COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, COVID-19 vaccine Malaysia's Health Ministry signs a preliminary purchasing agreement with Pfizer to obtain 12.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (The Edge Markets MY)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India India enters a recession for the first time in its history after the economy contracts by 7.5% in July-September quarter. (ABC News) (The Hindu)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India India enters a recession for the first time in its history after the economy contracts by 7.5% in July-September quarter. (ABC News) (The Hindu)
India enters a recession for the first time in its history after the economy contracts by 7.5% in July-September quarter. (ABC News) (The Hindu)
Los Angeles County announces that it will issue a new safer-at-home order that restricts the capacity of businesses, closes playgrounds and cardrooms, and prohibits all public and private gatherings of individuals from different households except for religious services and protests. This order will begin November 30 and will expire on December 20. (CBS News)
Malaysia's Health Ministry signs a preliminary purchasing agreement with Pfizer to obtain 12.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (The Edge Markets MY)
British retail tycoon Philip Green's Arcadia Group collapses into administration, putting over 13,000 jobs at risk and becoming the United Kingdom's biggest corporate casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Arcadia CEO Ian Grabiner blames the pandemic for the company's demise, saying "the obstacles we encountered were far too severe". (Reuters)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom British retail tycoon Philip Green's Arcadia Group collapses into administration, putting over 13,000 jobs at risk and becoming the United Kingdom's biggest corporate casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Arcadia CEO Ian Grabiner blames the pandemic for the company's demise, saying "the obstacles we encountered were far too severe". (Reuters)
A group of gunmen attack a bank and block roads in Cametá, Brazil, taking several hostages and stealing money. The attackers kill a hostage with a gunshot to the head, while a security guard and a policeman are injured. Several shots and explosions were also reported. It appears that the target of the attack was a branch of Banco do Brasil, the same bank robbed in Criciúma the previous night. (BBC News)
North Macedonia and the United Kingdom sign a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement to continue preferential trade terms after the end of the UK's Brexit transition period on December 31. The agreement also strengthens political, economic, security, and cultural ties between both nations. (Gov.uk)
North Macedonia–United Kingdom relations North Macedonia and the United Kingdom sign a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement to continue preferential trade terms after the end of the UK's Brexit transition period on December 31. The agreement also strengthens political, economic, security, and cultural ties between both nations. (Gov.uk)
After the state surpasses 400,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer extends the statewide partial shutdown on businesses, indoor dining in restaurants, and in-person instruction at high schools and colleges through December 20. (The Detroit News) (WDIV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria eases restrictions, allowing larger private and public gatherings, relaxing patron quotas for businesses (including allowing nightclubs to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began), and relaxing mask-wearing rules. The state has not reported a COVID-19 case in 37 days. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan After the state surpasses 400,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer extends the statewide partial shutdown on businesses, indoor dining in restaurants, and in-person instruction at high schools and colleges through December 20. (The Detroit News) (WDIV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wyoming Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon issues a statewide mask mandate for indoor public spaces, tighter restrictions on gathering sizes, and a reduction in hours for certain businesses. The mask mandate will go into effect on December 9 and will last until January 8. (Wyoming Tribune Eagle)
Victoria eases restrictions, allowing larger private and public gatherings, relaxing patron quotas for businesses (including allowing nightclubs to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began), and relaxing mask-wearing rules. The state has not reported a COVID-19 case in 37 days. (The Guardian)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon issues a statewide mask mandate for indoor public spaces, tighter restrictions on gathering sizes, and a reduction in hours for certain businesses. The mask mandate will go into effect on December 9 and will last until January 8. (Wyoming Tribune Eagle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 175 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 18,511. (Kompas) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 80,000 total cases of COVID-19. (The Edge Markets MY) COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea The number of confirmed cases in South Korea increases by 689, the highest single-day increase reported in the country since late February, bringing the nationwide total to 40,786 cases. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 80,000 total cases of COVID-19. (The Edge Markets MY)
Malaysia surpasses 80,000 total cases of COVID-19. (The Edge Markets MY)
The United Kingdom and the European Union agree to extend trade talks beyond today's deadline. (CNN)
Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU The United Kingdom and the European Union agree to extend trade talks beyond today's deadline. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec Premier François Legault announces that all non-essential businesses in the province will be closed from December 25 until January 11 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Globe and Mail)
Quebec Premier François Legault announces that all non-essential businesses in the province will be closed from December 25 until January 11 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Globe and Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Palestine The Palestinian Authority impose a two-week lockdown in the entire West Bank that orders schools, universities, restaurants, barbershops, gyms and leisure venues to close. As part of the lockdown, the curfew has also been extended for two weeks. (The Times of Israel)
