Their resignations after 4 of their colleagues are disqualified. Also, now we are steps for reach these elections. A breakthrough in libya. The u. N. Says the warring sides have agreed to hold elections within 18 months. Welcome to the program. Europe has been called a cautionary tale of the dangers of easing coronavirus restrictions. The World Health Organization issued a warning as the continent is witnessing an aggressive surge and infections more than 50000. People have now died from cope with 19 in the u. K. And in italy. Once the epicenter of europes outbreak, 623. 00 people died in the past 24 hours. Andrew symonds reports for the u. K. Its another landmark in the spread of covert, and its causing a lot more than 50000. 00. People who tested positive have died. Britains total of dead is now the highest in europe. Nearly 600. 00 deaths on wednesday overtakes figures since may in the 1st wave. Every death is a tragedy. I mean we mourn everybody whos gone and, and often either with their families as and friends as well. Were not out of the woods yet. It does still require everybody to follow the guidance elsewhere in europe. The spread is on the increase too. In italy, where hotels are now being used to cope with an over spill of patients. The number of cases has now passed 1000000. Thats despite increased lockdown restrictions, such as here in florence. Spains number of dead within 24 hours has increased to more than 400. Its the highest since the 2nd wave began. France is now using mobile units to treat non covert patients because of demands on its hospitals. Germany as well continues to struggle to have and yet spent id. Only now we have to wards that up pretty much at full capacity. And while we are barely able to do our jobs, hungary is the latest country to increase its lockdown measures. Its parliament has called a 3 month state of emergency that imposes an overnight National Curfew on the ground countermeasures in the fight against covert increase. And the race to introduce vaccination programs is also exaggerating. The European Union has signed a contract with pfizer, which has developed the front runner vaccine with bio on tech. The e. U. Says its buying 300000000 doses 100 simmons aljazeera. Iran has recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll since the pandemic began, 462 people died over the past 24 hours. The Health Ministry also confirmed a Record Number of daily infections at almost 12000 new cases. More than 30 9600. 00 people have died from the virus in iran, which is the worst hit nation in the middle east. Quote, a virus restrictions are being reimposed in several states across the United States as infection shot more records than 2. Now, according to the coded tracker project, 131000 new cases were confirmed on cheese day and texas has become the 1st state to record more than a 1000000 cases. Almost 62000 people are currently hospitalized with the virus more than ever before. Measures are being tightened in new york and several midwest states. I tell you this in all sincerity. We are in trouble. Our local and state Health Care Resources are approaching their limits. And if nothing is done soon to slow the rise in cases, our hospitals will be more overwhelmed than they already are. And we wont be able to be there for all of those who need it. Us president elect joe biden has named his white house chief of staff despite Donald Trumps refusal to concede and allow a smooth transition of power. Wrong plane is one of bidens most trusted advisors. Hes already served as chief of staff to both biden Vice President al gore during the obama and clinton administrations. Bidens been unable to move into federal office space or use Government Funds to hire staff because of trans refusal to accept the election results. Well, the u. S. State of georgia has announced that it will be recounting all votes by hand, which was requested by the truck campaign. Joe biden secured the election without georgia, but hes also leading there by just over 14000 votes. Officials say the recount will begin at the end of the week because of margin stansted 13001 of them between the president and senator biden, Vice President biden. This will continue to invest the group in every instance of illegal voting, varying very willing to really, you know, if you play that, we were investigated, every legal vote will count. So well be counting every single piece of paper every single ballot, every single lawfully cast legal ballot. Now theres extra attention on georgia because itll have 2 Senate Runoff races in january. Theyll determine control of the upper chamber. Now the republicans currently have 50 seats and the democrats have 48. 