*) Coronavirus has infected over 60 million people globally

The number of coronavirus cases has surpassed the grim milestone of 60 million cases worldwide.

Covid-19 has killed more than 1.4 million people across the world since the outbreak of the pandemic in January.

The United States is the worst affected country in terms of caseload, followed by India and Brazil.


*) UN chief calls for de-escalation of tensions in Tigray

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, calling for a de-escalation of tensions.

The appeal comes as an Ethiopian human rights organisation accused a Tigrayan Youth Group of killing as many as 600 civilians earlier this month.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has given the Tigray People's Liberation Front until Wednesday night to surrender.

*) Biden presents security and foreign policy team

US President-elect Joe Biden has formally introduced the first round of nominations for his new cabinet.

His picks include secretary of state, national security advisor, homeland security secretary, intelligence chief, UN ambassador and climate change envoy.

This all comes after US President Donald Trump suffered further setbacks in his efforts to overturn the results of the election with claims of fraud.

*) Hundreds protest clearance of migrant camp by police

In France, hundreds have demonstrated in Paris against violent treatment of migrants at a camp by police.

They were filmed overturning tents, using tear gas to disperse crowds and hitting people with riot shields.

France's Interior Ministry has also launched an investigation into clashes that broke out on Monday after police cleared the migrant camp.

And finally…

*) Scores of pilot whales dead in New Zealand stranding

Almost 100 pilot whales have died in a mass stranding on New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands.

At least 69 whales had already died by the time wildlife officers reached the beach. Over two dozen pilot whales were euthanised.

The causes of mass stranding remain unknown despite scientists studying the phenomenon for decades.

*) Trump finally agrees to Biden transition - but still not conceding

US President Donald Trump has inched closer to admitting election defeat, noting that it was time for the government agency to ease White House transitions to "do what needs to be done".

This comes after the General Services Administration said it was finally lifting its unprecedented block on assistance during the transition.

Before the announcement, Biden had pushed ahead with plans for his cabinet, and nominations for key positions came in.

The nominations include Antony Blinken for Secretary of State and John Kerry for the climate envoy on the National Security Council.

*) UN calls for civilians to be protected after PM's ultimatum

The UN Security Council will be holding its first meeting on Ethiopia in an attempt to mediate between the conflict in the dissident Tigray region.

The global organisation has urged Ethiopian officials to ensure the safety of civilians as the army prepares for an attack in the capital of Tigray.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced a deadline for the rebels to surrender but the Tigray People's Liberation Front has vowed not to give up.

*) Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine 'up to 90 percent effective'

Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca have announced their coronavirus vaccine can be up to 90 percent effective.

It is cheaper to produce than its rivals Pfizer and Moderna and can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures.

This makes it ideal for mass production and distribution with up to 3 billion doses of the vaccine expected to be produced by 2021.

*) Turkish court resumes trial of 20 Saudi suspects in absentia

A Turkish court will resume the trial in absentia of 20 Saudi suspects, accused of murdering Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul’s Saudi consulate.

The first hearing was held in Istanbul back in July.

Prosecutors are seeking life sentences for all accused of the 2018 murder.


And finally…

*) China launches mission to bring back material from moon

China’s Chang'e 5 lunar probe has been launched from the Wenchang Space Centre.

It's on a mission to collect rock samples from the moon, which scientists hope will help them learn more about its origins and formation.

If successful, China will be only the third country to have retrieved samples from the Moon, following the US and the Soviet Union in the 60s and 70s.

*) Prominent Hong Kong activists plead guilty

Prominent Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong, Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow have pleaded guilty over their involvement in last year's protests.

Hong Kong was convulsed by seven straight months of violent anti-Beijing rallies in which millions took to the streets last year.

Beijing and local authorities refused demands for free elections and responded with a widening crackdown against protesters.

All three activists were remanded into custody pending a sentencing hearing on December 2.

*) Top Republicans urge Trump to concede election

Several Republican lawmakers are urging US President Donald Trump to concede the election.

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie is calling Trump's legal team an embarrassment after they alleged election fraud but provided no evidence to support their claim.

Several states also overturned legal requests from Trump's team to discredit Joe Biden's win.

