Hong Kong fugitives face trial in China over illegal border crossing

Ten of the twelve Hong Kongers arrested by Chinese coastguards while allegedly trying to flee to Taiwan by boat, are due to face trial later Monday. 

They've been detained in China for more than four months, and face charges of making an illegal border crossing.

Their families are calling for international support to make sure the trial is fair. 

Richard Kimber reports.

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Trump caves to political pressure and signs spending bill, keeping unemployment benefits flowing

President Trump has caved to political pressure and signed a spending bill that includes fresh stimulus measures for the US economy including an extension of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who may other wise have seen their payments delayed.

The President's climbdown came late on Sunday in Florida after a day of relentless criticism from many of his fellow Republicans who were urging him to sign the bill, negotiated by Republicans and Democrats after days of complex negotiations on Capitol Hill.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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First Covid-19 vaccinations begin in EU

The first Covid-19 vaccinations are underway across the European Union.

Meanwhile the head of the pharmaceutical giant Astra Zeneca says a vaccine the company has developed in conjunction with Oxford University is more effective against the coronavirus than previously anticipated.

It could be approved for use by regulators in the UK as early as next week.

Dr. Julian Tang is a Consultant Virologist at Leicester Royal Infirmary in the UK.

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US authorities: Nashville blast was act of public suicide

Federal law enforcement officials in Nashville say a 63-year old man may have been responsible for the explosion of a recreational vehicle in the city at dawn on Christmas Day.

Human remains were found in the wreckage of the vehicle, and the blast - which occurred after warnings were broadcast from inside it - injured three people.

Donald Cochran is the US Attorney in Nashville.

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Federal agents believe the blast may have been an act of public suicide by Mr. Warner.

They tracked the vehicle to his home about 11 miles away from the site of the blast.

Pressure mounts on Trump over unemployment benefits in USA

Pressure is mounting on President Trump to sign a spending bill that includes fresh stimulus measures for the US economy, including an extension of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who may otherwise see their payments delayed.

The President is standing firm: insisting that the measure agreed by Republicans and Democrats  after days of tortuous negotiations does not include sufficiently generous benefit checks for the hardest hit Americans.

But a growing number of Republicans in the Senate are urging the President to act in order to avoid a government shutdown later this week.

Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania spoke on CNN.

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Democrats say they're astonished by the President's intransigence, and say that if he felt so strongly he should have been personally involved in the negotiating process rather than leaving things to his Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Senator Bernie Sanders spoke on ABC

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Tanzanian President calls on World leaders to put God first in fight against Covid-19

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has called on world leaders to look to faith as a means of getting through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Isaac Lukando reports.

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California to allow driverless deliveries

For the first time, California is allowing driverless vehicles to carry out commercial deliveries.

Robotics firm Nuro has been testing its fleet on the state's roads for several years, but now it will actually be able to charge customers for its services.

Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.

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Boris Johnson claims victory over Brexit deal

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed victory after agreeing a post-brexit trade deal.

London correspondent, Olly Barratt, says this comes as no surprise and that a large part of his job now is to sell the deal to the British Public.

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The documentation of the Brexit deal will now be heavily scrutinised.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hope that the deal is passed through Government in time for the new year.

From London, Olly Barratt reports.

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Tanzania: Rare Find Could Boost Tanzania, Kenya Marine Life

A rare ocean refuge for coral reefs has been discovered off the coast of Tanzania and Kenya.

Isaac Lukando reports.

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UK and EU agree post-Brexit trade deal

The UK and the EU have struck a post-Brexit trade deal.

It's an agreement that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says is a "good, fair and balanced deal".

From London, Chris Jones has more.

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US sees second straight day of record Covid-19 hospitalisations

The United States saw a second straight day of record high Covid-19 hospitalisations, while new cases and deaths continued to spike as Americans head into the Christmas holiday.

Cases are expected to keep rising even as one million people have received their first vaccinations.

Here's Liling Tan with the latest.  

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Lawmakers block changes to coronavirus spending package

U.S. lawmakers have blocked efforts to alter a Covid-19 stimulus
package and broader government spending bill worth $2.3 trillion.

This comes after President Trump called the bill a disgrace and urged
Congress to raise direct payments to Americans from $600 to $2,000.

U.S. correspondent William Denselow reports.

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UK government imposes South Africa travel ban

The UK government has imposed a travel ban on those flying from South Africa to the UK.

This comes after yet another new variant, different to a previously identified new UK strain, was discovered.

From London Chris Jones reports.

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RUSSIA: RECORD GROWTH IN CASES AND DEATHS PER DAY

Russia's recording nearly 30,000 new cases of Covid-19 per day — a record for the pandemic so far.

It's also reporting record numbers of daily deaths, with 635 people dying from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours — nearly a hundred more than the day before.

The biggest growth in infection is centred on Russia's two biggest cities, Moscow and St Petersburg.

Stuart Smith has more from Moscow.

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UK AND EU CLOSE IN ON BREXIT DEAL

The UK and EU are close to announcing they've reached a Brexit trade deal.

Talks continued overnight in Brussels but both sides expect an agreement can be sealed on Thursday.

The trade deal would come into force after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st.

Final conclusion has been held up by discussions over fishing rights.

Former civil servant in the UK's Brexit department Philip Rycroft says it hasn't been easy.

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Farmers protest in Delhi to intensify as 20,000 more farmers set to join in

Intro:

More than 22,000 thousand more farmers are marching towards New Delhi to protest against the new farm laws.

Tens of thousands are already camped outside New Delhi for three weeks…

Protesting against agricultural reforms that they call pro-big-business.

Ishan Garg has the latest from New Delhi.

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Australia – Vaccine rollout on schedule

The Australian government says it is a step closer to vaccinating people for the coronavirus, after signing a number of deals to facilitate the national vaccine network.

Shaun Bindley reports.

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COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA

Hong Kong democracy campaigners celebrate bail release of Jimmy Lai

Democracy campaigners in Hong Kong are celebrating the granting of bail for high profile activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai. The decision from the High Court overrules attempts from the Department of Justice to keep Mr Lai in detention, and makes him the only person charged under the city's national security law to have been released on bail. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong. 

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Trump pardons more allies

US president Donald Trump has given pardons to 26 people, the second day in a row that he has used the tool to protect personal allies before leaving office.

The latest crop of pardons includes his son-in-law's father as well as his former campaign manager.

Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.

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President Trump Vetoes Defense Spending Bill

US President Trump has vetoed a 741 billion dollar defense spending bill.  

That sets up what could be the first veto override of his presidency. 

US Correspondent Rachel Silverman has more. 

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