World News Briefs -- December 23, 2020 (Evening Edition)

Epi. findings👉
✅Substantial increase in transmission of the virus but no evidence yet of increased severity
✅Rapid studies underway to examine clinical severity & reinfection- we will continue to monitor/report
✅Frequency in younger age groups👉also impacted by other factors

— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) December 23, 2020

DW: WHO confirms COVID variant 'substantially' more infectious 

The World Health Organization has said it found a "substantial increase in transmission of the virus but no evidence yet of increased severity." 

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe met on Wednesday to discuss the new coronavirus variant, which has wreaked havoc on the UK and caused high alert across Europe. 

The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including Russia and several Central Asian nations. In total, the region has registered nearly 24 million coronavirus cases and over 500,000 deaths. 

WHO Europe said it gathered its members to discuss strategies to counter the new, more infectious variant: 

Read more .... 

 MIDDLE EAST 

Trump warns Iran over rocket strike on embassy in Iraq. 

Iran leaders: Biden arrival won't guarantee better relations. 

Top U.S. officials discuss options to protect Americans in Iraq -senior official. 

Trump administration 'is considering granting Saudi Crown Prince Salman immunity in lawsuit that accused him of sending a squad of hit men to Canada to assassinate rival's top aide'. 

Netanyahu hints Israel won't shy away from military action against Iran. 

Right-wing challenge to Netanyahu builds ahead of Israeli election. 

Turkey hopes to turn new page with U.S. and EU in 2021, Erdogan says. 

Leaked Hamas Christmas memo causes Christian dismay in Gaza. 

Qatar, Dubai roll out Pfizer-BioNTech virus jabs. 

 ASIA 

Taiwan cancels, curbs gatherings after new local COVID-19 case -Xinhua. 

South Korea battles to contain COVID amid policy uncertainty. 

Indonesian military says troops suspected of killing 2 Papuan civilians. 

Kashmir parties opposed to Modi win seats in local polls. 

HK court grants tycoon Jimmy Lai bail in national security, fraud case. 

China targets overeating, food waste with new draft law. 

Over half of Chinese adults overweight, study finds. 

 AFRICA 

Gunmen kill more than 100 in attack in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region. 

Fearing violence, shops shut, people hunker down before Central African vote. 

UN agrees to end Darfur peacekeeping mission. 

US calls for transparency as Russians enter C.Africa. 

Insider Bazoum emerges as likely winner in Niger's first democratic transfer of power. 

Quarter of a million children in need in N. Mozambique: UN. 

Morocco urges Biden to ‘preserve’ Trump’s recognition of its Western Sahara sovereignty claims.

Somali hotel rises again after al Shabaab bombing. 

 EUROPE 

Brexit trade deal marathon heads to the finish line. 

UK tightens Covid-19 restrictions to curb new, more contagious variant of vírus. 

Truck drivers in UK resume travel to France after tense two-day coronavirus blockade. 

Italy becomes first European country to surpass 70,000 deaths. 

Putin says expecting no change to US ties under Biden. 

Russian lawmakers pass bills to block U.S. social media platforms. 

US State Department says Russian security agency behind Navalny poisoning. 

Three police officers shot dead, fourth injured in Puy-de-Dome in central France. 

 AMERICAS 

Defying Congress, Trump vetoes defense bill, threatens government shutdown. 

One million Americans vaccinated against Covid-19: official. 

Trump pardons more allies, including Kushner's father: White House. 

Mexico to start COVID vaccinations as virus stretches hospitals. 

Mexican president offers defiance to major opposition alliance. 

Canadian regulators approve Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. 

Gas, marbles and lead pellets: Peru protest deaths turn spotlight on police violence. 

A record 22 candidates to square off in Peru's April presidential election.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

S&P 500 ends slightly higher as investors bet on recovery.

Stocks shrug off Trump's stimulus threat; pound jumps on Brexit trade deal hopes. 

Facebook removes Apple’s blue tick page verification as the feud between the tech giants over upcoming iPhone privacy changes continues to escalate. 

Families of crash victims want U.S. to rescind approval for Boeing 737 MAX to fly again.

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