Chile reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a resident of Panguipulli who traveled from Madrid on December 23. (La Tercera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccine Argentina begins a vaccination campaign using the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Europa Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, 501.V2 variant Queensland reports Australia's first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a woman who arrived in the state on December 22 and later tested positive for COVID-19. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus, COVID-19 vaccine Belarus begins vaccinations with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California extends a regional stay-at-home order in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley due to rise of hospitalizations in the state. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports a record 2,553 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, along with 1,939 new cases yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 175,908. (Global News) COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Quebec reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who had been in contact with a family member who travelled from the United Kingdom on December 11 and tested positive for COVID-19 on December 13. (Montreal Gazette)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Chile reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a resident of Panguipulli who traveled from Madrid on December 23. (La Tercera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Colorado reports the United States' first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom. The patient is a man in his 20s who is in isolation in Elbert County and has no travel history. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Denmark extends its hard lockdown until January 17 due to substantial increases in numbers of cases and hospitalizations in the country. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, Variant of Concern 202012/01 India reports six cases of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals who travelled from the United Kingdom and are now in isolation. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, 501.V2 variant Japan reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a 30-year old woman who arrived in Japan on December 19 and later tested positive for COVID-19. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announces that the state will extend its mask mandate for another 30 days after reporting 2,990 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (WKYT-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana Republican U.S. congressman-elect Luke Letlow of Louisiana's 5th congressional district, who was scheduled to be sworn-in to the upcoming 117th United States Congress on January 3, 2021, dies from COVID-19 complications after previously testing positive for the disease, becoming the first member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives to die before taking office since former astronaut Jack Swigert. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland reports a record 1,566 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 68,762. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports a record 2,553 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, along with 1,939 new cases yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 175,908. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Pakistan reports its first cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom. The patients are three people who travelled from the UK to Sindh and later tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Quebec reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who had been in contact with a family member who travelled from the United Kingdom on December 11 and tested positive for COVID-19 on December 13. (Montreal Gazette)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccine Argentina begins a vaccination campaign using the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Europa Press) COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Chile reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a resident of Panguipulli who traveled from Madrid on December 23. (La Tercera)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 40 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 859. (Al Jazeera) United States Forces Korea begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19 using the Moderna vaccine. Healthcare providers and first responders are among those who will initially receive the vaccine. (Stars and Stripes)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines extends its travel ban to 19 "flagged" countries and territories from midnight until January 15 in order to prevent new variants of SARS-CoV-2 from entering the country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reports a record 1,546 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 88,439. (The Irish Times) Ireland officially begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19 using Pfizer-BioNTech's tozinameran vaccine, with a 79-year-old woman from Dublin becoming the first person to receive the vaccine. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The United Arab Emirates reports the first case of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 originated from the United Kingdom. (Gulf News)
Denmark extends its hard lockdown until January 17 due to substantial increases in numbers of cases and hospitalizations in the country. (The Straits Times)
Governor Andy Beshear announces that the state will extend its mask mandate for another 30 days after reporting 2,990 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (WKYT-TV)
India reports six cases of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals who travelled from the United Kingdom and are now in isolation. (BBC News)
Ireland officially begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19 using Pfizer-BioNTech's tozinameran vaccine, with a 79-year-old woman from Dublin becoming the first person to receive the vaccine. (RTÉ)
Ireland reports a record 1,546 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 88,439. (The Irish Times)
Japan reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a 30-year old woman who arrived in Japan on December 19 and later tested positive for COVID-19. (The Japan Times)
Northern Ireland reports a record 1,566 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 68,762. (RTÉ)
Ontario reports a record 2,553 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, along with 1,939 new cases yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 175,908. (Global News)
Pakistan reports its first cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom. The patients are three people who travelled from the UK to Sindh and later tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hindu)
Quebec reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who had been in contact with a family member who travelled from the United Kingdom on December 11 and tested positive for COVID-19 on December 13. (Montreal Gazette)
Queensland reports Australia's first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a woman who arrived in the state on December 22 and later tested positive for COVID-19. (ABC Australia)
South Korea reports a record 40 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 859. (Al Jazeera)
The first commercial Boeing 737 MAX flight in the United States since worldwide groundings began in March 2020 occurs. The flight, between New York City's LaGuardia Airport and Miami International Airport, was operated by American Airlines. (CNBC)
The Krško Nuclear Power Plant in neighboring Slovenia, which produces around 20 percent of the country's electricity, is shut down as a precaution. Preventive inspections at the plant are ongoing. (AFP via NDTV) (IAEA)
The Philippines extends its travel ban to 19 "flagged" countries and territories from midnight until January 15 in order to prevent new variants of SARS-CoV-2 from entering the country. (CNA)
The United Arab Emirates reports the first case of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 originated from the United Kingdom. (Gulf News)
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)
Yemeni Civil War 2020 Aden attacks At least 25 people are killed and more than 110 others wounded in an attack at the Aden International Airport, shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed government arrived from Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed is taken to safety along with the Saudi ambassador and all remaining government members. The Houthis are blamed for the attack, but the group has denied responsibility. Another blast was later reported at the presidential palace, where the cabinet was meeting. (The Washington Post)
