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COVID-19 pandemic: Disease; Virus; By location; Impact; Vaccines; Portal

Chang'e 5

The closest great conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn since 1623 occurs.
The Chang'e 5 (illustration shown) sample-return mission returns lunar material to Earth.
Nana Akufo-Addo is re-elected for a second term as President of Ghana.

December 28, 2020 (Monday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Insurgency in the North Caucasus
- Knife-wielding assailants wound one and kill another police officer in the centre of the Chechen capital Grozny. Both attackers are shot dead. It is the second attack against police in the region in the last months, as in October two fellow officers were killed by militants. (Reuters)
Aftermath of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
- An Azerbaijani soldier is killed and another injured during a shooting attack in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan blames the attack on "an Armenian armed group"; all the six attackers are shot dead. (Al Jazeera)

Disasters and accidents

The Russian-flagged fishing trawler Onega capsizes near the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Barents Sea with 17 fishermen missing and are feared dead, while two have been rescued. Search and rescue operations in the area have been suspended due to strong winds and low temperatures. (AFP via The Moscow Times)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi announces that the country will ban all International visitors for two weeks from January 1 to 14, citing concerns over new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Government officials are exempt. (Merdeka.com)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - Transport Minister Yuichiro Hata, who died yesterday, tested positive for COVID-19. He is the first Japanese lawmaker to die from the disease. (The Asahi Shimbun)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Saudi Arabia extends the suspension of all international commercial flights, as well as entry through land and sea ports for another week due to concern over the new SARS-CoV-2 variant. (Gulf News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - South Korea reports its first cases of a more infectious variant of SARS-CoV-2, after South Korean nationals who arrived from the United Kingdom tested positive for COVID-19, including an elderly man who has since died. (Yonhap News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Finland, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Finland reports its first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, after a person who travelled from Western Europe test positive for COVID-19. (Yle)

International relations

European Union–United Kingdom relations, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU
- European Union ambassadors unanimously approve the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom. (BBC)

Law and crime

COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
- A court in China sentences a citizen journalist to four years in prison for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for reporting during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year in Wuhan. Her lawyer says they will "probably" appeal the verdict. (Reuters)
A court in Saudi Arabia sentences women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to five years and eight months in prison on grounds of "various activities prohibited by the anti-terrorism law". The verdict comes despite pressure from international organizations to release her. (DW)

December 27, 2020 (Sunday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Boko Haram insurgency
- Boko Haram militants storms a village jear Gamboru, Nigeria, killing three people and abducting more than 40 others. It is the second mass abducting by the group this month. (Al Jazeera)
Spillover of the Syrian Civil War in Lebanon
- Hundreds of Syrian refugees flee a makeshift camp in North Governorate, Lebanon, after local youths storm the camp and torch tents, wounding three people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (Reuters)
War in Darfur
- Sudan says it will deploy troops to South Darfur "in large numbers" following recent tribal violence between the Masalit and Fula. (Reuters)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, CARES Act
- President Donald Trump signs the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which contains a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, before Monday's deadline, in order to avert a government shutdown. This comes after Trump called the bill a "disgrace" last week. (The Washington Post) (Politico)

