Top Stories

• 
  Last update: 11:59 GMT 23.12.2020

  11:59 GMT 23.12.2020

  US

  Trump Blasts 'Disgraceful' COVID Relief Bill For 'Having Almost Nothing to Do With COVID'

  Both houses of the US Congress have passed another massive financial spending bill amounting to over $900 billion. But critics have pointed out that substantial sums will be sent to other countries or used for programmes that have little or nothing to do with assisting everyday people and small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 
  Last update: 12:41 GMT 23.12.2020

  12:41 GMT 23.12.2020

  Business

  Denmark Reveals When Nord Stream 2 Construction Will Begin in Its Waters

  Washington recently nailed more sanctions onto the joint Russian-Western European energy infrastructure project, threatening to block access to the US financial system for companies providing insurance and certification services. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that Nord Stream 2 would be completed.

• 
  Last update: 13:20 GMT 23.12.2020

  13:20 GMT 23.12.2020

  Asia & Pacific

  Vietnam to Slap Tariffs Up to 25 Percent on 16 Chinese Steelmaker Imports, Citing Anti-Dumping Rules

  According to the Ministry, the measures follow an investigation launched on 3 September last year in line with regulations from the World Trade Organisation and others. The latest trade row comes amid the contentious US-China trade war after the former imposed steel and aluminium tariffs of the world's second-largest economy.

• 
  Last update: 10:42 GMT 23.12.2020

  10:42 GMT 23.12.2020

  Middle East

  'Power and Money' Keep Egyptian Border Shut as Israel's Airport Remains Open, Says Sinai Guide

  Israel's official stance is to avoid crowds gathering at the crossing which is a focal point for thousands of Israeli tourists and to stop citizens visiting a red-zone country. But the founder of Sinai Lovers, a Facebook page that conducts frequent visitors to the peninsula, says health issues don't concern Israeli officials.

• 
  Last update: 06:47 GMT 23.12.2020

  06:47 GMT 23.12.2020

  Society

  'Cleopatra Was Macedonian': Gal Gadot Dispels 'Whitewashing' Accusations Over Role as Egypt's Ruler

  An announcement that Israel-born actress Gal Gadot would soon embrace the title role of ‘Cleopatra’ epic caused an uproar back in October. Many were furious that, as per Hollywood tradition, the legendary Egyptian ruler would be portrayed by a white actress – claims that many have found baseless.

• 
  Last update: 12:07 GMT 23.12.2020

  12:07 GMT 23.12.2020

  Europe

  Nail Possibly Used to Crucify Jesus Found in Czech Monastery, Media Says

  The relic has apparently remained undiscovered all these years because the monastery where it was kept got looted during the Hussite Wars; the monastery's archives were destroyed in the process.

• 
  Last update: 08:49 GMT 23.12.2020

  08:49 GMT 23.12.2020

  Russia

  Russian Foreign Ministry Declares Two Colombian Diplomats Persona Non Grata

  Earlier, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said that two Russian diplomats had to leave Colombia due to non-compliance with the Vienna Convention, but the Latin American country was determined to maintain good relations with Moscow.

• 
  Last update: 04:28 GMT 23.12.2020

  04:28 GMT 23.12.2020

  World

  Live Updates: Irish Minister Tests Positive for COVID-19, Cabinet Restricting Their Movements

  According to Johns Hopkins University, the global death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 1.715 million; over 77.9 million cases of the coronavirus infection have been detected.