Doctors at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, successfully transplant a pig heart into a human patient for the first time. (ABC News)
India begins administering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for high-risk individuals, such as healthcare workers and people over the age of 60 with comorbidities. (The Times of India)
Italy restricts the access of public transport, coffee shops, gyms, and many other activities to people who have been vaccinated or has been recovered from COVID-19 amid the surge of the COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant. (Sky News)
New South Wales reports a record for the second consecutive day of 18 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the statewide death toll to 745. (The Guardian)
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says that the company will develop a COVID-19 vaccine to target the Omicron variant by March. (CNBC)
Ten people are killed and hundreds more are left homeless due to floods in East London, South Africa, as poorly built homes are swept away, especially in Mdantsane just outside the city. (Reuters)
The Indonesian Drug and Food Control Agency issues an emergency use authorization of five COVID-19 vaccines as booster dose, namely Pfizer–BioNTech, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, and Zifivax's ZF2001 for one dose, and half dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Kompas)
The Peoples Gazette, a Nigerian online newspaper, claims that it has been raided by the National Intelligence Agency. (Peoples Gazette)
The Philippines reports a record for the third consecutive day of 28,707 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,998,530. (ABS-CBN News)
Uganda reopens schools for the first time since March 2020 after a nearly two year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Independent)
Xenotransplantation Doctors at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, successfully transplant a pig heart into a human patient for the first time. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia Bolivian vice president David Choquehuanca tests positive for COVID-19 for the third time. Six government ministers also test positive for COVID-19. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 134,439 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,533,635. (Infobae) COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia Bolivian vice president David Choquehuanca tests positive for COVID-19 for the third time. Six government ministers also test positive for COVID-19. (France 24)
Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola becomes acting President of the European Parliament. Metsola is the first Maltese person to hold this position. (Politico)
President of the European Parliament David Sassoli dies in Aviano, Italy. (Politico)
Argentina reports a record 134,439 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,533,635. (Infobae)
At an apartment construction site in Gwangju, South Korea, an outer wall of the building collapses, trapping six workers. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 134,439 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,533,635. (Infobae)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, COVID-19 vaccination in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, COVID-19 vaccination in Quebec Quebec announces plans to impose a "significant" tax on those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, with exemptions for those who have legitimate medical exemptions from taking the vaccine. However, few additional details were revealed on a policy which would be a first in Canada. (The Globe and Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a record 368,149 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel The Israeli Health ministry approves a reduction of the isolation period for asymptomatic positive COVID-19 patients from ten to seven days in order to keep the economy running despite an increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases. The changes will be in effect on January 13. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports a record 220,532 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 7.77 million. (Agenzia Italia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the 15th nation to do so. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, COVID-19 vaccination in Quebec Quebec announces plans to impose a "significant" tax on those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, with exemptions for those who have legitimate medical exemptions from taking the vaccine. However, few additional details were revealed on a policy which would be a first in Canada. (The Globe and Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, tests positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Slovenia reports a record 5,164 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Slovenia Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 74,266 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Anadolu Agency)
France reports a record 368,149 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (CNBC)
Italy reports a record 220,532 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 7.77 million. (Agenzia Italia)
Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, tests positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
Poland surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the 15th nation to do so. (The Independent)
Quebec announces plans to impose a "significant" tax on those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, with exemptions for those who have legitimate medical exemptions from taking the vaccine. However, few additional details were revealed on a policy which would be a first in Canada. (The Globe and Mail)
Slovenia reports a record 5,164 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Slovenia Times)
The Israeli Health ministry approves a reduction of the isolation period for asymptomatic positive COVID-19 patients from ten to seven days in order to keep the economy running despite an increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases. The changes will be in effect on January 13. (The Times of Israel)
Turkey reports a record 74,266 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Anadolu Agency)
Ban of Twitter in Nigeria The Nigerian government lifts its Twitter ban, which was implemented in June 2021, after Twitter agreed to pay an "applicable tax" and also establish a legal entity within the country sometime in the first quarter of the year. (The Guardian Nigeria)
Israel and the Argentine foreign ministry separately issue condemnations against the presence of Iranian minister Mohsen Rezai at the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Rezai is wanted by Argentina for his alleged connections to the 1994 AMIA bombing. (The Jerusalem Post)
Somali Civil War A car bombing kills at least eight people in Mogadishu. (Reuters)
The Nigerian government lifts its Twitter ban, which was implemented in June 2021, after Twitter agreed to pay an "applicable tax" and also establish a legal entity within the country sometime in the first quarter of the year. (The Guardian Nigeria)
A car bombing kills at least eight people in Mogadishu. (Reuters)
Austria reports a record 17,006 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,378,747. (Vienna.at)
