Top Stories

• 
  Last update: 20:31 GMT 25.11.2020

  20:31 GMT 25.11.2020

  Middle East

  Israeli Military Told to Prepare for Possible US Strike on Iran Ahead of Trump Exit - Report

  Tensions with Iran under the Trump administration came to a head after the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and began to reimpose sanctions previously lifted under the nuclear deal. Relations worsened even further after US strikes in January killed Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

• 
  Last update: 21:33 GMT 25.11.2020

  21:33 GMT 25.11.2020

  World

  Acting Pentagon Chief Christopher Miller to Visit Mideast This Week to Discuss Regional Issues

  WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Acting US Defence Secretary Christopher Miller will visit the Middle East this week to discuss with commanders and regional partners a range of issues such as combating "malign activities" in the region, the Pentagon said in a press release on Wednesday.

• 
  Last update: 17:49 GMT 25.11.2020

  17:49 GMT 25.11.2020

  World

  'Greatest of All Time': Top Politicians, Football Players Mourn Diego Maradona's Death

  The Argentine sports icon had an illustrious career playing for Napoli, Barcelona, and Boca Juniors, but he is perhaps most revered for his triumphant 1986 World Cup performance. On Wednesday, the legend died as a result of a cardiac arrest.

• 
  Last update: 15:01 GMT 25.11.2020

  15:01 GMT 25.11.2020

  US

  Works in a Younger Population: Scepticism Grows Over Efficacy of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

  Uncertainty has mounted over the fate of AstraZeneca’s vaccine following reports of inconsistent efficacy. The inoculation, which was developed in collaboration with Oxford University, is based on the monkey adenoviral vector, which experts say hasn’t proved its efficacy yet.

• 
  Last update: 17:58 GMT 25.11.2020

  17:58 GMT 25.11.2020

  News

  EU Parliament Votes Against Referring to Julian Assange in Final Draft of Fundamental Rights Report

  Any mention of the prosecution of Julian Assange has been removed from the EU's latest report on fundamental rights, despite the best efforts of MEPs such as Ireland's Clare Daly.

• 
  Last update: 14:47 GMT 25.11.2020

  14:47 GMT 25.11.2020

  Middle East

  Tanker at Persian Gulf Port Damaged in Foiled Houthi 'Terrorist Attack', Saudi-Led Coalition Says

  In 2019, at least six tankers suffered non-critical damage to their hulls as a result of explosions of unknown origin while sailing through the Gulf of Oman. Although an investigation into one of the incidents by the UAE concluded that it had been carried out by a state actor, it fell short of naming which one.

• 
  Last update: 14:42 GMT 25.11.2020

  14:42 GMT 25.11.2020

  UK

  ‘Mood Hoovers’ Attack Boris Johnson After He Tells Boy Santa Has Not Cancelled Christmas

  The British economy is expected to shrink by 11.3 percent this year and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to claim lives in the UK. So bleak is the picture that an eight-year-old boy wrote to Boris Johnson and asked him if Christmas was cancelled this year.

• 
  Last update: 04:30 GMT 25.11.2020

  04:30 GMT 25.11.2020

  World

  Live Updates: Merkel Says Germany Extends Limited Lockdown Until December 20

  The global death toll from the coronavirus has reached 1.4 million, while the total number of cases is close to 60 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.