Armed cartel members break into a prison in
Tula,
Hidalgo using vehicles,
detonating several
car bombs. Nine inmates are freed, including a local
drug lord. Two law enforcement officers are injured.
(The Guardian)
South Korea reports a record 5,123 new cases of
COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 452,530.
(CNBC)
South Korea reports its first five cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a fully vaccinated couple who travelled from
Nigeria and later tested positive, along with two of their family members and a friend.
(The Straits Times)
Zimbabwe announces a nine-hour curfew and compulsory 14-day
quarantine for anyone arriving in the country, to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, becoming the first country in southern Africa to enact such restrictions.
(VOA)
The Philippine
Department of Health announces that all adults over the age of 18 years can receive a
booster dose at least six months after receiving their second dose or a least three months after receiving their single dose.
(Rappler)
Singapore reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two fully vaccinated people, age 44 and 41, who returned from
Johannesburg.
(The Straits Times)
South Korea reports a record for the second consecutive day of 5,266 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 457,612.
(Anadolu Agency)
The
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves
GSK and Vir Biotechnology's
sotrovimab antibody treatment, after a clinical trial found that the treatment reduced the risk of hospital admission and death by 79% in vulnerable adults if administered within five days of symptoms developing.
(The Guardian)
A group of four former Serbian state security officers, including
Radomir Marković, are found guilty of the murder of
Slavko Ćuruvija. Two have been sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Marković and the remaining officer will serve a 30-year sentence.
(Balkan Insight)
Militants attack a bus carrying civilians in
Mopti Region, killing the driver, before
setting it on fire and killing 31 passengers. The majority of the victims are women who were on their way to work at the local market.
(BBC News)
TaoiseachMicheál Martin announces that due to fears of the Omicron variant, from December 7 until January 9, nightclubs will be closed and restaurants and bars will only be allowed to offer table service for groups of no more than six people. Additionally, indoor services can only operate at 50% capacity and families can only have visitors from three other households.
(Sky News)
The parents of Ethan Crumbley, James and Jennifer Crumbley, accused of
terrorism and
murder in the shooting deaths and injuries at Ethan's school, are charged with
manslaughter for their role in the incident. They are caught after fleeing the police.
(CNN)
South Korea reports a record 5,352 new cases and 70 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 467,907 and the nationwide death toll to 3,809.
(Yonhap News Agency)
Zambia reports its first three cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two citizens who travelled internationally and another citizen who had no travel history.
(Khaleej Times)
Indian soldiers of the
Assam Rifles mistakenly open fire on a group of
miners returning home from work in
Nagaland, believing them to be
militants. Thirteen miners and a soldier are killed, with the soldier and seven miners being killed in a subsequent confrontation with angry locals.
(BBC News)
Senegal reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 58-year-old man who attended an international meeting in
Dakar with 300 people from different countries on November 24 and 25.
(Khaleej Times)
Italy begins to implement the
Super Green Pass, which allows a person to enter theatres, cinemas, music venues, sports events, restaurants and bars if they are
vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 within the past six months.
(BBC News)
It is announced that over 50% of India's eligible adult population is now fully vaccinated.
India is targeting 100%
COVID-19 adult vaccination by December 31.
(Khaleej Times)
Nepal reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 71-year-old Nepali national and a 66-year-old foreigner.
(The Himalayan Times)
Thailand reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 38-year-old U.S. citizen who had travelled from
Spain nearly a week ago.
(The New York Times)
Argentina reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 38-year-old fully vaccinated person who traveled from
South Africa on November 30.
(Anadolu Agency)
In
Madagascar, twenty people, including two
French nationals, are charged with crimes including criminal conspiracy, criminal association, rebellion against the president and possession of illegal weapons, for allegedly plotting to kill
presidentAndry Rajoelina.
(Reuters)
The
United States announces a formal diplomatic
boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in
Beijing,
China. The
White House says that no official delegation will be sent to the Games due to concerns regarding China's human rights record.
(BBC Sport)
Norway restricts the number of visitors in private homes to 10 people and reduces the hours that bars and restaurants can serve alcohol until midnight due to an increase in the number of
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
(The Irish Times)
The
Spanish Public Health Commission approves the usage of the
Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. Vaccination rollout for this age group will begin on December 15.
(El Pais)
Uganda reports its first seven cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in travellers from four countries.
(Anadolu Agency)
A trial of a plant-based COVID-19 vaccine conducted by
GSK and
Medicago shows an overall 71% efficacy against disease caused by the predominant
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern observed during most of 2021, and 75% efficacy specifically against disease caused by
Delta. The study excludes the
Omicron variant, which was not in circulation at the time of the clinical trials.
(The Hill)(GSK)
South Korea reports a record 7,175 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 489,484.
(The Japan Times)
British Prime MinisterBoris Johnson announces new "Plan B" restrictions that include working from home for those who can beginning on December 13, and an extension of mandatory
face mask wearing to more indoor venues beginning on December 10. The restrictions also include usage of the mandatory NHS COVID pass in order to enter nightclubs and other venues with large crowds, as well as daily tests for people who had contact with a person who tested positive for the Omicron variant.
(Sky News)
The
Danishgovernment announces that schoolchildren will be sent home early from December 15 and nightlife establishments will close on December 10 due to persistently high number of COVID-19 cases.
(Daily Sabah)
Romania lifts its nighttime curfew and mandatory
outdoor face mask policy, allows shops and restaurants to close at 10 p.m. and allows entry to non-essential venues for those with a negative
COVID-19 test as the number of cases declines.
(Reuters)
Hong Kong mandates usage of its COVID-19 tracing
app for all adults under the age of 65. The app logs a person's presence at 18 types of premises, including bars and restaurants, and enables tracing of infections if an outbreak is reported.
(CNA)
Singapore reports its first locally transmitted case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 24-year-old airport employee with no recent travel history.
