Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces that the country will maintain its COVID-19 restrictions until January 11. (News.trust.org)
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, purchases a 50% stake in Israeli Premier League club Beitar Jerusalem F.C., following the establishment of relations between the two countries this year. (BBC News)
Swedish furniture giant IKEA says it will stop printing its famed annual catalogue, ending a seven-decade tradition as customers move to digital alternatives. (Retail Gazette)
The number of people infected by a mysterious illness in the city of Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India, increases to more than 400. The majority of those infected are children and young people. (CNN)
Turkey reports a record 203 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 15,103. (Daily Sabah)
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 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)
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)
2020–21 UEFA Champions League, Racism in association football UEFA suspends the group stage match between Paris Saint-Germain and İstanbul Başakşehir inside the opening 15 minutes, after players from both teams abruptly left the pitch in protest of an alleged racist incident by a match official towards İstanbul Başakşehir assistant manager Pierre Webó. (CNN)
Ethiopian National Defense Force troops open fire on United Nations staffers who were trying to reach areas where "they were not supposed to go" near Sheraro in the Tigray Region, according to senior Ethiopian government official Redwan Hussein. There are no reported casualties. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric says the reports are "alarming". (AP)
Tigray conflict Ethiopian National Defense Force troops open fire on United Nations staffers who were trying to reach areas where "they were not supposed to go" near Sheraro in the Tigray Region, according to senior Ethiopian government official Redwan Hussein. There are no reported casualties. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric says the reports are "alarming". (AP)
UEFA suspends the group stage match between Paris Saint-Germain and İstanbul Başakşehir inside the opening 15 minutes, after players from both teams abruptly left the pitch in protest of an alleged racist incident by a match official towards İstanbul Başakşehir assistant manager Pierre Webó. (CNN)
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)
2020 H5N8 outbreak France's Ministry of Agriculture confirms an outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 (bird flu) at a duck farm in Bénesse-Maremne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. (France 24)
A helicopter crash in the French Alps, leaves five people dead and another injured. The helicopter was carrying an air rescue crew on a training mission. (Reuters)
Colorado Governor Jared Polis announces that the state will extend its statewide mask mandate for 30 more days amid a rise of cases in the state. (KDVR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco says that its Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine will be free for all citizens and will be rolled out in the following weeks. (Reuters)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports 26,567 new cases, the lowest in the country since July 10. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports 47 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic. (The Japan Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a new single-day record of 211 new deaths, bringing the nationwide death toll to 15,304. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus Belarus exceeds 150,000 cases of COVID-19. (TASS)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado Colorado Governor Jared Polis announces that the state will extend its statewide mask mandate for 30 more days amid a rise of cases in the state. (KDVR)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports 26,567 new cases, the lowest in the country since July 10. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports 47 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba Manitoba extends its COVID-19 restrictions into January. However, drive-in church services will be exempted, thrift stores will be allowed to reopen, and sales of Christmas and holiday items will be permitted. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announces that the state will tighten restrictions and move back to phase 3 of the reopening plan. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 10,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. In response, Governor Gretchen Whitmer orders flags to fly at half staff for the next 10 days. (WDIV-TV) (WEYI-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco says that its Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine will be free for all citizens and will be rolled out in the following weeks. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Four lions at the Barcelona Zoo tests positive for COVID-19. (NBC News)
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 Turkey Turkey reports a new single-day record of 211 new deaths, bringing the nationwide death toll to 15,304. (Daily Sabah)
Four lions at the Barcelona Zoo tests positive for COVID-19. (NBC News)
France's Ministry of Agriculture confirms an outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 (bird flu) at a duck farm in Bénesse-Maremne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. (France 24)
India reports 26,567 new cases, the lowest in the country since July 10. (Reuters)
Japan reports 47 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic. (The Japan Times)
Manitoba extends its COVID-19 restrictions into January. However, drive-in church services will be exempted, thrift stores will be allowed to reopen, and sales of Christmas and holiday items will be permitted. (CBC)
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announces that the state will tighten restrictions and move back to phase 3 of the reopening plan. (The Hill)
Michigan surpasses 10,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. In response, Governor Gretchen Whitmer orders flags to fly at half staff for the next 10 days. (WDIV-TV) (WEYI-TV)
Morocco says that its Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine will be free for all citizens and will be rolled out in the following weeks. (Reuters)
Nepal and China agree that the height of Earth's highest mountain, Mount Everest, is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 ft). (Reuters)
