December 23, 2020 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Trump presents Legion of Merit to Indian PM Modi, Japan’s Abe & Australia’s Morrison in nod to anti-China ‘Quad’ alliance

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

US President Donald Trump has awarded the Legion of Merit to current and former leaders in Australia, India and Japan, decorating the heads of the US-led “Quad” alliance created to counter Beijing in the Asia-Pacific. … Read More >Trump presents Legion of Merit to Indian PM Modi, Japan’s Abe & Australia’s Morrison in nod to anti-China ‘Quad’ alliance

WATCH China’s Long March 8 rocket carrying 5 satellites make maiden flight

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

A new Chinese medium-lift carrier rocket has made its first flight as the country works to develop reusable rockets under the Long March 8 series. … Read More >WATCH China’s Long March 8 rocket carrying 5 satellites make maiden flight

Beijing lashes out at US Congress bill in support of Tibetans, urges Washington to stay out of China’s internal affairs

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

Beijing is firmly opposed to a bill passed by the US Congress that reaffirms certain rights for Tibetans, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday, while urging Washington to stop meddling in its internal affairs. … Read More >Beijing lashes out at US Congress bill in support of Tibetans, urges Washington to stay out of China’s internal affairs

World

Turkey quarantines 4,600 people arriving from UK amid fears ‘highly contagious’ Covid strain will spread

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

Turkey’s health minister has confirmed that the authorities have quarantined thousands of airline passengers who arrived from the UK on and after December 14 as a new Covid strain sees Britain increasingly isolated. … Read More >Turkey quarantines 4,600 people arriving from UK amid fears ‘highly contagious’ Covid strain will spread

EU

Coronavirus-struck Macron’s health remains stable, French presidency says

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

Macron tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday and went into quarantine at the presidential retreat La Lanterne in Versailles. The quarantine will last for seven days, in line with national health authorities’ recommendations. … Read More >Coronavirus-struck Macron’s health remains stable, French presidency says

World

China’s CanSino to submit its Covid-19 vaccine for review in Mexico – FM

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

China’s Covid-19 vaccine producer will submit its product on Tuesday for review by Mexico’s health regulator, according to Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard. … Read More >China’s CanSino to submit its Covid-19 vaccine for review in Mexico – FM

World

Antarctica no longer Covid-19 free, as infection reaches frozen continent for the first time

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

The coronavirus has now affected all seven continents, as 36 infections were reported among people stationed at Chile’s General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme research base in Antarctica. … Read More >Antarctica no longer Covid-19 free, as infection reaches frozen continent for the first time

EU

WATCH: Activity at Italy’s Mount Etna intensifies, launching more torrents of molten lava and plumes of ash into the sky

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

The recent volcanic activity at Italy’s Mount Etna intensified overnight, as a large stream of lava spewed out westward from Europe’s largest and most active volcano, putting local residents on edge as 2020 draws to a close. … Read More >WATCH: Activity at Italy’s Mount Etna intensifies, launching more torrents of molten lava and plumes of ash into the sky

Health

Gateway to sobriety? Cannabis could reduce fentanyl use and overdose risk, new study finds

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

New research from British Columbia (BC) in Canada has found that moderate to heavy cannabis use among opioid addiction patients may greatly improve their treatment while limiting their overall opioid exposure. … Read More >Gateway to sobriety? Cannabis could reduce fentanyl use and overdose risk, new study finds

UK

Safe to assume new Covid-19 mutation ‘is already here’: Ireland’s PM announces shutdown of pubs and restaurants amid new fears

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020By Editor

Ireland will bring in new measures on December 24 amid a new strain of coronavirus, which is likely already circulating among the population, Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Tuesday. … Read More >Safe to assume new Covid-19 mutation ‘is already here’: Ireland’s PM announces shutdown of pubs and restaurants amid new fears