(Reuters)
The
government announces plans to make COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for the general population, setting a minimum age of 14 years and requiring unvaccinated persons to pay fines of up to 3,600
euros every three months. The rules will be in effect from February 1 until January 2024.
(Reuters)
The
World Health Organization recommends that people who are
immunocompromised or received an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine should get their COVID-19 booster dose due to reducement of vaccine effectiveness against virus variants.
(The Hill)
The
government announces that it will begin increasing the legal age by one year for purchasing
tobacco every year beginning in 2025, effectively preventing future generations from legally purchasing tobacco products. The plan also involves decreasing the
nicotine content of tobacco, limiting licenses for the
sale of tobacco, and increasing funding for anti-addiction services.
Electronic cigarettes, which are more popular among
younger generations in New Zealand, will not be subject to the ban.
(The Guardian)
Laos reports a record 1,645 new cases of
COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 86,148.
(The Laotian Times)
The
Bundestag and
Bundesrat approve a revised Infectious Disease Protection Act that would require healthcare workers and other health professionals to be
vaccinated or to have recovered from
COVID-19. The new legislation also requires the closure of bars, restaurants and theatres in high-risk areas, as well as the suspension of cultural and sporting events in those areas.
(Deutsche Welle)
The
London High Court accepts an appeal from the
U.S. government to
extraditeWikiLeaks founder
Julian Assange to the United States. The judge cited that certain conditions have been met for his decision. However, the extradition will not take place immediately as Assange has a right to appeal the decision. Assange's fiancée says that they will appeal the decision "at the earliest possible moment".
(CNBC)
The
Gulf Cooperation Council calls for
Iran to take action to salvage the nuclear deal and proposes to take part in the talks as a regional power.
(Reuters)
The death toll from the
tornado outbreak in
Kentucky, United States, increases to 70 and will likely continue to increase as more bodies are counted, according to a statement from
GovernorAndy Beshear.
(AP)
Malta reimposes one of the
EU's strictest
mask mandates that requires people to wear masks outdoors, with fines of
€50 to
€100 for failure to comply.
(Times of Malta)
At midnight, terrestrial transport between
Argentina and
Uruguay reopens as buses resume service to
border crossings between the two countries. Both countries require a proof of
vaccination or a negative
COVID-19 test in order to board the buses and enter both countries.
(Misiones Cuatro)
A court in
Beninsentences opposition leader
Reckya Madougou to 20 years in prison after finding her guilty of "financing
terrorism". The case has been highly controversial, with a judge in the case fleeing to
France and denouncing the case as "entirely politically motivated".
(The Washington Post)
Three
Hamas members are killed and six more injured during a dispute with
Fatah gunmen in
Tyre,
Lebanon, at the funeral of a Hamas member killed two days ago during an accidental explosion at the
Burj el-Shemali camp.
(Al Jazeera)
Austria ends its nationwide
lockdown for people who are
vaccinated or who have recovered from
COVID-19 as the number of new cases decreases. There will now be an 11 p.m. curfew for restaurants and people must use an
FFP2 mask on public transport and in indoor spaces.
(Euronews)
Citizens in
New Caledonia vote against independence and choose to remain part of
France. Pro-independence parties boycotted the
referendum in order to protest the alleged lack of time to campaign.
(RNZ)
One-hundred and six members of a
Ukrainian "
neo-Nazi" youth group are arrested in
Russia, suspected of planning attacks, including
mass murders.
Russia has accused Ukrainian intelligence of financially funding the group. Ukraine alleges that the arrests and subsequent Russian media reporting are staged as part of Russian intelligence measures.
(Reuters)
A vehicle carrying migrants crashes while trying to avoid a police check in
Mórahalom,
Hungary, killing seven people and injuring four more. The
Serbian driver has been arrested.
(BBC News)
Cyprus announces the approval of the
COVID-19 vaccine administered for children ages 5 to 11 years and also allowing adults to receive
booster dose two weeks sooner than six months after their second dose in order to curb the rise of COVID-19 cases following the first case of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(AP)
The
Norwegian government announces that
alcohol sales at bars and restaurants will be banned and stricter rules will be implemented at schools due to the spread of the Omicron variant. The government also announces that the COVID-19 vaccine
booster dose interval has been reduced to 4.5 months and that the military will assist with the booster dose campaign.
(The Local Norway)
Caretaker
Prime MinisterMark Rutte announces that
primary schools will be closed on December 20 and that existing restrictions requiring bars, restaurants, and non-essential shops to close at 5 p.m. have been extended until January 14 due to concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Barron's)
The final results of a trial of
Paxlovid conducted by
Pfizer shows 89% cut of risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk patients and is likely to work against the Omicron variant.
(Financial Times)
France begins to require people aged above 65 years to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
booster dose or lose their Health Pass validity status unless they show proof of a
negative test in the previous 24 hours. The requirement will be extended to all age groups from January 15.
(France 24)
Slovenia reports its first cases of the Omicron variant in four samples from people in the
Ljubljana region who tested positive between November 29 and December 6.
(See News)
The
NHS COVID pass begins to be implemented in
England as a precondition in order to enter nightclubs, indoor events with more than 500 people, outdoor events with more than 4,000 people, and all events with more than 10,000 people as part of "Plan B" measures that are intended to reduce the spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(ITV News)
The
United Kingdom reports a record 78,610 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(BBC News)
The
Philippines reports its first two imported cases of the Omicron variant in an
overseas Filipino who travelled from
Japan on December 1 and a Nigerian national who arrived in the country on November 30.
(Rappler)
South Korea reports a record 7,850 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 536,495.
(Yonhap News Agency)
The number of people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in
New Zealand surpasses 90%.
(Stuff)
Auckland reopens its domestic borders to travellers who are vaccinated or who have
tested negative in the previous 72 hours after closing its borders for four months due to an outbreak of the
Delta variant.
