From Jenna Orkin

Russian scientist working on COVID-19 vaccine plummets to death in St. Petersburg

Pakistan 'opens secret normalisation talks' with Israel

Johnson outlined that in Tier 4 areas under the toughest restrictions, there will be no possibility for household mixing over Christmas. In areas under lower alert levels in England, Scotland and Wales, mixing will now be permitted only on Christmas Day.

U.S. Will Close Last Two Consulates in Russia

Biden to seek talks with Maduro in reversal of Trump plan

Mauritius Shipping Disaster: 

The crew of the MV Wakashio, a nearly 300-metre Cape Size bulker used for carrying iron ore, changed direction to sail close enough to Mauritius to get cell phone coverage

Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand has bought so many COVID-19 vaccines that it will give free doses to neighboring countries

54 million Americans, including 18 million children, to be food insecure by the end of 2020, according to Feeding America

Apple is closing its 53 California stores through Christmas, as COVID-19 cases soar to record highs

Chaotic scenes as Londoners try to escape the city before midnight lockdown. Police deployed to prevent non-essential journeys.

Biden is considering Russian financial sanctions or other retaliatory action in response to the SolarWinds hack