*) Covid-19 vaccine could be rolled out in US in December

Some good news for our US listeners: coronavirus vaccinations could be distributed in America by December 11.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech requested emergency regulatory authorisation on Friday.

Distribution of the vaccine will begin 24 hours after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.

*) G20 leaders pledge to help struggling countries

This year's G20 Summit, held virtually by Saudi Arabia, has ended with a pledge to do what's necessary to help poorer countries with coronavirus tests and treatment.

Many developing countries have been plunged into economic turmoil because of the virus.

G20 leaders also endorsed a plan to extend a freeze in debt payments from struggling countries.

And finally…

*) Taylor Swift named Artist of the Year at AMAs

Taylor Swift has been named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards for a record sixth time.

She did not show up at the Los Angeles ceremony though, saying that she is re-recording her early tracks after her catalogue was sold.

Swift beat Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Roddy Ricch for the coveted award and also won Favorite Music Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.

US reports record one-day high in new Covid-19 infections and 'Shuggie Bain' writer Douglas Stuart wins Booker Prize

*) US registers record single-day rise in new Covid cases

The US has reported a world record of more than 200,000 new cases of Covid-19 in a single day.

The world's worst-hit country also reported 2,239 fatalities – the highest death toll since May – with citizens urged to stay home for Thanksgiving.

The pandemic has infected more than 57 million people and claimed at least 1.3 million lives around the world.

*) Ethiopia's latest air strike reportedly hits Tigray university

Rebel forces have alleged that air strikes by Ethiopian federal forces targeted a university injuring several students in the northern Tigray region.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military campaign in the northern region in response to what he says were attacks by the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

The two-week-old conflict has since killed hundreds, sent 36,000 refugees into Sudan and worsened a humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa.

*) Biden condemns Trump's 'irresponsible' fight

US President-elect Joe Biden says that incumbent President Donald Trump's challenge of the election results is "totally irresponsible".

The incumbent US president has refused to accept his loss in the presidential race despite his opponent getting over six million more votes.

Meanwhile, Georgia has confirmed Biden as the winner in the state after completing a hand audit of nearly 5 million ballots.

*) Deaths mount after Bobi Wine arrest triggers unrest in Uganda

At least 16 people have been killed in clashes between Ugandan security forces and supporters of detained opposition leader Bobi Wine.

The violence also left at least 45 people injured, which comes two months before a presidential election in the country.

Opposition candidate Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi was arrested for allegedly violating coronavirus measures at his rallies.

And finally…

*) 'Shuggie Bain' writer Douglas Stuart wins Booker Prize

Scottish author Douglas Stuart has won the 2020 Booker Prize for his acclaimed debut novel "Shuggie Bain”.

The 44-year-old writer won the prestigious $66,000 award for his first published novel, which is the product of a decade of work.

He was the only UK-born author on a US-dominated list of six finalists for the prize, which is open to English-language novels from around the world.

*) US coronavirus death toll hits 250,000

US coronavirus deaths have passed a quarter of a million people as New York announced it would close schools to battle a rise in infections.

US states and cities are imposing a raft of new restrictions, including home confinement and the closure of indoor dining as cases soar across the country.

The second wave of the pandemic has forced many countries across the world to return to stricter measures to curb the virus spread.

*) Storm Iota kills dozens in Central America

Iota's death toll rises to 30 after the storm unleashed mudslides and left thousands homeless across Central America.

Iota made landfall in Nicaragua as a "catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane on Monday, but its remnants will continue to be deadly through Thursday.

The US National Hurricane Center warned of "life-threatening flash flooding" across portions of Central America, due to heavy rainfall.

*) Australian troops unlawfully killed Afghan civilians

A shocking report into war crimes by elite Australian troops has found evidence that soldiers unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians.

Defence Force Chief General Angus Campbell admitted there was credible evidence his special forces were involved in the killings.

Campbell said the illegal killings began in 2009, with the majority occurring in 2012 and 2013.

*) Both sides in Ethiopia's conflict claim military successes

Both sides in Ethiopia's raging internal conflict have claimed military successes, creating a muddied picture of fighting.

The Tigray region's refugee crisis amplified as Sudan reported 36,000 people had streamed across its borders to escape the violence.