(RNZ)
Australia reopens its borders to
vaccinated skilled migrants and foreign students without an exemption, after a closure of more than 18 months due to the pandemic, despite the worldwide spread of the Omicron variant.
(ABC News Australia)
Rwanda reports its first six cases of the Omicron variant in a group of travellers and their contacts, prompting the
government to close all nightclubs and extend the quarantine for international travellers to three days.
(MedicalXpress)
One person is killed, eleven others are injured and more people are unaccounted for after an arson attack at a four-storey block of flats in
Reading,
England. A suspect has been arrested.
(BBC News)
A court in
Hanoi,
Vietnam, sentences two
Facebook users to lengthy jail sentences for "conducting propaganda against the state". One man was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of
house arrest while another man was given a six-year prison term and three years of house arrest.
(Reuters)
Thousands of people are
evacuated from their homes in central and southern
Philippines as Typhoon Rai, described as one of the strongest storms of the year, begins to make landfall in mid-eastern parts of the country, with warnings of very destructive
typhoon-force winds.
(Al Jazeera)
The
Malaysiangovernment announces that due to the threat of the Omicron variant, there will be a ban on all large-scale
Christmas and
New Year's Eve celebrations. The government will also require people over the age of 60 as well as adults who received the
SinovacCoronavac vaccine to receive a booster dose before February in order to maintain their full
vaccination status.
(Malay Mail)
The
Palestinian Authority reports its first cases of the Omicron variant in three people from different cities in the
West Bank who travelled abroad.
(AP)
The
Danish Health Authority approves the usage of the
Molnupiravir antiviral pill developed by
Merck & Co. for at-risk patients with symptoms, becoming the first
EU country to authorize the usage of this drug.
(NDTV)
Denmark reports a record 9,999 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(CPH Post)
Italy imposes mandatory
COVID-19 testing for all travellers from European Union countries and mandates a five-day
quarantine on arrival for those who are unvaccinated due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant in Europe.
(Bloomberg)
Poland reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a 30-year-old
Mosotho woman who is currently in isolation in a hospital in the city of
Katowice.
(The First News)
Malawi announces that public service workers,
healthcare workers and journalists will be required to be
vaccinated against COVID-19 beginning on December 20 amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections.
(Reuters)
The
WHO issues interim recommendations for mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccine for second and booster shot, where
mRNA-based vaccines can be used as subsequent doses after initial doses of the
Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and vice versa, while these vaccines can be used after initial doses of
Sinopharm's
inactived vaccine.
(Reuters)
The
Turkish lira plunges to an all-time low of 17.0705 to the
U.S. dollar, triggering a direct
central bank intervention in the
stock market. The lira has lost 55% of its value this year, including 37% in just the last 30 days.
PresidentRecep Erdoğan announces a 50% rise in the minimum wage from next year.
(Reuters)
Russia demands that
NATO end all military activity in
Eastern Europe and never admit
Ukraine as a member of the military alliance, saying that it wants a legally binding guarantee to end further eastward NATO expansion. Other demands include a Russian veto on Ukrainian membership in NATO, the removal of U.S.
nuclear weapons from Europe, and the withdrawal of multinational NATO battalions from
Poland and the
Baltics.
(Reuters)
A senior
Biden regime official says that the U.S. is "prepared to discuss Russia's proposals" with its NATO allies, but says that "there are some things in those documents that the Russians know will be unacceptable."
(Axios)
Three workers are killed and three other people are injured when two
cranes collapse on a street in
Turin,
Piedmont,
Italy. A residential building is also damaged.
(BBC News)
France imposes a ban on British citizens from entering the country without compelling reasons due to the spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the
United Kingdom. French and
EU citizens returning from the UK must self-isolate for seven days unless they show a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival, which will reduce the self-isolation to 48 hours.
(France 24)
The
Mayor of LondonSadiq Khan declares a "major incident" in effort to ease pressure of hospitals amid a record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the UK caused by the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
The
Semeruvolcano in
Java,
Indonesia, erupts for the second time this month, spewing a two-kilometre-high ash column. The first eruption killed at least 46 people on December 4.
(Reuters)
A light plane crashes off
Australia's east coast of
Queensland, killing all four people on board, including two children.
(The Guardian)
A "tornado-like" severe weather event impacts
Sydney's
Northern Beaches on Australia's east coast, downing trees and cutting power to thousands of residents. One woman is killed and two women are in a critical condition in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital after a "large" pine tree fell in
Narrabeen.
(ABC News)
The
Netherlands imposes strict
lockdown measures that restrict visitors to two people, closes all non-essential shops, bars, and restaurants until January 14, and closes schools until January 9, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(The Hill)
Ireland introduces an 8:00 p.m. closure time for bars and restaurants, restricts the capacity of most indoor and outdoor events to 50%, and allows a maximum of 100 guests for weddings in order to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Medical Xpress)
Peru reports its first four cases of the Omicron variant in one person who travelled from
South Africa and another three who had no travel history.
(Reuters)
Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrate against the
October 2021 Sudanese coup d'état, leading to government forces spraying protesters with
tear gas in an attempt to halt the demonstrations, one of the largest in Sudan's history.
(CBC News)
Kuwait will require incoming travellers who fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 more than nine months ago to receive
booster dose beginning from January 2 and also requires them to self-isolate for 10 days unless they received a negative
PCRtest within 72 hours of their arrival beginning from December 26.
(Al Arabiya)(Times of Oman)
Germany bans all travel from the
United Kingdom and imposes a mandatory 14-day
quarantine and proof of a negative
PCR test from the previous 48 hours for German residents and citizens returning from the UK, amid the spread of the Omicron variant in Britain.
(Euronews)
Quebec closes all bars, gyms, spas, cinemas, and concert halls as well as suspends in-person learning and mandates
remote working after the province reported a record 4,857 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(Global News)
The United States reports its first confirmed death related to the Omicron variant in an unvaccinated man in his 50s in
Harris County, Texas who had underlying health issues.
