Russia surpasses 60,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Russia surpasses 60,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Moscow Times)
Russia surpasses 60,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Moscow Times)
Spain surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (Cadena SER)
The cryptocurrencies market capitalization reaches US$1 trillion for the first time. (Marketwatch)
The Czech Republic reports a record of 17,668 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 794,740. (Anadolu Agency)
The United Kingdom reports 1,162 new deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total since April 21, bringing the nationwide death toll to 78,508. (The Independent)
The United States reports a world record of more than 4,000 deaths for the first time. (CNN)
The World Organisation for Animal Health confirms that Senegal has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu at a poultry farm in Thiès. (Reuters)
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri object to Pennsylvania's electoral college votes, forcing a second vote to accept or reject the objection. This comes after the House and the Senate defeated a similar objection to Arizona's electoral college votes from Rep. Paul Gosar and Senator Ted Cruz. The Senate and the House both vote to reject the objection, allowing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to receive the state’s electoral votes. (The Guardian)
2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia Former Republican Senator David Perdue concedes to Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. His concession formally guarantees the Democrats a majority in the United States Senate. (CNN)
A court in Pakistan sentences three people to death and a college teacher to 10 years in prison for blasphemy. Those convicted can now appeal to higher courts and ask for clemency from the President. Human rights groups say that the law persecutes religious minorities including Shias and the Ahmadiyya. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain businesses to close or prohibiting public gatherings of certain sizes. The law will take effect on January 10. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com) COVID-19 pandemic in California, COVID-19 vaccine California Governor Gavin Newsom sets a goal of vaccinating 1 million people by January 17. (The Los Angeles Times) President-elect Joe Biden says he will plan to speed up the release of vaccine doses. (USA Today)
Alberta reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa. (CBC)
Amid another quarantine lockdown, the next hearing in the trial of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is postponed. Netanyahu stands accused, in three separate ongoing cases, of a litany of corruption accusations, including bribery, breach of trust, and fraud. (AP)
Bhutan reports its first death from COVID-19 after a 34-year-old man with chronic liver disease and renal failure, who tested positive for COVID-19, died in a hospital in Thimphu. (Reuters)
Brisbane is placed into lockdown for three days in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 after a cleaner at a hotel quarantine site was diagnosed with a known variant of concern. The Northern Territory and Tasmania ban all travellers from Brisbane. (ABC Australia) (The Canberra Times) (News.com.au)
Canada reports a record of 9,197 new cases in the past 24 hours. (Global News)
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan announces that three cases of the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2 named 501.V2 variant have been detected in Ireland. All of the people had travelled to South Africa. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, 501.V2 variant Alberta reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bhutan Bhutan reports its first death from COVID-19 after a 34-year-old man with chronic liver disease and renal failure, who tested positive for COVID-19, died in a hospital in Thimphu. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and India. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in California, COVID-19 vaccine California Governor Gavin Newsom sets a goal of vaccinating 1 million people by January 17. (The Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, 501.V2 variant Alberta reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa. (CBC) Canada reports a record of 9,197 new cases in the past 24 hours. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou announces a second nationwide lockdown for the country that will last three weeks beginning January 10 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID-19 pandemic in London London mayor Sadiq Khan declares a "major incident" in the capital due to a rise in the number of cases that threatens to overwhelm hospitals. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record 1,188 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide death toll to 38,795. (Taggeschau)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece extends their nationwide lockdown until January 18 but will allow kindergartens, elementary schools and nurseries to reopen on January 11. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 10,617 new cases. It is the first time that the country has reported more than 10,000 cases and brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 808,340. (Kompas) The Indonesian Ulema Council gives a religious approval for use of Sinovac Biotech's vaccine, deeming it halal, or permissible under Islam. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calls for a ban on the American Pfizer and British AstraZeneca vaccines. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record 7,841 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (NHK World)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 16 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 537. (Malay Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Peru reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a citizen who resides in Lima and had attended a family reunion days before Christmas. (Andina)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports a new daily record of 10,176 cases, bringing the nationwide cumulative total of confirmed cases to 466,709. (DGS)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, COVID-19 vaccine King Salman receives the first dose of Pfizer's vaccine in Neom. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong receives a COVID-19 vaccine as the country begins a nationwide vaccination campaign in public health institutions. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa reports a record 21,980 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,192,570. (Timeslive)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and India. (CNA) COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Peru reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a citizen who resides in Lima and had attended a family reunion days before Christmas. (Andina)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reports a record 8,248 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 135,884. (Irish Examiner) Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan announces that three cases of the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2 named 501.V2 variant have been detected in Ireland. All of the people had travelled to South Africa. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID-19 pandemic in London London mayor Sadiq Khan declares a "major incident" in the capital due to a rise in the number of cases that threatens to overwhelm hospitals. (Sky News) The United Kingdom reports a record 68,053 new confirmed cases and 1,325 deaths in the past 24 hours. (BBC News) The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves a vaccine made by Moderna for use in the UK. This comes after clinical trials found the vaccine had an efficacy of 94.1% and 100% for severe cases. (Evening Standard)
