Moderna's preliminary results show their vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective at preventing COVID-19 infections. The results also suggest that in cases of COVID-19 infection after vaccination, the vaccine appeared to prevent severe illness. (The New York Times)
Texas surpasses 20,000 total confirmed deaths from COVID-19 and becomes the state with the second-highest number of reported deaths in the United States, behind only New York. (ABC News)
The Northern Territory, Queensland, and Tasmania announce that their borders with South Australia are indefinitely closed, as the state's second wave reaches 17 cases. (News.com.au)
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)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
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)
Cluster 5 The Minority government of Denmark, held by Social Democrats, agrees with four left-leaning and center parties to support a law proposal that would allow for the culling of 15 million minks across the country over concerns about a mutated version of the virus that has spread among the animals. The proposed law also bans mink farming until the end of next year. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Cluster 5 The Minority government of Denmark, held by Social Democrats, agrees with four left-leaning and center parties to support a law proposal that would allow for the culling of 15 million minks across the country over concerns about a mutated version of the virus that has spread among the animals. The proposed law also bans mink farming until the end of next year. (The Washington Post)
November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews)
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)
Taliban insurgency November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
The Minority government of Denmark, held by Social Democrats, agrees with four left-leaning and center parties to support a law proposal that would allow for the culling of 15 million minks across the country over concerns about a mutated version of the virus that has spread among the animals. The proposed law also bans mink farming until the end of next year. (The Washington Post)
Pfizer announces that they have launched a pilot delivery program for their potential vaccine in Rhode Island, Texas, New Mexico, and Tennessee. (The Hill)
The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews)
Boeing 737 MAX groundings The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration clears Boeing's 737 MAX to fly again, provided that all planes receive modifications to their software and wiring and that all pilots receive additional training. (BBC News)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Three Republican members of the Michigan House of Representatives have introduced a resolution calling for the impeachment of Governor Gretchen Whitmer over her new mitigation measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Other members of the Michigan Republicans, including high-ranking members of the Michigan House, criticize the resolution. (Fox News)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) COVID-19 pandemic in New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that public schools across New York City will temporarily close after the 7-day average positivity rate reaches 3%. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that public schools across New York City will temporarily close after the 7-day average positivity rate reaches 3%. (ABC News)
Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that public schools across New York City will temporarily close after the 7-day average positivity rate reaches 3%. (ABC News)
The number of confirmed deaths in the United States reaches 250,000. (NBC 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)
Three Republican members of the Michigan House of Representatives have introduced a resolution calling for the impeachment of Governor Gretchen Whitmer over her new mitigation measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Other members of the Michigan Republicans, including high-ranking members of the Michigan House, criticize the resolution. (Fox News)
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)
A lawsuit is filed against the Chicago Police Department, accusing them of brutally attacking and falsely arresting protesters during demonstrations against the killing of George Floyd. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic in Albania The Greek government announces a closure of its border crossing with Albania in Krystallopigi beginning tomorrow morning and will also test all people entering the country through its land borders as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
George Floyd protests in Chicago A lawsuit is filed against the Chicago Police Department, accusing them of brutally attacking and falsely arresting protesters during demonstrations against the killing of George Floyd. (ABC News)
George Floyd protests, 2020–2021 United States racial unrest George Floyd protests in Chicago A lawsuit is filed against the Chicago Police Department, accusing them of brutally attacking and falsely arresting protesters during demonstrations against the killing of George Floyd. (ABC 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)
The Greek government announces a closure of its border crossing with Albania in Krystallopigi beginning tomorrow morning and will also test all people entering the country through its land borders as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
A record 185,759 new cases are reported in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announces a closure of the state's border with South Australia for 48 hours beginning at 11:59 p.m. AEDT tonight. The "hard border" between the two states will be replaced by a permit system beginning at midnight on November 21. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in California Los Angeles County reports 5,031 new cases, the highest single-day total since the pandemic began. (Los Angeles Times) Governor Gavin Newsom orders a curfew (limited stay-at-home order) for all 41 counties in the purple tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening system; these counties include more than 90% of the state population. The order will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. PST beginning November 21. (KABC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico exceeds 100,000 deaths, becoming the fourth country to do so after Brazil, the United States, and India. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announces a closure of the state's border with South Australia for 48 hours beginning at 11:59 p.m. AEDT tonight. The "hard border" between the two states will be replaced by a permit system beginning at midnight on November 21. (ABC Australia) COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands Just days after announcing that the country was free of COVID-19 again after two infected people recovered, the Marshall Islands reports three new cases from a repatriation flight of Marshallese citizens in Hawaii. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas reports a record 12,293 new cases in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, there are 147,030 active COVID-19 cases across the state. (Patch.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 257 new fatalities and 13,357 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide death toll to 10,369 and the total number of cases to 583,510. (U.S. News & World Report)