(U.S. News and World Report)
Colombia reports its first case of the Omicron variant in two Colombia people who travelled from the United States and a U.S. citizen who travelled from Spain.
(Reuters)
Poland and
Lithuania join
Ukraine in calling for stronger Western
sanctions on
Russia, with Polish President
Andrzej Duda saying that "everything must be done" to prevent a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, and that he was "absolutely against any policy of concessions to Russia".
(RFE/RL)
Egyptian blogger and activist
Alaa Abdel Fattah is sentenced to five years in prison by Egyptian authorities for spreading fake news. His family continues to protest the verdict.
(Al Jazeera)
Heavy
floods continue to affect eight
Malaysianstates for the third day, killing 14 people and partially submerging several towns and villages.
(BBC News)
GermanChancellorOlaf Scholz and 16
state premiers agree to tighten the restrictions beginning on December 28, including limiting the number of people in private gatherings to 10 and banning spectators at large-scale musical, sporting and cultural events due to concerns related to the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Deutsche Welle)
Prime MinisterAntónio Costa announces that nightclubs and bars will be closed and all people will work from home for at least two weeks beginning on December 25 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. There will also be capacity restrictions at shops and people will require a negative
COVID-19 test in order to enter events.
(Bloomberg)
The
Swedishgovernment announces that several new measures will begin on December 23, including limiting the number of people at private gatherings to 50, requiring the use of a vaccination pass for public events with a capacity of more than 500 people, and recommending
work from home where possible, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
(Reuters)
The
European Commission announces a binding proposal that will make the
EU Digital COVID Certificate only valid for travel within the
European Union for nine months without a
booster dose after a person's primary vaccination schedule in order to standardize different travel requirements in the member states. The new rules will be mandatory for all 27 EU member states beginning on February 1.
(RFI)
The
Health ministry recommends that
Israelis over the age of 60 years and healthcare workers should receive a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the world's first country to administer a fourth dose of the vaccine. The move is welcomed by
Prime MinisterNaftali Bennett.
(Sky News)
Thailand reinstates its mandatory hotel
quarantine for all incoming foreign travellers and suspends the "sandbox" program for places other than
Phuket after the country reported its first locally transmitted case of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(Rappler)
Argentina reports 9,336 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total in 4 months, thereby bringing the nationwide total of cases to 5.4 million.
(IProfesional)
New Zealand postpones a phased reopening of the border for quarantine-free travel to the end of February in order to strengthen the country's defence against the spread of the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
California GovernorGavin Newsom announces that healthcare workers will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose in order to keep their "fully vaccinated" status, becoming the second state to impose such mandate.
(NBC News)
Three inmates in Japan are
executed by
hanging, marking the first executions in the country in nearly two years. One inmate was the perpetrator of a 2004
mass stabbing in which he killed seven of his relatives.
(Euronews)
At least 64 people are confirmed dead following a boat accident off the coast of Antseraka,
Analanjirofo,
Madagascar, on Monday, with 24 others still missing.
(France 24)
Madagascar's police minister
Serge Gellé is rescued after swimming for 12 hours to shore after his helicopter crashed off the country's northern coast during the boat accident rescue operation.
PresidentAndry Rajoelina hails Gellé's survival.
(Deutsche Welle)
First ministerMark Drakeford announces new restrictions, including limiting the number of people in events to 50 people outdoors and 30 people indoors, no more than six people in a group at bars, restaurants, and cinemas, and imposing a
face mask mandate due to the spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. These measures will be in effect beginning on December 26.
(BBC News)
The
United Kingdom reports a record 106,122 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the first time that the country has reported more than 100,000 new cases in a single day.
(The Independent)
The
government announces a series of new restrictions, including closing restaurants at 10 p.m. beginning on December 27, discourage large-scale New Year's Eve celebrations, capacity restrictions of indoor and outdoor events, and imposing strict entry requirements for travellers from the UK,
Denmark,
Norway, and the
Netherlands where the Omicron variant is already dominant in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variant.
(AP)
Prime MinisterAlexander De Croo announces that, due to the spread of the Omicron variant,
water parks, cinemas, theatres and concert halls will be closed, and all indoor events and outdoor events using a tent will be banned. Additionally, shopping will only be allowed in pairs and professional and amateur sport events will be held without spectators. These measures will begin on December 26.
(The Brussels Times)
British Columbia closes all bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres, and dance studios, and bans all indoor gatherings due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
(CBC)
The
Soroka Medical Center in
Beersheba clarifies that the man thought to be
Israel's first Omicron death had actually had the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, following the final laboratory results regarding his condition.
(The Times of Israel)
Japan reports its first locally transmitted cases of the Omicron variant in three people from
Osaka Prefecture with no international travel history.
(The Japan Times)
Venezuela reports its first seven cases of the Omicron variant in a group of people who had travelled from another country, such as
Spain,
Dominican Republic,
Panama, and Turkey.
(Reuters)
Italy bans
fur farming and orders all remaining
mink farms to shut down by June 2022, while a ban on breeding animals for their fur becomes effective immediately.
(Greek Reporter)
Gunmen ambush a column of a civilian militia in
Loroum,
Burkina Faso, killing 41 people. It is one of the deadliest single-day attack against the militia.
(Reuters)
Twenty-four more people are found dead after the boat accident off the coast of
Analanjirofo,
Madagascar, three days ago, bringing the total death toll to 85.
(France 24)
The
Kuwaiti Directorate General of Civil Aviation announces that all citizens who wish to travel, but who were fully vaccinated more than nine months ago, must receive a
booster dose of the
COVID-19 vaccine beginning on January 2.
(Times of Oman)
Singapore suspends new ticket sales for the quarantine-free Vaccinated Travel Lane until January 20 in an attempt to reduce the number of imported cases of the Omicron variant.