00. If they win both races in georgia, the democrats will effectively gain the majority because the Vice President cast the deciding vote in a tie. Or for the very latest, lets cross over to alan fischer. Hes live for us in the american capital, allan, the president has been tight lipped during the day, but hes tweeting now was she saying well, essentially hes complaining about the vote. Hes saying that theyve won, and hes highlighted one video, which suggests that there was a problem with ballots that happened in los angeles that was ballot. Workers collecting ballots from one of the drop boxes the day after the election. Ellie nords all about it. Theres no concern about it, the woman on the video is saying that the state has been called for joe biden. How can that be . Well, that was a media projection. The state still has to confirm those results. Of course, california would be called for joe biden. It is overwhelmingly democratic, and joe biden won the state by more than 5000000 votes. Donald trump is running out of room and really there are those in the white house who believe this position is unsustainable, simply because the republicans keep going to court to raise issues with judges. Although or publicly theyre saying there was widespread voter fraud, none of the court cases produces any evidence of that. Theyre talking about small numbers. Busy in states, yes, they wanted the recount in georgia, which they will get that will be done by hand doesnt always walk in your favor. 2016. Hillary clinton was significantly behind behind donald trump when she asked for a recount in wisconsin in the end, surely get 700. 00 more votes, dont trump it 100 more votes. So he really is running out of room when it comes to legal maneuvers here. He will continue to tweet what he believes are people in support of him. Hes done over the last few days, but it is interesting that we havent really seen him in public for almost a week. No, this is the longest period i can remember since he announced this candidacy for president back in 2015 when he has been this silent. And that includes the time when he was in hospital when he still managed to send out a couple of twitter videos. And of course, alan, the president elect has been making significant choices for his team, for our international audience. You know, we know that hes picked the chief of staff, what is a cheap staff do . And this candidate is very well experienced. Well, ron klain is, you know, im just going to stop and check whats going on because theres a lot of noise. All of a sudden here that appears to be, as i suspected, it might be, it is a trump supporter caravan driving through the streets of washington. D. C. Washington is an overwhelmingly democratic city, but theyve decided, obviously they want to come out and make their points here wrong. Claim that washington insider its been around for a long time is considered in a city where there are a lot of smart people, very smart, very organized, very put together. Hes the sort of guy theyre organized calls with world leaders, sort of which joe biden has been doing in the last few hours. Spoken to the leaders in south korea and to japan and also in a still year. But he will bring a bit of order to the white house and he expected to spend a lot more time in that role than Donald Trumps chief of staff. Remember, hes had 4 of those in the last 4 years for the latest, thanks very much. Allan fischer there for us in washington d. C. Now libya is expected to hold elections within the next 18 months after reaching a breakthrough during u. N. Back to political talks. In tunisia, it comes after rival factions agreed to a road map to unite libyan institutions. Many of the institutions are split amongst the un recognized government based in the west and ward cleaver, have to Libyan National army in the east. A cease fire was agreed between the warring sides last month. Stephanie williams, the uns acting envoy to livias, says that representatives from both sides have agreed to a road map for elections. Today. The participants of the libyan political dialogue form reached a pulmonary agreement on every map for ending the transitional period and organize free, fair, inclusive, and credible parliamentary and president ial elections. They now find clear steps for reaching the election law. Moved to tripoli, the u. N. Acting envoy to libya, Stephanie Williams seems to be optimistic, especially in her presser. Today, the most important, or the most outstanding point she mentioned, is that the elections parliamentary and president ial elections to be hilled, after 18 months, transitional period. But at the same time, she says we still have a lot of work to do it. This is the point because this t. Called a meeting in tunisia. They have to choose a president ial council to be composed of 3 members. Remember the current president ial council as can include 9 members and also a separate new government. This is the tough task that is facing the stakeholders. 75. 