The fighting began in the region after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military operation against Tigray’s local forces two weeks ago.

And finally…

*) 'Wonder Woman 1984' to debut in theaters and on HBO Max

The much-delayed superhero sequel "Wonder Woman 1984" will premiere on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously from Christmas Day in the US.

The decision to release the movie on the Warner Bros’ streaming platform represents a gamble for a film which cost a reported 200 million dollars.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, blockbuster movies ran only on the big screen for a theatrical window of 90 days.

*) Ethiopia’s PM vows ‘final and crucial’ offensive in Tigray

Ethiopia's prime minister says a "final and crucial" military offensive will soon be launched in the restive northern region of Tigray.

The UN has warned of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the region as over 27,000 refugees have fled to Sudan amid escalating unrest.

Other aid agencies are reporting people are going hungry in Tigray as there is very little food left to buy even if locals do have the purchasing power.

*) Iota, weakened but deadly, rips through Central America

Fierce winds and floodwaters have raged through Honduras as Hurricane Iota batters the region, leaving at least six people dead in Nicaragua.

The storm has unleashed torrential rain with damaging winds, causing damage to infrastructure and forcing more than 80,000 from their homes.

Hurricane Iota comes just two weeks after devastating tropical storm Eta hit the region.

*) Turkey's Parliament approves troop deployment to Azerbaijan

The Turkish parliament has approved a bill to deploy peacekeepers to Azerbaijan.

Russia has previously said Turkish troops would be joining them in Nagorno-Karabakh to oversee a ceasefire deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Ankara says the decision to send in peacekeepers will bring more stability to the region.

*) Trump fires top US election cybersecurity official via Twitter

US President Donald Trump has, in a tweet, fired the director of the federal agency that vouched for the reliability of the 2020 election.

Chris Krebs had declared the November 3rd election as “the most secure in American history”.

Trump has repeatedly refused to concede defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, claiming the voting and count was replete with fraud without offering any evidence.

And finally…

*) FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Qatar in February

The FIFA Club World Cup, originally planned for December, will now be held from February 1 to February 11 in Doha, Qatar.

Organisers from FIFA say the tournament will bring together six continental champions from across the world.

FIFA did not state if supporters would be able to attend any of the games as the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the world.

*) More than 1 million kids in US test positive for Covid-19

The number of US infants, children and teens diagnosed with Covid-19 has exceeded the one-million mark, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The number of infected children was just over 1 million on November 12.

The data, based on reports from state health departments, shows at least 6,333 pediatric hospitalisations and 133 deaths since May.

*) Ethiopia launches air strikes outside Tigray capital

Ethiopia has carried out "precision led and surgical air operations" outside of Tigray's capital Makelle.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said a three-day ultimatum to surrender issued to Tigray forces and allied militias is now over, as a near two-week long conflict with defiant local leaders continues to flare.

African leaders have tried to kickstart talks in Ethiopia's internal conflict as fighting in Tigray region has reportedly killed hundreds of people.

*) Maximum Category 5 Hurricane Iota roars ashore in Nicaragua

Hurricane Iota has made landfall in Nicaragua as a "catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane, threatening to deliver heavy rains and fierce winds.

Authorities have been rushing to evacuate thousands of people from coastal areas of Nicaragua and Honduras in the immediate path of the hurricane.

The storm has already left one person dead as it swept the Colombian Caribbean island territory of Providencia, where it caused widespread damage.

*) Trump to order troop cuts in Afghanistan, Iraq

US President Donald Trump is expected to cut a significant number of US troops in Afghanistan and a smaller number in Iraq in his final days of his presidency.

The plan would run counter to military commanders' advice over the past year, while still falling short of Trump's much-touted goal to end America's long wars.

There are 4,500 to 5,000 troops in Afghanistan and more than 3,000 in Iraq.

And finally…

*) SpaceX capsule with 4 astronauts reaches space station

After a long 27-hour ride, SpaceX has docked with the International Space Station.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft left Cape Canaveral in Florida on Sunday, with three Americans and one Japanese astronaut on board.

The four astronauts are on a six-month journey to the ISS. This is SpaceX's second crewed mission for NASA.