Fifteen countries on Sunday signed a sprawling Asia-Pacific trade deal seen as a huge coup for China in extending its influence. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – which includes 10 Southeast Asian economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia – is the world’s largest trade pact in terms of GDP, analysts say. First proposed in 2012, the deal was finally sealed at the end of a Southeast Asian summit as leaders push to get their pandemic-hit economies back on track. “Under the current global circumstances, the fact the RCEP has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a...

Here are the top stories for Sunday, November 22nd: Pompeo arrives in Saudi Arabia for likely final Gulf tour; South Korea announces stricter virus restrictions; Iraqi students demand justice for protest deaths; Brussels puts up Christmas tree. (Nov. 22)

Maryland governor quietly bought replacement tests; aides kept problems from lawmakers.