(CNBC)
The
Italiangovernment announces a ban of
New Year's Eve celebrations as well as all mass gatherings and closes nightclubs and bars until the end of January. The government also agree to reintroduce
mandatory mask wearing outdoors and will reduce the validity of vaccine certificate to six months beginning from February 1.
(MedicalXpress)
Malta reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, prompting the health ministry to ban all standing events except for weddings and funerals beginning on December 17 and restrict entry to the hospitality sector and sporting events to only those with a valid
vaccine certificate. A 1 a.m. curfew will also be imposed for all businesses beginning on January 17.
(Times of Malta)
Ecuador's Minister of Public Health announces that the COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for all citizens over the age of 5 years unless they have a medical exemption due to the spread of
SARS-CoV-2 variants and an increase in the number of new cases.
(BBC News)
New South Wales reports a record 5,715 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant becoming the dominant strain in the state. The
NSW Government reintroduces mask-wearing in indoor settings, despite the state having a 93.5% vaccination rate.
(ABC News Australia)
Australia reports a record 8,697 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, surpassing the previous record set on December 22.
(ABC News Australia)
While responding to multiple reports of a violent assault suspect at a
Los Angeles clothing store,
LAPD officers fired upon one male subject. Valentina Orellana-Peralta was sheltering with her mother and other patrons and was killed by an errant shot. Valentina and the suspect both succumbed to their injuries in the store. Several patrons were injured by the suspect prior to officers' arrival.
[1]
The
Seimas votes 89–17 with 19 abstentions to approve a law that would require
MPs to have a health pass, which shows proof of
vaccination, a negative
test result from the previous 72 hours, or that a person has recovered from COVID-19, in order to attend hearings beginning in January.
(Barron's)
At least 39 people are killed and 100 others are injured after a
ferry catches fire in
Jhalakathi.
(BBC News)
Sixteen people are dead as a boat carrying migrants overturn and sink near the island of
Paros,
Greece. Sixty-three more people are rescued.
(Al Jazeera)
Greece cancels all public
Christmas and
New Year's Eve celebrations, as well as mandates
mask wearing outdoors and requiring people to wear two masks or a high-protection mask in order to use
public transport and enter supermarkets due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(The Independent)
Italy reports a record for the second consecutive day of 50,599 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.57 million.
(Reuters)
Catalonia reimposes a curfew between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. in
municipalities where the infection rate surpasses 250 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, limits the number of people in social gatherings to 10, closes nightclubs, and restricts the capacity of the hospitality sector due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. These measures will be in effect until at least January 7.
(MedicalXpress)
The
South AfricanHealth Department suspends COVID-19 contact tracing and quarantine for people with asymptomatic cases due to 80% of the population being vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.
(Bloomberg)
The global version of
video gamedigital distribution service
Steam is reportedly blocked in
China. The China-only version of the service, launched in February of this year, remains accessible.
(The Verge)
The scientific committee (Pevolca) of the
Canary Islands government declares that the
Cumbre Vieja volcano's eruptions on
La Palma island stopped after 10 days of inactivity. However, the authorities do not consider the emergency situation to be over.
(RTVE)
The
Israeligovernment finalizes an agreement with
Pfizer to purchase 100,000 courses of the anti-viral drug
Paxlovid for high-risk patients over the age of 12 years, with delivery expected to begin in one week.
(The Times of Israel)
France reports a record for the third consecutive day of 104,611 new cases of
COVID-19, which is also the first time that the country has reported more than 100,000 new cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
(Al Arabiya)
Italy reports a record for the third consecutive day of 54,762 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.62 million.
(Il Sole 24 Ore)
A massive
Romancastrum dated to the reign of
Caligula is discovered in
Velsen,
Netherlands. The site is the most northern fort found by archaeologists, and believed to be a stationing port of Caligula’s failed invasion of
Britain.
(The Guardian)
China reports 206 new cases of
COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of new cases in 21 months, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 101,077.
(The Straits Times)
Oman's Supreme Committee announces that all incoming expatriates over the age of 18 years who want to enter the country must show proof of at least two doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine as well as a negative
PCR test from the previous 72 hours. They also announce that the ban on travelers from
South Africa,
Botswana,
Zimbabwe,
Namibia,
Lesotho,
Eswatini, and
Mozambique will be lifted.
(Gulf News)
Northern Ireland imposes tightened COVID-19-related restrictions, which include closing
nightclubs and banning indoor seating at events, restricting socialization to three households, and reintroducing the rule of six at bars, restaurants, and pubs that only offer table service.
(RTÉ News and Current Affairs)
South Australia reports a record 744 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the statewide total of confirmed cases to 4,324.
(ABC News)
Algeria begins to implement
vaccine passports as a precondition for people to enter or leave the country and also for people to enter a wide range of public venues such as sports facilities, theatres and museums as part of an attempt to increase the country's low
COVID-19 vaccination rate.
(Ahram Online)
Kodiak, Alaska sets the highest temperature ever recorded in December in the state of
Alaska, reaching 19.4 °C (66.9 °F). The
Aleutian Islands and island communities in West Alaska have seen abnormally high temperatures since mid-December, including eight straight days of over 10 °C (50 °F) in
Unalaska, including 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) on
Christmas Day, the warmest Christmas temperature on record for the state. Temperature anomalies for late December reach 10–15 °C (18–27 °F) in some areas. The state also lately experiences unusually wet spells of weather.
(The Guardian)(The Weather Network)
The Indian state of
Kerala imposes a nighttime curfew from December 30 to January 2 in order to reduce the spread of the
Omicron variant.
(Khaleej Times)
The
health ministry reduces the interval between the second dose and booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to three months, citing concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant.
