Austria shuts schools, most stores, to curb spread of COVID-19

Austria is tightening its partial lockdown, including by closing non-essential stores and shifting schools to online teaching, amid galloping coronavirus infection rates in the Alpine nation.

Russian, North Korean hackers target vaccine work, Microsoft says

Microsoft said that most of the attacks in recent months were unsuccessful, but provided no information on how many succeeded or how serious those breaches were.

China congratulates President-elect Joe Biden, one of last major countries to do so

China, along with Russia, avoided joining the throng last weekend that congratulated Biden, who is expected to make few changes to U.S. policy in conflicts with Beijing over trade, technology and security.

6 Americans among peacekeepers killed in Egypt helicopter crash

The international force that monitors the four-decade-old Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement has confirmed the deaths of eight peacekeepers in a helicopter crash in Egypt's Sinai region.

Boris Johnson calls Trump 'previous president'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called Donald Trump the “previous president” of the United States and said it was “refreshing” to talk to President-elect Joe Biden.

Vatican faults many for ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick's rise but spares Pope Francis

A Vatican investigation into ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has found that bishops, cardinals and popes downplayed or dismissed reports that he slept with seminarians.

English soccer head quits after offending on race and sexuality

The head of English soccer abruptly resigned Tuesday within hours of making a series of offensive comments on race, gender and sexuality.

International observers don't see fraud, voting irregularities in US election

International observers from the Organization of American States say they saw no instances of fraud or voting irregularities in the U.S. presidential election.

Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to end fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh

Officials in Armenia and Azerbaijan have announced an agreement to end fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region (also known as Artsakh) under a pact signed with Russia.

Stocks surge on Wall Street amid vaccine news, US election outcome

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,500 points, or 5.4%, in early trading Monday and the S&P 500 jumped 3.7% after drugmaker Pfizer said early data show its coronavirus vaccine looks highly effective.

Mexico, Brazil leaders silent as world congratulates president-elect Joe Biden

There were two notable holdouts among the world leaders who rushed to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the U.S. elections: the leaders of Latin America’s two biggest countries, both of whom have been seen as friendly to President Donald Trump.

Iranian president wants Joe Biden to bring US back to nuclear deal

Iran’s president has called on President-elect Joe Biden to return the United States to Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers.

Millions of minks ordered to be euthanized after mutated COVID-19 virus spread to humans

More than a quarter million Danes have gone into lockdown in a northern region of the country where a mutated variation of the coronavirus has infected minks being farmed for their fur, leading to an order to kill millions of the animals.

Eta expected to become a hurricane again before striking Florida Keys

A strengthening Tropical Storm Eta cut across Cuba on Sunday, and forecasters say it's likely to be a hurricane before hitting the Florida Keys Sunday night or Monday.

Books? Hairdressers? Europeans decide on what is essential during COVID-19 lockdown

“Chocolate is very much an essential food around here," said chocolatier Marleen Van Volsem at the Praleen chocolaterie south of Brussels. “It has to be. Because chocolate makes you happy."