Dec 27 Central African Republic votes amid fears of unrest By Jean Fernand Koena, Associated Press President Faustin-Archange Touadera, seeking a second term, has tried to reassure candidates and voters that the voting will be secure. This is the central African country’s first election since a peace deal was signed between the government and 14 rebel… Continue reading
Dec 27 Pope proclaims year of families, offers advice to keep peace By Associated Press Francis announced the upcoming year on the family would begin March 19, the fifth anniversary of his document “The Joy of Love.” Among other things, the document opened the door to letting divorced and civilly remarried couples receive Communion, sparking… Continue reading
Dec 26 Series of explosions target police in Kabul; at least 4 dead By Rahim Faiez, Associated Press The deaths were caused by a sticky bomb attached to a police vehicle detonated in western Kabul, police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said. The explosion wounded two civilians. Continue reading
Dec 26 Germany, Hungary give 1st vaccine shots ahead of EU rollout By Vanessa Gera, David McHugh, Associated Press Germany, Hungary and Slovakia began giving out their first coronavirus vaccine shots on Saturday only hours after receiving their first shipments, upsetting the European Union’s plans for a coordinated rollout Sunday across the bloc’s 27 nations. Continue reading
Dec 25 France confirms new virus variant case in country By Associated Press Authorities were tracing the person’s contacts and laboratories were analyzing tests from several other people who may have the new variant. Continue reading
Dec 25 Morocco acquires 65 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China, UK By Tarik El Barakah, Associated Press The North African kingdom is preparing to launch a COVID-19 vaccination program aiming to immunize 80 percent of the country's adult population. Continue reading
Dec 25 Armenia’s prime minister offers to discuss early election in response to opposition protests By Avet Demourian, Associated Press Opposition supporters have rallied for weeks, urging Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to step down over the Nov. 10 peace deal that saw Azerbaijan reclaim control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Continue reading
Dec 25 Top associate of Russian opposition leader Navalny detained By Associated Press A top associate of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained Friday after confronting an alleged security operative who has inadvertently revealed details of Navalny's supposed poisoning with a Soviet-era nerve agent. Continue reading
Dec 25 A pandemic Christmas: Churches shut, borders complicated By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Curfews, quarantines and even border closings complicated Christmas celebrations Friday for countless people around the globe, but ingenuity, determination and imagination helped keep the day special for many. Continue reading
Dec 24 Mexico starts giving first shots of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine By Associated Press In a broadcast ceremony, Maria Irene Ramirez got the first shot, under the watchful eyes of military personnel who escorted the vaccine shipment. Continue reading