Disasters and accidents

In Cameroon, a bus travelling from Douala, to the capital Yaoundé collides with a truck and plunges into a ravine, killing at least 37 people and injuring 19 others. (AFP via The Economic Times)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - British Columbia reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from a man in Island Health who returned from the United Kingdom on December 15 and tested positive on December 19. (CBC)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
      - Quebec reports 6,783 cases and 110 deaths between 24 and 26 December, bringing the total number of cases to 192,655 and deaths to 8,023. (Toronto Star)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - The U.S. surpasses 19 million cases of COVID-19, having averaged 185,000 daily cases over the past week. (The Hill)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Oman
    - Oman officially begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The country is the last Gulf Cooperation Council member state to begin vaccinations. Health Minister Ahmed Al-Saidi is one of the first citizens to receive a dose of the vaccine. (Arab News)
    - The Supreme Committee decides to reopen Oman's land, sea, and air borders on December 29 after closing them on December 21 due to fears of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. All travellers must show a negative PCR test within 72 hours before entering the country and must have valid health insurance. In addition, all travellers must quarantine for seven days and take another test after completing their quarantine. (Hindustan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 6,983 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 583,676. (Kompas)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Jordan reports their first two cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a couple who travelled from the United Kingdom. (Medical Xpress)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia
    - Saudi Arabia announces that they will lift their flight ban on non-Saudis leaving the country. (Al Arabiya)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
    - South Korea extends its current social distancing measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 until January 3, as record numbers of new cases are being reported. (The Straits Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
    - Austria begins administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran to its citizens. An 84-year-old woman becomes the first Austrian to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Medical University of Vienna. (ORF)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The Czech Republic begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran, with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and World War II veteran Emilie Řepíková among the first people to get vaccinated. (Expats.cz)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Greece officially begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19, with ICU nurse Efstathia Kambissiouli, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis among the first people to get vaccinated. (The National Herald)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Norway, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Norway reports its first cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, after two people who travelled from the United Kingdom earlier in December test positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Portugal reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in Madeira. (PUBLICO)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
    - Romania begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran. The first person vaccinated is a 26-year-old doctor from Bucharest. (Digi24)
  - The European Union begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (NBC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
    - Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão tests positive for COVID-19. (Diário do Nordeste)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay
    - Uruguay reported a record of 11 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 158. (El País)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
  - South Africa surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first African country to reach this milestone. (Voice of America)

Law and crime

Kaiyuan stabbing attack
- Seven people are killed and seven others injured in a mass stabbing in Kaiyuan, Liaoning, China. The attacker has been arrested. (BBC)
2020 Nashville bombing
- Authorities officially identify the perpetrator of Friday's suicide bombing in Nashville, Tennessee, as 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner and conclude that he had been acting alone. (The Tennessean)

Politics and elections

2020 Nigerien general election
- Citizens in Niger head to the polls to elect their President in their first democratic power transfer since the country's independence from France. The election comes amidst a growing Islamist insurgency as Mohamed Bazoum is the favourite to succeed incumbent Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down after serving two five-year terms. (DW)
2020 Central African general election
- Elections in the Central African Republic are underway, after a campaign marred by violence between government and rebel forces. (BBC)

Science and technology

The Solar Orbiter spacecraft makes its closest approach to Venus. (Space.com)

December 26, 2020 (Saturday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- The Israeli military (IDF) carries out several airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, in response to overnight rocket attacks in Israel. IDF says it targeted a rocket manufacturing site, underground infrastructure and a military post. Two minor injuries are reported. The attacks caused power outages in the eastern part of the strip. Hamas claims the strikes damaged a children's hospital, a centre for disabled people, and damaged the windows of several residential buildings. IDF claims that the damage was due to detonations of ground munitions. (Al Jazeera) (The Times of Israel)
Kashmir conflict
- India arrests 75 Kashmiri political leaders and activists for "preventive custody" due to recent violence following local elections. (Al Jazeera)

