Dec 16 Chinese capsule returns to Earth carrying moon rocks By Associated Press A Chinese lunar capsule returned to Earth Thursday with the first fresh samples of rock and debris from the moon in more than 40 years. Continue reading
Dec 16 Germany backs bill requiring tech companies to make 5G security pledge By Frank Jordans, Associated Press The bill seeks to address concerns that vendors such as Chinese tech company Huawei might pose a security risk if they have access to core parts of the German telecoms network. Continue reading
Dec 16 EU postpones $109 million aid to Ethiopia over Tigray access By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press The European Union has postponed 90 million euros ($109 million) in budgetary support to Ethiopia over lack of access to the country's Tigray region to deliver humanitarian aid amid the conflict. Continue reading
Dec 16 Widow of Islamic State group fighter convicted in Charlie Hebdo, kosher market attacks By Lori Hinnant, Associated Press The fugitive widow of an Islamic State gunman and a man described as his logistician on Wednesday were convicted of terrorism charges and sentenced to 30 years in prison in the trial of 14 people linked to the January 2015… Continue reading
Dec 16 U.S. brands Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators By Martin Crutsinger, Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The U.S. Treasury Department report said that Vietnam and Switzerland were the only two countries that met all three criteria for being named a currency manipulator. Continue reading
Dec 16 Belarus opposition leader calls for EU support as she collects human rights award By Lorne Cook, Associated Press Mass protests have gripped Belarus since official results from the Aug. 9 presidential election gave Alexander Lukashenko a landslide victory over his popular rival, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and a sixth term in office. Continue reading
Dec 15 Poor countries may face long wait for vaccines despite promises By Maria Cheng, Aniruddha Ghosal, Associated Press The virus that has killed more than 1.6 million people has exposed vast inequities between countries, as fragile health systems and smaller economies were often hit harder. Continue reading
Dec 15 EU, Britain to toughen rules, fines for tech giants By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press The EU outlined its long-awaited sweeping overhaul of digital regulations while the British government released its own plans to step up policing of harmful material online, signaling the next phase of technology regulation in Europe. Continue reading
Dec 15 Bombs, shooting attack in Kabul kill 4 By Rahim Faiez, Associated Press The attacks are the latest in relentless violence in Afghanistan even as the Taliban and Afghan government negotiators hold talks in Qatar. Continue reading
Dec 15 EU regulators move up Pfizer vaccine assessment to Dec. 21 By Kirsten Grieshaber, Frank Jordans, Associated Press Facing strong pressure from Germany and other European Union nations, the bloc's medicines agency on Tuesday moved up a meeting to assess the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to Dec. 21, likely bringing vaccinations a step closer for millions of EU citizens. Continue reading