2020 Aden attacks At least 25 people are killed and more than 110 others wounded in an attack at the Aden International Airport, shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed government arrived from Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed is taken to safety along with the Saudi ambassador and all remaining government members. The Houthis are blamed for the attack, but the group has denied responsibility. Another blast was later reported at the presidential palace, where the cabinet was meeting. (The Washington Post)
At least 25 people are killed and more than 110 others wounded in an attack at the Aden International Airport, shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed government arrived from Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed is taken to safety along with the Saudi ambassador and all remaining government members. The Houthis are blamed for the attack, but the group has denied responsibility. Another blast was later reported at the presidential palace, where the cabinet was meeting. (The Washington Post)
Syrian civil war Syrian state media reports that an ambush on a bus near Palmyra killed at least 37 people. A senior military defector in the region says that the bus was transporting Syrian Army troops and pro-government militia from Deir ez-Zor to the Tiyas Military Airbase. (Reuters) (SOHR)
Syrian state media reports that an ambush on a bus near Palmyra killed at least 37 people. A senior military defector in the region says that the bus was transporting Syrian Army troops and pro-government militia from Deir ez-Zor to the Tiyas Military Airbase. (Reuters) (SOHR)
2020 Gjerdrum landslide A landslide in the village of Gjerdrum, Viken, Norway, leaves at least ten people injured and buries several houses. Ten people are missing. (BBC News)
2020 in paleontology Scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences announce the discovery of a "well-preserved" woolly rhinoceros carcass in Abyysky District, Sakha, Russia, which was revealed by melting permafrost in August. The Russian Academy of Sciences says that the woolly rhinoceros was likely 3 or 4 years old when it died by drowning in the river, and could be anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 years old. (ABC News)
2020–21 Premier League, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports A proposed match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham F.C. at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that would have taken place in the evening is postponed due to a significant rise of COVID-19 cases in the clubs across the league. (Sky Sports)
A landslide in the village of Gjerdrum, Viken, Norway, leaves at least ten people injured and buries several houses. Ten people are missing. (BBC News)
A proposed match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham F.C. at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that would have taken place in the evening is postponed due to a significant rise of COVID-19 cases in the clubs across the league. (Sky Sports)
Argentina approves a vaccine made by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for use in the country, becoming the second country after the UK to approve this vaccine. (France 24)
As a result of this case, Taiwan will ban all non-resident foreigners from entering the country beginning on January 1. Legal residents, as well as people given special permission, and the spouses and children of Taiwanese nationals will be excluded from this ban. (Radio Taiwan International)
Bolivia signs a deal with Russia's Russian Direct Investment Fund to secure 2.6 million Sputnik V vaccines. (Sputnik V)
Colorado authorities announce the possible discovery of a second case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant from the United Kingdom in the state. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama Outgoing U.S. Senator Doug Jones of Alabama announces he will quarantine at his home after his wife tests positive for COVID-19. (AL.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina approves a vaccine made by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for use in the country, becoming the second country after the UK to approve this vaccine. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia Bolivia signs a deal with Russia's Russian Direct Investment Fund to secure 2.6 million Sputnik V vaccines. (Sputnik V)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California reports its first case of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a patient from Southern California. (ABC News) California reports a record 442 deaths on Tuesday, bringing the statewide death toll to 24,987. (The Hill) Los Angeles County surpasses 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 and is averaging 150 daily deaths. (KABC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Colorado authorities announce the possible discovery of a second case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant from the United Kingdom in the state. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in El Salvador, COVID-19 vaccine El Salvador approves a vaccine made by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for use in the country. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record 1,129 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, marking the first time that the country has surpassed 1,000 daily deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, Variant of Concern 202012/01 India extends their suspensions of flights from the United Kingdom until January 7 in order to prevent the spread of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Malta reports its first three cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom. Two of the cases are reported in people who travelled from the UK, while the third is still being investigated. (Times of Malta)
COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota North Dakota records 96 hospitalizations in the past 24 hours, making it the first time since September 24 that there have been less than 100 hospitalizations in the state. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto Toronto reports a record of 1,069 cases in the past 24 hours. (Global News) Ontario reports a record 2,923 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 178,831. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland reports a record 2,045 new cases in the past 24 hours. (The Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore Singapore officially begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19, with healthcare workers being among the first to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina approves a vaccine made by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for use in the country, becoming the second country after the UK to approve this vaccine. (France 24) COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia Bolivia signs a deal with Russia's Russian Direct Investment Fund to secure 2.6 million Sputnik V vaccines. (Sputnik V)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Taiwan reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 after a teenager who returned from the United Kingdom on Sunday tested positive for COVID-19 the following day. (Focus Taiwan News Channel) As a result of this case, Taiwan will ban all non-resident foreigners from entering the country beginning on January 1. Legal residents, as well as people given special permission, and the spouses and children of Taiwanese nationals will be excluded from this ban. (Radio Taiwan International)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand imposes a ban on large gatherings and events in controlled zones across the country in order to reduce the number of cases. 250 new cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (Bangkok Post) (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic reports a record 16,329 new cases in the past 24 hours as the positivity rate reaches a new record of 48.5%. (Radio Prague International)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirms that the country will close all non-essential retail under full level 5 restrictions that will remain in place for at least one month and will also delay the reopening of schools until January 11. Authorities also agree to extend travel bans to South Africa and the United Kingdom until January 6. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland reports a record 2,045 new cases in the past 24 hours. (The Herald) COVID-19 vaccination programme in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom approves a vaccine made by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for use in the country. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says that the rollout of this vaccine will begin on January 4. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto Toronto reports a record of 1,069 cases in the past 24 hours. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey receives their first shipment of three million doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac. (Hurriyet Daily News)
