Iran denies seized Korean ship and crew are being held as hostages

Increased new-car demand during pandemic has U.S. industry optimistic about 2021

UK music festivals call for help to survive until summer

R&B star Akon enters Congo mining sector in JV with state company

Biden to name Sherman, Nuland to top diplomatic posts: sources

Nigeria aims to get 42 million COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX scheme

Mexican inflation likely dips to 7-month low in December: Reuters poll

17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines distributed, 4.8 million administered: U.S. CDC

Plans for re-opening French restaurants put on hold – industry groups

France to cull 600,000 poultry to stem bird flu

WHO recommends two doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine within 21-28 days

Canada’s Trudeau says whole nation frustrated by slow pace of coronavirus vaccinations

Mexico’s president sets out vaccination plan, targets rural areas

Germany introduces tougher restrictions in pandemic battle

UK scientists question COVID-19 vaccine dosing delay

Ethiopian police release detained Reuters cameraman without charge

No work without COVID test in central Slovakia as hospitals overflow worst-hit region

Trump to approve land swap for Rio Tinto’s Resolution Copper project

U.S. factory activity approaches 2-1/2-year high; COVID-19 hitting supply chains

Lawyers for U.S. death row’s lone woman say she was tortured, seeks Trump’s clemency

Bitcoin emergence as ‘digital gold’ could lift price to $146,000, says JPM

U.S. factory activity near 2-1/2-year high; COVID-19 disrupting supply chains

World Bank working with countries to resolve vaccine legal hurdles

British Columbia post-holiday COVID restrictions slow several industrial projects

Germany extends lockdown to end-January, adds stricter measures – Merkel

“Why limit myself?” Polish climber aims to defy critics with K2 bid

France cranks up COVID-19 vaccine rollout to deliver shots faster

World Bank sees more countries in ‘deep debt distress’ this year

No sign S.Africa’s COVID-19 variant more contagious than UK version – WHO

Chip giant Qualcomm names Amon CEO as 5G era ramps up

Colin Wilson retires from NHL after 11 seasons

Drugmakers kick off 2021 with 500 U.S. price hikes

European stocks slip as defensives weigh, UK shrugs off latest lockdown

UK COVID-19 daily reported cases pass 60,000 for the first time

Global economy starting 2021 stronger, virus-vaccine race clouds outlook: IMF economist