Indonesia reports a record 7,582 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 625,518. (Kompas)
Malaysia reports a record 3,321 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 94,492. (The Edge Markets MY)
Over 800,000 people in Russia have received the Sputnik V vaccine. (The Hill)
Rescue workers find the bodies of four people who went missing during a landslide in Gjerdrum, Viken, Norway, on December 30. Six people are still missing. (Al Jazeera)
South Korea reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 when a person who traveled from South Africa on December 26 later tested positive for COVID-19. (Dong-A Ilbo)
The United Kingdom reactivates emergency critical-care COVID-19 hospitals amid a surge in both cases and hospitalizations. (Reuters)
The United Kingdom reports a record 57,725 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total since the beginning of the pandemic. Another 445 deaths are also reported, bringing the country's death toll to 74,570. (Sky News)
Two Algerian People's National Army personnel and four militants are killed during a gunfight in Messelmoun, Algeria. (Xinhua)
Vietnam reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 when a 44-year-old woman who traveled from the United Kingdom later tested positive for COVID-19 while in quarantine on December 24. (The Straits Times)
War on terror Insurgency in the Maghreb 2021 Tillabéri attacks Twenty-one more people are found dead and others die of their injuries a day after the attacks in Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye, in Tillabéri, Niger, bringing the death toll to 100. More than 75 others are wounded. (DW) Mali War Mali wedding airstrike A group of Islamist insurgents take hostages in Mopti. While separating the victims by gender, an airstrike killed at least 20 people. (Global News)
2021 Tillabéri attacks Twenty-one more people are found dead and others die of their injuries a day after the attacks in Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye, in Tillabéri, Niger, bringing the death toll to 100. More than 75 others are wounded. (DW)
Central African Republic Civil War Rebel forces seize the city of Bangassou in southeastern Central African Republic after storming the city in a pre-dawn raid, according to MINUSCA officials. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, COVID-19 vaccine Egypt approves the use of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV vaccine, with the vaccination campaign expected to start later this month. Egypt plans to buy 40 million doses of this vaccine. (Al Jazeera) COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta signs an executive order that bans all gatherings except funerals and weddings of up to 150 people. He also extends the nationwide night curfew until March 12. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta signs an executive order that bans all gatherings except funerals and weddings of up to 150 people. He also extends the nationwide night curfew until March 12. (Anadolu Agency)
Insurgency in the Maghreb 2021 Tillabéri attacks Twenty-one more people are found dead and others die of their injuries a day after the attacks in Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye, in Tillabéri, Niger, bringing the death toll to 100. More than 75 others are wounded. (DW)
Mali War Mali wedding airstrike A group of Islamist insurgents take hostages in Mopti. While separating the victims by gender, an airstrike killed at least 20 people. (Global News)
President Uhuru Kenyatta signs an executive order that bans all gatherings except funerals and weddings of up to 150 people. He also extends the nationwide night curfew until March 12. (Anadolu Agency)
Syrian civil war Islamic State insurgents kill nine people and wound 16 others in an ambush targeting buses traveling down a highway in central Syria. (Associated Press)
Twenty-one more people are found dead and others die of their injuries a day after the attacks in Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye, in Tillabéri, Niger, bringing the death toll to 100. More than 75 others are wounded. (DW)
2020 Gjerdrum landslide Rescue workers find the bodies of three people who went missing during a landslide in Gjerdrum, Viken, Norway, on December 30, bringing the death toll to seven. Three people are still missing. (BBC News)
A group of Islamist insurgents take hostages in Mopti. While separating the victims by gender, an airstrike killed at least 20 people. (Global News)
A relief worker is killed and three others wounded after Islamic State-linked militants opens fire on their vehicle in Maguindanao, Philippines. (INQUIRER.net)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency announces that the country will receive 2 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Canada surpasses 600,000 cases of COVID-19. (CP24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Cyprus reports its first cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in 12 people who traveled from the United Kingdom and later tested positive for COVID-19. (Cyprus-Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, COVID-19 vaccine Egypt approves the use of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV vaccine, with the vaccination campaign expected to start later this month. Egypt plans to buy 40 million doses of this vaccine. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reports its first cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in four people who traveled from the United Kingdom. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India officially approves the emergency use of AstraZeneca and University of Oxford's AZD1222 vaccine, which is to be manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India, as well as Bharat Biotech's BBV152 vaccine. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait; Variant of Concern 202012/01 Kuwait announces the suspension of direct commercial passenger flights to and from the United Kingdom beginning January 6 at 4:00 a.m. in order to reduce the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Kuwait Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Variant of Concern 202012/01 New Zealand reports six cases of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in five people who traveled from the United Kingdom and another who traveled from South Africa, all between December 13 and 25, and who later tested positive for COVID-19. (Stuff.co.nz)
COVID-19 pandemic in Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg announces a series of new nationwide restrictions including a ban on alcohol being served in restaurants and bars and an advisory against having any guests in private residences in order to reduce the spread of a third wave of cases. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the UK. People arriving from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries where the new variant is spreading are required to spend 14 days in another country and present a negative test result prior to entering Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Thailand reports its first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a British national who traveled from the United Kingdom and later tested positive for COVID-19. (Khaosod English) Thailand announces it will get two million doses of CoronaVac starting in February. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19 after a record 4,962 new cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom begins distribution of the AstraZeneca and University of Oxford vaccine. (BBC News)
COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency announces that the country will receive 2 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom begins distribution of the AstraZeneca and University of Oxford vaccine. (BBC News)
Cyprus reports its first cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in 12 people who traveled from the United Kingdom and later tested positive for COVID-19. (Cyprus-Mail)
Egypt approves the use of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV vaccine, with the vaccination campaign expected to start later this month. Egypt plans to buy 40 million doses of this vaccine. (Al Jazeera)
