WORLD NEWS

This Christmas Eve, Jolly Old St. Nicholas is once again delivering gifts to children around the world in record time. Here's how to track his whereabouts.

This Christmas Eve, Jolly Old St. Nicholas is once again delivering gifts to children around the world in record time. Here's how to track his whereabouts.

The remaining members of a U.S.-based missionary group who were kidnapped two months ago have been freed.

Firefighters in Sicily are digging through rubble in the search for missing people after an explosion apparently caused by a gas leak killed at least three people.

Israel's prime minister says the country is “on the threshold of an emergency situation” after authorities detected its first case of a new coronavirus variant in a traveler who returned from Malawi.

A gang that kidnapped 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group has demanded $1 million ransom per person.

Norwegian authorities say the bow-and-arrow rampage by a man who killed five people in a small town appeared to be a terrorist act.

Hurricane Sam is a Category 4 storm that is not expected to strike Bermuda but is forecast bring tropical storm conditions to the territory and other islands.

President Joe Biden delivered remarks before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday morning for the first time in his presidency.

Smoke alarms went off at the Russian segment of the International Space Station in the early hours of Thursday, and the crew reported noticing smoke and the smell of burnt plastic.

The recent release of three separate groups of students who had been abducted in northern Nigeria brought joyful reunions and the hope that others still held might soon be freed.

The European Medicines Agency has recommended clearing Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 17, the first time the shot has been authorized for people under 18.

When the border closed because of the COVID pandemic, 85-year-old Al Oleski and his 81-year-old girlfriend Carol were forced to be separated.

A United Nations report says last year saw a “dramatic worsening” of world hunger, much of that likely linked to the pandemic.

Driven by the delta variant, a new wave of COVID-19 is sweeping across the African continent where new cases, hospital admissions, and deaths are increasing.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says Puerto Rico will receive nearly $4 billion in federal education pandemic relief funds to help boost the U.S. territory’s fight against COVID-19.

The U.N. human rights chief is urging countries worldwide to do more to help end discrimination, violence and systemic racism against people of African descent and “make amends” to them — including through reparations.

Canada has eased some travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents crossing the U.S. border.

Canada has eased some travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents crossing the U.S. border.

Scientists say recent pledges by the United States and others could help cap global warming at 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

For its third Mars flight, NASA's small Mars chopper flew at speeds and distances well beyond what had ever been previously tested here on Earth.

Teaming up with NBC’s Climate Challenge this Earth Week, Local 4 meteorologist Paul Gross will answer the most-asked questions about climate change all week long.

Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth II, has reportedly died.

Doctors from the Amerikan Hastanesi hospital in Istanbul and local medical staff taking care for patients in the COVID-19 ward at a the General Hospital in the capital Sarajevo, Bosnia, Thursday, March 18, 2021. As Bosnia faces soaring coronavirus infections and rapidly-filling hospitals, two doctors from Turkey have arrived in Sarajevo to help and offer their insight in the treatment of COVID-19. Bosnia is seeing a huge rise in infections and hospitalizations after a period of relaxed measures and the winter season that saw ski resorts staying open unlike in most of Europe. (AP Photo)(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

All rights reserved)A medical worker and school employees check document during a saliva COVID-19 test session at the Niederau school in Strasbourg, eastern France, Thursday, March 11, 2021. LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know March 14, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 119,748,246 -- an increase of more than 3 million from last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 29,423,015 COVID cases Brazil - 11,439,558 COVID cases India - 11,359,048 COVID cases Russia - 4,341,381 COVID cases United Kingdom - 4,271,710 COVID cases France - 4,131,872 COVID cases Italy - 3,223,142 COVID cases Spain - 3,183,704 COVID cases Turkey - 2,879,390 COVID cases Germany - 2,578,294 COVID cases Colombia - 2,299,082 COVID cases Argentina - 2,192,025 COVID cases Mexico - 2,163,875 COVID cases Poland - 1,906,632 COVID cases Iran - 1,746,953 COVID casesThe total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,651,442 -- an increase of 60,000 deaths from last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 534,673 COVID deaths Brazil - 277,102 COVID deaths Mexico - 194,490 COVID deaths India - 158,607 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 125,753 COVID deaths Italy - 102,145 COVID deaths France - 90,583 COVID deaths Russia - 90,558 COVID deaths Germany - 73,420 COVID deaths Spain - 72,258 COVID deaths Iran - 61,230 COVID deaths Colombia - 61,046 COVID deaths Argentina - 53,646 COVID deaths South Africa - 51,261 COVID deaths Peru - 48,841 COVID deathsAll data is sourced from Johns Hopkins University’s global COVID-19 data.