00, representatives of the Libyan Society meeting in tunisia and sponsored by the United Nations. The u. S. Is warning china of further sanctions for what its called a flagrant violation of hong kongs autonomy. Its in response to a new patriotism resolution that resulted in the disqualification of 4 prodemocracy lawmakers. There we will of god 15 of the opposition politicians say that they will resign in protest. Chinas new resolution allows the removal of legislators who pose a threat to National Security and challenge beijings rule. Prodemocracy activists say that amounts to the end of the one country 2 systems principle. Every brown is our correspondent, following events for us from hong kong. Good to have you with us, adrian. I mean, what do these disqualifications mean really for future elections . Well thats the question because it all adds up to one thing is china out to ensure the results of those elections, which are due to happen in just 9 months time. Those elections were postponed because of coded 19 of course. Now a lot of analysts and commentators are saying that beijing has now essentially managed to in a way gerrymander this election because they have ensured that the democratic camp are going to be on the sidelines. Its unclear whether they will be able to stand in that next election. Thats the 19 democrats who have now either been removed or have resigned on mass. And the other thing to remember, so hail is that in the last few weeks, the Hong Kong Government has enfranchised more than a 1000000, hong kong citizens living across the border in mainland china. That means they can now vote in the coming polls. So its almost certain that the promise stablish when parties are likely to win that election, even though the democrats stood to increase their share of seats in the parliament at that election. What is happening now this morning here in hong kong . Sue hale is that those 15 legislators who announced their resignations on wednesday are now handing in their resignations to the president of the legislative assembly. This is the latest act in the unfolding Political Drama here in hong kong. And of course, what it means is that for the 1st time since the handover in 1997 will be no effective opposition in the chamber behind me. Well, could more disqualifications follow adrian for any other democrats that remain within the assembly structure. I think all eyes now are on the next tier of government as it were. Thats to say, the District Councilors now the prodemocratic camp did very well in the District Council elections exactly a year ago, they secured 17 out of hong kongs 18 District Councils. And many of these councillors, a very young, much more radical than the, the democrats who have now been removed or have resigned from lets go. And you know, as far as china is concerned, a lot of them are not showing sufficient patriotism to the mainland and carry lamb gave a hint yesterday at her Media Conference that, you know, other people, other groups could also be targeted. And the feeling is among many analysts, is that this, these young radical District Councillors could well be next. Of course, along with other elected officials, which is what happened there in brown, the following events for an ongoing thank you. Well still ahead here on aljazeera with a head to head i ricos president and main Opposition Leader meters violence sparked by its disputed election claims at least 85. 00 lives plus was branded a traitor over the nagornokarabakh ceasefire. Deal the future hangs in the balance for armenias Prime Minister. Those stories after the break from heller winter, still held it back in the far northeast of china and siberia. Although it does try and get into hawkeye to every now and again. Thursday looks largely find this rain still on what is remaining of the east asia monsoon, which is catching taiwan and is being enhanced by the activity in the south china sea. So i could be heavy rain, hong kong gets the edge of it, otherwise its a dry and fine picture of the cold. Again trying to get back into hawkeye, the later in the day in the region on saturday. But once again, which looks the activity of the Philippine Sea typhoon vancouvers on its way through southern luzon, quite vicious, but nothing is as bad is going to get a bit further north than when it reemerges into the south china sea. It may strengthen once again and guess where its going towards vietnam. I think it loses when strength before it gets there. But certainly a lot more rain to come. The good scattering shastra malaysia and indonesia. Its the wet season. So expect that, but theyre not particularly heavy. Theres a potential for heavy rates in and pradesh and, and that is true. But most of india is now much more settled, of course is getting into winter now. And their call to new delhi once again is hazardous. Since 2013 wish the World Innovation summit for health has gathered health care leaders, practitioners and researchers together to larry interact and engage with innovative organizations this year. Wish will take place, but actually under the banner of one world, our Health Register now at wish dot org dot q. A. Your job as a road means the whole drama. Remind us of our top news stories. The coronavirus death toll continues to mount in europe. The u. K. Has reported 595 deaths in 24 hours while 623 new tape talent hes recorded in italy. Restrictions are being reimposed in several states also across the United States, where more than 130000 cases were confirmed on choose doing. Also u. S. President elect joe biden has named his white house chief of staff despite Donald Trumps refusal to concede and allow a transfer of power from plane is one of by his most trusted campaign advisors. The u. S. Is warning china of further sanctions, what it called a flagrant violation of hong kongs autonomy. Its in response to a new patriotism resolution that resulted in the disqualification of 4 prodemocracy lawmakers. 