Israel–United States relations, Palestine–United States relations, Syria–United States relations Mike Pompeo visits settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories of West Bank and Golan Heights, making him the first United States Secretary of State to do so. (NBC News)
Mexico exceeds 100,000 deaths, becoming the fourth country to do so after Brazil, the United States, and India. (The Washington Post)
Mike Pompeo visits settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories of West Bank and Golan Heights, making him the first United States Secretary of State to do so. (NBC News)
Texas reports a record 12,293 new cases in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, there are 147,030 active COVID-19 cases across the state. (Patch.com)
Ukraine reports a record 257 new fatalities and 13,357 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide death toll to 10,369 and the total number of cases to 583,510. (U.S. News & World Report)
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announces a closure of the state's border with South Australia for 48 hours beginning at 11:59 p.m. AEDT tonight. The "hard border" between the two states will be replaced by a permit system beginning at midnight on November 21. (ABC Australia)
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)
2020 Belarusian protests Over 5,000 protesters gather in Minsk to mourn the death of Roman Bondarenko, a 31-year-old protester who died from brain trauma after being arrested by police last week. (The Straits Times)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest Kenosha unrest shooting, Kenosha unrest Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old who was charged with first-degree homicide for his involvement in a shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is released on bond. (NBC News)
Brazil surpasses six million total confirmed cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after India and the United States. (Reuters)
California reports a record 13,005 new cases in the last 24 hours. In addition, 4,750 people are hospitalized, the first time the state has seen such numbers since August. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses six million total confirmed cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after India and the United States. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California reports a record 13,005 new cases in the last 24 hours. In addition, 4,750 people are hospitalized, the first time the state has seen such numbers since August. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses nine million total cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country in the world to reach that milestone after the United States. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid Madrid will close its borders with other regions between December 4 and 14 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 over the December holiday week. (El Pais in English)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid Madrid will close its borders with other regions between December 4 and 14 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 over the December holiday week. (El Pais in English)
COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer and BioNTech apply for an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their vaccine. If the application is approved, the vaccine will likely be limited and rolled out in phases. (CNBC)
India surpasses nine million total cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country in the world to reach that milestone after the United States. (The Times of India)
List of mass shootings in the United States in 2020 Mayfair Mall shooting Eight people are injured in a mass shooting at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, leading to an emergency response. The shooter remains at large. (CNN)
Madrid will close its borders with other regions between December 4 and 14 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 over the December holiday week. (El Pais in English)
Over 5,000 protesters gather in Minsk to mourn the death of Roman Bondarenko, a 31-year-old protester who died from brain trauma after being arrested by police last week. (The Straits Times)
Pfizer and BioNTech apply for an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their vaccine. If the application is approved, the vaccine will likely be limited and rolled out in phases. (CNBC)
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)
2020 United States presidential election A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump's re-election campaign to block the certification of Pennsylvania's election results, saying it was "an attempt to violate the Constitution". (The Washington Post)
A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump's re-election campaign to block the certification of Pennsylvania's election results, saying it was "an attempt to violate the Constitution". (The Washington Post)
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)
Federal troops capture the city of Adigrat near the Eritrean border in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. Ethiopian government forces are now within 116 km (72 miles) of the heavily defended Tigrayan capital Mekelle. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) says Adigrat has experienced "heavy bombardment", but does not confirm the loss of the city. (Al Jazeera)
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)
Baabda prison escape Sixty-nine inmates escape from a prison in Baabda District, Lebanon. Five of them are killed in a car crash while being pursued by security forces. (U.S. News)
California reports 15,442 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began as curfew begins in most counties. (Bloomberg)
