The United States Senate votes 81–13 to override President Donald Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This is the first successful veto override of the Trump presidency. (Business Insider)
California reports a record 585 new deaths in the past 24 hours. (KABC-TV)
Cannabis in the United States Initiative 190 comes into effect in Montana, making it the 13th state to legalize recreational cannabis. (Great Falls Tribune) (KRTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California reports a record 585 new deaths in the past 24 hours. (KABC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines includes the United States in its travel ban of countries and territories reported to have new variants of SARS-CoV-2, which comes into effect on January 3. The move comes after the United States reported its first case of a new variant from the United Kingdom on December 30. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California California reports a record 585 new deaths in the past 24 hours. (KABC-TV) The United States surpasses 20 million cases of COVID-19. (CBS News)
On December 31 and into the early hours of January 1, protesters and police clashed in a New Year's Eve protest which police declared a riot shortly before midnight, alleging the demonstrators' use of violence. Within 30 minutes, police advanced on the demonstration, protesters used fireworks while officers shot pepper balls, rubber bullets, and other "less-lethal munitions". In the wake of the protests, the Portland Police Bureau order all people in the area to leave immediately. Authorities have not stated the number of protesters arrested. (The Hill)
On New Year's Day, Pope Francis livestreams his message from the library of the Apostolic Palace. He states "the Virgin Mary’s motherly care encourages us to use our God-given time for building up the world and peace, not destroying it." In the Catholic Church, January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. (Catholic News Agency)
The Philippines includes the United States in its travel ban of countries and territories reported to have new variants of SARS-CoV-2, which comes into effect on January 3. The move comes after the United States reported its first case of a new variant from the United Kingdom on December 30. (Xinhua)
The United States surpasses 20 million cases of COVID-19. (CBS News)
2021 Tillabéri attacks At least 79 civilians are killed and 20 others are injured when Islamist militants attack two villages simultaneously in Tillabéri, Niger, near the border with Mali. (Reuters)
At least 79 civilians are killed and 20 others are injured when Islamist militants attack two villages simultaneously in Tillabéri, Niger, near the border with Mali. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Palau, COVID-19 vaccine Palau receives 2,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine in a special contribution from the United States. The government announced that it will vaccinate healthcare workers first and then vaccinate seniors and people with medical conditions. (RNZ)
Insurgency in the Maghreb 2021 Tillabéri attacks At least 79 civilians are killed and 20 others are injured when Islamist militants attack two villages simultaneously in Tillabéri, Niger, near the border with Mali. (Reuters) Two Algerian People's National Army personnel and four militants are killed during a gunfight in Messelmoun, Algeria. (Xinhua)
Killing of Dolal Idd The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office releases footage of deputies executing a search warrant on the last known address of Dolal Idd, as well as a raid on his family's house. (WCCO-TV)
Palau receives 2,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine in a special contribution from the United States. The government announced that it will vaccinate healthcare workers first and then vaccinate seniors and people with medical conditions. (RNZ)
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office releases footage of deputies executing a search warrant on the last known address of Dolal Idd, as well as a raid on his family's house. (WCCO-TV)
The homes of United States Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are vandalized after the government failed to pass the CASH Act, a bill that would increase direct payments from $600 to $2,000. (ABC) (Business Insider)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria closes its land border with New South Wales due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, after several months of open borders. Meanwhile, New South Wales makes wearing masks in public mandatory, while also easing restrictions for southern suburbs of the Northern Beaches as the number of cases in those areas decrease. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fourth state to do so after Texas, California and Florida. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fourth state to do so after Texas, California and Florida. (Bloomberg)
New York surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fourth state to do so after Texas, California and Florida. (Bloomberg)
Pope Francis accepts the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Richard Brendan Higgins, the episcopal vicar for veterans affairs of the Archdiocese for the Military Services. During his career, Bishop Higgins’ is vicar for veterans affairs and responsible for more than 200 chaplains serving at over 150 veterans' affairs hospitals in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam. His retirement at age 75 is announced in Washington, D.C. by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. (Catholic News Service)
Three people are killed when a small plane crashes into a house in Lyon Township, Michigan, United States. (WDIV-TV)
Victoria closes its land border with New South Wales due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, after several months of open borders. Meanwhile, New South Wales makes wearing masks in public mandatory, while also easing restrictions for southern suburbs of the Northern Beaches as the number of cases in those areas decrease. (The Guardian)
Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election Trump–Raffensperger phone call The Washington Post releases the recording of a telephone conversation where United States President Donald Trump calls Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to pressure him to "find 11,780 votes" in his favor. (The Washington Post)
2021 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election The 117th United States Congress begins. Nancy Pelosi is re-elected as Speaker of the House with a narrow seven-vote majority (216–209). (The Guardian) (Reuters)
The Washington Post releases the recording of a telephone conversation where United States President Donald Trump calls Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to pressure him to "find 11,780 votes" in his favor. (The Washington Post)