The Palestinian Authority impose a two-week lockdown in the entire West Bank that orders schools, universities, restaurants, barbershops, gyms and leisure venues to close. As part of the lockdown, the curfew has also been extended for two weeks. (The Times of Israel)
Due to the outbreak in a seafood market, Samut Sakhon Province enters a lockdown with a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time which will remain in effect until January 3. (The Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports a record 39,237 new cases in the past 24 hours. In addition, the country also reports 744 deaths, the highest single-day total since April 29. (ITV) Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces a ban on travel from South Africa due to the discovery of a mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. (Business Standard) Hancock also announces that more locations in England will be placed in Tier 4 restrictions beginning on Boxing Day, including Oxfordshire, West Sussex, and the remainder of East Sussex. (The Guardian)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces a ban on travel from South Africa due to the discovery of a mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. (Business Standard)
European Union–United Kingdom relations, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU The United Kingdom and the European Union agree on a post-Brexit trade deal. (BBC News)
The United Kingdom and the European Union agree on a post-Brexit trade deal. (BBC News)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces that American passengers traveling from the United Kingdom will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The order is expected to take effect on December 28. (MarketWatch) United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will require passengers from the United Kingdom to test negative for COVID-19 due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland enters a six-week lockdown in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections. All "non-essential" shops and businesses will be closed, while "essential" shops must close each day by 20:00 GMT during the first week of the lockdown. No gatherings will be allowed between 20:00 and 6:00 each day, and anyone travelling to Northern Ireland must self-isolate for at least 10 days. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland enters a six-week lockdown in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections. All "non-essential" shops and businesses will be closed, while "essential" shops must close each day by 20:00 GMT during the first week of the lockdown. No gatherings will be allowed between 20:00 and 6:00 each day, and anyone travelling to Northern Ireland must self-isolate for at least 10 days. (BBC News)
Northern Ireland enters a six-week lockdown in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections. All "non-essential" shops and businesses will be closed, while "essential" shops must close each day by 20:00 GMT during the first week of the lockdown. No gatherings will be allowed between 20:00 and 6:00 each day, and anyone travelling to Northern Ireland must self-isolate for at least 10 days. (BBC News)
China–European Union relations The European Union announces that it is close to reaching an investment deal with China. The deal would immensely impact the global economy, especially with the U.S.-China trade war. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)
The European Union announces that it is close to reaching an investment deal with China. The deal would immensely impact the global economy, especially with the U.S.-China trade war. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, 501.V2 variant Switzerland reports its first two case of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa after two people tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no clear traveling history to South Africa. (Business Insider South Africa)
European Union ambassadors unanimously approve the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom. (BBC News)
European Union–United Kingdom relations, trade negotiation between the UK and the EU European Union ambassadors unanimously approve the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom. (BBC News)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka reopens the island for tourism after closing it for nine months. (Business Insider)
Sri Lanka reopens the island for tourism after closing it for nine months. (Business Insider)
Switzerland reports its first two case of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa after two people tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no clear traveling history to South Africa. (Business Insider South Africa)
The United Kingdom and Vietnam sign a free trade agreement, which will take effect on December 31, following a meeting between UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh at the State Guest House in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Reuters)
United Kingdom–Vietnam relations The United Kingdom and Vietnam sign a free trade agreement, which will take effect on December 31, following a meeting between UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh at the State Guest House in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Reuters)
The United States announces plans to impose additional tariffs on certain products from France and Germany, particularly aircraft parts, in retaliation to tariffs imposed by the European Union on similar U.S. products this year. (AFP via The Straits Times)
United States–European Union relations, Trump tariffs The United States announces plans to impose additional tariffs on certain products from France and Germany, particularly aircraft parts, in retaliation to tariffs imposed by the European Union on similar U.S. products this year. (AFP via The Straits Times)
Post-Brexit United Kingdom relations with the European Union, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement enters into force at 23:00 GMT, formally ending the Brexit transition period. (BBC News) (The Independent)
The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement enters into force at 23:00 GMT, formally ending the Brexit transition period. (BBC News) (The Independent)