Disasters and accidents

Twelve climbers die during avalanches and blizzards on mountains north of Tehran, Iran. Fourteen others went missing but are rescued alive. (The Guardian)
A fire inside an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Obour, Egypt, kills seven people and injures five others. (ABC News)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - COVID-19 vaccine
      - Spain receives its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine tozinameran in Guadalajara, a day before the country begins its vaccination programme. (Euro Weekly News)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - Madrid reports the nation's first four cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Guardian)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
      - Northern Ireland enters a six-week lockdown in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections. All "non-essential" shops and businesses will be closed, while "essential" shops must close each day by 20:00 GMT during the first week of the lockdown. No gatherings will be allowed between 20:00 and 6:00 each day, and anyone travelling to Northern Ireland must self-isolate for at least 10 days. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus, 2020 Belarusian protests
    - Two men jailed for protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko say they tested positive for COVID-19, after developing symptoms in jail and not receiving treatment. (AP)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - The German state of Saxony-Anhalt begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which also began nationwide. A 101-year-old woman in a nursing home become one of first people in the country to get vaccinated. (DW)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
    - Hungary begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Tozinameran. The first vaccinations are being delivered at two hospitals in Budapest. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia surpasses three million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fourth country to do so after the United States, India, and Brazil. (Arab News) (Mint)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Sweden reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 after a traveller from the United Kingdom tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - Ontario reports its first two cases of a new SARS-COV-2 variant in a couple from Durham Region with no known travel history, exposure, or high-risk contacts. Ontario is the first province in Canada to identify a case of this new variant. (CBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues guidelines stating that people with underlying health conditions can receive the vaccine. (The Hill)
    - One out of every 1,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to a comparison of census and death toll estimates. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - Tokyo reports a record 949 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the prefecture to 55,851. (The Japan Times)
    - The Japanese Foreign Ministry will ban non-resident foreign nationals from entering Japan from December 28 until the end of January after several cases of a more infectious variant of SARS-CoV-2 were reported in the country. Japanese citizens and foreign residents will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days when they enter the country. (CNN)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 6,389 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 576,693. (detikNews)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran extends a nighttime traffic curfew that runs from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time to 330 lower-risk "yellow" cities in an effort to sustain a recent decrease in the numbers of new cases and deaths. (Hindustan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia reports a record 2,335 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 103,900. (CNA)

Law and crime

2020 Nashville bombing
- Federal investigators identify a person of interest in yesterday's bombing in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and join local police in raiding his home. (AP)
- Authorities announce that they suspect the incident was a suicide bombing, following the discovery of human remains at the blast site. (CNN)
Crime in Germany
- Four men are seriously injured in a mass shooting in Kreuzberg, Berlin. The city's attorney said that rival gangs may have been responsible for the shooting. (BBC)
Crime in China
- China lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old for "abominable" crimes such as murder or causing injury that leads to death or severe disabilities by extremely cruel means. The measure was passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee. (Al Arabiya)
Don Carter Lanes shooting
- Three people are killed, and three others are injured, during a mass shooting at a bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois. Police believe the suspect, in custody, identified as a soldier from Florida, randomly selected his victims. (Al Jazeera)

Politics and elections

2021 Ethiopian general election
- The government sets June 5 as the date for the 2021 parliamentary elections. The elections were delayed to 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the delay being a cause of the ongoing Tigray conflict. (Reuters)

Sports

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, 2020 NFL season
- The Cleveland Browns announce that they will close their facility and delay their flight to New Jersey for an upcoming matchup with the New York Jets after a player on the team tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)

December 25, 2020 (Friday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Central African Republic Civil War
- Three United Nations peacekeepers from Burundi are killed and two others injured in the Central African Republic during two attacks by unknown gunmen. The shootings are carried out two days before the general election in the country. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

A boat overturns and sinks due to strong winds on the Ugandan side of Lake Albert, killing 26 people. (BBC)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
    - The authorities extends the compulsory quarantine in designed hotels to 21 days for visitors from outside China, Macau, and Taiwan beginning tomorrow and also ban all people who stayed in South Africa over the past 21 days from entering Hong Kong in order to prevent the spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 258 deaths and 6,324 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide totals to 20,847 deaths and 570,304 recoveries. (CNN Indonesia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - Japan reports their first cases of the new variant of SARS-COV-2 in five people who arrived from the United Kingdom. (The Japan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan
    - Kyrgyzstan surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (Xinhua News Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Lebanon reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a passenger on a Middle East Airlines flight from London on December 21. (The National)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives a COVID-19 vaccine. (The Hill)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
    - South Korea reports a record 1,241 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 54,770 cases. (Yonhap News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - France reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a French citizen who travelled from London to Tours, France on December 19. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan confirms that the Republic has detected the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom as the country reports more than 1,000 for the first time in two months. (Independent.ie)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Variant of Concern 202012/01
    - Rospotrebnadzor orders a 14-day quarantine for anyone who travels from the United Kingdom, with the exception of aircraft crew members, beginning tomorrow due to the spread of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Moscow Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
    - Turkey signs a deal with BioNTech to receive up to 30 million doses of their vaccine. (Daily Sabah)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The United Kingdom exceeds 70,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Independent) (BBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Mali, COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cissé dies from COVID-19 in France two months after he was released by jihadist militants in a prisoner swap. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Morocco is expected to acquire 65 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. (ABC News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
    - South Africa reports a record 14,796 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 983,359 cases. (The Citizens)

