COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan receives documents for Pfizer's vaccine. (Trend)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China Chinese authorities place 4.9 million people in Langfang under lockdown for the next seven days and also subject them to mass testing in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Swiss Info)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Maryland reports their first two cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a married couple from Anne Arundel County, one of whom had travelled to the United Kingdom. (WJZ-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a second state of emergency and stay-at-home order for Ontario as the number of cases continues to increase. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports a record 155 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 8,080. (DGS)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain receives their first shipment of the Moderna vaccine. (ANI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland Swissmedic grants authorization for use of the Moderna vaccine in Switzerland, making it the second COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the country. (Swissmedic)
COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that the country will double its order of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from 20 million to 40 million doses. (Reuters)
Egypt reopens its airspace to Qatari aircraft, and will allow the resumption of direct flights between the countries, which have been suspended since 2017. (Reuters)
Egypt–Qatar relations, Qatar diplomatic crisis Egypt reopens its airspace to Qatari aircraft, and will allow the resumption of direct flights between the countries, which have been suspended since 2017. (Reuters)
Eight people die in an apartment building fire in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Investigators say that the preliminary cause of death is carbon monoxide poisoning. (Znak)
Formula One postpones the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix due to COVID-19-related restrictions. The Australian Grand Prix will take place in November instead of March, while the discussion over a new date for the Chinese Grand Prix is ongoing. (BBC News)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, 2021 Formula One World Championship Formula One postpones the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix due to COVID-19-related restrictions. The Australian Grand Prix will take place in November instead of March, while the discussion over a new date for the Chinese Grand Prix is ongoing. (BBC News)
Indonesia reports a record 302 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 24,645. (detikHealth)
Japan plans to extend the ongoing state of emergency to locations outside of the Greater Tokyo Area. (Insidethegames)
Malaysia reports a record 3,309 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours ahead of the return of movement control orders in parts of the country, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 141,553. (The Straits Times)
Maryland reports their first two cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a married couple from Anne Arundel County, one of whom had travelled to the United Kingdom. (WJZ-TV)
Portugal reports a record 155 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 8,080. (DGS)
Premier Doug Ford announces a second state of emergency and stay-at-home order for Ontario as the number of cases continues to increase. (Global News)
Spain receives their first shipment of the Moderna vaccine. (ANI)
Swissmedic grants authorization for use of the Moderna vaccine in Switzerland, making it the second COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the country. (Swissmedic)
The CDC announces that they will expand their order to require travelers from the United Kingdom to test negative for COVID-19. (U.S. News & World Report)
Central African Republic Civil War Pro-François Bozizé forces attack the Central African Republic capital of Bangui, with fighting reported on multiple fronts, according to Prime Minister Firmin Ngrébada. A Reuters witness reports explosions and helicopters circling over the city. The attack is successfully repelled by the Central African Armed Forces. (Reuters) A Rwanda Defence Force peacekeeper is killed in a rebel attack, according to MINUSCA officials. (Xinhuanet)
A Rwanda Defence Force peacekeeper is killed in a rebel attack, according to MINUSCA officials. (Xinhuanet)
American Olympic gold-medal swimmer Klete Keller is charged with participating in the storming of the United States Capitol. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia President Joko Widodo receives the first dose of the vaccine candidate developed by Sinovac Biotech. (CNA) Indonesia reports a record 11,278 new cases and 306 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 858,043 confirmed cases and 24,951 deaths. (CNN Indonesia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The government expands the state of emergency to seven prefectures, including Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Kyoto, as the country surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (ABC News) Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces the suspension of business travel agreements with 11 countries and regions and also restricts entry for all non-resident foreign nationals beginning tomorrow in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Nikkei Asia)
COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia President Joko Widodo receives the first dose of the vaccine candidate developed by Sinovac Biotech. (CNA)
Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War Syria missile strikes (January 2021) Israel carries out a wave of airstrikes on Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, near its border with Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 57 people have been killed and 28 others injured in at least 18 Israeli airstrikes, saying that several Iranian arms depots were hit. A senior U.S. intelligence official says that the air raids were carried out with "intelligence provided by the U.S." (Daily Sabah)
Mali War Three Ivorian UN peacekeepers are killed and six others wounded in a jihadist ambush on their vehicle in central Mali. (France 24)
North Korea–South Korea relations Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, criticizes South Korea over their tracking of a military parade that will be held in Pyongyang during the weekend, defining South Korean officials as a "weird group, hard to understand" and the "idiot and top of the world's list in misbehaviour". South Korean President Moon Jae-in says his position to establish talks with North Korea remains unchanged. (NDTV)
President Joko Widodo receives the first dose of the vaccine candidate developed by Sinovac Biotech. (CNA)
Pro-François Bozizé forces attack the Central African Republic capital of Bangui, with fighting reported on multiple fronts, according to Prime Minister Firmin Ngrébada. A Reuters witness reports explosions and helicopters circling over the city. The attack is successfully repelled by the Central African Armed Forces. (Reuters)
Proud Boys supporter Eduard Florea is arrested in New York for threatening to lead an armed caravan to Washington, D.C. Additionally, Florea also threatened the life of Senator-elect Raphael Warnock. (WNBC-TV) (Fox News) (The New York Daily News)
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, criticizes South Korea over their tracking of a military parade that will be held in Pyongyang during the weekend, defining South Korean officials as a "weird group, hard to understand" and the "idiot and top of the world's list in misbehaviour". South Korean President Moon Jae-in says his position to establish talks with North Korea remains unchanged. (NDTV)
Syrian civil war Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War Syria missile strikes (January 2021) Israel carries out a wave of airstrikes on Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, near its border with Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 57 people have been killed and 28 others injured in at least 18 Israeli airstrikes, saying that several Iranian arms depots were hit. A senior U.S. intelligence official says that the air raids were carried out with "intelligence provided by the U.S." (Daily Sabah)
