Dec 25 Sudanese rally in new anti-coup protests amid tight security By Samy Magdy, Associated Press Sudanese security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Khartoum on Saturday as demonstrators once again took to the streets in the country’s capital and elsewhere to denounce the October military coup. Continue reading
Dec 25 3 members of K-pop sensation BTS diagnosed with COVID-19 By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press Three members of the K-pop superstar group BTS have been infected with the coronavirus after returning from abroad, their management agency said. RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday evening, the Big Hit Music agency said in a… Continue reading
Dec 25 Space telescope launched on daring quest to behold 1st stars By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press The world’s largest and most powerful space telescope rocketed away Saturday on a high-stakes quest to behold light from the first stars and galaxies and scour the universe for hints of life. Continue reading
Dec 25 Queen recalls ‘familiar laugh missing’ in Christmas speech By Danica Kirka, Associated Press Saying she understood the difficulty of spending the holiday season “with one familiar laugh missing,” the monarch delivered her address beside a framed photograph of her arm-in-arm with Prince Philip, who died in April at age 99. Continue reading
Dec 25 Surging COVID cases, ‘jingle jabs’ make for somber Christmas By Nicole Winfield, Peter Smith, Associated Press In the United States, many churches canceled in-person services, but for those that did have in-person worship, clerics reported smaller but significant attendance. Continue reading
Dec 25 El Salvador frees three women convicted of abortions By Associated Press Morena Herrera of the Citizen's Group for the Depenalization of Abortion said late Friday that the group was told one woman would be set free at presidential order, but when they went to the prison to greet her, three were… Continue reading
Dec 25 Flight cancellations drag on as airlines short-staffed By Tali Arbel, Associated Press FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, noted 875 flights entering, leaving or inside the U.S. canceled Saturday, up from 689 Friday. About 200 more flights were already canceled for Sunday. FlightAware does not say why flights are canceled. Continue reading
Dec 24 Pope celebrates Christmas Eve Mass as virus surges in Italy By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press A maskless Francis processed down the central aisle of the basilica as the Sistine Chapel choir sang “Noel,” kicking off the Vatican’s Christmas holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. Continue reading
Dec 24 South African minister objects to sale of Mandela’s cell key By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press The key is among Mandela memorabilia being sold by Guernsey’s auction house in New York on Jan. 28. Continue reading
Dec 24 COVID puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world By Jack Jeffrey, David Crary, David McHugh, Associated Press Travel plans are being disrupted because of flight cancellations, as the pandemic once again casts a pall on celebrations around the world. Continue reading