USA 2020 Timeline

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Dec
07
War / Conflict / Security

Six suspected supporters of controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab are killed in a clash with police on a highway near Jakarta.

Six suspected supporters of controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab are killed in a clash with police on a highway near Jakarta. The incident occurred when a police car was attacked while following a car believed to be carrying supporters of the cleric, resulting in a shootout. The police have been investigating the cleric for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 7, 2020
Dec
07
Politics / Government

Hong Kong Autonomy Act The US Department of the Treasury imposes sanctions on all 14 Vice Chairpersons of the National People's Congress of China, for "undermin

Hong Kong Autonomy Act The US Department of the Treasury imposes sanctions on all 14 Vice Chairpersons of the National People's Congress of China, for "undermining Hong Kong's autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly." (US Department of the Treasury)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 7, 2020
Dec
08
Politics / Government

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States American regulators from the Food and Drug Administration confirm that Pfizer's vaccine candidate is 95% effective.

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States American regulators from the Food and Drug Administration confirm that Pfizer's vaccine candidate is 95% effective. (The Washington Post) President Donald Trump hosts an Operation Warp Speed vaccine summit. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards attend the event. (Business Insider) President Trump says that he will invoke the Defense Production Act of 1950 to provide vaccine doses if necessary. (Bloomberg.com)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

Internal Market Bill, Brexit United Kingdom Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove announces that the UK government will withdraw all controversial clauses from t

Internal Market Bill, Brexit United Kingdom Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove announces that the UK government will withdraw all controversial clauses from the Internal Market Bill. Gove and Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič announce "an agreement in principle" on all issues of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, including the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, border checks, food and medicine supplies and "clarification" on state subsidy rules. (The National)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

United Kingdom Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove announces that the UK government will withdraw all controversial clauses from the Internal Market Bill.

United Kingdom Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove announces that the UK government will withdraw all controversial clauses from the Internal Market Bill. Gove and Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič announce "an agreement in principle" on all issues of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, including the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, border checks, food and medicine supplies and "clarification" on state subsidy rules. (The National)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Politics / Government

2020 Liberian Senate election, 2020 Liberian constitutional referendum Voters in Liberia head to the polls for mid-term senatorial elections.

2020 Liberian Senate election, 2020 Liberian constitutional referendum Voters in Liberia head to the polls for mid-term senatorial elections. A constitutional referendum is also held, with questions about dual citizenship and a limitation of term limits for politicians being decided by the electorate. (Liberian Observer) (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

A spokesman for the Supreme Court of Iran says it upheld a death sentence against dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam "more than one month ago".

A spokesman for the Supreme Court of Iran says it upheld a death sentence against dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam "more than one month ago". Zam was found guilty of "corruption on earth" on charges of spying for France and Israel and trying to destabilise Iran by inciting unrest in 2017 on social media. In court, Zam denied most of the allegations against him and said he was only engaged in "media work". (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

Capital punishment in Iran A spokesman for the Supreme Court of Iran says it upheld a death sentence against dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam "more than one mo

Capital punishment in Iran A spokesman for the Supreme Court of Iran says it upheld a death sentence against dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam "more than one month ago". Zam was found guilty of "corruption on earth" on charges of spying for France and Israel and trying to destabilise Iran by inciting unrest in 2017 on social media. In court, Zam denied most of the allegations against him and said he was only engaged in "media work". (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Major Trends

Alberta imposes tough new restrictions in a bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infections including the closure of all casinos and gyms, banning dine-in service at re

Alberta imposes tough new restrictions in a bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infections including the closure of all casinos and gyms, banning dine-in service at restaurants and bars, imposing a mandatory provincewide mask requirement, banning all outdoor and indoor social gatherings, and imposing mandatory work-from-home measures. (CBC)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta imposes tough new restrictions in a bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infections including the closure of all casinos and gyms,

COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta imposes tough new restrictions in a bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infections including the closure of all casinos and gyms, banning dine-in service at restaurants and bars, imposing a mandatory provincewide mask requirement, banning all outdoor and indoor social gatherings, and imposing mandatory work-from-home measures. (CBC)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom's National Health Service begi

COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the BNT162b2 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Seniors over the age of 80 and certain healthcare workers will be among the first to receive the vaccine. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus Belarus exceeds 150,000 cases of COVID-19. (TASS) COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Four lions at the Barcelona Zoo tests positive for COVID-19. (NBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campai

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the BNT162b2 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Seniors over the age of 80 and certain healthcare workers will be among the first to receive the vaccine. (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Politics / Government

COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the BNT162b2 v

COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the BNT162b2 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Seniors over the age of 80 and certain healthcare workers will be among the first to receive the vaccine. (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Culture / Society

In Belle, West Virginia, United States, an explosion at the Chemours Chemical Plant prompts a now-cancelled shelter-in-place to be issued for Belle and in surro

