Jan 04 Vaccination campaign picks up speed around the world By Danica Kirka, Aniruddha Ghosal, Associated Press Britain has begun dispensing the second vaccine in its arsenal. But authorities in France and elsewhere in Europe are coming under fire for slow rollouts and delays. Continue reading
Jan 04 England to start new virus lockdown until mid-February By Danica Kirka, Sylvia Hui, Associated Press British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new national lockdown for England until at least mid-February to combat a fast-spreading new version of the coronavirus. Continue reading
Jan 04 Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot to merge, creating world's 4th-largest auto company By Colleen Barry, Tom Krisher, Associated Press Shareholders of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot have voted to merge the U.S.-Italian and French carmakers — a deal built on the promise of cost savings in the capital-hungry industry. Continue reading
Jan 04 UK first in world to start using Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine By Danica Kirka, Associated Press The COVID-19 vaccine ramps up a nationwide inoculation program, as rising infection rates are putting an unprecedented strain on British hospitals. Continue reading
Jan 04 Iran increases uranium enrichment to 20 percent and seizes oil tanker By Associated Press Iran’s decision to begin enriching to 20% purity a decade ago nearly triggered an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities, tensions that only abated with the 2015 atomic deal. Continue reading
Jan 04 UK judge refuses U.S. extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange By Associated Press The U.S. government said it would appeal the decision. Continue reading
Jan 03 The Latest: US virus death toll hits 350,000; surge feared By Associated Press More than 20 million people in the country have been infected. The U.S. has begun using two coronavirus vaccines to protect health care workers and nursing home residents and staff but the rollout of the inoculation program has been criticized… Continue reading
Jan 03 India OKs AstraZeneca and locally made COVID-19 vaccines By Aniruddha Ghosal, Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press The country's drugs regulator gave emergency authorization for the vaccine developed by Oxford University and U.K.-based drugmaker AstraZeneca, and another developed by the Indian company Bharat Biotech. Continue reading
Jan 02 Iran plans 20% uranium enrichment 'as soon as possible' By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Iran said Saturday it plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility “as soon as possible,” pushing its program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels as it increases pressure on the West over the… Continue reading
Jan 02 France's giant curfew-busting party is over after two nights By Associated Press A French prosecutor said police detained seven people Saturday, including two alleged organizers, after a New Year’s Eve rave party drew at least 2,500 people in western France despite a coronavirus curfew and other restrictions. Continue reading