A Palestinian medic prepares a shot of the Russian-made Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, in Gaza City, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know March 7, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 116,662,534. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 28,960,271 COVID cases India - 11,210,799 COVID cases Brazil - 10,938,836 COVID cases Russia - 4,274,263 COVID cases United Kingdom - 4,231,083 COVID cases France - 3,942,244 COVID cases Spain - 3,149,012 COVID cases Italy - 3,046,762 COVID cases Turkey - 2,780,417 COVID cases Germany - 2,508,441 COVID cases Colombia - 2,273,245 COVID cases Argentina - 2,146,714 COVID cases Mexico - 2,125,866 COVID cases Poland - 1,794,914 COVID cases Iran - 1,689,692 COVID casesThe total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,590,656. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 524,541 COVID deaths Brazil - 264,325 COVID deaths Mexico - 190,357 COVID deaths India - 157,756 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 124,654 COVID deaths Italy - 99,785 COVID deaths France - 88,727 COVID deaths Russia - 87,614 COVID deaths Germany - 71,956 COVID deaths Spain - 71,138 COVID deaths Iran - 60,687 COVID deaths Colombia - 60,412 COVID deaths Argentina - 52,870 COVID deaths South Africa - 50,647 COVID deaths Peru - 47,681 COVID deathsAll data is sourced from Johns Hopkins University’s global COVID-19 data.

Several Metro Detroit and Michigan hospitals have been recognized as some of the best in the country and in the world by American news magazine Newsweek. For its third consecutive year, Newsweek has published its list of the “World’s Best Hospitals 2021,” in which global data is used to identify the top 2,000 hospitals across 25 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Germany, the U.K., India, Australia, Thailand and more. Michigan did not breach the top five, or the top ten, in the world, but it has breached the world’s top 30, with the University of Michigan Hospital’s Michigan Medicine ranking as 23rd in the world. AdNo other Michigan hospitals were among the top 200 in the world -- but several were still included on Newsweek’s list. But if you do, this ranking of the World’s Best Hospitals 2021 can help you feel confident as you make a critical choice about medical care.”Click here to see Newsweek’s entire “World’s Best Hospitals 2021″ list.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Feb. 28, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 113,950,840. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 28,567,544 COVID cases India - 11,096,731 COVID cases Brazil - 10,517,232 COVID cases Russia - 4,198,400 COVID cases United Kingdom - 4,188,823 COVID cases France - 3,747,263 COVID cases Spain - 3,188,553 COVID cases Italy - 2,925,265 COVID cases Turkey - 2,701,588 COVID cases Germany - 2,449,506 COVID cases Colombia - 2,248,135 COVID cases Argentina - 2,104,197 COVID cases Mexico - 2,084,128 COVID cases Poland - 1,706,986 COVID cases Iran - 1,631,169 COVID casesThe total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,528,117. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 512,346 COVID deaths Brazil - 254,221 COVID deaths Mexico - 185,257 COVID deaths India - 157,051 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 123,083 COVID deaths Italy - 97,699 COVID deaths France - 85,741 COVID deaths Russia - 84,700 COVID deaths Germany - 70,106 COVID deaths Spain - 69,142 COVID deaths Iran - 60,073 COVID deaths Colombia - 59,660 COVID deaths Argentina - 51,946 COVID deaths South Africa - 49,941 COVID deaths Peru - 46,299 COVID deathsAll data is sourced from Johns Hopkins University’s global COVID-19 data. Compare the data above to our last report (Feb. 14) right hereAdClick here for the latest coronavirus news