(The Times of Israel)
South Korea authorizes the emergency use of the anti-viral oral drug
Paxlovid manufactured by
Pfizer for high-risk patients over the age of 12 years, becoming the first drug to be approved for use in the country.
(Yonhap News Agency)
Swissmedic approves the use of the
Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for people over the age of 18 years, which can be administered two months after the first dose, or six months after a person receives mixed vaccinations with mRNA-based vaccines.
(Reuters)
Frenchprime ministerJean Castex announces that, for the next three weeks, all public gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people outdoors. Work from home will be mandated where possible, and
outdoor mask wearing will be mandatory in city centres. The interval between the second dose and the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will also be reduced to three months in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
The
Greekgovernment announces new restrictions that will be in effect from January 3 until at least January 16, which include mandatory high-protection or double
mask wearing in
supermarkets and on
public transport, closure of entertainment and hospitality venues at midnight, reinstating
work from home policies for up to 50% of employees, and reducing the capacity of sports stadiums to 10%. This comes after the country reported a record 9,284 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(Kathimerini)
Sydney's
St. Vincent's Hospital incorrectly issues premature negative COVID-19 test results to 1,395 people who had actually tested positive in the past 48 hours.
(ABC News)
South Australia reports a record 842 new cases in the past 24 hours. The state also reports their first death from COVID-19 since April 2020 in a 92-year-old woman.
(ABC News)
Massive damage at the port is reported from the air raid with most of the port on fire, although there are no immediate reports of casualties from the attack. Videos on
social media show multiple large explosions and
anti-aircraft fire over the city. A hospital, shops, and some residential buildings were also badly damaged.
(Al Jazeera)
Delhi enters Level 1 "Yellow alert" which closes cinemas, schools, colleges, and gyms, imposes a nighttime curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and restricts the capacity of public transport, restaurants, funerals and weddings, due to an increase in the number of
Omicron variant cases.
(The Times of India)
Bangladesh begins administering
booster doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 60 and frontline workers who have been fully vaccinated more than six months ago as the country attempts to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(Bdnews24.com)
China issues stay-at home orders for hundreds of thousands of people in
Yan'an due to the spread of COVID-19 cases, which also resulted in a
lockdown in
Xi'an, the country's largest lockdown since last year.
(France 24)
Cyprus reports a record for the second consecutive day of 2,241 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 154,926.
(Financial Mirror)
Greece reports a record for the second consecutive day of 21,657 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,105,885.
(Kathimerini)
Portugal reports a record 17,172 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,303,291.
(The Portugal News)
South Africa postpones a plan to end COVID-19
contact tracing and suspend some quarantine measures in order to consider additional comments about the policy after the government received many inquiries about the plan.
(Bloomberg News)
France reports a record for the second consecutive day of 208,099 new cases of
COVID-19, which is also the highest daily total recorded in any European nation since the beginning of the pandemic.
(Le Parisien)
Greece reports a record for the third consecutive day of 28,828 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,134,713.
(Greek Reporter)
Despite the number of new cases caused by the Omicron variant reaching a record 98,030 cases,
Italy completely lifts the mandatory quarantine for those who received
COVID-19 vaccinebooster shot and reduces it to five days for the vaccinated people whose most recent dose was more than 120 days before exposure.
(Bloomberg)
Malta reports a record for the second consecutive day of 1,337 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 49,625.
(The Malta Independent)
Despite the number of cases caused by the Omicron variant reaching a record high,
Spain reduces the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 and the mandatory
quarantine for people who had close contact with someone who tested positive to seven days due to staffing shortages and disruptions in some industries.
(Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Spain reports for the first time more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 in one day.
(El Periódico)
Zambia reports a record 5,255 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 243,638.
(Anadolu Agency)
Pro-democracy digital media website Stand News shuts down in
Hong Kong as police raids its offices and arrest senior executives. The senior executives are later charged with
sedition in the latest crackdown related to the national security law. The Hong Kong government says that the news site's assets have been frozen and that more arrests could occur.
(Forbes)
Greece reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 35,580 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,170,293.
(Ekathimerini)
Italy reports a record for the third consecutive day of 126,888 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.98 million.
(ANSA)
Ireland reduces the mandatory
quarantine for those who received the booster dose or completed their primary vaccination course and had COVID-19 within the previous three months, to seven days despite a record 20,554 new cases being reported.
(The Irish Times)
Portugal reports a record for the third consecutive day of 28,659 new cases of COVID-19. The country also reduces the mandatory
quarantine for asymptomatic people who test positive from COVID-19 and high-risk contacts to seven days due to concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Reuters)
Turkey begins to roll-out its domestically-developed
Turkovac inactive vaccine as part of its COVID-19 vaccination program. This comes after the
health ministry issued an emergency use authorization for the vaccine.
(Daily Sabah)
Premier of QuebecFrançois Legault announces a curfew between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on
New Year's Eve, bans private gatherings involving more than one household bubble, and closing dine-in restaurants amid the spread of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant.
(Global News)
South Africa lifts its midnight curfew, allowing alcohol sales to return to normal hours in certain premises, and also allowing gatherings of up to 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors, due to a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases.
(Business Insider South Africa)
A 16-year-old boy is stabbed to death in
Hillingdon, west
London, making him the 30th teenage homicide in the
British capital in 2021. It is now the deadliest year on record for killings of teenagers, surpassing a previous peak of 29 homicides in 2008.
(BBC News)
Six soldiers from
Niger and
Nigeria are killed and 16 others are wounded during a fight with
ISWAP militants in the
Lake Chad region of
Borno State, Nigeria. Twenty-two militants are also killed and 17 more are captured.
(Reuters)
Metro Manila moves into Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 amid an increase in the number of
COVID-19 cases and the detection of local cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The
Philippines reports its first three locally transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(CNN Philippines)
Hong Kong reports its first potential community cluster of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which are also the first locally transmitted cases reported by the city since June.
