Viktor Orbán surpasses Kálmán Tisza as the longest-serving Prime Minister of Hungary after 14 years and 145 days in office. (Index.hu)
Papua conflict The United Liberation Movement for West Papua declares a provisional "government-in-waiting" and nominates Benny Wenda as interim president. (The Guardian)
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua declares a provisional "government-in-waiting" and nominates Benny Wenda as interim president. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Former President and Co-Prince of Andorra Valéry Giscard d'Estaing dies from complications of COVID-19. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 589 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 41,053. (Yahoo! News) President Vladimir Putin orders the country to start a large-scale vaccination by late next week. Teachers and doctors are expected to be the first to receive the Sputnik V vaccine. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte issues an executive order granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an emergency use authorization for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 vaccine The United Kingdom approves the BNT162b2 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech for widespread use, becoming the first country in the world to approve the vaccine. The government states that the vaccine will be rolled out early next week. (ABC Australia) (CBS News)
President Rodrigo Duterte issues an executive order granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an emergency use authorization for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. (CNA)
President Vladimir Putin orders the country to start a large-scale vaccination by late next week. Teachers and doctors are expected to be the first to receive the Sputnik V vaccine. (AP)
The United Kingdom approves the BNT162b2 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech for widespread use, becoming the first country in the world to approve the vaccine. The government states that the vaccine will be rolled out early next week. (ABC Australia) (CBS News)
2020 Thai protests Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is acquitted of breaching ethics clauses in the Constitution, allowing him to remain in power. (The Diplomat)
Climate change in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the country has declared a climate change emergency and promises that it will become carbon neutral by 2025. (U.S. News & World Report) (TVNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman declares Vanuatu free of COVID-19 again after the first case recovered. Loughman stressed that the virus-free status is not important but that the capacity to contain a positive case was what actually mattered. (RNZ)
Legality of cannabis, Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed alongside opioids such as heroin. This change is expected to bolster medical research and legalization efforts around the world. (The New York Times)
Prime Minister Bob Loughman declares Vanuatu free of COVID-19 again after the first case recovered. Loughman stressed that the virus-free status is not important but that the capacity to contain a positive case was what actually mattered. (RNZ)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the country has declared a climate change emergency and promises that it will become carbon neutral by 2025. (U.S. News & World Report) (TVNZ)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is acquitted of breaching ethics clauses in the Constitution, allowing him to remain in power. (The Diplomat)
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed alongside opioids such as heroin. This change is expected to bolster medical research and legalization efforts around the world. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile President Sebastián Piñera extends the state of catastrophe for another three months until March 13, 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic. (UrduPoint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece The government extends the nationwide lockdown by one week until December 14 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai is denied bail and remains in custody over alleged fraud related to the lease of a building that houses his Apple Daily, an anti-government newspaper. (Reuters)
President Sebastián Piñera extends the state of catastrophe for another three months until March 13, 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic. (UrduPoint)
President-elect Joe Biden announces that Dr. Vivek Murthy and Jeff Zients will lead his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to remain in the White House Coronavirus Task Force and become its chief medical advisor. (Politico)
The government extends the nationwide lockdown by one week until December 14 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports a record 993 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 58,038 and surpassing the previous record of 919 new deaths recorded on March 27. (Corriere della Sera) Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signs a decree that bans inter-regional travel between December 21 and January 6 except for work, health, or emergency reasons. In addition, people will not be allowed to leave their towns on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. (The Guardian) (BBC)
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signs a decree that bans inter-regional travel between December 21 and January 6 except for work, health, or emergency reasons. In addition, people will not be allowed to leave their towns on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. (The Guardian) (BBC)
2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election The parliament of Montenegro approves a new coalition government of centre-right, pro-Serb minority and green parties, formally ending three decades of Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS) rule in the country. New Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić vows to dismantle a state apparatus built by the DPS, and root-out corruption and organised crime. (Reuters)
Somali Civil War American military intervention in Somalia U.S. President Donald Trump orders the withdrawal of almost all U.S. troops and assets from Somalia by January 15, according to the Department of Defense. (BBC News)
The parliament of Montenegro approves a new coalition government of centre-right, pro-Serb minority and green parties, formally ending three decades of Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS) rule in the country. New Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić vows to dismantle a state apparatus built by the DPS, and root-out corruption and organised crime. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Health Minister Tomaž Gantar announces that Slovenia plans to launch mass COVID-19 testing before the end of the year as current restrictions have failed to reduce the infection rate. Testing should start after December 11 or 12, when the first 100,000 test kits are expected to be delivered to the country. (The Slovenia Times) (Barron's)
Health Minister Tomaž Gantar announces that Slovenia plans to launch mass COVID-19 testing before the end of the year as current restrictions have failed to reduce the infection rate. Testing should start after December 11 or 12, when the first 100,000 test kits are expected to be delivered to the country. (The Slovenia Times) (Barron's)
Belgium announces that all troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2021, bringing an end to Belgian involvement in the war. Belgium currently has around 70 military personnel deployed in Afghanistan, as part of a train, advise and assist role for pro-government forces. (The Brussels Times)
War in Afghanistan, Participants in Operation Enduring Freedom Belgium announces that all troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2021, bringing an end to Belgian involvement in the war. Belgium currently has around 70 military personnel deployed in Afghanistan, as part of a train, advise and assist role for pro-government forces. (The Brussels Times)
2020 Kuwaiti general election Kuwaitis turn out to vote for the 50 electable National Assembly members in the general election. (Kuwait Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo reports a new single-day record of 584 cases, according to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the city to 43,377. (The Japan Times)