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON – The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Feb. 14, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 108,715,375 -- an increase of more than 2.7 million since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 27,616,922 COVID cases India - 10,904,940 COVID cases Brazil - 9,809,754 COVID cases United Kingdom - 4,049,905 COVID cases Russia - 4,026,506 COVID cases France - 3,467,884 COVID cases Spain - 3,056,035 COVID cases Italy - 2,721,879 COVID cases Turkey - 2,586,183 COVID cases Germany - 2,341,665 COVID cases Colombia - 2,190,116 COVID cases Argentina - 2,021,553 COVID cases Mexico - 1,988,695 COVID cases Poland - 1,588,955 COVID cases Iran - 1,518,263 COVID casesSince our last report: Iran jumped up to #15 in the world, replacing South Africa. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,397,312 -- an increase of more than 83,600 since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 484,997 COVID deaths Brazil - 238,532 COVID deaths Mexico - 173,771 COVID deaths India - 155,642 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 117,386 COVID deaths Italy - 93,577 COVID deaths France - 80,961 COVID deaths Russia - 78,825 COVID deaths Germany - 65,016 COVID deaths Spain - 64,747 COVID deaths Iran - 58,945 COVID deaths Colombia - 57,425 COVID deaths Argentina - 50,188 COVID deaths South Africa - 47,899 COVID deaths Peru - 43,491 COVID deathsSince our last report: All countries listed above have all reported an increase in virus deaths, but have each maintained their ranking over the last seven days.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Feb. 7, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 106,008,375 -- an increase of more than 3.3 million since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 26,986,827 COVID cases India - 10,826,363 COVID cases Brazil - 9,447,165 COVID cases United Kingdom - 3,957,123 COVID cases Russia - 3,923,461 COVID cases France - 3,395,981 COVID cases Spain - 2,941,990 COVID cases Italy - 2,636,738 COVID cases Turkey - 2,531,456 COVID cases Germany - 2,291,599 COVID cases Colombia - 2,151,207 COVID cases Argentina - 1,976,689 COVID cases Mexico - 1,926,080 COVID cases Poland - 1,550,255 COVID cases South Africa - 1,473,700 COVID casesSince our last report: The United Kingdom rose from #5 to #4 in the world, surpassing Russia. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,313,677 -- an increase of more than 91,200 since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 463,188 COVID deaths Brazil - 230,034 COVID deaths Mexico - 165,786 COVID deaths India - 154,996 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 112,681 COVID deaths Italy - 91,273 COVID deaths France - 79,111 COVID deaths Russia - 75,430 COVID deaths Germany - 61,602 COVID deaths Spain - 61,386 COVID deaths Iran - 58,469 COVID deaths Colombia - 55,693 COVID deaths Argentina - 49,110 COVID deaths South Africa - 46,180 COVID deaths Peru - 42,121 COVID deathsSince our last report: Germany jumped from #11 to #9 in the world.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Jan. 31, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 26,077,663 COVID cases India - 10,746,174 COVID cases Brazil - 9,176,975 COVID cases Russia - 3,808,348 COVID cases United Kingdom - 3,806,993 COVID cases France - 3,236,840 COVID cases Spain - 2,743,119 COVID cases Italy - 2,541,783 COVID cases Turkey - 2,470,901 COVID cases Germany - 2,224,911 COVID cases Colombia - 2,086,806 COVID cases Argentina - 1,922,264 COVID cases Mexico - 1,857,230 COVID cases Poland - 1,513,385 COVID cases South Africa - 1,449,236 COVID casesSince our last report: All countries listed above reported an increase in virus cases, but have each maintained their ranking over the last seven days. AdThe total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,222,403 -- an increase of more than 97,700 since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 439,587 COVID deaths Brazil - 223,945 COVID deaths Mexico - 158,074 COVID deaths India - 154,274 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 105,777 COVID deaths Italy - 88,279 COVID deaths France - 76,006 COVID deaths Russia - 72,029 COVID deaths Spain - 58,319 COVID deaths Iran - 57,959 COVID deaths Germany - 57,152 COVID deaths Colombia - 53,650 COVID deaths Argentina - 47,931 COVID deaths South Africa - 43,951 COVID deaths Peru - 40,857 COVID deathsSince our last report: Mexico jumped from #4 to #3 in the world, surpassing India in virus deaths. The remaining countries listed above have all reported an increase in virus deaths, but have each maintained their ranking over the last seven days.

