Thursday, December 3, 2020 - a podcast by TRT World

*) UK first nation to roll out Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

The UK has become the first country to approve a clinically authorised Covid-19 vaccine.

Some 800,000 doses are due to arrive in the coming days. The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine will be rolled out as early as next week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it will take time for everyone to be vaccinated, but care homes, the elderly and the most vulnerable will get priority.


*) President Trump recasts claims of voter fraud

US President Donald Trump has released a video on Twitter, once again claiming voter fraud in last month's presidential election.

Trump refused to concede in his speech. But he has already lost legal battles over the results in several states.

The video comes a day after US Attorney General William Barr said there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud.


*) Afghan government and Taliban reach breakthrough deal

The Afghan government and Taliban have announced a breakthrough deal to move forward with peace talks.

The agreement allows negotiators to move on to other issues, including a much needed ceasefire amid continuing conflict.

After 19 years of war, it is the first written agreement between the sides and has been welcomed by the UN and US.

*) Israeli lawmakers approve preliminary bill to dissolve parliament

Israel could be heading for its fourth election, in less than two years, after lawmakers passed a preliminary vote to dissolve parliament.

The bill was put forward by the opposition but backed by Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition partner Benny Gantz.

Gantz has accused Netanyahu of deliberately delaying budget agreements to hold onto power.

Wednesday's vote requires further readings before a new election is called.


And finally…

*) Historic Liberia war crimes trial to open in Switzerland

A former warlord will become the first Liberian to face a war crimes trial over alleged atrocities during the country's 1990s civil war.

Alieu Kosiah, who was arrested in Switzerland in 2014, will be on trial in Switzerland on Thursday.

He stands accused of murder, rape and a string of other crimes during the first of Liberia's back-to-back civil wars, which together killed some 250,000 people between 1989 and 2003.

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