Former Republican Senator David Perdue concedes to Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. His concession formally guarantees the Democrats a majority in the United States Senate. (CNN)
Germany reports a record 1,188 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide death toll to 38,795. (Taggeschau)
Google announces that it will suspend Parler from their Play Store due to concerns of incitement of violence. Apple also threatens to follow suit after 24 hours following the storming of the Capitol. (The Guardian) (Reuters)
Greece extends their nationwide lockdown until January 18 but will allow kindergartens, elementary schools and nurseries to reopen on January 11. (Ekathimerini)
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou announces a second nationwide lockdown for the country that will last three weeks beginning January 10 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
Indonesia reports a record for the third consecutive day of 10,617 new cases. It is the first time that the country has reported more than 10,000 cases and brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 808,340. (Kompas)
Ireland reports a record 8,248 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 135,884. (Irish Examiner)
Japan reports a record 7,841 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (NHK World)
King Salman receives the first dose of Pfizer's vaccine in Neom. (Arab News)
London mayor Sadiq Khan declares a "major incident" in the capital due to a rise in the number of cases that threatens to overwhelm hospitals. (Sky News)
Malaysia reports a record 16 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 537. (Malay Mail)
Outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with incoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the first time in an effort to ensure an orderly transition of power. (CNBC)
Peru reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a citizen who resides in Lima and had attended a family reunion days before Christmas. (Andina)
Pope Francis appoints Vincenzo Buonomo as Head of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia, becoming the first layperson to hold the position. (Catholic News Agency)
Portugal reports a new daily record of 10,176 cases, bringing the nationwide cumulative total of confirmed cases to 466,709. (DGS)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong receives a COVID-19 vaccine as the country begins a nationwide vaccination campaign in public health institutions. (The Straits Times)
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces that anyone coming into Australia must present a negative COVID-19 test prior to their departure and that masks will be mandatory on all domestic and international passenger flights. The caps on international arrivals will also be reduced for the next month. (9 News)
South Africa reports a record 21,980 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,192,570. (Timeslive)
The Indonesian Ulema Council gives a religious approval for use of Sinovac Biotech's vaccine, deeming it halal, or permissible under Islam. (DW)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves a vaccine made by Moderna for use in the UK. This comes after clinical trials found the vaccine had an efficacy of 94.1% and 100% for severe cases. (Evening Standard)
The United Kingdom reports a record 68,053 new confirmed cases and 1,325 deaths in the past 24 hours. (BBC News)
Tozinameran, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine developer Pfizer announces that lab studies have concluded that the joint Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine remains effective against mutation variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including Variant of Concern 202012/01 and the 501.V2 variant. (BBC News)
Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu Amid another quarantine lockdown, the next hearing in the trial of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is postponed. Netanyahu stands accused, in three separate ongoing cases, of a litany of corruption accusations, including bribery, breach of trust, and fraud. (AP)
Vaccine developer Pfizer announces that lab studies have concluded that the joint Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine remains effective against mutation variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including Variant of Concern 202012/01 and the 501.V2 variant. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India The government announces that India will begin its COVID-19 vaccination campaign on January 16 with priority given to an estimated 30 million healthcare and frontline workers. (The Hindu)
The government announces that India will begin its COVID-19 vaccination campaign on January 16 with priority given to an estimated 30 million healthcare and frontline workers. (The Hindu)
The National Society of Film Critics names contemporary western film Nomadland as the recipient of 2020's National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film. (The Wrap)
2020–21 European windstorm season Storm Filomena causes the death of two people from heavy rains in the province of Málaga and another two from hypothermia after a blizzard hits central Spain. The Mayor of Madrid requests the assistance of the Army as he considers the situation in the capital to be of "extreme gravity". (BBC News) (Europa Press)
A nationwide blackout occurs in Pakistan, leaving more than 200 million people without power. Senator Faisal Javed Khan says that the blackout was apparently caused by a "sudden frequency drop in the power transmission system". Power is gradually being restored in some parts of the country. (BNO News)
A nighttime curfew takes effect in Quebec in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. (ABC News)
Chinese authorities tell 16 million residents in Shijiazhuang and Xingtai to stay home for the next seven days as Shijiazhuang suspends all public transport in order to combat the new outbreak of COVID-19. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California reports a record 695 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative death toll in the state to 29,233. (KTLA-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec A nighttime curfew takes effect in Quebec in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Variant of Concern 202012/01 France extends its curfew to eight departments, including Bouches-du-Rhône, which includes Marseille, where a 6:00 p.m. curfew has been imposed after 21 people tested positive for the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the United Kingdom. (France 24)