World

The head of the European Union's executive on Wednesday reported "genuine progress" in Brexit talks but said the risk of Britain leaving the EU without a new trade deal on Dec. 31 remained, an outcome she said the bloc was prepared for.

New Zealand has had a double blow ahead of its twotest series against the West Indies, losing allrounder Colin de Grandhomme and spinner Ajaz Patel to injuries.

A former Cincinnati city council member has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a federal charge resulting from corruption investigations that have left two other council members facing charges.

The Spanish government is to propose a "different" Christmas and New Year under coronavirus restrictions with just six people at parties, although it hopes the "soul and spirit" of the season will shine, El Mundo newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Kenya said on Monday it was reviving investigations into 72 murders as well as allegations of forced eviction and arson during postelection violence in 20072008 after victims and their families came forward to give statements.

The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting where the law ministry presented a draft of the antirape ordinance, Geo TV reported.

Italy will get 16 million shots of the potential COVID19 vaccine developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca in the first months of 2021 under a supply deal agreed at a European Union level, a government source said.

Iran's supreme leader dismissed the prospect of new negotiations with the West on Tuesday, even as the Tehran government spoke optimistically about the return of foreign companies in "the absence of Trump" and his sanctions.

Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Khachatryan has tendered his resignation, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday, following criticism of the government over a ceasefire that secured advances for Azerbaijan in NagornoKarabakh after six weeks of fighting.

Italy is set to receive 16 million shots of the potential COVID19 vaccine developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca in the first months of 2021 as part of a supply deal agreed at a European Union level, a government source said.

While the words shark and Australia typically conjure up images of attacks on swimmers and surfers, 11yearold Billie Rea didn't think twice in rescuing a shark trapped by the low tide in a rock pool and carrying it to deeper water.

Thai police will deploy nearly 6,000 officers on Wednesday for a demonstration at the office that manages the royal fortune by protesters demanding that King Maha Vajiralongkorn give up personal control of the assets.

Colombia will meet its 2020 target for eradicating coca the chief ingredient in cocaine increasing removals by 30% yearonyear to record levels, the defense ministry said on Monday.

Ethiopian federal forces were encircling the Tigray region's capital from around 50 km (31 miles) on Monday, the government said, after giving the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) a 72hour surrender ultimatum.

AstraZeneca said on Monday its vaccine for the novel coronavirus could be around 90% effective without any serious side effects, giving the world another important tool to halt the COVID19 pandemic.

Shares and oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar fell as investors pinned hopes for economic revival on coronavirus vaccines, even as the world contended with surging case numbers and delays to fresh U.S. stimulus.