Law and crime

2020 Nashville bombing
- An explosion occurs in a recreational vehicle in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., causing structural damage and injuring three people. Police believe the explosion was an "intentional act". (CNN) (The Tennessean)
- The explosion also results in AT&T service outages across the U.S. due to infrastructure damage to a service facility located near the blast site. Cellular, wireline telephone, Internet, and U-verse television service, as well as multiple local 9-1-1 and non-emergency phone networks, are among the services affected. (WKRN-TV) (The Tennessean)
2018 Puebla helicopter crash
- Four people are arrested for a helicopter crash in Puebla, Mexico, that killed Governor Martha Érika Alonso, her husband, and former Governor Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas. (ABC News)
A court in Russia sentences prominent historian Oleg Sokolov to 12 and a half years in prison for the murder and dismemberment of his student lover. Sokolov, a former history professor at St. Petersburg State University, pled guilty to the murder. (Reuters)

Sports

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
- Greg Norman, Australian former world number one champion of the 1986 and 1993 Open Championships, tests positive for COVID-19 and is hospitalized in the United States due to having symptoms. (BBC)

December 24, 2020 (Thursday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Metekel conflict
- Metekel massacre
  - The Ethiopian National Defense Force clashes with armed bandits involved in yesterday's massacre, killing 42 of them and seizing weapons. (Al Arabiya English)
Boko Haram insurgency
- Pemi attack
  - Boko Haram jihadists storm Pemi, a Christian village in Borno State, Nigeria, shooting people and burning down a church and a hospital, killing at least 11 civilians. A priest is kidnapped. (BBC)
Insurgency in the Maghreb
- Niger says seven troops and 11 Islamist militants have been killed in clashes in Tillabéri, ahead of Sunday's general election. (Arab News)
War in Afghanistan
- December 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - Gunmen on a motorbike shoot dead a women’s rights activist and her brother near their home in Kohistan, Afghanistan. (Al Jazeera)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, CARES Act
- Republicans in the House block an attempt by Democrats, empowered by a veto threat from President Donald Trump if not amended, to pass a $2,000 relief bill for Americans. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces that the House will still hold a vote on the bill on Monday. (CNBC) (NBC News)

Disasters and accidents

European migrant crisis
- At least 20 African migrants die when their boat sinks off the coast of Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The coast guard confirmed they had rescued people and were searching for others who were on the boat, which was carrying a total of 45 people. (Reuters)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, VOC-202012/01
      - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces that American passengers traveling from the United Kingdom will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The order is expected to take effect on December 28. (MarketWatch)
      - United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will require passengers from the United Kingdom to test negative for COVID-19 due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Reuters)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in California
      - California surpasses two million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first U.S. state to do so. (CBS News)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Arkansas
      - Arkansas reports 3,204 new cases on Christmas Eve, a new single-day record. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Mexico begins vaccinations with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. An intensive care unit nurse in Mexico City becomes the first person in the country to receive the vaccine. (The Washington Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
      - Ontario reports 2,447 cases on Christmas Eve, a new single-day record. (The Chronicle-Journal)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
      - Quebec reports 2,349 cases over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (Montreal Gazette)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - Tokyo reports a record 888 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the prefecture to 54,018. (NHK World)
    - Nationwide, a record 3,743 new cases are reported in Japan in the past 24 hours. (The Japan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, VOC-202012/01, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    - China says it will suspend all direct flights to and from the United Kingdom indefinitely due to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (CNA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, VOC-202012/01
    - Indonesia issues a ban on travellers from the United Kingdom and restricts entry to people from mainland Europe and Australia to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 Task Force Chief Doni Monardo says that these measures will remain in place until January 8. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Israel
    - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Health Ministry announce that a third nationwide lockdown will begin from December 27 at 5:00 p.m. local time for at least two weeks in order to curb the resurgence of COVID-19. (The Times of Israel)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany reports the first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom after a woman who flew from London to Frankfurt this weekend tested positive for COVID-19. (DW)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (ANSA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports a record 29,935 new cases and 635 deaths in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the nationwide totals to 2,963,688 confirmed cases and 53,096 deaths. (Arab News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Serbia officially begins its vaccination programme against COVID-19, with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić becoming the first person to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Turkey announces that CoronaVac is 91.25% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on data in interim studies. These initial results follow Phase III trials that involved 7,371 volunteers. (Daily Sabah)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Kyiv Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Over 300,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine arrive in Argentina. (Livemint)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Chile begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 after the arrival of 10,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the country. (Prensa Latina)

