2020 Mississippi flag referendum The Mississippi State Senate passes a bill to make the state flag chosen in the November referendum official. The Mississippi House of Representatives passed the bill on Tuesday. (AP)
A judge in the United Kingdom denies bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange days after his extradition to the United States was blocked. The judge cited the risk of Assange escaping the extradition process or refusing to surrender to court if asked to do so. Assange's lawyers will appeal the decision whereas the U.S. Department of Justice continues to seek his extradition. Assange's partner urges the US to pardon him. (Reuters)
At least seven Democratic members of Congress, including Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton, and Republican Vermont Governor Phil Scott, call for Trump's immediate resignation or impeachment and removal by Congress, when it can reconvene, for insurrection against the United States. (The Independent) (WGBH-TV) (The Atlantic) (The Wrap)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco COVID-19 vaccination in Morocco Morocco approves AstraZeneca's vaccine. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 vaccination in Morocco Morocco approves AstraZeneca's vaccine. (The Washington Post)
Hong Kong national security law Hong Kong Police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists and politicians for criminal charges under the national security law. Those arrested include James To and Lam Cheuk-ting of the Democratic Party, activist Lester Shum, and Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham of the League of Social Democrats. (Reuters) (RTHK) (BBC News) Kickstart Wan Chai [zh] announces to disband, effective immediately. (SCMP)
Hong Kong Police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists and politicians for criminal charges under the national security law. Those arrested include James To and Lam Cheuk-ting of the Democratic Party, activist Lester Shum, and Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham of the League of Social Democrats. (Reuters) (RTHK) (BBC News) Kickstart Wan Chai [zh] announces to disband, effective immediately. (SCMP)
Killing of Breonna Taylor The Louisville Metro Police Department announces the firing of Myles Cosgrove and Joshua Jaynes, the two officers involved in the botched raid of Breonna Taylor's home. (CBS News)
Lawmakers say that they will continue certification of Biden's victory tonight. (The Hill)
Senator Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar object to the state of Arizona, making it the first time a vote is forced to accept or reject the objection since 2004, when Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Senator Barbara Boxer objected to George W. Bush's victory in Ohio against John Kerry. The objection failed 6-93 in the Senate and 121-303 in the House. (National Review) (KTVZ-TV) (Gwinnett Daily Post)
The Louisville Metro Police Department announces the firing of Myles Cosgrove and Joshua Jaynes, the two officers involved in the botched raid of Breonna Taylor's home. (CBS News)
The Mississippi State Senate passes a bill to make the state flag chosen in the November referendum official. The Mississippi House of Representatives passed the bill on Tuesday. (AP)
The United States Capitol Police says that the Capitol was secured by 6 p.m. The Electoral College certificates were also secured. (USA Today) (WHNS-TV)
The United States Senate chamber and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office are also breached by pro-Trump protesters. (ABC News) (WIVB-TV)
Three more people die during the United States Capitol riots during "separate medical emergencies", bringing the total death toll to four. (CNN)
Donald Trump, still disagreeing with the election results that resulted in a victory for President-elect Joe Biden, said through spokesperson Dan Scavino, "Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th." (Reuters)
Iraq issues an arrest warrant for U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of "premediated murder" due to his role in the killings of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. (U.S. News)
Iraq–United States relations, Assassination of Qasem Soleimani Iraq issues an arrest warrant for U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of "premediated murder" due to his role in the killings of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. (U.S. News)
President Trump condemns the attack on the United States Capitol and concedes the race for the first time. He also says that his focus is to ensure a smooth transition of power to the Biden administration. (Newsweek) (The Denver Post) (Forbes)
The United States Congress certifies the election of Joe Biden as President-elect of the United States and Kamala Harris as Vice President. Biden and Harris received 306 electoral votes while President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received 232. The winners will be inaugurated on January 20. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Palau, COVID-19 vaccine Palau begins its vaccination program, with outgoing President Thomas Remengesau Jr. and incoming President Surangel Whipps Jr. receiving the first two doses. The country plans to vaccinate more than 18,000 people with the Moderna vaccine provided by the United States. (RNZ)
Palau begins its vaccination program, with outgoing President Thomas Remengesau Jr. and incoming President Surangel Whipps Jr. receiving the first two doses. The country plans to vaccinate more than 18,000 people with the Moderna vaccine provided by the United States. (RNZ)
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Liddell orders the Trump administration staff to submit resignation letters by January 20 as a step to clear the way for Biden to fill the government with his own staff. (Politico)