(Bloomberg)
Israel extends fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to elderly people in care facilities and begins administering fourth doses for vulnerable people, citing the high-risk of infection.
(Reuters)
Paris begins to implement mandatory
outdoor mask wearing for people over the age of 11 years. This comes as
France reports a substantial increase in new cases of the Omicron variant nationwide.
(France 24)
France reports a record 232,200 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is also the highest daily total recorded in any European nation since the beginning of the pandemic.
(Arab News)
Cyprus reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 5,048 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 166,827.
(In-Cyprus)
Greece reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 40,560 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,170,293.
(Greek Reporter)
New Zealand moves COVID-19 traffic light settings for
Auckland from red to orange, allowing bars, restaurants and cafes that enforce the
vaccine pass requirement to remove crowd size limits and requirements to sit down, despite fears of community transmission of the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
Armed cartel members break into a prison in
Tula,
Hidalgo using vehicles,
detonating several
car bombs. Nine inmates are freed, including a local
drug lord. Two law enforcement officers are injured.
(The Guardian)
South Korea reports a record 5,123 new cases of
COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 452,530.
(CNBC)
South Korea reports its first five cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a fully vaccinated couple who travelled from
Nigeria and later tested positive, along with two of their family members and a friend.
(The Straits Times)
Zimbabwe announces a nine-hour curfew and compulsory 14-day
quarantine for anyone arriving in the country, to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, becoming the first country in southern Africa to enact such restrictions.
(VOA)
The Philippine
Department of Health announces that all adults over the age of 18 years can receive a
booster dose at least six months after receiving their second dose or a least three months after receiving their single dose.
(Rappler)
Singapore reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two fully vaccinated people, age 44 and 41, who returned from
Johannesburg.
(The Straits Times)
South Korea reports a record for the second consecutive day of 5,266 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 457,612.
(Anadolu Agency)
The
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves
GSK and Vir Biotechnology's
sotrovimab antibody treatment, after a clinical trial found that the treatment reduced the risk of hospital admission and death by 79% in vulnerable adults if administered within five days of symptoms developing.
(The Guardian)
A group of four former Serbian state security officers, including
Radomir Marković, are found guilty of the murder of
Slavko Ćuruvija. Two have been sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Marković and the remaining officer will serve a 30-year sentence.
(Balkan Insight)
Militants attack a bus carrying civilians in
Mopti Region, killing the driver, before
setting it on fire and killing 31 passengers. The majority of the victims are women who were on their way to work at the local market.
(BBC News)
TaoiseachMicheál Martin announces that due to fears of the Omicron variant, from December 7 until January 9, nightclubs will be closed and restaurants and bars will only be allowed to offer table service for groups of no more than six people. Additionally, indoor services can only operate at 50% capacity and families can only have visitors from three other households.
(Sky News)
The parents of Ethan Crumbley, James and Jennifer Crumbley, accused of
terrorism and
murder in the shooting deaths and injuries at Ethan's school, are charged with
manslaughter for their role in the incident. They are caught after fleeing the police.
(CNN)
South Korea reports a record 5,352 new cases and 70 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 467,907 and the nationwide death toll to 3,809.
(Yonhap News Agency)
Zambia reports its first three cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two citizens who travelled internationally and another citizen who had no travel history.
(Khaleej Times)
Indian soldiers of the
Assam Rifles mistakenly open fire on a group of
miners returning home from work in
Nagaland, believing them to be
militants. Thirteen miners and a soldier are killed, with the soldier and seven miners being killed in a subsequent confrontation with angry locals.
(BBC News)
Senegal reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 58-year-old man who attended an international meeting in
Dakar with 300 people from different countries on November 24 and 25.
(Khaleej Times)
Italy begins to implement the
Super Green Pass, which allows a person to enter theatres, cinemas, music venues, sports events, restaurants and bars if they are
vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 within the past six months.
(BBC News)
It is announced that over 50% of India's eligible adult population is now fully vaccinated.
India is targeting 100%
COVID-19 adult vaccination by December 31.
(Khaleej Times)
Nepal reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 71-year-old Nepali national and a 66-year-old foreigner.
(The Himalayan Times)
Thailand reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 38-year-old U.S. citizen who had travelled from
Spain nearly a week ago.
(The New York Times)
Argentina reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 38-year-old fully vaccinated person who traveled from
South Africa on November 30.
(Anadolu Agency)
In
Madagascar, twenty people, including two
French nationals, are charged with crimes including criminal conspiracy, criminal association, rebellion against the president and possession of illegal weapons, for allegedly plotting to kill
presidentAndry Rajoelina.
(Reuters)
The
United States announces a formal diplomatic
boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in
Beijing,
China. The
White House says that no official delegation will be sent to the Games due to concerns regarding China's human rights record.
(BBC Sport)
Norway restricts the number of visitors in private homes to 10 people and reduces the hours that bars and restaurants can serve alcohol until midnight due to an increase in the number of
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
(The Irish Times)
The
Spanish Public Health Commission approves the usage of the
Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. Vaccination rollout for this age group will begin on December 15.
(El Pais)
Uganda reports its first seven cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in travellers from four countries.
(Anadolu Agency)
A trial of a plant-based COVID-19 vaccine conducted by
GSK and
Medicago shows an overall 71% efficacy against disease caused by the predominant
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern observed during most of 2021, and 75% efficacy specifically against disease caused by
Delta. The study excludes the
Omicron variant, which was not in circulation at the time of the clinical trials.
(The Hill)(GSK)
South Korea reports a record 7,175 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 489,484.
(The Japan Times)
British Prime MinisterBoris Johnson announces new "Plan B" restrictions that include working from home for those who can beginning on December 13, and an extension of mandatory
face mask wearing to more indoor venues beginning on December 10. The restrictions also include usage of the mandatory NHS COVID pass in order to enter nightclubs and other venues with large crowds, as well as daily tests for people who had contact with a person who tested positive for the Omicron variant.