International relations

European Union–United Kingdom relations, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU
- The United Kingdom and the European Union agree on a post-Brexit trade deal. (BBC)

Law and crime

In Pakistan, the Sindh High Court orders the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, initially sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in Karachi in 2002. The government opposes his release on the basis of public safety; both the government and Pearl's family will appeal the decision. (Al Jazeera)
A 37-year-old man is charged with murder and hate crimes in Los Angeles, California, U.S., after killing a 82-year-old man in a hospital room for praying. Both men were in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. (BBC)
The President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, pardons four journalists jailed since 2019 for offences related to "undermining state security" following a petition by human rights groups and the journalists themselves. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

2020 Moldovan presidential election
- Maia Sandu is sworn in as the first female President of Moldova. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

December 23, 2020 (Wednesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Central African Republic Civil War
- A coalition of rebel groups briefly seize the city of Bambari from the Central African Republic government and United Nations before being driven off in a UN counter-offensive. (France 24)
War in Afghanistan
- December 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - Yousuf Rasheed, CEO of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan, is killed by unknown gunmen in Kabul. His driver is also shot and later died of his wounds. It is the latest targeted killing of a prominent Afghan figure. (TOLO News)
Metekel conflict
- Metekel massacre
  - More than 100 people are killed and at least 30 others wounded in a massacre in Metekel, Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. (BBC)

Business and economy

Shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- Lufthansa ships 80 tonnes of fresh food to the United Kingdom to prevent shortages amid fears that the lifting of the French blockade of the France–UK border will not prevent shortages in some supermarkets. The airline says "additional special cargo flights" are planned to meet demand. Thousands of trucks remain outside of Dover. (The Guardian)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
      - COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, VOC-202012/01
        Mayor Bill de Blasio orders people traveling from the United Kingdom to quarantine or face fines due to the discovery of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (CBS News)
      - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 1 million Americans have received the vaccines. (Politico)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - Health Canada approves the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and expects that up to 168,000 doses will arrive in Canada by the end of the year. (CBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in India
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka, VOC-202012/01
      - Karnataka imposes a night curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. IST until January 2 due to fears of a mutant version of SARS-CoV-2 that was found in the United Kingdom. It becomes the second Indian state to do so after Maharashtra. (NDTV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - The number of recovered patients in Indonesia increases by a record 5,981 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recovered patients to 558,703. (detikNews)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, VOC-202012/01
    - Japan bans the entry of non-Japanese citizens from the United Kingdom beginning tomorrow, following the emergence of a more infectious strain of SARS-CoV-2. (The Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia discovers a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 named A701B in Sabah. It has been deemed to be more infectious. (The Star)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, VOC-202012/01
    - President Rodrigo Duterte approves the suspension of flights from the Philippines to the United Kingdom from tomorrow at 12:01 a.m. local time until December 31 due to concerns about the new strain of SARS-CoV-2. (ABS-CBN News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar
    - Qatar begins administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Tozinameran to its citizens at designated health centers in the country. Those aged over 70, adults with chronic health conditions and healthcare personnel are to be prioritised for the vaccine. (The Peninsula Qatar)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, VOC-202012/01
    - Singapore reports the first case of a mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom when 17-year-old girl who had studied in the United Kingdom tested positive for COVID-19. (The Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, VOC-202012/01
    - South Korea suspends flights to and from the United Kingdom until December 31 over concerns about the new strain of SARS-CoV-2. (KBS World)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The United Kingdom reports a record 39,237 new cases in the past 24 hours. In addition, the country also reports 744 deaths, the highest single-day total since April 29. (ITV)
    - Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces a ban on travel from South Africa due to the discovery of a mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. (Business Standard)
    - Hancock also announces that more locations in England will be placed in Tier 4 restrictions beginning on Boxing Day, including Oxfordshire, West Sussex, and the remainder of East Sussex. (The Guardian)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The government announces that the Czech Republic will be moving to the highest level of PES measures beginning on December 27. This means that all non-essential shops will be closed and a curfew between 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time on Sunday will be enforced. There will also be no exceptions on New Year's Eve. (Expats.cz)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany reports a record 962 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide death toll to 27,968. (dpa International)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy surpasses 70,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Huffington Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland
    - Switzerland begins a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Tozinameran. A ninety-year-old woman in Lucerne is the first Swiss citizen to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)