Bulgaria reports a record 7,062 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 794,240. (BTA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria reports a record 17,006 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,378,747. (Vienna.at)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports a record 7,062 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 794,240. (BTA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria reports a record 17,006 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,378,747. (Vienna.at) COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports a record 7,062 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 794,240. (BTA) COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record 80,430 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 7,661,811. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record 80,430 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 7,661,811. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia Indonesia begins administering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for elderly and immunocompromised people amid fears of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Jakarta Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia reports a record 5,362 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 593,545. (Al Arabiya English)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea authorizes the use of the protein-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for adults, making it the fifth vaccine to be approved for use in the country. (The Washington Post)
Eleven people are killed after a small truck packed with partygoers overturned in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. (GMA News)
Germany reports a record 80,430 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 7,661,811. (Euronews)
Indonesia begins administering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for elderly and immunocompromised people amid fears of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Jakarta Post)
Saudi Arabia reports a record 5,362 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 593,545. (Al Arabiya English)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Russia–United States relations Talks between NATO and Russia over Ukraine hit a breaking point as Poland warns of possible war. (Al Jazeera) Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will cut ties with the United States if sanctions are placed upon him. (Business Insider) The U.S. Senate rejects a bill that would sanction the Nord Stream pipeline amidst fears of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. (The New York Times)
Talks between NATO and Russia over Ukraine hit a breaking point as Poland warns of possible war. (Al Jazeera)
The Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government issues an administrative order to all barangays in the Philippines to submit a list of unvaccinated residents in order to prevent their movement in response to the recent increase in cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (GMA News)
Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will cut ties with the United States if sanctions are placed upon him. (Business Insider)
African swine fever Italy imposes a six-month ban of hunting and other activities involving direct or indirect contact with infected boars in 114 rural areas in the north-western regions of Piedmont and Liguria, where the spread African swine fever has infected the animals. (Reuters)
As part of the fallout from his ongoing civil sexual assault trial, Prince Andrew hands back all of his royal patronages and military titles to his mother, the Queen, and drops the use of the title "His Royal Highness" in an official capacity. (BBC News)
At least nine people are killed and about 50 others injured when a train derails in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India. (CNN)
Bangladesh bans all public gatherings, restricts the capacity of public transportation to 50%, and mandates that face masks be worn in all public places in an attempt to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Business Standard)
British health secretary Sajid Javid announces that the self-isolation period for positive COVID-19 patients in England will be reduced to five days in order to reduce the impact of absences caused by the Omicron variant on businesses and the health sector. This change will take effect on January 17. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 drug development The WHO guideline development group of international experts recommends the use of rheumatoid arthritis drug Baricitinib for severe and critical COVID-19 patients in combination with corticosteroids. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal Senegal authorizes the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children over the age of 12 years and also authorizes the use of booster doses for adults. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia reimposes a nighttime curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the next two weeks and also orders the suspension of all public gatherings due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh bans all public gatherings, restricts the capacity of public transportation to 50%, and mandates that face masks be worn in all public places in an attempt to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in England British health secretary Sajid Javid announces that the self-isolation period for positive COVID-19 patients in England will be reduced to five days in order to reduce the impact of absences caused by the Omicron variant on businesses and the health sector. This change will take effect on January 17. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Finland Finland reduces the quarantine period for positive COVID-19 patients to five days because the duration of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant's virus cycle is shorter than other variants. (Yle News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic The French Senate votes 249–63, with 26 abstentions, to approve a bill that would ban unvaccinated people from entering bars, restaurants, and other public places and also from using long-distance public transport. However, the modified bill would only apply to people over the age of 18 years and would only be in effect if the number of hospitalized patients exceeds 10,000 nationwide. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany COVID-19 vaccination in Germany The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends that children between the ages of 12 and 17 years should receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months after having received their second dose, becoming one of the first countries to authorize booster doses for this age group. (Deutsche Welle) Germany reports a record for the second consecutive day of 81,417 new cases of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal Senegal authorizes the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children over the age of 12 years and also authorizes the use of booster doses for adults. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, COVID-19 drug development South Korea receives their first shipment of Pfizer's Paxlovid anti-COVID-19 oral drug. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Sweden reports a record 25,215 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England British health secretary Sajid Javid announces that the self-isolation period for positive COVID-19 patients in England will be reduced to five days in order to reduce the impact of absences caused by the Omicron variant on businesses and the health sector. This change will take effect on January 17. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia reimposes a nighttime curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the next two weeks and also orders the suspension of all public gatherings due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. (France 24)
COVID-19 vaccination in Germany The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends that children between the ages of 12 and 17 years should receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months after having received their second dose, becoming one of the first countries to authorize booster doses for this age group. (Deutsche Welle)
