Federal student loan payments paused until Jan. 31

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on Friday said the suspension of federal student loans payments and accruing interest set to end on Dec. 31 will be extended another month. Colette Luke has more.

San Francisco mayor announces stay-at-home order

The mayor of San Francisco on Friday ordered new lockdowns and business restrictions across the Bay Area in the face of a COVID-19 surge, as political leaders nationwide ramp up pressure on Americans to stay home until vaccines can be distributed.

Injured protesters treated at Paris demonstrations

Paramdeics treated injured protesters on Saturday during demonstrations in Paris against police brutality.

French protest police brutality, clashes erupt

Clashes erupted at a protest against police violence on the streets of Paris on Saturday (December 5), as protesters hurled projectiles and police fired back tear gas. The beating of a Black man and a proposed security law have stoked anger. Lucy..

Ethiopia says killed or captured Tigrayan leaders

Ethiopia said it had captured or killed most commanders of a rebel northern force, while Tigray's fugitive local leader countered on Friday that civilians were protesting against looting by occupying soldiers. Edward Baran reports.

U.S. government ordered to fully reinstate DACA

A federal judge on Friday ordered the U.S. government to fully reinstate a program that shields hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented immigrants from deportation. Gloria Tso reports.

Biden urges broad action on coronavirus aid

[NFA] President-elect Joe Biden said Friday's "grim" jobs report shows the economic recovery is stalling, and urged the U.S. Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill immediately. Freddie Joyner has more.

Record Wall Street highs despite dismal jobs data

Wall Street's main indexes rose to all-time highs on Friday as data showing the slowest U.S. jobs growth in six months raised investors' expectations for a new fiscal relief bill to help revive the coronavirus-hit economy. Conway G. Gittens reports.

COVID-19 vaccine should not be mandatory: Biden

President-elect Joe Biden on Friday said that he didn't think that it should be mandatory for people to take the COVID-19 vaccine once it's available, but said he will ask Americans to commit to wearing masks for 100 days when he is president to slow..

Amid 'dire' jobs report, Biden urges quick action on COVID bill

President-elect Joe Biden said Friday's "dire" jobs report shows the economic recovery is stalling, urging the U.S. Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill immediately and follow up with "hundreds of billions of dollars" in more aid in January.

Stimulus talk trade: value over growth -investor

Investors should tweak their portfolios in favor of value stocks over growth stocks, with the movement towards a stimulus package in Washington likely to improve the prospects for economically-sensitive sectors, Victory Shares and Solutions President..

Pelosi cites momentum on COVID relief bill talks

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday there was momentum behind talks on a coronavirus relief bill and that a bipartisan COVID-19 proposal could be the basis for relief negotiations.

Trump has raised $207 million since Election Day

[NFA] President Donald Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee have raised $207.5 million since Election Day, according to a statement on Thursday, gathering donations to pay for challenges to Democrat Joe Biden's win in the Nov. 3..

Record U.S. deaths prompt pleas for mask-wearing

U.S. leaders urgently called on Americans to wear masks as deaths from the coronavirus set a single-day record with 2,861 deaths reported on Thursday, according to a Reuters tally of official data. This report produced by Chris Dignam.

Plane made emergency landing on Minnesota highway

Highway cameras captured the moment a small plane made an emergency landing on a highway in Minnesota, striking a car as motorists slammed on their brakes.

U.S. hiring hits six-month low as pandemic rages

The U.S. economy added the fewest workers in six months in November, hindered by a resurgence in new COVID-19 cases that, together with a lack of more government relief money, threatens the recovery from the pandemic recession. Conway G. Gittens..

Olympics delay set to cost organizers $2.8bln

The postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games until next year will cost Japanese organizers an additional $2.8 billion, the organising committee said on Friday. Adam Reed reports.

Great Barrier Reef's status now 'critical'

The health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the world's most extensive and spectacular coral reef ecosystem, is in a critical state and deteriorating as climate change warms up the waters in which it lies, an international conservation group said...

Chilean zoo welcomes two red pandas

"Ichiha" and "Popo" are two red pandas who have become the novelty of a Chilean zoo hosting them as part of a conservation project for their endangered species.

Mixed signals sent about Brexit talks

European Union officials said on Friday a post-Brexit trade deal could finally be clinched this weekend, but London insisted that negotiations were still "very difficult" and it was determined to "take back control" from the bloc it left 10 months..

French protesters challenge Amazon's expansion

Climate activists piled up giant cardboard delivery boxes outside the finance ministry in Paris on Friday, protesting against Amazon's expansion in France as the online retailer launched a delayed "Black Friday" sales drive. Ciara Lee reports.

FDA chief: 20 mln could be vaccinated in U.S. this year

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn told Reuters on Friday it was realistic to expect that 20 million Americans could be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of this year.

5000-year-old whale skeleton unearthed in Thailand

Thai archaeologists were busy unearthing a rare, partially fossilized whale skeleton believed to be about 5000 years old, in the west of the capital Bangkok on Friday.

Britons flock to food banks as COVID continues

British food banks are seeing more people and struggling families turn to them for support as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, charities and volunteers say. Mia Womersley reports.

Trumps light National Christmas Tree

During the 98th National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, Trump wished Americans a merry Christmas before first lady Melania Trump pushed a button to illuminate the tree.