A United States Capitol Police officer injured in yesterday's riot in Washington, D.C., is revealed to be on life support as a result of the events. After being erroneously reported as having died earlier, he was finally reported as deceased by the Capitol Police, who name him as Brian D. Sicknick. (CNN) (ABC News)
Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos submit their resignations as Secretaries of Transportation and Education, respectively, in response to the storming of the United States Capitol by pro-Trump protesters. (CNN) (The Hill) U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) calls for Trump to be removed via the 25th amendment following the Capitol riot, making him the first Republican to do so. (Newsweek)
Boeing 737 MAX groundings Boeing agrees to pay US$2.5 billion to settle criminal charges claiming that it covered-up design flaws in its Boeing 737 MAX passenger planes from safety officials. The U.S. Department of Justice says that the firm chose "profit over candour". (BBC News)
Boeing agrees to pay US$2.5 billion to settle criminal charges claiming that it covered-up design flaws in its Boeing 737 MAX passenger planes from safety officials. The U.S. Department of Justice says that the firm chose "profit over candour". (BBC News)
Brazil surpasses 200,000 deaths of COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States, as a record 87,843 cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (France 24) (Bloomberg)
Connecticut reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in two people, aged 15 and 25, who live in New Haven County. One had traveled to Ireland and the other to New York. (WVIT-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 200,000 deaths of COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States, as a record 87,843 cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (France 24) (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Connecticut reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in two people, aged 15 and 25, who live in New Haven County. One had traveled to Ireland and the other to New York. (WVIT-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois Illinois surpasses 1 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fifth state to do so after California, Texas, Florida, and New York. (Chicago Sun-Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York New York reports a record 17,636 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo. It also reports 197 new deaths, which is the highest single-day total since the second week of May. (WNBC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Texas health officials report the state's first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a resident of Harris County with no travel history. (KTVT-TV)
Donald Trump on social media Facebook announces that it has extended the lock of Donald Trump's official account for at least the remainder of his term due to the heightened risk of political violence. Snapchat also bans Trump from posting on the app until further notice. (Bloomberg)
Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos submit their resignations as Secretaries of Transportation and Education, respectively, in response to the storming of the United States Capitol by pro-Trump protesters. (CNN) (The Hill)
Facebook announces that it has extended the lock of Donald Trump's official account for at least the remainder of his term due to the heightened risk of political violence. Snapchat also bans Trump from posting on the app until further notice. (Bloomberg)
Illinois surpasses 1 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fifth state to do so after California, Texas, Florida, and New York. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Michael C. Stenger and Paul D. Irving, the respective Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and House of Representatives, resign upon the requests of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (The Hill) (Roll Call)
New York reports a record 17,636 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo. It also reports 197 new deaths, which is the highest single-day total since the second week of May. (WNBC-TV)
Texas health officials report the state's first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a resident of Harris County with no travel history. (KTVT-TV)
The United States reports a world record of more than 4,000 deaths for the first time. (CNN)
Twitter announces that it has permanently suspended American attorney and conspiracy theorist L. Lin Wood for violating their rules. (The Hill)
Twitter suspensions Twitter announces that it has permanently suspended American attorney and conspiracy theorist L. Lin Wood for violating their rules. (The Hill)
United States Capitol Police chief Steven Sund announces that he will resign following the storming of the United States Capitol by pro-Trump supporters. (HuffPost)
2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia Former Republican Senator David Perdue concedes to Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. His concession formally guarantees the Democrats a majority in the United States Senate. (CNN)
A court in Pakistan sentences Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi to five years in prison on terrorism financing charges. Lakhvi, a senior member of the group Lashkar-e-Taiba, is accused of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, though he was convicted of unrelated charges. India and the United States welcome the verdict but ask that he be tried for the attacks. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain businesses to close or prohibiting public gatherings of certain sizes. The law will take effect on January 10. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com) COVID-19 pandemic in California, COVID-19 vaccine California Governor Gavin Newsom sets a goal of vaccinating 1 million people by January 17. (The Los Angeles Times) President-elect Joe Biden says he will plan to speed up the release of vaccine doses. (USA Today)
