Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine

United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health has announced the official registration of a vaccine against COVID-19 developed by the Chinese Sinopharm in UAE. The vaccine has shown 86% efficacy under late-stage clinical trials with no serious safety concerns.

US Envoy to South Korea

United States Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has met South Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister on Tuesday. The senior US envoy has assured that the relationship between Washington and Seoul will remain strong despite the upcoming administration changes. Biegun has also met South Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator and will be meeting more officials throughout this week.

British PM in Brussels

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has headed to Brussels to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tonight in a final attempt to secure a post-Brexit trade agreement for a chance to avoid a disorderly exit on December 31. A British government source said a deal might not be possible.

More US Sanctions

The United States Treasury Department has announced sanctions on the Iranian envoy to Yemen's Houthi rebels on Tuesday.
Sanctions were also imposed on Al-Mustafa International University and a Pakistani individual living in Iran.
Sanctions will freeze US assets of the targets and restrict US citizens from doing business with them.