A U.S. government advisory panel has voted to endorse mass use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to help conquer the outbreak that has killed close to 300,000 Americans.
Shots could begin within days, depending on how fast the FDA signs off on the panel's recommendation.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China is willing to work with New Zealand to actively foster sources of growth in terms of cooperation in emerging fields.
During a phone call with New Zealand's newly-appointed Foreign Minister, Wang Yi also called for a prompt signing of the free trade agreement upgrade protocol between the two countries.
He called on New Zealand to provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in the country.
The Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand firmly follows the one-China policy and is willing to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthen COVID-19 vaccine research and production cooperation with China.
The Hong Kong government has expressed strong objection to the meeting between a cabinet minister of Britain and anti-government people from Hong Kong.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel met with exiled "Hong Kong Independence" advocator Nathan Law and others on Wednesday, where the regional flag of Hong Kong was deliberately shown despite the people have no official capacity.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong government says this is clearly yet another provocative act of the British government following the recent release of the Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong.
The spokesman also blames the comments of British authorities on the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong British National Overseas passport holders.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there is a strong possibility Britain will not reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union.
After months of talks, the EU and Britain are still at loggerheads over fishing rights, economic fair play and disputes settlement.
Johnson says the EU's offer would keep Britain locked within its regulatory orbit and called on businesses to prepare for a no deal.
"We need to be very, very clear there's a strong possibility, strong possibility that we will have a solution that's much more like an Australian relationship with the EU, than a Canadian relationship with the EU. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing."
The EU does not have a trade agreement with Australia. Under such a scenario, Britain is likely to see trade barriers spike with the EU.
Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed to break the deadlock in a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
Von der Leyen says the EU wants to give Britain access to its single market, but fair conditions for that access have not been met.
The negotiators have been given extra time to seal an agreement, before a decision on the next steps is made at the end of next week.
Meantime, the EU yesterday set out its contingency plans for the split in trading ties when the transition period ends on December 31st.
U.S. media reported that President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Susan Rice to lead the White House's domestic policy council.
Rice was national security adviser to former President Barack Obama. She has also served as U.N. ambassador and assistant secretary of state.
Biden is picking for top roles from a growing list of Obama administration officials.
It's also reported the former vice president will nominate Denis McDonough to be secretary of veterans affairs.
McDonough served as chief of staff during the Obama years.
The World Food Programme says at least 270 million around the world stand on the brink of starvation.
The head of the UN agency David Beasley made the remark on Thursday when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization.
He warned that the failure to address their needs will cause a hunger pandemic that will dwarf the impact of COVID-19.
Instead of the usual ceremony at the Oslo City Hall, the ceremony was held online due to the pandemic.