Fauci apologizes for UK vaccine comments

Top U.S. infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has apologized for casting doubt on the rigor of the British regulators who approved the Pfizer Inc vaccine against COVID-19, saying he had faith in the quality of their work. Emer McCarthy..

U.S. Congress defense bill defies Trump's wishes

U.S. lawmakers unveiled the final version of a massive annual defense policy bill on Thursday that defies several of President Donald Trump's demands. Gloria Tso reports.

Wildfires sweep through Southern California canyon

Two firefighters were injured on Thursday while battling a wildfire in a Southern California canyon. The blaze has torn through more than 7,000 acres of land and forced thousands from their homes. Flora Bradley-Watson reports.

Trump won't say if he has confidence in AG Barr

[NFA] U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday declined to say whether he still had confidence in U.S. Attorney General William Barr after the Department of Justice chief this week said there was no sign of major fraud in last month's presidential..

COVID vaccine a 'Christmas miracle': Trump at tree lighting

In a video released Thursay of the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C., U.S. President Donald Trump thanked all those who helped develop a coronavirus vaccine, describing it as a "Christmas miracle."

Pressure rises on U.S. Congress to pass COVID bill

[NFA] U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke on the phone Thursday and agreed that a COVID-19 relief package and a government funding bill should pass “as soon as possible."..

NY gov. details ins & outs of vaccine packaging

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday demonstrated, with a sample dry ice-packed box of 5,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, how the specific packaging is important for Pfizer's vaccine.

Stocks face 'rough and choppy waters' -strategist

The long-term outlook for U.S. stocks remains favorable but investors will have to overcome 'rough and choppy waters ahead' in the short-term, Arian Vojdani of MV Financial told Reuters Business Correspondent Conway G. Gittens.

A festive drive-through celebration for Dodgers' fans

When the L.A. Dodgers won the World Series title in October, the coronavirus pandemic meant there was no official street parade. Now, six weeks later, fans have the chance to belatedly celebrate the team's victory and the holiday season in one place,..

Boeing gets largest 737 MAX order since crashes

[NFA] Budget airline Ryanair on Thursday ordered 75 Boeing 737 MAX jets with a list price of $9 billion, throwing a commercial lifeline to the embattled U.S. planemaker after regulators lifted a 20-month safety ban. Conway G. Gittens has the details.

Ivanka Trump deposed in civil lawsuit

Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and adviser, was questioned under oath this week as part of a civil lawsuit alleging misuse of nonprofit funds for Donald Trump’s inauguration four years ago. This report produced by Emma Jehle.

Confidence in Barr? Trump declines to say

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday declined to say whether he still had confidence in U.S. Attorney General William Barr after the Department of Justice chief this week said there was no sign of major fraud in last month's presidential election.

Pandas at Moscow zoo investigate icy pond

Two giant pandas welcomed frost in their enclosure, the CCTV camera of Moscow Zoo showed their reactions to the ice crust covering ponds.

'Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace' on display

It's hoped a new exhibition at The Queen's Gallery in London will help restore the finances of The Royal Collection Trust, after venues around the UK had to close to the general public for several months this year.

Egypt hosts 42nd Cairo Film Festival

Following a two-week delay, the Cairo International Film Festival launched its 42nd round with health precautions and fewer films.

More animals have been into space than women

Since 1963, 65 women have been sent into space compared to 57 dogs, 32 chimps, and two tortoises. Rosanna Philpott reports.

42,000 pieces of Danish glass go on show

In Denmark, on the grounds of the country's oldest glass factory, 195 years of Danish blown glass history is now showcased in one of the world's largest shelf-displays.

Indian village teacher wins Global Teacher Prize

Ranjitsinh Disale from rural India won the Global Teacher Prize worth $1 million, but vowed to share the winnings with the other finalists.

Recycling machine provides food for stray animals

A Ukrainian social entrepreneur has turned a waste recycling vending machine into an animal-friendly initiative where plastic bottles serve as currency to buy food for stray cats and dogs.

Cat buried under concrete rescued after two days

Firefighters in Turkey's western province of Izmir rescued a trapped cat 48 hours after it was buried in a pipe under concrete.

IBM warns hackers targeting vaccine distribution

IBM is sounding the alarm over hackers targeting companies critical to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, a sign that digital spies are turning their attention to the complex logistical work involved in inoculating the world's population against..

How American investors are buying bitcoin

Bitcoin has grabbed headlines this week with its ascent to an all-time high. Yet, a trend has been playing out that could change the face of the cryptocurrency market: a massive flow of coin to North America from East Asia. Ciara Lee reports.

WHO: Promise of COVID vaccines 'phenomenal'

The promise of COVID-19 vaccines is "phenomenal" and "potentially game-changing", Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization's regional director for Europe, told a briefing on Thursday.

Azerbaijan says 2,783 killed in Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan has announced that almost 2,800 soldiers were killed in the recent conflict involving Nagorno-Karabakh. The final number could still rise, with more than 100 troops still missing. Adam Reed reports.

An empty Paris hotel now shelters the homeless

In normal times the Hotel Avenir Montmartre is a tourist magnet with its views of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur church, but COVID-19 has scared off the usual guests. Instead, the hotel has opened its doors to the homeless. Lauren Anthony..