Germany German court upholds tree-felling ban at Tesla plant site A German court ruled that Tesla has to stop clearing trees on some parts of the site outside Berlin where it is building the company's first electric car factory in Europe. 19/12/2020
Belgium UK & EU 'still far apart' in post-Brexit trade talks as deadline looms Negotiators are meeting in Brussels this weekend ahead of a Sunday deadline called by the European Parliament. 19/12/2020
USA 'No time to waste': Biden introduces his climate team “We literally have no time to waste," Biden told reporters as he introduced his choices, comparing the need for a climate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 19/12/2020
Spain Messi equals Pelé's 643 club goals, Barça held by Valencia Lionel Messi reached another personal scoring milestone in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Valencia in the Spanish league on Saturday. 19/12/2020
United Kingdom What do we know about the UK's more infectious coronavirus variant? Here's what we know so far about the new variant of coronavirus in the United Kingdom that officials say is spreading more rapidly than other virus variants. 19/12/2020
China First lunar soil samples collected in 44 years arrive in Beijing Chinese scientists have laid their hands on a very precious container. Inside are the first samples of soil taken from the surface of the moon in 44 years. 19/12/2020
no comment Bolivia recognises same-sex couple's civil union for first time Guido Montano and David Aruquipa, who have been a couple for 11 years, said they consider the step a victory for human rights in Bolivia. 19/12/2020
no comment Japan braces for heavy snowfall in mountainous areas Weather officials in Japan warned that there will be more heavy snow this weekend, mainly in the mountainous areas of Hokkaido, Hokuriku and Kanto-Koshin regions. 19/12/2020
no comment Despite Covid, Brooklyn neighborhood still a flashy Christmas village Despite the pandemic, the neighbourhood of Dyker Heights proudly displays its over-the-top Christmas light decorations. 19/12/2020
United Kingdom New COVID-19 strain 'out of control', says UK Health Secretary UK nations issued new restrictions, stating that a new, more infectious strain of coronavirus was spreading rapidly. 19/12/2020
no comment Schoolboys kidnapped in northwest Nigeria released More than 300 schoolboys kidnapped last week in an attack on their school in northwest Nigeria have returned home. 19/12/2020
Turkey Hospital fire kills nine COVID-19 patients at ICU in Turkey A fire broke out at an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients in southern Turkey after an oxygen cylinder exploded, killing nine people, the health minister said. 19/12/2020
world news WHO: COVID-19 'dramatically worsened' lives of migrants and refugees The pandemic had a "highly negative impact on the living and working conditions of refugees and migrants," the WHO said in a new report. 19/12/2020
USA US Secretary of State Pompeo blames Russia for massive government hack Mike Pompeo said it was clear the Russians were behind a widespread hack of US government agencies. 19/12/2020
Sci-tech Humans and robots battle it out for control of the future From bioengineering and gene editing to cybersecurity, 5G, and much more, the future is very much under the spotlight at the 40th annual Gulf Information Technology Exhibition in Dubai. 19/12/2020
France Epstein associate charged for rape and sexual harassment in France Jean-Luc Brunel was charged for raping minors over the age of 15 and for sexual harassment, French prosecutors said in a statement on Saturday. 19/12/2020
United Arab Emirates Software and algorithms are key to Dubai's vertical growth It's not only bricks, mortar, money, and men. 19/12/2020
USA Moderna becomes second COVID-19 vaccine to receive US approval The Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, adding a second shot to its arsenal. 19/12/2020
Green News The 7 best food and drink gifts for a greener Christmas From craft gin to super healthy chocolate, we've rounded up some of our favourite organic food and drink. 19/12/2020
Green News Why 2020 was a promising year for wildlife around the globe The world's loneliest elephant was set free and a 100-year-old tortoise saved his species by having 800 children. 19/12/2020
Italy Italy orders nationwide lockdown for Christmas holiday Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday announced a nationwide lockdown from December 21 to January 6 amid fears of a Christmas surge. 19/12/2020