Kuwaitis turn out to vote for the 50 electable National Assembly members in the general election. (Kuwait Times)
Stonehenge closes to the public after protesters gathered at the site to protest the British government's plan to build a road tunnel near the monument. (AP)
Tokyo reports a new single-day record of 584 cases, according to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the city to 43,377. (The Japan Times)
Supporters of President-elect Maia Sandu gather in Moldova to call for the resignation of the Russia-backed government and a new parliamentary election. (San Francisco Chronicle)
2020 Venezuelan parliamentary election Parliamentary elections are underway in Venezuela amidst multiple ongoing crises. The election is boycotted by the political opposition to President Nicolás Maduro and has been called unfair by international observers. (DW)
Anglophone Crisis Cameroon holds its first regional elections amidst criticism of President Paul Biya and a growing separatist insurgency in the English-speaking areas of the country. The election will elect representatives to local councils and is supported by the government, whereas separatists have vowed to disrupt the election, arresting anyone participating in it. Gunfire is also reported in some areas. (Reuters)
Cameroon holds its first regional elections amidst criticism of President Paul Biya and a growing separatist insurgency in the English-speaking areas of the country. The election will elect representatives to local councils and is supported by the government, whereas separatists have vowed to disrupt the election, arresting anyone participating in it. Gunfire is also reported in some areas. (Reuters)
Parliamentary elections are underway in Venezuela amidst multiple ongoing crises. The election is boycotted by the political opposition to President Nicolás Maduro and has been called unfair by international observers. (DW)
2020 Romanian legislative election Voters in Romania head out to elect the members of their country's Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Widespread lack of interest in politics and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have raised fears of a low voter turnout. (France 24)
The government decides to raise social distancing level to level 2.5 in the Seoul Capital Area for the next three weeks. (The Korea Herald)
Corruption in Indonesia, Corruption Eradication Commission Indonesian social affairs minister Juliari Batubara turns himself in to the national anti-corruption agency for COVID-19 pandemic aid graft. (ABC News)
Indonesian social affairs minister Juliari Batubara turns himself in to the national anti-corruption agency for COVID-19 pandemic aid graft. (ABC News)
Voters in Romania head out to elect the members of their country's Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Widespread lack of interest in politics and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have raised fears of a low voter turnout. (France 24)
2020 Venezuelan parliamentary election President Nicolás Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela has reportedly won almost 68% in Venezuela's latest parliamentary election. The vote was overshadowed by a boycott of the political opposition led by Juan Guaidó and a low voter turnout of only 31%. (DW) The United States refuses to recognize the results, describing the election as a "charade". The European Union also rejects the legitimacy of the election. (Reuters) (VOA)
President Nicolás Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela has reportedly won almost 68% in Venezuela's latest parliamentary election. The vote was overshadowed by a boycott of the political opposition led by Juan Guaidó and a low voter turnout of only 31%. (DW)
2020 Egyptian parliamentary election The final phase of Egypt's latest parliamentary election begins. The voting process will continue until the end of the next day. (Arab News)
Belarus at the Olympics The International Olympic Committee announces that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his son Viktor will be banned from all Olympic Games, including the upcoming Tokyo Games. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Former vice-governor of Jakarta and former vice-presidential candidate Sandiaga Uno tests positive for COVID-19. (detikNews) COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccine The Indian government announces that the country will speed up their reviews of vaccines developed by Pfizer and AstraZeneca. (Hindustan Times)
The final phase of Egypt's latest parliamentary election begins. The voting process will continue until the end of the next day. (Arab News)
The International Olympic Committee announces that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his son Viktor will be banned from all Olympic Games, including the upcoming Tokyo Games. (ABC News)
2020 Romanian legislative election Incumbent Prime Minister Ludovic Orban resigns after the poor results of his candidacy in the legislative election. He is succeeded ad interim by Minister of National Defence Nicolae Ciucă. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccine The Indian government announces that the country will speed up their reviews of vaccines developed by Pfizer and AstraZeneca. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Former vice-governor of Jakarta and former vice-presidential candidate Sandiaga Uno tests positive for COVID-19. (detikNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania The Lithuanian government announces that it will tighten and extend the nationwide lockdown until the end of the year. People are advised to leave their homes only for essential reasons, and the education of senior students will be conducted remotely. (DELFI EN)
Former vice-governor of Jakarta and former vice-presidential candidate Sandiaga Uno tests positive for COVID-19. (detikNews)
Incumbent Prime Minister Ludovic Orban resigns after the poor results of his candidacy in the legislative election. He is succeeded ad interim by Minister of National Defence Nicolae Ciucă. (BBC News)
The Indian government announces that the country will speed up their reviews of vaccines developed by Pfizer and AstraZeneca. (Hindustan Times)
The International Olympic Committee, after an unanimous vote, decides to make competitive breakdancing a sport, and would appear in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. (Deadline.com)
The Lithuanian government announces that it will tighten and extend the nationwide lockdown until the end of the year. People are advised to leave their homes only for essential reasons, and the education of senior students will be conducted remotely. (DELFI EN)
The United States refuses to recognize the results, describing the election as a "charade". The European Union also rejects the legitimacy of the election. (Reuters) (VOA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports 1,925 cases, a new single-day record. (Global News) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the country will receive 240,000 doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine candidate by the end of the year. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces a tightening of a partial lockdown in 38 municipalities across Denmark, including Copenhagen, from December 9 to January 3. (The Local Denmark)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces that the country will maintain its COVID-19 restrictions until January 11. (News.trust.org)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese tests positive for COVID-19. (La Repubblica)
Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese tests positive for COVID-19. (La Repubblica)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the country will receive 240,000 doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine candidate by the end of the year. (AP)
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces a tightening of a partial lockdown in 38 municipalities across Denmark, including Copenhagen, from December 9 to January 3. (The Local Denmark)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces that the country will maintain its COVID-19 restrictions until January 11. (News.trust.org)
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)
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)