DETROIT – More than 1,000 Indian-American across Metro Detroit held a car rally Sunday in support of Indian farmers. The image of an elderly Sikh man being beaten by an Indian paramilitary officer has galvanized more support than any other. The protest in Detroit joined protests happening all around the world with residents fighting to protect their way of life on the other side of the world. “That’s what common people want.”“The way of life for so many families -- including mine -- is farming,” said Manvir Sandhu. “This shows democracy.”“It’s an environment of hope,” Manvir Sandhu said.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Jan. 24, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 98,954,912 -- an increase of nearly 4.2 million since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 25,031,463 COVID cases India - 10,654,533 COVID cases Brazil - 8,816,254 COVID cases Russia - 3,679,247 COVID cases United Kingdom - 3,657,826 COVID cases France - 3,094,017 COVID cases Spain - 2,499,560 COVID cases Italy - 2,466,813 COVID cases Turkey - 2,429,605 COVID cases Germany - 2,146,030 COVID cases Colombia - 2,002,969 COVID cases Argentina - 1,862,192 COVID cases Mexico - 1,752,347 COVID cases Poland - 1,475,445 COVID cases South Africa - 1,404,839 COVID casesSince our last report: Spain jumped from #9 to #7 in the world over the last week. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,124,685 -- an increase of more than 98,000 since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 417,902 COVID deaths Brazil - 216,445 COVID deaths India - 153,339 COVID deaths Mexico - 149,084 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 98,128 COVID deaths Italy - 85,461 COVID deaths France - 73,019 COVID deaths Russia - 68,397 COVID deaths Iran - 57,383 COVID deaths Spain - 55,441 COVID deaths Germany - 52,154 COVID deaths Colombia - 50,982 COVID deaths Argentina - 46,737 COVID deaths South Africa - 40,574 COVID deaths Peru - 39,274 COVID deathsSince our last report: Germany rose on the global list again for a second week in a row, jumping from #12 to #11 in the world.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Jan. 17, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 94,759,287 -- an increase of 5.3 million since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 23,819,290 COVID cases India - 10,557,985 COVID cases Brazil - 8,455,059 COVID cases Russia - 3,530,379 COVID cases United Kingdom - 3,405,710 COVID cases France - 2,931,885 COVID cases Turkey - 2,387,101 COVID cases Italy - 2,381,277 COVID cases Spain - 2,252,164 COVID cases Germany - 2,049,855 COVID cases Colombia - 1,891,034 COVID cases Argentina - 1,791,979 COVID cases Mexico - 1,630,258 COVID cases Poland - 1,435,582 COVID cases Iran - 1,330,411 COVID casesSince our last report: All countries listed above reported an increase in virus cases, but have each maintained their ranking over the last eight days. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 2,026,617 -- an increase of more than 105,000 since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 395,549 COVID deaths Brazil - 209,296 COVID deaths India - 152,274 COVID deaths Mexico - 140,241 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 89,427 COVID deaths Italy - 82,177 COVID deaths France - 70,094 COVID deaths Russia - 64,601 COVID deaths Iran - 56,803 COVID deaths Spain - 53,314 COVID deaths Colombia - 48,256 COVID deaths Germany - 46,781 COVID deaths Argentina - 45,295 COVID deaths Peru - 38,654 COVID deaths South Africa - 36,851 COVID deathsSince our last report: Germany jumped from #13 to #12 in the world.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Jan. 9, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is 89,368,735 -- an increase of 5.1 million since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 22,035,618 COVID cases India - 10,431,639 COVID cases Brazil - 8,013,708 COVID cases Russia - 3,344,175 COVID cases United Kingdom - 3,026,313 COVID cases France - 2,824,920 COVID cases Turkey - 2,317,118 COVID cases Italy - 2,257,866 COVID cases Spain - 2,050,360 COVID cases Germany - 1,914,249 COVID cases Colombia - 1,755,568 COVID cases Argentina - 1,703,352 COVID cases Mexico - 1,507,931 COVID cases Poland - 1,376,389 COVID cases Iran - 1,280,438 COVID casesSince our last report: The U.S. saw the largest increase in COVID-19 cases of all countries in the last week, reporting more than 1.8 million new cases. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths around the world is 1,921,554 -- an increase of more than 89,000 since last week. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 370,119 COVID deaths Brazil - 201,460 COVID deaths India - 150,798 COVID deaths Mexico - 132,069 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 81,000 COVID deaths Italy - 78,394 COVID deaths France - 67,567 COVID deaths Russia - 60,523 COVID deaths Iran - 56,100 COVID deaths Spain - 51,874 COVID deaths Colombia - 45,431 COVID deaths Argentina - 44,273 COVID deaths Germany - 40,221 COVID deaths Peru - 38,049 COVID deaths South Africa - 32,425 COVID deathsSince our last report: The U.S. remains #1 in the world and is reporting the largest weekly increase in COVID deaths of all countries in the last week with 21,700 new deaths.

