels and the Arab-dominated government, killing 300,000 people. *) US to move aircraft carrier out of Mideast amid Iran tension To the Middle East now, where the United States has decided to move its aircraft carrier out of the region. The decision comes two days after the US military flew strategic bombers over the Gulf as a show of force against Iran. Washington said the bombers were meant to deter Tehran from American or allied targets in the region. And finally… *) World ushers in New Year in shadow of pandemic Hello, 2021. This New Year’s Eve was celebrated like no other, with Covid-19 pandemic restrictions limiting crowds. After a grinding year that has seen at least 1.8 million people die from the virus, fresh waves of infection have sparked renewed lockdowns globally. But China’s Wuhan, where the virus first appeared last year, saw thousands gather to ring in the new year.

Daily News Brief for Thursday, December 31st: *) Brexit is finally real We begin in the UK where a Brexit deal with the EU has been granted the royal assent by the queen and support by Britain's parliament. The deal, which is now enshrined in British law, comes into effect at 11pm London time on the 31st when the UK finally leaves the EU's single market. The deal delivers control over UK law, money and borders and trade deals, but business and travel with Europe will involve more red tape. *) Deadly blast hits Yemen’s Aden Explosions have hit an airport in Yemen’s southern city of Aden, as the newly formed government arrived from Saudi Arabia. At least 26 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the blast that occurred as hundreds gathered at the airport to greet the delegation. The cabinet members were unharmed and taken to the city's presidential palace. *) Iran to pay $150,000 to each family of Ukraine crash victims Iran has announced that it will pay $150,000 to each family of those killed in the accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane on January 8. Kiev called the move "unacceptable", arguing the compensation amount should be the subject of negotiations. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard. Tehran admitted three days later that its forces mistakenly shot down the Kiev-bound plane after firing two missiles, amid US-Iran tensions. *) Argentina legalises abortion Argentina’s Senate has passed a bill legalising elective abortion after a marathon 12-hour session, clearing its final hurdle to become law. Abortion will now be legal up to the fourteenth week of pregnancy, and will be legal after that period in cases of rape or danger to the mother’s life. Argentina is the largest Latin American country to legalise abortion in a region where the Catholic Church has held cultural and political sway for centuries. And finally… *) Brazil prosecutors look into alleged Neymar New Year bash Football star Neymar is in hot water over reports that he is organising a New Year's Eve party at his Brazillian home despite the coronavirus pandemic. Brazilian prosecutors are investigating the claims and asked Neymar to clarify any health measures in place and the number of guests. Sources close to the striker said he was not planning on hosting a party at his pad near Rio de Janeiro.

*) First batch of China's Sinovac vaccines arrives in Turkey A plane carrying the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines made by China’s SinoVac has arrived in Turkey. The Turkish Airlines plane carrying three million doses of vaccines for 1.5 million people landed at Esenboga Airport in capital Ankara. Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that the first 20 million doses of 50 million ordered from Sinovac will be delivered during December and January. *) Trump’s $2,000 checks stall in Senate as GOP blocks vote President Donald Trump's push for bigger $2,000 Covid-19 relief checks has been blocked by the Republican-controlled Senate. The roadblock mounted by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may not be sustainable as pressure mounts. The issue to raise relief cheques from $600 for millions of Americans is a rare occasion that has not only divided the Republicans but put Trump on the same side as the Democrats. *) Turkey, UK ink to extend free-trade deal Turkey and the United Kingdom have extended their free-trade deal, days before Brexit, to keep up the existing flow of goods. The trade ministers of two countries signed the agreement in a televised video conference call. Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said the deal will take effect on January 1, 2021, ensuring a quick transition after the existing deal ends. *) Magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits Croatia A strong earthquake has hit Croatia that left at least seven people dead and injured several others causing considerable damage to roofs **(rooves like hoof/hooves--British pronunciation) and buildings. The tremor was felt as far afield as Vienna while the damage was concentrated in and around Petrinja, a town at the south of capital Zagreb. The GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said the quake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres. And finally… *) Boeing 737 MAX returns to US skies The first commercial flight of a Boeing 737 MAX has taken off in the US following its grounding in the aftermath of two deadly crashes. Boeing struggled through 20 months that the plane was barred from skies globally, a situation made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. The planemaker has sought to reassure the public over the aircraft's safety after it was cleared by US regulators in November to resume flights.

