Morocco is expected to acquire 65 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. (ABC News)
Rospotrebnadzor orders a 14-day quarantine for anyone who travels from the United Kingdom, with the exception of aircraft crew members, beginning tomorrow due to the spread of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Moscow Times)
South Africa reports a record 14,796 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 983,359 cases. (The Citizens)
South Korea reports a record 1,241 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 54,770 cases. (Yonhap News Agency)
The authorities extends the compulsory quarantine in designed hotels to 21 days for visitors from outside China, Macau, and Taiwan beginning tomorrow and also ban all people who stayed in South Africa over the past 21 days from entering Hong Kong in order to prevent the spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Straits Times)
The United Kingdom exceeds 70,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Independent) (BBC News)
Turkey signs a deal with BioNTech to receive up to 30 million doses of their vaccine. (Daily Sabah)
2021 Ethiopian general election The government sets June 5 as the date for the 2021 parliamentary elections. The elections were delayed to 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the delay being a cause of the ongoing Tigray conflict. (Reuters)
The government sets June 5 as the date for the 2021 parliamentary elections. The elections were delayed to 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the delay being a cause of the ongoing Tigray conflict. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus, 2020 Belarusian protests Two men jailed for protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko say they tested positive for COVID-19, after developing symptoms in jail and not receiving treatment. (AP)
India arrests 75 Kashmiri political leaders and activists for "preventive custody" due to recent violence following local elections. (Al Jazeera)
Kashmir conflict India arrests 75 Kashmiri political leaders and activists for "preventive custody" due to recent violence following local elections. (Al Jazeera)
The Israeli military (IDF) carries out several airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, in response to overnight rocket attacks in Israel. IDF says it targeted a rocket manufacturing site, underground infrastructure and a military post. Two minor injuries are reported. The attacks caused power outages in the eastern part of the strip. Hamas claims the strikes damaged a children's hospital, a centre for disabled people, and damaged the windows of several residential buildings. IDF claims that the damage was due to detonations of ground munitions. (Al Jazeera) (The Times of Israel)
Two men jailed for protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko say they tested positive for COVID-19, after developing symptoms in jail and not receiving treatment. (AP)
A fire inside an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Obour, Egypt, kills seven people and injures five others. (ABC News)
Authorities announce that they suspect the incident was a suicide bombing, following the discovery of human remains at the blast site. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Ontario reports its first two cases of a new SARS-COV-2 variant in a couple from Durham Region with no known travel history, exposure, or high-risk contacts. Ontario is the first province in Canada to identify a case of this new variant. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany The German state of Saxony-Anhalt begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which also began nationwide. A 101-year-old woman in a nursing home become one of first people in the country to get vaccinated. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran. The first vaccinations are being delivered at two hospitals in Budapest. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 6,389 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 576,693. (detikNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran extends a nighttime traffic curfew that runs from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time to 330 lower-risk "yellow" cities in an effort to sustain a recent decrease in the numbers of new cases and deaths. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo reports a record 949 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the prefecture to 55,851. (The Japan Times) The Japanese Foreign Ministry will ban non-resident foreign nationals from entering Japan from December 28 until the end of January after several cases of a more infectious variant of SARS-CoV-2 were reported in the country. Japanese citizens and foreign residents will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days when they enter the country. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 2,335 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 103,900. (CNA)
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 Ontario, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Ontario reports its first two cases of a new SARS-COV-2 variant in a couple from Durham Region with no known travel history, exposure, or high-risk contacts. Ontario is the first province in Canada to identify a case of this new variant. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia surpasses three million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fourth country to do so after the United States, India, and Brazil. (Arab News) (Mint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 vaccine Spain receives its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran in Guadalajara, a day before the country begins its vaccination programme. (Euro Weekly News) COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Madrid reports the nation's first four cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Sweden reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 after a traveller from the United Kingdom tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Madrid reports the nation's first four cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Guardian)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues guidelines stating that people with underlying health conditions can receive the vaccine. (The Hill) One out of every 1,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to a comparison of census and death toll estimates. (CNN)
COVID-19 vaccine Spain receives its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran in Guadalajara, a day before the country begins its vaccination programme. (Euro Weekly News)
Crime in Germany Four men are seriously injured in a mass shooting in Kreuzberg, Berlin. The city's attorney said that rival gangs may have been responsible for the shooting. (BBC News)
Four men are seriously injured in a mass shooting in Kreuzberg, Berlin. The city's attorney said that rival gangs may have been responsible for the shooting. (BBC News)
Hungary begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran. The first vaccinations are being delivered at two hospitals in Budapest. (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, 2020 NFL season The Cleveland Browns announce that they will close their facility and delay their flight to New Jersey for an upcoming matchup with the New York Jets after a player on the team tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Indonesia reports a record 6,389 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 576,693. (detikNews)
Iran extends a nighttime traffic curfew that runs from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time to 330 lower-risk "yellow" cities in an effort to sustain a recent decrease in the numbers of new cases and deaths. (Hindustan Times)
