Politics of Bahrain Prince and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa dies at the age of 84 after holding the office since 1970. He is succeeded by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. (Al Jazeera)
Prince and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa dies at the age of 84 after holding the office since 1970. He is succeeded by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested positive is no longer contagious. Initially, two US Armed Forces personnel had tested positive for the virus and have both recovered. (RNZ) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins asks New Zealanders who work in the Auckland CBD to stay home if possible from tomorrow after a new case was found in the city. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested positive is no longer contagious. Initially, two US Armed Forces personnel had tested positive for the virus and have both recovered. (RNZ)
President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested positive is no longer contagious. Initially, two US Armed Forces personnel had tested positive for the virus and have both recovered. (RNZ)
Cannabis in Israel Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn announces that Israel will begin a nine-month process to legalise and regulate recreational use of cannabis. (The Jerusalem Post)
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn announces that Israel will begin a nine-month process to legalise and regulate recreational use of cannabis. (The Jerusalem Post)
Legality of cannabis Cannabis in Israel Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn announces that Israel will begin a nine-month process to legalise and regulate recreational use of cannabis. (The Jerusalem Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccine Indonesia reports a record 5,444 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 457,735 cases. Central Java reports the highest number of new cases, with 1,362 new cases. (detikHealth) President Joko Widodo states that the country has sought emergency authorization to start a mass vaccination programme by the end of the year using CoronaVac and the Sinopharm vaccine. He also said that health workers, military and police will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
President Joko Widodo states that the country has sought emergency authorization to start a mass vaccination programme by the end of the year using CoronaVac and the Sinopharm vaccine. He also said that health workers, military and police will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
Ace Magashule, a top official of the African National Congress, is expected to face 21 charges of corruption in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (ABC News)
Corruption in South Africa Ace Magashule, a top official of the African National Congress, is expected to face 21 charges of corruption in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (ABC News)
2020 United States election protests Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump protest the results of the 2020 United States presidential election in Washington, D.C. (BBC News)
Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump protest the results of the 2020 United States presidential election in Washington, D.C. (BBC News)
2020 United States presidential election Incumbent president Donald Trump admits in a Twitter post that Joe Biden won the election. He follows up with a later tweet reaffirming his refusal to concede the election. (Sky News)
Incumbent president Donald Trump admits in a Twitter post that Joe Biden won the election. He follows up with a later tweet reaffirming his refusal to concede the election. (Sky News)
2020 Peruvian protests President Manuel Merino resigns five days after taking office as two demonstrators are shot dead and most of his Cabinet step down. (BBC News)
President Manuel Merino resigns five days after taking office as two demonstrators are shot dead and most of his Cabinet step down. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini tests positive for COVID-19. (U.S. News and World Report)
Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini tests positive for COVID-19. (U.S. News and World Report)
President Donald Trump fires Chris Krebs, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which oversaw the security of the 2020 election. Deputy Director Matthew Travis, who had expected to become acting director, is forced to resign. Krebs and the CISA have refuted Trump's accusations of voter fraud, calling the election the "most secure in American history". Trump has called Krebs' statements "highly inaccurate". (The Washington Post)
Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on European leaders to impose sanctions on supporters of President Alexander Lukashenko after police used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse protesters. (Reuters)
Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on European leaders to impose sanctions on supporters of President Alexander Lukashenko after police used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse protesters. (Reuters)
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consisting of former advisers to both the Obama and Trump administrations. The briefing stems from the Trump administration's refusal to cooperate with the Biden-Harris transition team. (The Independent)
Presidential transition of Joe Biden President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consisting of former advisers to both the Obama and Trump administrations. The briefing stems from the Trump administration's refusal to cooperate with the Biden-Harris transition team. (The Independent)
Iran says that it will return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the "Iran Deal", if President-elect Joe Biden lifts sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump. (CBS News)