People were told to work from home unless it’s impossible to do so, and leave home only for essential trips. As of Monday, there were 26,626 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in England, an increase of more than 30% from a week ago. Britain has secured the rights to 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is cheaper and easier to use than some of its rivals. Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old dialysis patient, received the first Oxford-AstraZeneca shot early Monday at Oxford University Hospital. While two doses are required to fully protect against COVID-19, both vaccines provide high levels of protection after the first dose, the committee said.

LOCAL: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Jan. 2, 2021Each week, we’ll provide updates on which countries have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 casesUnited States - 20,205,931 COVID cases India - 10,305,788 COVID cases Brazil - 7,700,578 COVID cases Russia - 3,179,898 COVID cases France - 2,697,121 COVID cases United Kingdom - 2,607,523 COVID cases Turkey - 2,232,035 COVID cases Italy - 2,141,201 COVID cases Spain - 1,928,265 COVID cases Germany - 1,773,080 COVID cases Colombia - 1,654,880 COVID cases Argentina - 1,629,594 COVID cases Mexico - 1,437,185 COVID cases Poland - 1,312,780 COVID cases Iran - 1,237,474 COVID casesSince our last report: This is our first global report since October 2020, so we will not be comparing this week’s data to any of our previous reports. When we publish next week’s coronavirus data, we will compare it to the previous week, as we’ve done in the past. Countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deathsUnited States - 348,411 COVID deaths Brazil - 195,411 COVID deaths India - 149,218 COVID deaths Mexico - 126,507 COVID deaths Italy - 74,985 COVID deaths United Kingdom - 74,682 COVID deaths France - 64,892 COVID deaths Russia - 57,235 COVID deaths Iran - 55,438 COVID deaths Spain - 50,837 COVID deaths Colombia - 43,495 COVID deaths Argentina - 43,319 COVID deaths Peru - 37,680 COVID deaths Germany - 34,238 COVID deaths Poland - 29,058 COVID deathsSince our last report: This is our first global report since October 2020, so we will not be comparing this week’s data to any of our previous reports. All data is sourced from Johns Hopkins University’s global COVID-19 data.

“It doesn’t feel like Christmas anyway, there’s no carols being played on the streets,” she said. "It’s Christmask,” the Daily Nation newspaper declared in Kenya, where a surge in cases led to doctors ending a brief strike Christmas Eve. Sypniewski, 58, bought her daughter pajamas, compared to a diamond bracelet last Christmas. Meanwhile, church services shifted online. A Christmas Eve pageant that is normally performed in person was recorded and shown online.

The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late Thursday, Dec. 24. The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)ATLANTA – The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late Thursday. The agency said because of travel restrictions in place since March, air travel to the U.S. from the U.K. is already down by 90%. Andrew Cuomo said three airlines with flights from London to New York -- British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic -- had agreed to require passengers to take a COVID-19 test before getting on the plane.

Shoppers wear face masks as they walk in Regent Street, ahead of the new Tier-4 restriction measures, in London, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Christmas gatherings cannot go ahead and non-essential shops must close in London and much of southern England as he imposed a new, higher level of coronavirus restrictions to curb rapidly spreading infections. “It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,” Johnson said. While London fared relatively well in controlling the virus throughout the fall, the city now has the highest infection rates in England. The move will largely scrap Christmas gatherings in line with the rules for southern England.

With this year’s winter solstice comes more than just confirmation of our already-cold weather and ever-fleeting daylight: The rare “Christmas Star” will be visible for the first time in 800 years. Each year, Earth’s northern hemisphere enters the winter solstice on Dec. 21 -- the shortest day of the year -- officially marking the start of winter. This year, bright planets Jupiter and Saturn will align perfectly on Dec. 21 to create what is commonly called the Christmas Star or the “Star of Bethlehem.”According to NASA, Jupiter and Saturn align with one another every 20 years or so, but not nearly as close together as they will be in 2020. Experts say the Christmas Star can be seen by the unaided eye just after sunset on Dec. 21, 2020. You can see Saturn and Jupiter nearly align on Dec. 21, forming what appears to be a Christmas star.