Trump–Raffensperger phone call The Washington Post releases the recording of a telephone conversation where United States President Donald Trump calls Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to pressure him to "find 11,780 votes" in his favor. (The Washington Post)
Assassination of Qasem Soleimani, American intervention in Iraq Thousands of Iraqis demand American forces withdraw from the country during protests in Liberation Square, Baghdad, a year after an American drone strike killed Iran's general Qasem Soleimani and Iraq's militia commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The anniversary of their deaths in Baghdad was also marked in Iran as well as by supporters in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and other Middle East countries. (Al Jazeera)
At least 18 people are killed during a funeral in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, when the roof they were sheltering under during heavy rainfall collapses. Police dispatch rescue workers and sniffer dogs, and they say that the rescue operation has been completed. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the UK. People arriving from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries where the new variant is spreading are required to spend 14 days in another country and present a negative test result prior to entering Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)
Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the UK. People arriving from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries where the new variant is spreading are required to spend 14 days in another country and present a negative test result prior to entering Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)
The 117th United States Congress begins. Nancy Pelosi is re-elected as Speaker of the House with a narrow seven-vote majority (216–209). (The Guardian) (Reuters)
Thousands of Iraqis demand American forces withdraw from the country during protests in Liberation Square, Baghdad, a year after an American drone strike killed Iran's general Qasem Soleimani and Iraq's militia commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The anniversary of their deaths in Baghdad was also marked in Iran as well as by supporters in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and other Middle East countries. (Al Jazeera)
2020 United States election protests Proud Boys chairperson Enrique Tarrio is arrested for destroying a Black Lives Matter sign at the Asbury United Methodist Church during a protest in Washington, D.C., last month. (NBC)
A judge in the United Kingdom blocks the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, citing that it would be "oppressive" to his mental health and also cites the likelihood of Assange committing suicide if he is sent to the United States. If convicted in the United States, Assange could face up to 175 years in prison. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says that his country is willing to provide political asylum to Assange. (DW) (Anadolu Agency)
Crime in Nigeria Kidnapped Auxiliary Bishop Moses Chikwe, of the Owerri Archdiocese in Nigeria, is freed by his captors. Kidnapped last Sunday, police allege that no ransom is paid. International condemnation includes Pope Francis, during his new year message calling for Bishop Chikwe's release. While in Imo state, a Catholic women's organization, stage a peaceful protest at the Imo state government house, calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma, to quicken action for the release of the Auxiliary Bishop. (Vanguard, Lagos)
Kidnapped Auxiliary Bishop Moses Chikwe, of the Owerri Archdiocese in Nigeria, is freed by his captors. Kidnapped last Sunday, police allege that no ransom is paid. International condemnation includes Pope Francis, during his new year message calling for Bishop Chikwe's release. While in Imo state, a Catholic women's organization, stage a peaceful protest at the Imo state government house, calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma, to quicken action for the release of the Auxiliary Bishop. (Vanguard, Lagos)
Trump–Raffensperger phone call United States Representatives Ted Lieu and Kathleen Rice urge Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher A. Wray to open a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for violating state and federal laws. Additionally, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announces that her office is ready to investigate Trump after his call with Raffensperger. (CBS) (The Hill)
United States Representatives Ted Lieu and Kathleen Rice urge Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher A. Wray to open a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for violating state and federal laws. Additionally, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announces that her office is ready to investigate Trump after his call with Raffensperger. (CBS) (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Variant of Concern 202012/01 New York reports its first case of the new SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in a man in his 60s from Saratoga County who tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no travel history. (WNBC-TV)
New York reports its first case of the new SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in a man in his 60s from Saratoga County who tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no travel history. (WNBC-TV)
Proud Boys chairperson Enrique Tarrio is arrested for destroying a Black Lives Matter sign at the Asbury United Methodist Church during a protest in Washington, D.C., last month. (NBC)
United States and the International Criminal Court United States District Judge Katherine Polk Failla blocks the Trump administration from imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court. (Reuters)
United States District Judge Katherine Polk Failla blocks the Trump administration from imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court. (Reuters)
2020 United States Senate elections 2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia, 2020–21 United States Senate special election in Georgia Voters in Georgia head to the polls to cast their votes to determine who will control the United States Senate. Republican Senator David Perdue will face Democrat Jon Ossoff, and incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Raphael Warnock. (BBC News)
2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia, 2020–21 United States Senate special election in Georgia Voters in Georgia head to the polls to cast their votes to determine who will control the United States Senate. Republican Senator David Perdue will face Democrat Jon Ossoff, and incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Raphael Warnock. (BBC News)
