Beijing acted against the coronavirus with stunning force, as its official narratives recount. But not before a political logjam had allowed a local outbreak to kindle a global pandemic. World By Unknown Author from NYT World
The Senate vote on Wednesday was a major victory for Latin America’s growing feminist movement, and its ripple effects are likely to be widespread. World By Daniel Politi and Ernesto Londoño from NYT World
Health officials hope to soon vaccinate up to two million people per week as the country’s hospitals are overwhelmed by cases of a new, more contagious coronavirus variant. World By Benjamin Mueller and Rebecca Robbins from NYT World
At least seven people were reported killed and dozens injured. The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4, was the second in the area in 24 hours and tremors were reported across the Balkans. World By Marc Santora and Joe Orovic from NYT World
A German officer is facing trial on terrorism charges. At a volatile time for Western democracy, his story mirrors the story of Germany itself. World By Katrin Bennhold from NYT World
Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, is the first known person to be tried for challenging the Chinese government’s narrative about the coronavirus pandemic. World By Vivian Wang from NYT World
Martin Adler, now 96, was looking for German troops in 1944 when he almost shot three Italian children. His daughter’s internet appeal brought them all together again this month. World By Elisabetta Povoledo from NYT World
The coronavirus killed far fewer people in Africa than in Europe and the Americas, leading to a widespread perception that it was a disease of the West. Now, a tide of new cases on the continent is raising alarms. World By Sheri Fink from NYT World
He was caught spilling secrets to the Soviets in 1961 and imprisoned. Five years later, he escaped and fled to Moscow, where he was hailed as a hero. World By Robert D. McFadden from NYT World
Britain is finally departing from the European Union, but its formal exit is only the beginning of a high-stakes experiment to unstitch commercial relations across an integrated continent. World By Benjamin Mueller from NYT World
The trade agreement comes after months of negotiations, and still leaves critical details to be worked out. World By Mark Landler and Stephen Castle from NYT World
“She’s pretty hysterical right now,” said the grandmother of the 18-year-old student, Skylar Mack, who broke quarantine in the Cayman Islands. World By John Eligon and Jenny Gross from NYT World
The federal government had data that should have prompted an immediate lockdown in early December. Instead, it kept the city open for another two weeks. World By Natalie Kitroeff from NYT World
Death threats linked to police computers and the discovery of far-right chat groups in police departments across Germany have fed concerns about far-right infiltration. World By Katrin Bennhold from NYT World
The variant is up to 70 percent more transmissible than earlier versions, officials said, though some scientists are skeptical. People in southeast England, including London, were told to stay at home. World By Mark Landler and Stephen Castle from NYT World
A Canadian’s gruesome account as an Islamic State executioner in Syria, which was the subject of the “Caliphate” podcast by The New York Times, was fabricated, officials say. A Times review found no corroboration of his claim to have committed atrocities. World By Mark Mazzetti, Ian Austen, Graham Bowley and Malachy Browne from NYT World
Researchers say that kangaroos are the first wild animals to exhibit interspecies communication that is more commonly seen in animals that have evolved alongside humans. World By Yan Zhuang from NYT World
Defying the Isle of Man’s coronavirus restrictions, a 28-year-old traveled from Scotland to the island on Friday. Days after he arrived, he was sentenced to jail for four weeks. World By Jenny Gross from NYT World
The country has been keeping restaurants and bars open, trying not to let the pandemic disrupt life. But the second wave is forcing the authorities to reconsider their approach. World By Thomas Erdbrink and Christina Anderson from NYT World
Mr. Nygard was arrested in Canada at the request of U.S. authorities. A federal indictment in New York City accused him of recruiting dozens of women and teenage girls for sex. World By Benjamin Weiser, Kim Barker, Catherine Porter and Grace Ashford from NYT World
Armed with a handgun, a fake ID card and disguises, Miriam Rodríguez was a one-woman detective squad, defying a system where criminal impunity often prevails. World By Azam Ahmed from NYT World
Venezuela’s economic meltdown had pummeled a proud fishing village. Then jewelry started mysteriously surfacing on its beach, easing the pain of an economic crisis. World By Anatoly Kurmanaev, Isayen Herrera and Adriana Loureiro Fernandez from NYT World
The finds this year, including a cache of gold coins from the reign of Henry VIII, come as Britain considers expanding the law to protect a broader range of artifacts from its centuries-old history. World By Jenny Gross from NYT World
The author, who died in 1990, made several disparaging comments about Jews during his lifetime. “Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us,” the family said in a statement online. World By Isabella Kwai from NYT World
While the number of forces — about 700 — is small, it is a continuation of President Trump’s efforts to withdraw the United States from what he has described as endless wars. World By Helene Cooper from NYT World
A United Nations commission voted to remove marijuana for medical use from a list of the most risky narcotics, such as heroin. World By Isabella Kwai from NYT World
The emergency approval, ahead of the United States and the European Union, clears the way for Britain to begin mass inoculations. “Help is on its way,” one official said. World By Benjamin Mueller from NYT World
The oldest member of BTS was saved at the last minute from having to join the military under the country’s conscription system. World By Choe Sang-Hun from NYT World
Crown Prince Akishino said he approved of his daughter’s marriage to a commoner but noted that the public may be opposed, dimming prospects for an official ceremony. World By Ben Dooley from NYT World