Iran–United States relations, United States sanctions against Iran Iran says that it will return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the "Iran Deal", if President-elect Joe Biden lifts sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump. (CBS News) The United States imposes sanctions against the Mostazafan Foundation, a foundation controlled by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over alleged human rights abuses. (Al Jazeera)
2020 United States presidential election President-elect Joe Biden wins Georgia, after the state completed its hand recount, making him the first Democrat to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1992. (CBS News)
President-elect Joe Biden wins Georgia, after the state completed its hand recount, making him the first Democrat to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1992. (CBS News)
APEC Malaysia 2020 Leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation host a virtual summit in Malaysia to seek ways to revive their economies. U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the event for the first time since 2017. (ABC News)
Donald Trump Jr., son of outgoing President Donald Trump, tests positive for COVID-19. His spokesperson says that he is asymptomatic. (BBC News)
Leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation host a virtual summit in Malaysia to seek ways to revive their economies. U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the event for the first time since 2017. (ABC News)
War in Afghanistan November 2020 Afghanistan attacks A rocket attack on residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul kills at least eight people and injures 31 others. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC News) Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Taliban and the Afghanistan government in Doha, Qatar to negotiate a peace deal. (The Columbian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)
Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)
Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Taliban and the Afghanistan government in Doha, Qatar to negotiate a peace deal. (The Columbian)
2020 Guatemalan protests More than 7,000 people gather in Guatemala City to protest the recent budget bill. The National Congress building is also set on fire. (AP)
More than 7,000 people gather in Guatemala City to protest the recent budget bill. The National Congress building is also set on fire. (AP)
2020 Burkinabé general election Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years. Incumbent President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of the People's Movement for Progress seeks another term while he is challenged by two main opponents, Zéphirin Diabré of the Union for Progress and Reform and Eddie Komboïgo of the Congress for Democracy and Progress. (DW)
Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years. Incumbent President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of the People's Movement for Progress seeks another term while he is challenged by two main opponents, Zéphirin Diabré of the Union for Progress and Reform and Eddie Komboïgo of the Congress for Democracy and Progress. (DW)
2020 United States presidential election, Presidential transition of Joe Biden The General Services Administration officially certifies President-elect Joe Biden as the "apparent winner" of the 2020 presidential election, and announces that the formal transition will be allowed to begin. (CNN) (AP)
The General Services Administration officially certifies President-elect Joe Biden as the "apparent winner" of the 2020 presidential election, and announces that the formal transition will be allowed to begin. (CNN) (AP)
Israeli media reports that, on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Neom in Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz describes "the leak of the prime minister's secret flight to Saudi Arabia" as "an irresponsible move". Saudi Arabia denies that such a meeting occurred. On Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud repeated the 2002 Saudi Arab Peace Initiative offer to fully normalize relations, only after the Palestinians achieve statehood. (BBC News) (The New York Times)
Officials from the Trump administration announces that they have held their first Operation Warp Speed briefing with President-elect Joe Biden. (Politico)
List of people granted executive clemency by Donald Trump President Donald Trump announces via Twitter a pardon of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. (AP)
President Donald Trump announces via Twitter a pardon of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. (AP)
Ingrida Šimonytė takes office as the new Prime Minister of Lithuania, becoming the second woman to do so. She also appoints the first gender-balanced cabinet in the country's history. (LRT in English)
Politics of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė takes office as the new Prime Minister of Lithuania, becoming the second woman to do so. She also appoints the first gender-balanced cabinet in the country's history. (LRT in English)
2020 United States presidential election President Donald Trump acknowledges that he will leave the White House on January 20 if the electoral college confirms Joe Biden's victory. (AP)
President Donald Trump acknowledges that he will leave the White House on January 20 if the electoral college confirms Joe Biden's victory. (AP)
Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime has accused of orchestrating the killing, "at the proper time." (CNBC) The supercarrier USS Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf from its station in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy maintains that the ship's deployment was not related to "any specific threat." (Reuters)
Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime has accused of orchestrating the killing, "at the proper time." (CNBC) The supercarrier USS Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf from its station in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy maintains that the ship's deployment was not related to "any specific threat." (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian federal government extends international travel restrictions for most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the United States for "essential" reasons until January 21, 2021. (CBC)
The Canadian federal government extends international travel restrictions for most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the United States for "essential" reasons until January 21, 2021. (CBC)
2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption The government of New Zealand announce that charges have been filed against organizations and individuals following a volcanic eruption at White Island that killed 22 people in December 2019. (The New York Times)
The government of New Zealand announce that charges have been filed against organizations and individuals following a volcanic eruption at White Island that killed 22 people in December 2019. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Former President and Co-Prince of Andorra Valéry Giscard d'Estaing dies from complications of COVID-19. (The New York Times)
Former President and Co-Prince of Andorra Valéry Giscard d'Estaing dies from complications of COVID-19. (The New York Times)
Hungarian MEP, EPP Chief Whip and Vice-President, and one of the founders of the anti-LGBT Fidesz party, József Szájer, resigns after being detained by police at a homosexual orgy in Brussels alongside several other diplomats. He stands accused by Belgian authorities of being in possession of illegal drugs and violating COVID-19 restrictions. (BBC News)
LGBT rights in Hungary Hungarian MEP, EPP Chief Whip and Vice-President, and one of the founders of the anti-LGBT Fidesz party, József Szájer, resigns after being detained by police at a homosexual orgy in Brussels alongside several other diplomats. He stands accused by Belgian authorities of being in possession of illegal drugs and violating COVID-19 restrictions. (BBC News)
Climate change in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the country has declared a climate change emergency and promises that it will become carbon neutral by 2025. (U.S. News & World Report) (TVNZ)
Legality of cannabis, Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed alongside opioids such as heroin. This change is expected to bolster medical research and legalization efforts around the world. (The New York Times)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the country has declared a climate change emergency and promises that it will become carbon neutral by 2025. (U.S. News & World Report) (TVNZ)
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed alongside opioids such as heroin. This change is expected to bolster medical research and legalization efforts around the world. (The New York Times)
President-elect Joe Biden announces that Dr. Vivek Murthy and Jeff Zients will lead his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to remain in the White House Coronavirus Task Force and become its chief medical advisor. (Politico)
Somali Civil War American military intervention in Somalia U.S. President Donald Trump orders the withdrawal of almost all U.S. troops and assets from Somalia by January 15, according to the Department of Defense. (BBC News)
American military intervention in Somalia U.S. President Donald Trump orders the withdrawal of almost all U.S. troops and assets from Somalia by January 15, according to the Department of Defense. (BBC News)
Federated States of Micronesia–United States relations The Federated States of Micronesia declines to host the annual Operation Christmas Drop with the U.S. Air Force. The annual operation, which delivers food and other humanitarian aid to Pacific islanders, has been cancelled by Micronesian President David W. Panuelo, who cited the threat of COVID-19. (RNZ)
The Federated States of Micronesia declines to host the annual Operation Christmas Drop with the U.S. Air Force. The annual operation, which delivers food and other humanitarian aid to Pacific islanders, has been cancelled by Micronesian President David W. Panuelo, who cited the threat of COVID-19. (RNZ)
Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States The House of Representatives votes 228–164 to pass a bill, known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, that would decriminalize recreational cannabis at a federal level. (BBC News)
The House of Representatives votes 228–164 to pass a bill, known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, that would decriminalize recreational cannabis at a federal level. (BBC News)
2020 Romanian legislative election Voters in Romania head out to elect the members of their country's Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Widespread lack of interest in politics and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have raised fears of a low voter turnout. (France 24)
Voters in Romania head out to elect the members of their country's Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Widespread lack of interest in politics and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have raised fears of a low voter turnout. (France 24)
2020 Ghanaian general election Voters in Ghana head to the polls to elect their president as well as the members of parliament. Current president Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party is expected to have a tight race with his most promising challenger, John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress. (Reuters)
2020 Venezuelan parliamentary election President Nicolás Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela has reportedly won almost 68% in Venezuela's latest parliamentary election. The vote was overshadowed by a boycott of the political opposition led by Juan Guaidó and a low voter turnout of only 31%. (DW) The United States refuses to recognize the results, describing the election as a "charade". The European Union also rejects the legitimacy of the election. (Reuters) (VOA)