In Belle, West Virginia, United States, an explosion at the Chemours Chemical Plant prompts a now-cancelled shelter-in-place to be issued for Belle and in surrounding areas; the explosion leaves one person dead, and three others injured. Along with the shelter-in-place, schools in Kanawha County, the county Belle resides in, were closed for Wednesday. (USA Today)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Major Trends

Pornographic website Pornhub, one of the internet's most visited websites, bans users from downloading videos and restricts uploads to certain "partner accounts

Pornographic website Pornhub, one of the internet's most visited websites, bans users from downloading videos and restricts uploads to certain "partner accounts", following allegations in The New York Times that the website hosted child abuse content. (Reuters) (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
08
Politics / Government

The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the BNT162b2 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer.

The United Kingdom's National Health Service begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the BNT162b2 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Seniors over the age of 80 and certain healthcare workers will be among the first to receive the vaccine. (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 8, 2020
Dec
09
Immigration / Law / Policy

International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announces that an inquiry into British war crimes in Iraq has been formally abandoned.

International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announces that an inquiry into British war crimes in Iraq has been formally abandoned. In a final report, Bensouda says her office "found a reasonable basis to believe" that British troops committed war crimes in 2003, murdering at least seven Iraqi detainees, however she accepted the UK has taken "genuine action" to investigate itself. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 9, 2020
Dec
09
Immigration / Law / Policy

Iraq War, Operation Telic International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announces that an inquiry into British war crimes in Iraq has been formal

Iraq War, Operation Telic International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announces that an inquiry into British war crimes in Iraq has been formally abandoned. In a final report, Bensouda says her office "found a reasonable basis to believe" that British troops committed war crimes in 2003, murdering at least seven Iraqi detainees, however she accepted the UK has taken "genuine action" to investigate itself. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 9, 2020
Dec
09
Technology / Science

Starship development history SpaceX Starship (prototype SN8) performs the first-time-ever Belly Flop maneuver landing attempt at the Boca Chica launch site in T

Starship development history SpaceX Starship (prototype SN8) performs the first-time-ever Belly Flop maneuver landing attempt at the Boca Chica launch site in Texas, following a high-altitude test flight with the mostly expected destruction of the vehicle (The Independent)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 9, 2020
Dec
10
Politics / Government

The United States says that Morocco will normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab country to do so in recent months, in an agreement

The United States says that Morocco will normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab country to do so in recent months, in an agreement mediated by the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump also says that he recognizes "Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory". Morocco says that the United States "will open a consulate in Western Sahara as part of Morocco’s deal with Israel". (The Jerusalem Post) (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 10, 2020
Dec
10
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announces that the state has extended their mask mand

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announces that the state has extended their mask mandate and limits on gatherings until January 18. (WCCO-TV) TV personality Ellen DeGeneres announces that she has contracted COVID-19. Her contraction of the virus prompts production of her show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, to be halted until January 2021. (NBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 10, 2020
Dec
10
Immigration / Law / Policy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The European Central Bank expands its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme by €500 billion to €1.85 trillion and exten

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The European Central Bank expands its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme by €500 billion to €1.85 trillion and extends the scheme to March 2022, saying it expects "a more pronounced near-term impact of the pandemic on the Eurozone economy and a more protracted weakness in inflation than previously envisaged". (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 10, 2020
Dec
10
Immigration / Law / Policy

Mastercard and Visa cut financial ties with Pornhub following an investigation by The New York Times into child sexual abuse content and rape pornography on the

Mastercard and Visa cut financial ties with Pornhub following an investigation by The New York Times into child sexual abuse content and rape pornography on the website. Pornhub says that the moves are "exceptionally disappointing" as well as crushing news for the "hundreds of thousands of models who rely on our platform for their livelihoods". (Bloomberg)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 10, 2020
Dec
10
Immigration / Law / Policy

The European Central Bank expands its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme by €500 billion to €1.85 trillion and extends the scheme to March 2022, saying it ex

The European Central Bank expands its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme by €500 billion to €1.85 trillion and extends the scheme to March 2022, saying it expects "a more pronounced near-term impact of the pandemic on the Eurozone economy and a more protracted weakness in inflation than previously envisaged". (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 10, 2020
Dec
11
Immigration / Law / Policy

Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 U.S.

Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election The United States Supreme Court denies Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to invalidate President-elect Joe Biden's victories in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 11, 2020
Dec
11
Politics / Government

2020 Armenian protests Anti-government protesters block streets in the Armenian capital Yerevan, continuing calls for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign o

2020 Armenian protests Anti-government protesters block streets in the Armenian capital Yerevan, continuing calls for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign over the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement with Azerbaijan. Riot police detain more than 40 protesters. (RFERL)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 11, 2020
Dec
11
Politics / Government

The United States Senate approves the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) by 84 votes to 13, which would be sufficient t

The United States Senate approves the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) by 84 votes to 13, which would be sufficient to override a possible presidential veto. President Donald Trump objects to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act that currently provides legal immunity to social media companies, and also to a provision in the NDAA that will prohibit military bases to be named for Confederate generals. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 11, 2020
Dec
11
Major Trends

After 51 years, a team of volunteer codebreakers solved a cipher by the infamous Zodiac Killer, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

After 51 years, a team of volunteer codebreakers solved a cipher by the infamous Zodiac Killer, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The cipher says "I hope you are having lots of fun trying to catch me", and "I am not afraid of the gas chamber because it will send me to paradice [sic] all the sooner because I now have enough slaves to work for me". (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 11, 2020
Dec
11
Immigration / Law / Policy

Insurgency in the North Caucasus, Terrorism in Russia Six law enforcement officers are wounded when a man they were trying to arrest blew himself up in the vill

Insurgency in the North Caucasus, Terrorism in Russia Six law enforcement officers are wounded when a man they were trying to arrest blew himself up in the village of Uchkeken, Karachay-Cherkessia. The Federal Security Service says no civilians were hurt and authorities were trying to establish his identity. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 11, 2020
Dec
12
Politics / Government

2020 United States election protests Pro-Donald Trump protests over the 2020 United States presidential election results are held in Washington, D.C.

2020 United States election protests Pro-Donald Trump protests over the 2020 United States presidential election results are held in Washington, D.C. Participants included members of the far-right group Proud Boys. During the demonstrations, four people are stabbed, one is shot, and 33 others are arrested, six for assaulting police officers. (CNN) (Slate)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 12, 2020
Dec
12
Politics / Government

Pro-Donald Trump protests over the 2020 United States presidential election results are held in Washington, D.C.

Pro-Donald Trump protests over the 2020 United States presidential election results are held in Washington, D.C. Participants included members of the far-right group Proud Boys. During the demonstrations, four people are stabbed, one is shot, and 33 others are arrested, six for assaulting police officers. (CNN) (Slate)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 12, 2020
Dec
12
Immigration / Law / Policy

Aftermath of 2017–2018 Iranian protests, Capital punishment in Iran Iranian authorities execute once-exiled dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam over his online wo

Aftermath of 2017–2018 Iranian protests, Capital punishment in Iran Iranian authorities execute once-exiled dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam over his online work that helped inspire the 2017–2018 Iranian protests. This comes after the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence on Tuesday. (DW)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 12, 2020
Dec
12
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Queensland reopens its borders to travell

COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Queensland reopens its borders to travellers from New Zealand after 28 days without any community transmission cases. (The Canberra Times)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 12, 2020
Dec
12
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan reports 11 deaths, a new single-day record since t

COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan reports 11 deaths, a new single-day record since the start of the pandemic. (Regina Leader-Post) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Florida surpasses 20,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Orlando Sentinel) The U.S. surpasses 16 million cases of COVID-19. (USA Today)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 12, 2020
Dec
13
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C., COVID-19 vaccine President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamal

COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C., COVID-19 vaccine President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and other federal government officials are expected to be among the first people to receive the vaccine. (USA Today)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 13, 2020
Dec
13
Politics / Government

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C., COVID-19 vaccine President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, President-e

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C., COVID-19 vaccine President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and other federal government officials are expected to be among the first people to receive the vaccine. (USA Today) Pfizer and BioNTech announce that they have started shipping their vaccine from a Michigan facility to all 50 states. (The Wall Street Journal)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 13, 2020
Dec
13
Immigration / Law / Policy

A court in Tehran, Iran, sentences two women's rights activists to a combined total of 15 years in prison.

A court in Tehran, Iran, sentences two women's rights activists to a combined total of 15 years in prison. Hoda Amid and Najmeh Vahedi, who were arrested in 2018, were accused of "collaborating with the United States government against the Islamic Republic on the issue of women and the family". (Al Arabiya English)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 13, 2020
Dec
13
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccine The Supreme Court of Brazil orders Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello to fix the

COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccine The Supreme Court of Brazil orders Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello to fix the starting date for a nationwide vaccination program. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay Uruguay reports a new single-day record of 528 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 9,708. (gob.uy)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 13, 2020
Dec
13
Immigration / Law / Policy

Women in Iran A court in Tehran, Iran, sentences two women's rights activists to a combined total of 15 years in prison.

Women in Iran A court in Tehran, Iran, sentences two women's rights activists to a combined total of 15 years in prison. Hoda Amid and Najmeh Vahedi, who were arrested in 2018, were accused of "collaborating with the United States government against the Islamic Republic on the issue of women and the family". (Al Arabiya English)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 13, 2020
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