18 coal miners killed by carbon monoxide in southwest China, state media reports

China's state TV says at least 18 coal miners have been killed by high levels of carbon monoxide in the country's southwest.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-coal-mine-carbon-monoxide-deaths-1.5829925?cmp=rss

Biden officially secures enough electors to become U.S. president

California certified its presidential election Friday and appointed 55 electors pledged to vote for Democrat Joe Biden, officially handing him the Electoral College majority needed to win the White House.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/biden-electors-president-california-certification-1.5829778?cmp=rss

Bangladesh sends Rohingya refugees to isolated island despite objections from human rights groups

Authorities in Bangladesh sent the first group of more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees to an isolated island on Friday despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rohingya-refugees-relocated-island-bangladesh-1.5829464?cmp=rss

Robot dogs being tested at Kansas research facility

The robots, similar to medium-sized dogs, will be tasked with inspection and inventory duties, amongst other uses.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/robot-dogs-being-tested-at-kansas-research-facility-1.5829657?cmp=rss

San Francisco Bay Area issues stay-at-home order amid surging COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations

The health officers in six San Francisco Bay Area regions issued a new stay-at-home order Friday as the number of virus cases surge and hospitals fill.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/san-francisco-stay-at-home-order-1.5829388?cmp=rss

Regulators deny First Nations' request to delay Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline replacement in Minnesota

A regulatory panel on Friday denied a request from two First Nations to prevent Enbridge Energy from moving forward in Minnesota with its Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, which broke ground this week after receiving its final state permit.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/minnesota-regulators-enbridge-energy-line-3-pipeline-1.5829139?cmp=rss

U.S. man linked to former Manitoba reservist Patrik Mathews, white supremacist group to plead guilty

A Maryland man who is scheduled to plead guilty Tuesday in a case stemming from his alleged membership in a white supremacist group wants a federal judge to immediately sentence him at the hearing, a court filing shows.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/william-bilbrough-patrik-mathews-1.5829438?cmp=rss

Trump orders withdrawal of most U.S. troops from Somalia

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of nearly all U.S. troops from Somalia by Jan. 15, the Pentagon said on Friday, part of a global pullback before Trump leaves office next month that will also see him draw down forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-withdrawal-troops-somalia-1.5829249?cmp=rss

Firefighters make progress against California wildfire as wind threatens to stoke flames

Firefighters battling a blaze in a Southern California canyon made some progress toward containment but were up against more high winds and low humidity on Friday, which threatened to stoke the flames that forced thousands to evacuate.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bond-fire-california-firefighters-1.5829254?cmp=rss

India accuses Trudeau of encouraging 'extremist activities' with his remarks on farmers' protests

India has accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of inciting "extremist activities" and warns that his recent remarks about farmers' protests could harm relations between the two countries.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/india-government-trudeau-ambassador-protests-1.5828113?cmp=rss

EU trade talks at 'difficult' point, U.K. minister says, as hopes of deal dim

Britain's business minister said Friday that U.K.-EU trade talks are at a "difficult" point, as British officials poured cold water on hopes of an imminent breakthrough — and France said it could veto any agreement it didn't like.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/uk-european-union-trade-talks-1.5828250?cmp=rss

How Russia's famed Bolshoi is dancing its way through the COVID-19 pandemic

Russia's famed Bolshoi Theatre has been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, with its very survival at stake. After a lengthy shutdown, the dancing is continuing but for dancers and staff every performance comes at personal risk.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bolshoi-ballet-pandemic-1.5821121?cmp=rss