President-elect Joe Biden says he will plan to speed up the release of vaccine doses. (USA Today)
Presidential transition of Joe Biden United States President Donald Trump announces that he will not attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden. Trump will be the first president to choose not to attend their elected successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869. (CNN) Outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with incoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the first time in an effort to ensure an orderly transition of power. (CNBC)
The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain businesses to close or prohibiting public gatherings of certain sizes. The law will take effect on January 10. (The Washington Post)
United States President Donald Trump announces that he will not attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden. Trump will be the first president to choose not to attend their elected successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869. (CNN)
2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings The U.S. Department of Justice charges three Sri Lankan nationals with "providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization" in the Islamic State-claimed bombings. (AFP via The Guardian)
Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and India. (CNA)
California Governor Gavin Newsom sets a goal of vaccinating 1 million people by January 17. (The Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and India. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in California, COVID-19 vaccine California Governor Gavin Newsom sets a goal of vaccinating 1 million people by January 17. (The Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calls for a ban on the American Pfizer and British AstraZeneca vaccines. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and India. (CNA) COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Peru reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a citizen who resides in Lima and had attended a family reunion days before Christmas. (Andina)
Criminal charges brought in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol The man photographed sitting at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk during the storming of the United States Capitol is arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Newsweek) The Department of Justice indicts 15 people involved in the assault on the Capitol. The department says that more charges are expected. (AFP via The Straits Times) The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia announces that West Virginia delegate Derrick Evans is expected to face charges for illegally entering the Capitol. (CBS News)
Donald Trump on social media Twitter permanently suspends Donald Trump's account. According to Twitter, he was suspended to end "the risk of further incitement of violence." (NBC News)
Former Republican Senator David Perdue concedes to Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. His concession formally guarantees the Democrats a majority in the United States Senate. (CNN)
New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com)
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calls for a ban on the American Pfizer and British AstraZeneca vaccines. (DW)
The Department of Justice indicts 15 people involved in the assault on the Capitol. The department says that more charges are expected. (AFP via The Straits Times)
The man photographed sitting at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk during the storming of the United States Capitol is arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Newsweek)
The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia announces that West Virginia delegate Derrick Evans is expected to face charges for illegally entering the Capitol. (CBS News)
Twitter also suspends the accounts of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, American attorney Sidney Powell, and former 8kun administrator Ron Watkins for spreading content related to the QAnon conspiracy theory. (The Hill)
Twitter permanently suspends Donald Trump's account. According to Twitter, he was suspended to end "the risk of further incitement of violence." (NBC News)
Twitter suspensions Donald Trump on social media Twitter permanently suspends Donald Trump's account. According to Twitter, he was suspended to end "the risk of further incitement of violence." (NBC News) Twitter also suspends the accounts of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, American attorney Sidney Powell, and former 8kun administrator Ron Watkins for spreading content related to the QAnon conspiracy theory. (The Hill)
Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States will be lifting all restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials, saying the "self-imposed" restrictions were introduced decades ago to appease the Chinese Communist Party government in mainland China. (BBC News)
Taiwan–United States relations Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States will be lifting all restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials, saying the "self-imposed" restrictions were introduced decades ago to appease the Chinese Communist Party government in mainland China. (BBC News)