Pope Francis issues the apostolic letter Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”) for the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as patron of the universal Church. The Pope declares a special Year of St. Joseph (December 8, 2020 — December 8, 2021). (Vatican News)
Turkey reports a new single-day record of 211 new deaths, bringing the nationwide death toll to 15,304. (Daily Sabah)
2020 Indonesian local elections 105 million people in Indonesia go to the polls to choose governors in nine of 34 provinces as well as 37 mayors and 224 district leaders in regencies and cities in 270 regions across the country. The elections were originally scheduled in September but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (ABC News) The eldest son of President Joko Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is elected as Mayor of Surakarta with a landslide victory based on some quick count results. (Bloomberg)
105 million people in Indonesia go to the polls to choose governors in nine of 34 provinces as well as 37 mayors and 224 district leaders in regencies and cities in 270 regions across the country. The elections were originally scheduled in September but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (ABC News)
2020 European Medicines Agency cyberattack The European Medicines Agency announces that it has been cyberattacked and that an investigation is ongoing. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus The government announces that malls and food and beverage establishments will be closed from December 11 at 06:00 p.m. local time until the end of the year. Restaurants will only be allowed to offer takeaway service. (Phile News)
European Union–United Kingdom relations, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen agree to set a deadline for a trade agreement between the UK and EU by 13 December. If no agreement is reached by then, the United Kingdom will leave the European Single Market and European Union Customs Union without a deal on 1 January 2021. (The Guardian)
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)
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)
Nationally, the number of new daily deaths surpasses the death toll of the September 11 attacks for the first time, topping at 3,100. (CNN)
The eldest son of President Joko Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is elected as Mayor of Surakarta with a landslide victory based on some quick count results. (Bloomberg)
The European Medicines Agency announces that it has been cyberattacked and that an investigation is ongoing. (The Guardian)
The government announces that malls and food and beverage establishments will be closed from December 11 at 06:00 p.m. local time until the end of the year. Restaurants will only be allowed to offer takeaway service. (Phile News)
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen agree to set a deadline for a trade agreement between the UK and EU by 13 December. If no agreement is reached by then, the United Kingdom will leave the European Single Market and European Union Customs Union without a deal on 1 January 2021. (The Guardian)
A Royal Caribbean ship, Quantum of the Seas, that had 1,680 guests and 1,448 crew on board, returned to Singapore on the third day of a four-day "cruise to nowhere" after a passenger tested positive for COVID-19. (BBC News)
Canada approves Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine and expects to receive 249,000 doses by the end of the year. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announces that the statewide mask mandate and stay-at-home order will be extended until January 22. (Montgomery Advertiser)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Canada approves Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine and expects to receive 249,000 doses by the end of the year. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports 568 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the most since the start of the pandemic and bringing the nationwide death toll to 20,002. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 171 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 18,171. (CNN Indonesia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record 2,812 new cases in the past 24 hours. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland On his first full day in office, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announces that the city will close all indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Baltimore Sun)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan After nearly 30 members and staffers of the Michigan House of Representatives test positive for COVID-19, scheduled voting sessions for December 9 and 10 were cancelled. (Yahoo! News), (WXYZ-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova Prime Minister Ion Chicu tests positive for COVID-19. (Antara News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf tests positive for COVID-19 and begins quarantining at his home. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships A Royal Caribbean ship, Quantum of the Seas, that had 1,680 guests and 1,448 crew on board, returned to Singapore on the third day of a four-day "cruise to nowhere" after a passenger tested positive for COVID-19. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Prime Minister Igor Matovič announces that non-essential shops and schools will be closed for at least three weeks beginning December 21. He also said that the outdoor terraces of restaurants, cafés and similar facilities will be closed beginning December 11 and only takeaway services will be allowed. (The Slovak Spectator)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a new single-day record of 217 deaths, bringing the nationwide death toll to 15,531. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in United Arab Emirates, COVID-19 vaccine The Ministry of Health and Prevention announces the registration of Sinopharm's inactivated virus vaccine BBICP-CorV, after an interim analysis of the Phase III trials showed BBIBP-CorV to have an 86% efficacy against COVID-19 infection. (Reuters)
Germany reports 568 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the most since the start of the pandemic and bringing the nationwide death toll to 20,002. (Bloomberg)
Governor Kay Ivey announces that the statewide mask mandate and stay-at-home order will be extended until January 22. (Montgomery Advertiser)
Indonesia reports a record 171 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 18,171. (CNN Indonesia)
Japan reports a record 2,812 new cases in the past 24 hours. (The Japan Times)