The government expands the state of emergency to seven prefectures, including Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Kyoto, as the country surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (ABC News)
A Sudanese Air Force helicopter crashes shortly after taking off in Sudan's Al Qadarif state, near the border with Ethiopia, with the three-person crew surviving the crash, according to officials. (TRT World)
Aftermath of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny Opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny announces that he will return to Russia on Sunday, despite risks of being incarcerated upon his return. Navalny says that the charges against him are "fabricated". (Reuters)
Belgium reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a person from West Flanders with no travel history. (VRT)
China reports 115 new cases in the past 24 hours, the largest single-day total in more than five months, bringing the nationwide number of confirmed cases to 87,706. (The Straits Times)
Corruption in Estonia Prime Minister Jüri Ratas announces his resignation after the Prosecutor General suspected his Estonian Centre Party of "criminal involvement" in an influence peddling scandal involving businessman Hillar Teder. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, 501.V2 variant Belgium reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a person from West Flanders with no travel history. (VRT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi imposes travel and entry bans on 20 countries reported to have new variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan begins a vaccination campaign, with priority given to healthcare workers, people with chronic illnesses, and those over the age of 60. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China reports 115 new cases in the past 24 hours, the largest single-day total in more than five months, bringing the nationwide number of confirmed cases to 87,706. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves receives his first dose of the vaccine live on Facebook. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico, Variant of Concern 202012/01 New Mexico reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a man in his 60s who traveled to the United Kingdom in December and later tested positive for COVID-19. (KUTV-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Norway COVID-19 vaccination in Norway King Harald V, Queen consort Sonja and Princess Astrid receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (People)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports records for both daily counts of new cases and deaths, with 10,556 new cases and 156 deaths, bringing the nationwide cumulative totals to 507,108 confirmed cases and 8,236 deaths. (DGS) Prime Minister António Costa announces that stricter lockdown measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will begin on January 15. There will be more exceptions to the new restrictions than there were during the first national lockdown in March and April 2020. (Expresso)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports a record 38,869 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,176,089. (El Mundo)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, 501.V2 variant Taiwan reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa in a Swazi man in his 30s who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on January 1. (Taiwan News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The Philippines reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a person who travelled from the United Arab Emirates to Quezon City on January 7 and later tested positive. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates reports a record 3,362 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 239,587. (The National)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports a record 1,564 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 84,767. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey COVID-19 vaccination in Turkey Turkey approves the emergency use of the vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receive their firsts doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on the first day of the vaccination campaign in the Vatican City. (Fox News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Wisconsin reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the United Kingdom. (WDJT-TV)
COVID-19 vaccination in Norway King Harald V, Queen consort Sonja and Princess Astrid receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (People)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves receives his first dose of the vaccine live on Facebook. (AP)
COVID-19 vaccination in Turkey Turkey approves the emergency use of the vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech. (AP)
Dairy company Saputo announces that Coon cheese, its brand of cheddar cheese in Australia, will be rebranded as "Cheer" cheese, in response to a 20-year campaign by indigenous rights activist Stephen Hagan to remove the usage of the word "Coon", in reference to a racial slur. The new branding will be released in July. (AFP via Manila Standard)
English cricketer and all-rounder Moeen Ali, who tested positive for COVID-19 ten days ago, confirmed that he was infected with a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which makes this the first case of the UK variant in Sri Lanka. (The Times of India)
Flint water crisis Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty in connection with the Flint water crisis, which left residents with contaminated water and a Legionnaires outbreak. (AP) (Business Insider)
Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty in connection with the Flint water crisis, which left residents with contaminated water and a Legionnaires outbreak. (AP) (Business Insider)
George Floyd protests in Australia, List of name changes due to the George Floyd protests Dairy company Saputo announces that Coon cheese, its brand of cheddar cheese in Australia, will be rebranded as "Cheer" cheese, in response to a 20-year campaign by indigenous rights activist Stephen Hagan to remove the usage of the word "Coon", in reference to a racial slur. The new branding will be released in July. (AFP via Manila Standard)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, Variant of Concern 202012/01 English cricketer and all-rounder Moeen Ali, who tested positive for COVID-19 ten days ago, confirmed that he was infected with a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which makes this the first case of the UK variant in Sri Lanka. (The Times of India)
Indonesia reports a record 11,278 new cases and 306 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 858,043 confirmed cases and 24,951 deaths. (CNN Indonesia)
Jordan begins a vaccination campaign, with priority given to healthcare workers, people with chronic illnesses, and those over the age of 60. (Arab News)
King Harald V, Queen consort Sonja and Princess Astrid receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (People)
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves receives his first dose of the vaccine live on Facebook. (AP)
New Mexico reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a man in his 60s who traveled to the United Kingdom in December and later tested positive for COVID-19. (KUTV-TV)
Opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny announces that he will return to Russia on Sunday, despite risks of being incarcerated upon his return. Navalny says that the charges against him are "fabricated". (Reuters)
Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receive their firsts doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on the first day of the vaccination campaign in the Vatican City. (Fox News)
Portugal reports records for both daily counts of new cases and deaths, with 10,556 new cases and 156 deaths, bringing the nationwide cumulative totals to 507,108 confirmed cases and 8,236 deaths. (DGS)
