World News Briefs -- January 20, 2021 (Night Edition)

 

UPI: World leaders congratulate Biden, who promises repaired alliances 

(UPI) -- Heads of state from across the globe gave their well-wishes to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday after they were sworn in at the U.S. Capitol. Boris Johnson, the prime minister of Britain, one of the United States' closest allies, congratulated Biden and Harris on Twitter. 

"America's leadership is vital on the issues that matter to us all, from climate change to COVID, and I look forward to working with President Biden," he wrote. 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the strong relationship between the two North American countries. He said he looks forward to working with Biden and Harris. 

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 MIDDLE EAST 

Syria sends first message to President Biden: withdraw troops, stop stealing oil. 

Iran's Rouhani says "ball in U.S. court" over nuclear dispute. 

Egypt and Qatar agree to end rift, renew diplomatic ties. 

Lebanon opened up for the holidays to help its economy. Hospitals are now filled with COVID-19 patients. 

Israel extends lockdown as concerns raised about single dose vaccine. 

Israeli tanks target Gaza Strip for second night. 

Saudi Arabia executions: 'Drastic' reduction reported in 2020. 

 ASIA 

China-India border dispute: new village near Tibet sparks talk of eastern front as neighbours face off.

China labels Pompeo a 'doomsday clown' and Uyghur genocide claims 'wastepaper'. 

China sanctions Pompeo, O’Brien, Azar and other Trump administration officials after Biden inauguration. 

Chinese media criticise Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, tout local shots. 

China revives conspiracy theory of US army link to Covid. 

China: Alibaba founder Jack Ma appears for first time since government crackdown. 

Pacific Islands may not finish rolling out COVID vaccines until 2025. 

Seoul to procure enough COVID-19 vaccines for North, South Korea. 

Blinken says US will review North Korea policy, consider aid. 

Japan plans mass vaccination as Olympic doubts mount. 

 AFRICA 

Gunmen attempt to storm governor’s home in violence-hit Darfur. 

Tigray crisis: 'Thousands of Eritrean refugees need water'. 

Libya: UN chief urges foreign fighters to leave by Saturday. 

At least 43 migrants die in shipwreck off Libyan coast. 

'No repentance nor apologies' for colonial abuses in Algeria, says Macron. 

Tunisia youths warned over riots amid Covid curfew. 

Tunisians rally to demand release of detained protesters. 

Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo dies of COVID-19. 

As Zimbabwe’s COVID cases surge, gravediggers struggle to cope. 

 EUROPE 

EU officials are cautiously optimistic about post-Trump US. 

Biden inauguration: EU's von der Leyen welcomes 'friend in White House'. 

British to face ban on entering EU under German plan to shut borders - The Times.

'No evidence of decline' in COVID-19 rates in England's third lockdown.

Italy PM wins backing for deficit hike after surviving coalition ambush. 

Navalny releases investigation into decadent billion-dollar 'Putin palace'. 

Greek MPs approve extension of territorial waters in Ionian Sea. 

3 dead, several injured in Madrid as explosion rocks Spanish capital. 

 AMERICAS 

Biden takes the helm, appeals for unity to take on crises.

Biden signs first executive actions as president.  

Biden nixes Keystone XL permit, halts Arctic refuge leasing. 

Democrats take Senate majority, sealing control of the White House and Congress. 

Schumer becomes new Senate majority leader. 

Trump heads for Florida, says he 'will be back in some form'. 

U.N. aid coordinator halts Venezuela cash transfer programs.

Mexico calls on Biden to fix immigration status of Mexican nationals. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

U.S. airstrikes kill 3 al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia. 

US Army private facing terrorism charges over alleged efforts to help ISIS ambush troops. 

Ringleader eliminated in Chechnya headed fragmented terror groups. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Dow, S&P, Nasdaq close at records as Biden sworn in as 46th U.S. President. 

Social media giants grilled on hate content. 

OPEC chief pledges to deepen ties with new U.S. administration even as Biden calls for climate action. 

Russia becomes second largest oil exporter to China in 2020.

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