Fate of President Donald Trump's $2,000 Covid-19 relief cheques now rests with GOP-led Senate, and drones could soon be making commercial delivery of packages in the US *) US House approves $2,000 Covid-19 relief bill The US House has voted overwhelmingly to increase Covid-19 relief cheques to $2,000, sending the bill to the GOP-controlled Senate. The new measure, long-backed by the Democrats, would provide more money to low-income Americans only. By sending the measure to the Senate, Democrats are using the rare point of agreement with Trump to advance the proposal, or at least put Republicans on record against it. *) Telecom towers targeted in Indian farmer protests Protesters in India have attacked more than 1,500 masts of companies that they believe have profited from new farm laws at their expense. Tens of thousands of farmers have been demonstrating near the capital New Delhi to protest new laws implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Farmers leaders say the reforms will lead to a takeover of the agriculture business by Indian conglomerates. *) Three French soldiers killed in Mali At least three French soldiers were killed in Mali after an improvised explosive device hit their armoured vehicle. France has more than 5,000 troops deployed in West Africa to help fight militant groups there as part of Operation Barkhane. Militants, who were forced from power in northern Mali after a 2013 French-led operation, now launch frequent attacks in the region. *) Saudi court hands jail sentence to women's rights activist A Saudi terrorism court has sentenced prominent women's rights activist Loujain al Hathloul to five years and eight months in prison. Hathloul has been held since 2018 after being arrested along with at least a dozen other women's rights activists. The court suspended two years and 10 months of her sentence. And finally… *) US to allow small drones to fly over people and at night Small drones will be allowed to fly over people and at night in the United States. Most drones will need to be equipped so they can be identified remotely by law enforcement officials. Drones are the fastest-growing segment in US transportation, and the latest move will potentially give a boost to commercial use of the machines.

*) Trump signs Covid-19 relief bill US President Donald Trump has averted a government shutdown, by finally signing a $2.4 trillion package that includes Covid-19 relief funding. The White House says the Senate will now begin a process for a vote to increase direct payments to jobless Americans to 2,000 dollars. The bill's signing comes after confusion and uncertainty over whether those out of work would be able to pay their rent and buy groceries. *) Central African Republic votes under threat of violence Voters in the Central African Republic have participated in general elections held by a government under attack by rebels. Militias hostile to President Faustin-Archange Touadera*, who is seeking a second term, have recently stepped up attacks over perceived vote-rigging. Tensions rose after the Central African Republic's constitutional court rejected several candidacies, including that of former president Francois Bozize. *) GCC discusses steps to resolve Qatar dispute Saudi Arabia's King Salman has told the Gulf Cooperation Council to invite all members, including Qatar, to its summit in Riyadh on January fifth. The invitation comes amid hopes the three-year-long dispute between Saudi Arabia and its allies and Qatar may be settled. Earlier this month, Kuwait said that progress had been made between the Saudis and Qataris towards resolving the dispute. *) Niger votes in historic elections Elections in Niger over the weekend are expected to seal, for the first time, a peaceful handover between elected presidents. A smooth transition would be a ray of hope rare for a country that has seen several coups and faces poverty and deadly violence. Some 7.4 million Nigeriens were registered to vote to elect legislators and the successor to President Mahamadou Issoufou. And finally… *) Ronaldo crowned player of the century Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been named player of the century at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. Beating out Barcelona's Leo Messi and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Ronaldo was voted best player of the 2000s by a 23-person jury. The five-time UEFA Champions League winner led the Portugal national team to win their first-ever major title, the UEFA Euro 2016.