International relations

Belarus–United States relations, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests
- The Trump administration imposes additional sanctions against Belarusian officials and four offices for human rights abuses that occurred during protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (The Hill)

Law and crime

2020 Saint-Just shooting
- Three police officers are killed and a fourth wounded after they responded to a domestic violence incident in Saint-Just, Puy-de-Dôme, France. The gunman, who set his house on fire, is later found dead. The gunman's partner was rescued. (BBC)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Stranded lorry drivers clash with police in Kent, England, amid frustrations over ongoing delays at the border with France. At least one person has been arrested for obstructing a highway, according to the police. (The Guardian)

Politics and elections

Elections in Israel
- Parliament is dissolved as the deadline to approve the 2020 state budget expires without an agreement, requiring elections within 90 days, for the fourth time in less than two years. (The Times of Israel)
Presidency of Donald Trump
- U.S. President Donald Trump pardons former presidential campaign manager Paul Manafort, former adviser Roger Stone, and real estate developer Charles Kushner. Manafort was convicted of tax fraud and obstructing an investigation; Stone of lying to Congress; Kushner of tax evasion, campaign finance offences and witness tampering. (BBC)
Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu announces that he will resign ahead of President-elect Maia Sandu's inauguration. (Al Jazeera)

Science and technology

A ~8 metres (26 ft) asteroid falls over Nangqên, in western China on the Qinghai-Tibet border. This was the largest asteroid to hit Earth since the Kamchatka meteor in 2018, and the largest to fall over land since the Chelyabinsk meteor in 2013. (Daily Mail) (JPL Center for NEO Studies)