Greece reports its first cases of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in four people who traveled from the United Kingdom. (Reuters)
India officially approves the emergency use of AstraZeneca and University of Oxford's AZD1222 vaccine, which is to be manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India, as well as Bharat Biotech's BBV152 vaccine. (BBC News)
Ireland surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19 after a record 4,962 new cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (The Irish Times)
Islamic State insurgents kill nine people and wound 16 others in an ambush targeting buses traveling down a highway in central Syria. (Associated Press)
Kuwait announces the suspension of direct commercial passenger flights to and from the United Kingdom beginning January 6 at 4:00 a.m. in order to reduce the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Kuwait Times)
Mali wedding airstrike A group of Islamist insurgents take hostages in Mopti. While separating the victims by gender, an airstrike killed at least 20 people. (Global News)
New Zealand reports six cases of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in five people who traveled from the United Kingdom and another who traveled from South Africa, all between December 13 and 25, and who later tested positive for COVID-19. (Stuff.co.nz)
Prime Minister Erna Solberg announces a series of new nationwide restrictions including a ban on alcohol being served in restaurants and bars and an advisory against having any guests in private residences in order to reduce the spread of a third wave of cases. (The Hill)
Rebel forces seize the city of Bangassou in southeastern Central African Republic after storming the city in a pre-dawn raid, according to MINUSCA officials. (BBC News)
Rescue workers find the bodies of three people who went missing during a landslide in Gjerdrum, Viken, Norway, on December 30, bringing the death toll to seven. Three people are still missing. (BBC News)
Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the UK. People arriving from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries where the new variant is spreading are required to spend 14 days in another country and present a negative test result prior to entering Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)
Thailand announces it will get two million doses of CoronaVac starting in February. (Bangkok Post)
Thailand reports its first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a British national who traveled from the United Kingdom and later tested positive for COVID-19. (Khaosod English)
The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency announces that the country will receive 2 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine. (Reuters)
The United Kingdom begins distribution of the AstraZeneca and University of Oxford vaccine. (BBC News)
British Member of Parliament Margaret Ferrier is arrested after breaching COVID-19 restrictions. (The Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon The Lebanese Government announces a 25-day nationwide lockdown in the country beginning January 7 in order to reduce the increase in COVID-19 cases that occurred during the holiday season. A curfew from 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. local time will also be in effect until February 1. (ABC)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom British Member of Parliament Margaret Ferrier is arrested after breaching COVID-19 restrictions. (The Times)
Crime in Nigeria Kidnapped Auxiliary Bishop Moses Chikwe, of the Owerri Archdiocese in Nigeria, is freed by his captors. Kidnapped last Sunday, police allege that no ransom is paid. International condemnation includes Pope Francis, during his new year message calling for Bishop Chikwe's release. While in Imo state, a Catholic women's organization, stage a peaceful protest at the Imo state government house, calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma, to quicken action for the release of the Auxiliary Bishop. (Vanguard, Lagos)
Kidnapped Auxiliary Bishop Moses Chikwe, of the Owerri Archdiocese in Nigeria, is freed by his captors. Kidnapped last Sunday, police allege that no ransom is paid. International condemnation includes Pope Francis, during his new year message calling for Bishop Chikwe's release. While in Imo state, a Catholic women's organization, stage a peaceful protest at the Imo state government house, calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma, to quicken action for the release of the Auxiliary Bishop. (Vanguard, Lagos)
The Lebanese Government announces a 25-day nationwide lockdown in the country beginning January 7 in order to reduce the increase in COVID-19 cases that occurred during the holiday season. A curfew from 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. local time will also be in effect until February 1. (ABC)
A Malaysian coroner concludes that 15-year-old French-Irish tourist Nora Quoirin, who disappeared in August 2019 while vacationing at a resort in Seremban and whose body was found in a nearby jungle ten days later, had died by misadventure. Quoirin's family questions the verdict, saying that evidence suggests that her death was caused by abduction, homicide, or sexual assault. (France 24)
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, over 230,000 people in the state have signed up to receive vaccinations. (AP)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency Twenty-two people are killed during an Allied Democratic Forces mass stabbing at a village in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Al Jazeera)
Austria abandons a plan to allow anyone with a negative test result to exit the lockdown a week early, instead extending strict measures and keeping restaurants and non-essential shops closed until January 24. (RND)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a third nationwide lockdown in England beginning at midnight. All schools and universities will be closed until mid-February and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons like shopping and exercise. (BBC News)
Contrary to the strategy adopted by the United Kingdom, Spain is expected to maintain its plan to administer two doses per person of the COVID-19 vaccine tozinameran, which is the recommendation of the manufacturer Pfizer-BioNTech. Germany is also considering the single-dose strategy. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria abandons a plan to allow anyone with a negative test result to exit the lockdown a week early, instead extending strict measures and keeping restaurants and non-essential shops closed until January 24. (RND)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports three new cases of the new Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the United Kingdom. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in England British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a third nationwide lockdown in England beginning at midnight. All schools and universities will be closed until mid-February and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons like shopping and exercise. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 500 deaths from COVID-19. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 500,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. (WEYI-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi, COVID-19 vaccine Officials in Mississippi announce a plan to distribute vaccines for people over 65 years of age. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico, COVID-19 vaccine According to the New Mexico Department of Health, over 230,000 people in the state have signed up to receive vaccinations. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Variant of Concern 202012/01 New York reports its first case of the new SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in a man in his 60s from Saratoga County who tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no travel history. (WNBC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports three new cases of the new Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the United Kingdom. (Global News)
