U.S. President Trump Starts Transition Of Power To Biden
U.S. President Donald J. Trump authorized his administration early Tuesday to prepare for the transfer of power to his rival Joe Biden, who claimed victory in the presidential election.
Month: November 2020
Germany Wants Controversial Coronavirus Vaccines To Reach Poor Nations
After Pope Francis urged “solidarity”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel demands the distribution of controversial coronavirus vaccines among poorer nations. Her appeal comes as countries rush to start with coronavirus vaccinations before Christmas, despite fresh concerns they impact people’s behavior and DNA.
California churches appeal to Supreme Court after governor tightens coronavirus restrictions
Two California churches on Friday appealed to the Supreme Court for an emergency injunction against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus restrictions, days after the state revamped its shutdown orders.
China Pushing For A Global COVID QR Code To Track Travel, Limit Exposure To Coronavirus
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants other nations to adopt a coronavirus tracking system that uses QR codes to track travel during the pandemic.
In threat to Iran, US sends heavy bombers to Middle East via Israel
The United States this week rapidly deployed several heavy bombers to the Middle East this week in an apparent threat to Iran, amid swirling speculation that US President Donald Trump plans to take military action against Tehran before President-elect Joe Biden enters office.
Upping pressure on Blue and White, Lapid vows no-confidence vote next week
In a move aimed at pressuring the centrist Blue and White party to break ranks with the coalition amid an ongoing deterioration of relations within the government, opposition leader Yair Lapid said Monday that he’ll lead a proposal next week to disperse the Knesset and call new elections.
Federal ruling strikes down local Florida conversion therapy bans, citing First Amendment protection
A panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a local Florida ordinance Friday that prohibited licensed therapists from engaging in conversion therapy, ruling that banning the controversial practice that aims to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity violates therapists’ First Amendment rights.
Vaccination to Be a ‘Necessity’ for Overseas Travel, Qantas Says
Qantas Airways Ltd. plans to require future international passengers to have a Covid-19 vaccination before they fly, and said it’s likely to become a requirement at airlines across the world.
Beijing-Controlled News Outlet Paid US Newspapers Millions To Publish Propaganda This Year
An English-language newspaper controlled by the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda department paid U.S. media companies nearly $2 million for printing and advertising expenses over the past six months, even amid heightened scrutiny over Beijing’s disinformation efforts in the West.
GSA Administrator tells Biden he can access transition resources and services
U.S. General Services Administration Administrator Emily Murphy in a Nov. 23 letter of ascertainment informed Joe Biden that he can now access transition services and resources.
The story of mRNA: How a once-dismissed idea became a leading technology in the Covid vaccine race
The liquid that many hope could help end the Covid-19 pandemic is stored in a nondescript metal tank in a manufacturing complex owned by Pfizer, one of the world’s biggest drug companies. There is nothing remarkable about the container, which could fit in a walk-in closet, except that its contents could end up in the world’s first authorized Covid-19 vaccine.
Media reports Netanyahu flew to Saudi Arabia for secret talks
Israel’s Channel 12 has reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen flew to Saudi Arabia Sunday for a secret meeting with officials there, All Israel News (AIN) reports. Although the meeting has not been confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office, the news has caused speculation that, following Bahrain, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia may become the next Arab state to normalize relations with Israel.
Britain signs interim trade deal with Canada amid continued negotiations with EU
While still trying to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, the United Kingdom has been able to agree to an interim trade deal with Canada, Fox News reports. The agreement offers a source of business security for Britain, which must reach an agreement with the EU by the end of the post-Brexit transition period on 31 December or move instead into World Trade Organization terms with the European trading bloc.
High court in India orders safe return of Christians displaced by Hindu extremists
A high court in India has ordered the district administration of Kondagaon to facilitate the safe return of Christians who were displaced from their villages by radical Hindu nationalists in Chhattisgarh state, Assist News reports. The order was issued by Bilaspur High Court on November 8.
US Navy destroyer shot down an intercontinental ballistic missile target for the first time
A US Navy destroyer shot down an intercontinental ballistic missile target for the first time on Tuesday in a historic missile defense test, the Missile Defense Agency said.
US exits Open Skies Treaty citing Russian violations
The United States exited the Treaty on Open Skies on Sunday, six months after the Trump administration signaled it would. The administration cited repeated Russian Federation violations of the treaty designed to allow unarmed aerial surveillance flights by the treaty participants in Europe, Russia, and the U.S.
Iran vows to crush any Israeli attempt to hit its “advisory” role in Syria
Iran on Sunday vowed to defeat any Israeli attempt to harm its role in Syria, saying the era of “hit and run” attacks by Israel there was over, days after Israel carried out airstrikes on the Syrian army and Iranian paramilitary targets in the country.
IDF strikes Hamas targets in Gaza after rockets fired
The IDF struck Hamas targets in Gaza overnight on Saturday, after Palestinian terrorists fired a rocket toward Israel, setting off air raid sirens in the southern city of Ashkelon, the military announced.
Federal judge throws out Trump campaign lawsuit in Pennsylvania; appeal expected
A federal judge tossed a lawsuit Saturday night that sought to have millions of ballots from the Nov. 3 presidential election thrown out, dealing another blow to President Donald Trump’s efforts to stay in office.
Iran puts allies on high alert, warns not to provoke US in Trump’s final weeks
Iran has instructed allies across the Middle East to be on high alert and avoid provoking tensions with the US that could give an outgoing Trump administration cause to launch attacks in the US president’s final weeks in office, Iraqi officials have said.