December 22, 2020 (Tuesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- December 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - Four prison doctors are killed after a magnetic bomb attached to their vehicle exploded in Kabul. A civilian passerby also died in the attack. The bombing follows a series of recent assassination attempts and targeted killings of prominent Afghan figures. (Channel News Asia)
War in Darfur
- The United Nations Security Council votes to end the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur on December 31, beginning a complete withdrawal of peacekeeping forces by June 30, 2021. (Middle East Monitor)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, CARES Act
- President Donald Trump says that he might not sign the $900 billion relief bill, which was passed by both the House and Senate. He also calls for Congress to amend the bill and increase stimulus checks to Americans earning under $75,000 per year from $600 to $2,000. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi agrees to work with Congress to increase the payout amount. (The Washington Post) (BBC) (WFLA-TV)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, VOC-202012/01
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Guatemala
      - Guatemala announces a mandatory two-week quarantine for anyone who has recently visited the United Kingdom or South Africa in an effort to prevent the spread of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The restrictions will last for two months. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland
      - NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci receives the Moderna vaccine at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. (ABC News)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi
      - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announces that he has extended the mask mandate to 78 counties in the state. (AP)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state), VOC-202012/01
      - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo orders hospitals in the state to begin testing for the new SARS-CoV-2 variant from the United Kingdom. (WNBC)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
      - White House Coronavirus Task Force director Deborah Birx says that she will retire after President-elect Joe Biden's transition is completed. (NPR)
    - Overall deaths in the U.S. for this year are projected to surpass three million mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus making 2020 the deadliest year in U.S. history. The numbers also represent an approximate 15 percent increase compared to the previous year, which is the largest single-year percentage increase since 1918. (AP)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
      - Quebec reports 2,183 cases, a new-single day record. (The Globe and Mail)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 vaccine
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq
      - Iraq signs a preliminary deal to receive 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Tozinameran. Ministry of Health spokesman Seif al-Badr says troops and the elderly will be prioritized for vaccinations. (France 24)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      - Malaysia signs a deal to receive 6.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Star)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in United Arab Emirates
      - The United Arab Emirates announces that they will roll out the Sinopharm vaccine to all adult UAE citizens. (Financial Times)
      - Abu Dhabi is expected to lift restrictions in the city beginning December 24. (Al Arabiya)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, VOC-202012/01
    - Singapore bans all long-term passport holders and short-term visitors who had travel history to the United Kingdom within the last 14 days to enter the country beginning tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. local time due to the emergence of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2. (The Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
    - Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that the country will ban gatherings of more than five people and order all ski resorts and tourist attractions to close from December 24 until January 3 in order to contain the third wave of COVID-19. (Al Jazeera)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, VOC-202012/01
    - Sri Lanka's Civil Aviation Authority bans all flights to and from the United Kingdom beginning on December 23 to prevent a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 from spreading to the country. (Adaderana)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
    - Taiwan reports their first locally transmitted case since April 12 after an unidentified patient tested positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France, VOC-202012/01
    - France agrees to reopen its border with the United Kingdom after it was closed for 48 hours due to the spread of a new variant of the virus in England. Planes, boats, and Eurostar trains will resume services tomorrow but only British, French, and EU citizens or residents who show a negative COVID-19 test result from the previous 72 hours will be allowed to travel until January 6. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
    - Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces a return of "Level 5" lockdown in the country with specific adjustments from Christmas Eve until at least January 12. (The Journal)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia
    - Finance Minister Eduard Heger tests positive for COVID-19. (TV Noviny)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The United Kingdom reports a record 36,804 new cases in the past 24 hours. In addition, the country also reports 691 new deaths, the highest daily total in nearly a month. (Sky News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Peru
  - Peru surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fifth Latin American country to surpass the milestone after Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. (AP)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji, VOC-202012/01
  - Fiji announces it will close its borders from Thursday until next Monday to review border quarantine processes after a new variant of the virus was found in the United Kingdom. (RNZ)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi
  - Malawi closes its borders for 14 days and restricts public gatherings to no more than 100 people due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. (Malawi 24)

International relations

Israel–Morocco relations
- Israel–Morocco normalization agreement
  - El Al operates the first direct commercial flight between Israel and Morocco following the normalization agreement between the two countries on December 10. Senior Advisor to the U.S. President Jared Kushner and Israel's National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat are among the high-level officials on board the flight. (AFP via Barron's)
Colombia–Russia relations
- Migración Colombia confirms the expulsion of two Russian diplomats accused of espionage. (Reuters)
Cayman Islands–United States relations, COVID-19 pandemic in the Cayman Islands
- The appeals court of the Cayman Islands reduces the prison sentence of Georgia teenager Skylar Mack from 4 months to 2 months. Mack was arrested on November 29 for breaching quarantine rules. (CBS News)
China–South Korea relations, Russia–South Korea relations
- South Korea says it has scrambled fighter jets after four Chinese and fifteen Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says that it was notified in advance by China of a joint military exercise between China and Russia. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

Cabinet of Indonesia
- President Joko Widodo announces a year-end reshuffle of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet with the replacement of six ministers who had been in the cabinet since October 2019, including two ministers who were arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission due to separate bribery cases. (The Jakarta Post)
- Sandiaga Uno, businessman and former candidate of the 2019 presidential election, is appointed as the new Tourism and Creative Economy Minister. It is the first time in Indonesian history that all candidates who previously ran in a presidential election serve together in the same cabinet. (Jakarta Globe)
2021 Israeli legislative election
- The Knesset fails to pass legislation to avert a dispersal of the current legislative session, triggering new elections in March. (JPost)