The first-of-its-kind announcement comes amid international concerns that the country is rushing approval for political purposes. The number of virus cases worldwide has now passed 20 million.

RIGHT NOWNew Zealand confirmed its first locally transmitted cases of the virus in more than 100 days.
Here’s what you need to know:
Russian vaccine has yet to complete clinical trials but works ‘effectively enough,’ President Putin said.
Virus cases have surpassed 20 million worldwide.
Trump considers a rule that would block Americans thought to have the virus from returning home.
States grapple with how to pay for their part of the unemployment benefits that Trump promised.
Britain’s push to open schools may force the closure of one of its beloved institutions: The pub.