Madrid reports the nation's first four cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Guardian)
Malaysia reports a record 2,335 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 103,900. (CNA)
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)
Ontario reports its first two cases of a new SARS-COV-2 variant in a couple from Durham Region with no known travel history, exposure, or high-risk contacts. Ontario is the first province in Canada to identify a case of this new variant. (CBC)
Spain receives its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran in Guadalajara, a day before the country begins its vaccination programme. (Euro Weekly News)
Sweden reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 after a traveller from the United Kingdom tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues guidelines stating that people with underlying health conditions can receive the vaccine. (The Hill)
The German state of Saxony-Anhalt begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which also began nationwide. A 101-year-old woman in a nursing home become one of first people in the country to get vaccinated. (DW)
The Japanese Foreign Ministry will ban non-resident foreign nationals from entering Japan from December 28 until the end of January after several cases of a more infectious variant of SARS-CoV-2 were reported in the country. Japanese citizens and foreign residents will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days when they enter the country. (CNN)
Tokyo reports a record 949 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the prefecture to 55,851. (The Japan Times)
Twelve climbers die during avalanches and blizzards on mountains north of Tehran, Iran. Fourteen others went missing but are rescued alive. (The Guardian)
2020 Central African general election Elections in the Central African Republic are underway, after a campaign marred by violence between government and rebel forces. (BBC News)
2020 Nigerien general election Citizens in Niger head to the polls to elect their President in their first democratic power transfer since the country's independence from France. The election comes amidst a growing Islamist insurgency as Mohamed Bazoum is the favourite to succeed incumbent Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down after serving two five-year terms. (DW)
Citizens in Niger head to the polls to elect their President in their first democratic power transfer since the country's independence from France. The election comes amidst a growing Islamist insurgency as Mohamed Bazoum is the favourite to succeed incumbent Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down after serving two five-year terms. (DW)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States President Donald Trump signs the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which contains a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, before Monday's deadline, in order to avert a government shutdown. This comes after Trump called the bill a "disgrace" last week. (The Washington Post) (Politico)
Elections in the Central African Republic are underway, after a campaign marred by violence between government and rebel forces. (BBC News)
2020 Nashville bombing Authorities officially identify the perpetrator of Friday's suicide bombing in Nashville, Tennessee, as 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner and conclude that he had been acting alone. (The Tennessean)
Authorities officially identify the perpetrator of Friday's suicide bombing in Nashville, Tennessee, as 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner and conclude that he had been acting alone. (The Tennessean)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão tests positive for COVID-19. (Diário do Nordeste)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece officially begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19, with ICU nurse Efstathia Kambissiouli, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis among the first people to get vaccinated. (The National Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão tests positive for COVID-19. (Diário do Nordeste) COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay Uruguay reported a record of 11 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 158. (El País)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran, with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and World War II veteran Emilie Řepíková among the first people to get vaccinated. (Expats.cz)
Greece officially begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19, with ICU nurse Efstathia Kambissiouli, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis among the first people to get vaccinated. (The National Herald)
Kaiyuan stabbing attack Seven people are killed and seven others injured in a mass stabbing in Kaiyuan, Liaoning, China. The attacker has been arrested. (BBC News)
Seven people are killed and seven others injured in a mass stabbing in Kaiyuan, Liaoning, China. The attacker has been arrested. (BBC News)
Spillover of the Syrian Civil War in Lebanon Hundreds of Syrian refugees flee a makeshift camp in North Governorate, Lebanon, after local youths storm the camp and torch tents, wounding three people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (Reuters)
The Czech Republic begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran, with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and World War II veteran Emilie Řepíková among the first people to get vaccinated. (Expats.cz)
War in Darfur Sudan says it will deploy troops to South Darfur "in large numbers" following recent tribal violence between the Masalit and Fula. (Reuters)
Austria begins administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran to its citizens. An 84-year-old woman becomes the first Austrian to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Medical University of Vienna. (ORF)
Boko Haram insurgency Boko Haram jihadists storm a village near Gamboru, Borno State, Nigeria, killing three people and kidnapping more than 40 others. It is the second mass abduction by the Islamist group this month. (Al Jazeera)
Boko Haram jihadists storm a village near Gamboru, Borno State, Nigeria, killing three people and kidnapping more than 40 others. It is the second mass abduction by the Islamist group this month. (Al Jazeera)
British Columbia reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from a man in Island Health who returned from the United Kingdom on December 15 and tested positive on December 19. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria begins administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran to its citizens. An 84-year-old woman becomes the first Austrian to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Medical University of Vienna. (ORF)
COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 British Columbia reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from a man in Island Health who returned from the United Kingdom on December 15 and tested positive on December 19. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 British Columbia reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from a man in Island Health who returned from the United Kingdom on December 15 and tested positive on December 19. (CBC) COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec reports 6,783 cases and 110 deaths between 24 and 26 December, bringing the total number of cases to 192,655 and deaths to 8,023. (Toronto Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 6,983 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 583,676. (Kompas)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Jordan reports their first two cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a couple who travelled from the United Kingdom. (Medical Xpress)