15 others saying theyll resign in protest. Armenias parliament has agreed to discuss protesters, demands that the Prime Minister step down over a truce in the disputed region of nagornokarabakh. Theres widespread anger towards nichol passion. Young people are demanding. He cancels the agreement, which allows azerbaijan to keep the land. It captured during 6 weeks. Of fighting wars in the main protest in the armenian capital, yet, of on they stood in Freedom Square europe, and it was from here that defers leads over the border carol with voice to the 5 years of sylvia. This time they were shouting, spread minister, is a traitor. The rally was organized by his political opponents, including the 2nd Largest Party in their message, some of the Opposition Leaders gay after their supporters is that there has been and National Betrayal by the protesters defied the countrys martial law under which demonstrations are bad. And the time scuffled with goodness, to the Prime Minister to reside became louder throughout the day. This is fire cream inside with russian azerbaijan, because of their ability to pull out of boys every territory it had occupied since they tended to for a while as are. But keeps the land it has regained during the field permissions. He has to appear in front of the military tribunals with all his team because he secretly in the middle of the night, sold the whole of nagornokarabakh. He discredited the honor of our soldiers. A Prime Minister who has not seen in public yet appeared yet again on facebook. You know, the regional capital stop on a curt was on the direct threat. The army chief of staff said the city was well defended if it was captured, thousands of our soldiers would be in a blockade. We would have lost even more territory. The protesters went to the saeter, the government just say they didnt believe him. This is not a nationwide protest, but the feeling that the Prime Minister gave away too much is shared, even among those armenians who have been going down to the streets, marching further towards parliament. Protestors try to convince others to join this woman says it is for the sake of saving their own or karabakh. And the selfproclaimed republic of the Prime Minister hasnt responded to the demonstrators who are also demanding for the agreement to be cancelled. We are saying he has to go home because he is not our Prime Minister anymore because he cannot sign such an agreement on behalf of all of us. Were losing everything were living in the south has the south of the country, which is the border with iran. Armenians were unified while the war was going on since the ceasefire. That ended the national study. That seems to be fading away, that theyve had me here ever. A military operation in northern ethiopia is threatening to spill over the countrys borders, and there are fears it could lead to a humanitarian crisis. Prime minister ordered the offensive in the 2 gray region last week, accusing local forces there of attacking a military base. Since then hundreds have been killed and several 1000 people have fled to neighboring sudan. The United Nations has expressed concern for the humanitarian situation on the ground. We are told that communications continue to be disrupted. There are also reports of inter term intellect, trickle, electricity, supply, shortages, as well as shortages of basic commodities such as flour and fuel are also being reported. Banks remain closed in the shortage of vailable. Cash is becoming much more acute. We urge governments in the neighboring countries to keep their borders open for people, forced to flee from their homes and u. N. H. Shores. Also asking if you open a thorolds to take steps to allow the agency to keep providing assistance to the safety, safety for refugees and internally displaced. People who are in t. Agree. At least 85 people are confirmed to have died in the violence surrounding ivory coast disputed election. Thats double the previous estimate. The unrest began in august when president allison with tara confirmed him that he was running for a controversial 3rd term. And he went on to win in october with 94 percent of the vote. The president and the head of the opposition met to try and calm the ongoing tension. You know, some that we have agreed to peace is the thing that is most precious to both of us and to all ivorians weve decided to work in that direction. And this was a thirst meeting to establish that trust. Weve agreed to meet again very soon in order to continue this dialogue which is started so well. Now the trust has been restored. But ill ponder, go to todays meeting. We broke the wall of ice, the silence, and that we will in the days and weeks to come, we will continue to call each other meet in order to bring the country back to what it was before. I would address sounds more from abidjan. Its more like an on the branch and of course on a time to buy the water, the government to ensure some form of normality across the country. Quote unquote recon, embody a former president was part of the Movement Toward the 2 with a 21. 