*) UK, EU strike a Brexit trade deal British and EU negotiators have agreed on a new free trade deal after marathon talks in Brussels. The deal will come into force on January 1st, and averts the potential chaos of tariffs and quotas. Last-minute negotiations between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen included haggling over fishing quotas. *) UK finds second Covid-19 variants linked to South Africa A new, potentially more transmittable, variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 has been found in Britain in cases linked to South Africa. Britain said that two people infected with the new variant are contacts of cases who travelled from South Africa. Scientists in South Africa believe the variant is more infectious and could hit younger people. Meanwhile, Italy’s national carrier Alitalia has resumed flights from London after shutting the route down for several days. *) Trump throws pandemic relief into doubt Now to the US, where disputes between lawmakers over the 900-billion-dollar coronavirus relief package are threatening to shut down the government. Congress approved the package on Monday but President Trump refused to sign it, demanding higher stimulus cheques for Americans. Trump’s demand for $2,000 cheques for most Americans was swiftly rejected by House Republicans, throwing a massive virus relief and government funding bill into chaos. *) Pakistani court orders release of man charged in Daniel Pearl killing A Pakistani court has ordered that the man charged in the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl be freed. The order from Sindh High Court overturned a Supreme Court decision in September that Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh should remain in custody. Sheikh was sentenced to death and three others were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the murder of the Wall Street Journal reporter. And finally… *) Coronavirus dampens Christmas joy in Bethlehem and elsewhere Christmas has arrived but the coronavirus has put a damper on festivities. Celebrations in Europe are scaled back this year as virus infections surge across the continent with a new variant that may be more contagious. Subdued scenes were repeated across the world as festive family gatherings and packed prayers were pared back or cancelled.

*) President Trump grants clemency to more allies US President Donald Trump has issued a new raft of pardons for allies, this time granting clemency to 26 people. The pardons that include Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and associate Roger Stone have sparked fresh outrage. Also on the list was Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was convicted of tax evasion in 2005. *) Announcement of UK-EU trade deal expected Thursday morning After months of painful, stuttering talks, UK and EU negotiators appear on the brink of reaching a post-Brexit trade deal. An official from the bloc said the announcement on the deal is expected on Thursday morning with negotiations still going through the details. The front pages of several British newspapers already proclaimed victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the quest for a pact. *) Fire breaks out in Bosnia migrant camp A migrant camp in northwestern Bosnia has been destroyed in a blaze that a UN official blamed on former residents. There were no injuries reported since the UN migration agency had earlier withdrawn residents from the camp for winter refurbishing. The Lipa tent camp near the Croatian border once housed 1,200 migrants and had been criticised by rights groups over its squalid conditions. *) More than 100 killed gunned down in Ethiopia Gunmen have killed more than 100 people in the latest massacre along ethnic lines in western Ethiopia. The attack in Benishangul-Gumuz region occurred a day after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited the region and spoke about recent massacres. Ethnic tensions are a major challenge as he tries to promote national unity in a country with more than 80 ethnic groups. And finally… *) Facebook bans Australian celebrity chef over virus misinformation Facebook has banned Australian celebrity chef and conspiracy theorist Pete Evans for repeatedly spreading misinformation about the coronavirus. With more than a million social media followers, Evans had been an influential promoter of conspiracy theories about the pandemic. Facebook said it would not "allow anyone to share misinformation about Covid-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm".

*) US President Trump pardons 15, including Republican allies US President Trump has pardoned 15 people, including some Republican allies and ex-government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad. He also pardoned his 2016 campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, who was convicted of lying to federal investigators probing Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Despite speculation, though, the list excluded members of Trump's own family, his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and the president himself. *) Morocco signs deals with Israel cementing normalisation Moroccan and Israeli officials have signed several deals, as the two countries normalise diplomatic relations. A US-Israeli delegation earlier arrived in Rabat from Tel Aviv on the first direct commercial flight between Israel and Morocco. Morocco followed the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan to normalise ties with Israel. *) Israel to hold snap election in March Meanwhile, in Israel, the parliament has been dissolved after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Benny Gantz failed to reach a deal on a national budget. The deadlock has triggered a snap election, to be held in March. It will be Israel's fourth general election in the last two years. Netanyahu has been the target of regular protests over corruption charges and his handling of the pandemic. *) Russia confirms sending 300 soldiers to CAR Rebels in the Central African Republic (CAR) have seized Bambari, the country's fourth-largest city. At the Central African Republic's request, Russia and Rwanda sent military personnel to support the troubled country ahead of elections. Russia confirmed it has sent 300 military instructors to the country at the request of its leadership to help counter a surge in rebel violence. And finally… *) Google to feature song on homepage for first time Google will feature a song on its homepage for the first time. Commissioned by the tech giant, the Peter CottonTale-produced “Together” features Chance the Rapper, Cynthia Erivo and the Chicago Children’s Choir. It will land on Google's homepage December 23 and is also featured in Google’s “Year in Search 2020” campaign.