2020 United States election protests Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser activates the District of Columbia National Guard due to an organized protest of pro-Trump supporters. (AP) A federal judge bans Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio from entering Washington, D.C. (Forbes)
Cleta Mitchell resigns from her law firm after participating in President Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. (The Hill)
Iran requests that Interpol issue a red notice for the arrest of U.S. President Donald Trump and 47 other U.S. officials for their role in the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. A similar request was previously rejected by Interpol. (Al Jazeera)
Iran–United States relations Iran requests that Interpol issue a red notice for the arrest of U.S. President Donald Trump and 47 other U.S. officials for their role in the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. A similar request was previously rejected by Interpol. (Al Jazeera)
Kosovo–United States relations Kosovo's parliament unanimously approves deploying the Kosovo Security Force on international peacekeeping missions, following a formal request by the United States Central Command. (Times Union)
Kosovo's parliament unanimously approves deploying the Kosovo Security Force on international peacekeeping missions, following a formal request by the United States Central Command. (Times Union)
Trump–Raffensperger phone call Cleta Mitchell resigns from her law firm after participating in President Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. (The Hill)
Voters in Georgia head to the polls to cast their votes to determine who will control the United States Senate. Republican Senator David Perdue will face Democrat Jon Ossoff, and incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Raphael Warnock. (BBC News)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest Shooting of Jacob Blake, Kenosha unrest Kenosha unrest shooting Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old boy accused of shooting three people (including two killed) during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will plead not guilty. (Newsweek) Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announces that no charges will be made against Rusten Sheskey, the Kenosha police officer accused of shooting Jacob Blake. (USA Today)
A federal judge bans Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio from entering Washington, D.C. (Forbes)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Georgia reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an 18-year-old male with no travel history, and who is currently in isolation at home. (WXIA-TV) The U.S. surpasses 21 million cases of COVID-19, just four days after surpassing 20 million cases. (CNN)
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announces that no charges will be made against Rusten Sheskey, the Kenosha police officer accused of shooting Jacob Blake. (USA Today)
Qatar diplomatic crisis Saudi Arabia reopens its border with Qatar, ending the three-year diplomatic crisis. The resolution was brokered by Kuwait and the United States. (NBC News)
Saudi Arabia reopens its border with Qatar, ending the three-year diplomatic crisis. The resolution was brokered by Kuwait and the United States. (NBC News)
Shooting of Jacob Blake, Kenosha unrest Kenosha unrest shooting Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old boy accused of shooting three people (including two killed) during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will plead not guilty. (Newsweek) Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announces that no charges will be made against Rusten Sheskey, the Kenosha police officer accused of shooting Jacob Blake. (USA Today)
Team USA defeats Team Canada 2–0 in the gold medal game to win the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, while Team Finland defeats Team Russia 4–1 in the bronze medal game. Team USA's Trevor Zegras is named MVP of the tournament. (CBC News)
The U.S. surpasses 21 million cases of COVID-19, just four days after surpassing 20 million cases. (CNN)
Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser activates the District of Columbia National Guard due to an organized protest of pro-Trump supporters. (AP)
Twitter locks the personal account of President Donald Trump for the first time, citing the president's "incitement to violence", and "false claims about the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election". The social media site warns that further attempts to violate the company's rules could result in a permanent suspension of Trump's account. (CNBC)
President-elect Joe Biden says "It's not a protest, it's an insurrection", and calls on President Donald Trump to "demand an end to this siege" by his followers. In response, President Trump released a video saying, "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!" (BBC News) [1]
A joint session of the United States Congress attempts to certify the Electoral College vote results and affirm the election of Joe Biden before being interrupted by the storming of the US Capitol. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco COVID-19 vaccination in Morocco Morocco approves AstraZeneca's vaccine. (The Washington Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal President Macky Sall declares a state of emergency and imposes a curfew at 9:00 p.m. local time in Dakar and Thiès in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (RFI)
Facebook locks President Trump's account for 24 hours in response to the violence in Washington, D.C.. In a blog post, the social media site says today's events are an "emergency" for the platform and will be rolling out new rules in response. (TechCrunch)
News networks project that Democrat Raphael Warnock will defeat Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler, making him the state's first African-American Senator. Warnock claims victory, while Loeffler refuses to concede the race and vows to "fight on". (CNBC) (BuzzFeed News)
The Democrats will take control of the Senate after Jon Ossoff defeated Republican David Perdue, leaving incoming Vice President Kamala Harris with the tiebreaking vote. (CNN)
U.S President pro tempore Chuck Grassley announces that the United States Senate has entered recess as Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was given out a speech, with an aide informing Lankford that pro-Trump protesters were entering the building. Additionally, the U.S. House enters a recess. (Business Insider) (KOCO-TV)
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence releases a statement stating that he won't reject electoral college votes despite pressure from President Trump and his allies to do so. He reaffirms that his role in the Congressional joint session is ceremonial. (NPR)