00 president ial election. Today he is here and met with president alassane. Ouattara will go, that meeting lasted less than an hour and was commended by both sides as i progress to some form of progress. And of course, the groundwork for future negotiations according to the 2 leaders has been made initially before coming here. Remember, since the election, the house of only carnaby and other Opposition Leaders have been surrounded by Security Forces today as we were driving to this venue. In fact, where i lost and what i was for that in trying to tend during his fight for the supreme a c. Of the seat of the president with a lot of bible. Yeah, id go for tel. We saw that the Security Forces have been moved away from a mr. Biggest house and also away from the partys headquarters. So thats a Significant Development in terms of the all of branch thing were talking about. And also both leaders agreed that what is more important now for ivory coast is peace. Now, thousands of taken to the streets improves capital. The day off to present, martin discolor was kicked out of office and replaced by the former head of congress. Crowds gathered in lima to condemn the removal scholar who power demonstrators see the move as a coup, and say corrupt politicians that are running the country. Manuel marino was sworn in as the interim president , president on choose day. Thousands of people in the philippines have been evacuated from their homes as the 3rd typhoon in, as many weeks threatens, a country typhoon has hit the northeastern k. s on province. The region hasnt yet recovered from the destruction of typhoon gony earlier this month. The ancient tradition of using personalized stamps for everything from official documents to receipts is under threat in japan. The government is planning reforms that will end the use of stamps and digitize paper work instead. So it has more for centuries, this Hand Carved Wooden stamp has been part of daily life in japan. Whether its an heirloom or a coming of age gift is personalized. Unique to its owner, it can cost hundreds of dollars being seen as use for government documents and daily transactions. The new Japanese Culture you dont affair selves by signing our name in stamping our seal next to it. You can also own originators them, which is custom made one of a kind in the world. Only you can own it, which makes you feel a bit like a king. This is the 1st item that makes you a responsible adult. But this is all likely to change soon. The japanese government plans to stamp out the use of hang cofa nearly all of its administrative paperwork. Its part of reforms to improve efficiency and digitize system. Sure, there are people use hanko stamps just for the sake of stamping. But once we change the way we think and streamline our stamp use to only when it is absolutely necessary, it will make the purpose of using hand customs much more clearer. Hanko is considered legally binding than a handwritten signature and has made working from home during the pandemic difficult for many office workers. Its prompted. Former Prime Minister shinzo abyei in late april to order the draft of new laws through g. s japans dependence on hanko. One document could often have as many as 40 seals of approval as it goes through a chain of authority. Were talking one. No one wants to take responsibility in japan. Its always very big. When you think about it, it should really only take 2 stamps at the most, one by a person who makes a document and another by the person who approves it. Last month, tech giant Hitachi Announce a Paperless Office plan. Its part of a growing list of businesses promising to end the custom of stamping by setting a march 2022 deadline to stop the internal use of one k. But autism stunt make is a concern that could spell an end to an ancient tradition. Those remained unchanged for centuries, for their bonuses, for even if different seals are made in the same font, they carry the personality of each craftsman who spends a long time to create them while consulting with clients. That means that each hanko stem naturally is unique in the world. The effort to curb hanko remains a challenge for the government, and its still unclear if society will give up using its customary seal of approval. So to hide at aljazeera, your job is over with means the whole robin. A reminder of our top news stories, the coronavirus death toll continues to mount in europe. The United Kingdom has reported 595 deaths in 24 hours while 623 new fatal. Hes recorded in italy, restrictions are being imposed in several states across the u. S. And its president elect. Joe biden has named his white house chief of staff despite doubletons refusal