This year’s only total solar eclipse will cross South American countries Chile and Argentina on Monday, Dec. 14. Watch live coverage of the eclipse beginning at 9:30 a.m. EST Monday in the video player below, courtesy of Slooh. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is the perfect size and distance from Earth to block out the sun entirely when their orbits cross paths. A total solar eclipse will cross Chile and Argentina on Dec. 14, 2020. Another total solar eclipse is expected to cross just below Detroit in 2024.

The only total solar eclipse of the year will cross South America on Monday, Dec. 14. A total solar eclipse will cross Chile and Argentina on Dec. 14, 2020. So, in those rare occurrences where the moon makes a direct path across the sun, we get a solar eclipse. Watch Slooh’s live coverage of the Dec. 14 total solar eclipse below. In 2024, a total solar eclipse will take a path quite close to Detroit.

CANTON, Mich. – Despite the cold weather and ongoing health crisis, on Saturday Metro Detroiters joined in on protests happening in several countries in support of Indian farmers. Hundreds of Indian-Americans from across Metro Detroit gathered in Heritage Park in Canton for a peaceful rally to show support for farmers. “There are farmers out there who need our help,” said Michigan Rep. Ranjeev Puri. Related: India farmers press on with protest despite offer to talkOne Michigan protester, Dr. Amanjot Sarao, comes from a long line of farmers. “I was shocked.”Protesters said they felt proud of their Metro Detroit neighbors for coming together and speaking up for those whose voices are being silenced in India.

Israel, long suspected of killing Iranian scientists a decade ago amid earlier tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, has yet to comment on Fakhrizadeh's killing Friday. Iran’s civilian atomic program has continued its experiments and now enriches a growing uranium stockpile up to 4.5% purity in response to the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal after the U.S.' 2018 withdrawal from the accord. Iran long has maintained its nuclear program is peaceful. Iran also could throw out inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, who have provided an unprecedented, real-time look at Iran's nuclear program since the deal. Iranian state television said an old truck with explosives hidden under a load of wood blew up near a sedan carrying Fakhrizadeh.

DUBAI – An Iranian scientist named by the West as the leader of the Islamic Republic's disbanded military nuclear program was killed Friday in an ambush on the outskirts of Tehran, authorities said. Israel, long suspected of killing several Iranian nuclear scientists a decade ago, declined to immediately comment. The agency said, however, that those calculations were “incomplete and fragmented.”IAEA inspectors now monitor Iranian nuclear sites as part of the now-unraveling nuclear deal with world powers. In 2018, Netanyahu gave a presentation in which he unveiled what he described as material stolen by Israel from an Iranian nuclear archive. Remember that name, Fakhrizadeh.”___Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat and Mohammad Nasiri in Tehran, Iran, and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report.

Earth sweltered to a record hot September last month, with U.S. climate officials saying there’s nearly a two-to-one chance that 2020 will end up as the globe’s hottest year on record. This record was driven by high heat in Europe, Northern Asia, Russia and much of the Southern Hemisphere, said NOAA climatologist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo. California and Oregon had their hottest Septembers on record. The first nine months of 2020 are the second warmest on record, a shade behind 2016 when there was a strong warming El Nino. “We’re catching up” to 2016, Sanchez-Lugo said.

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday decried what he called Joe Biden’s “sharp anti-Russian rhetoric” but praised the Democratic presidential nominee’s comments on arms control. While Putin again denied meddling in the U.S. election, U.S. intelligence officials believe Russia is using a variety of measures to denigrate Biden and that individuals linked to the Kremlin are boosting Trump’s reelection bid. The U.S.-Russian talks on extending the pact have produced no visible progress, and Russian diplomats said that chances for making a deal with the Trump administration look slim. “This is a very serious element of our potential collaboration in the future,” Putin said, speaking on his 68th birthday. He added that Russia would be ready to work with any future U.S. president.

Mentions of QAnon in a group focused on a different subject won’t necessarily lead to a ban, Facebook said. Facebook announced its new approach weeks after deciding to limit the spread of content from Facebook pages, groups and Instagram accounts that support violent acts, such as those associated with QAnon. “Starting today, we will remove Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts for representing QAnon, even if they contain no violent content," Facebook wrote in a press release Tuesday. The QAnon phenomenon has sprawled across a patchwork of secret Facebook groups, Twitter accounts and YouTube videos in recent years. Reddit, which began banning QAnon groups in 2018, was well ahead, and to date it has largely avoided having a notable QAnon presence on its platform.