(Sky News)
The
Danishgovernment announces that schoolchildren will be sent home early from December 15 and nightlife establishments will close on December 10 due to persistently high number of COVID-19 cases.
(Daily Sabah)
Romania lifts its nighttime curfew and mandatory
outdoor face mask policy, allows shops and restaurants to close at 10 p.m. and allows entry to non-essential venues for those with a negative
COVID-19 test as the number of cases declines.
(Reuters)
Hong Kong mandates usage of its COVID-19 tracing
app for all adults under the age of 65. The app logs a person's presence at 18 types of premises, including bars and restaurants, and enables tracing of infections if an outbreak is reported.
(CNA)
Singapore reports its first locally transmitted case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 24-year-old airport employee with no recent travel history.
(Reuters)
The
government announces plans to make COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for the general population, setting a minimum age of 14 years and requiring unvaccinated persons to pay fines of up to 3,600
euros every three months. The rules will be in effect from February 1 until January 2024.
(Reuters)
The
World Health Organization recommends that people who are
immunocompromised or received an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine should get their COVID-19 booster dose due to reducement of vaccine effectiveness against virus variants.
(The Hill)
The
government announces that it will begin increasing the legal age by one year for purchasing
tobacco every year beginning in 2025, effectively preventing future generations from legally purchasing tobacco products. The plan also involves decreasing the
nicotine content of tobacco, limiting licenses for the
sale of tobacco, and increasing funding for anti-addiction services.
Electronic cigarettes, which are more popular among
younger generations in New Zealand, will not be subject to the ban.
(The Guardian)
Laos reports a record 1,645 new cases of
COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 86,148.
(The Laotian Times)
The
Bundestag and
Bundesrat approve a revised Infectious Disease Protection Act that would require healthcare workers and other health professionals to be
vaccinated or to have recovered from
COVID-19. The new legislation also requires the closure of bars, restaurants and theatres in high-risk areas, as well as the suspension of cultural and sporting events in those areas.
(Deutsche Welle)
The
London High Court accepts an appeal from the
U.S. government to
extraditeWikiLeaks founder
Julian Assange to the United States. The judge cited that certain conditions have been met for his decision. However, the extradition will not take place immediately as Assange has a right to appeal the decision. Assange's fiancée says that they will appeal the decision "at the earliest possible moment".
(CNBC)
The
Gulf Cooperation Council calls for
Iran to take action to salvage the nuclear deal and proposes to take part in the talks as a regional power.
(Reuters)
The death toll from the
tornado outbreak in
Kentucky, United States, increases to 70 and will likely continue to increase as more bodies are counted, according to a statement from
GovernorAndy Beshear.
(AP)
Malta reimposes one of the
EU's strictest
mask mandates that requires people to wear masks outdoors, with fines of
€50 to
€100 for failure to comply.
(Times of Malta)
At midnight, terrestrial transport between
Argentina and
Uruguay reopens as buses resume service to
border crossings between the two countries. Both countries require a proof of
vaccination or a negative
COVID-19 test in order to board the buses and enter both countries.
(Misiones Cuatro)
A court in
Beninsentences opposition leader
Reckya Madougou to 20 years in prison after finding her guilty of "financing
terrorism". The case has been highly controversial, with a judge in the case fleeing to
France and denouncing the case as "entirely politically motivated".
(The Washington Post)
Three
Hamas members are killed and six more injured during a dispute with
Fatah gunmen in
Tyre,
Lebanon, at the funeral of a Hamas member killed two days ago during an accidental explosion at the
Burj el-Shemali camp.
(Al Jazeera)
Austria ends its nationwide
lockdown for people who are
vaccinated or who have recovered from
COVID-19 as the number of new cases decreases. There will now be an 11 p.m. curfew for restaurants and people must use an
FFP2 mask on public transport and in indoor spaces.
(Euronews)
Citizens in
New Caledonia vote against independence and choose to remain part of
France. Pro-independence parties boycotted the
referendum in order to protest the alleged lack of time to campaign.
(RNZ)
One-hundred and six members of a
Ukrainian "
neo-Nazi" youth group are arrested in
Russia, suspected of planning attacks, including
mass murders.
Russia has accused Ukrainian intelligence of financially funding the group. Ukraine alleges that the arrests and subsequent Russian media reporting are staged as part of Russian intelligence measures.
(Reuters)
A vehicle carrying migrants crashes while trying to avoid a police check in
Mórahalom,
Hungary, killing seven people and injuring four more. The
Serbian driver has been arrested.
(BBC News)
Cyprus announces the approval of the
COVID-19 vaccine administered for children ages 5 to 11 years and also allowing adults to receive
booster dose two weeks sooner than six months after their second dose in order to curb the rise of COVID-19 cases following the first case of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(AP)
The
Norwegian government announces that
alcohol sales at bars and restaurants will be banned and stricter rules will be implemented at schools due to the spread of the Omicron variant. The government also announces that the COVID-19 vaccine
booster dose interval has been reduced to 4.5 months and that the military will assist with the booster dose campaign.
(The Local Norway)
Caretaker
Prime MinisterMark Rutte announces that
primary schools will be closed on December 20 and that existing restrictions requiring bars, restaurants, and non-essential shops to close at 5 p.m. have been extended until January 14 due to concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Barron's)
The final results of a trial of
Paxlovid conducted by
Pfizer shows 89% cut of risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk patients and is likely to work against the Omicron variant.
(Financial Times)
France begins to require people aged above 65 years to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
booster dose or lose their Health Pass validity status unless they show proof of a
negative test in the previous 24 hours. The requirement will be extended to all age groups from January 15.
(France 24)
Slovenia reports its first cases of the Omicron variant in four samples from people in the
Ljubljana region who tested positive between November 29 and December 6.
(See News)
The
NHS COVID pass begins to be implemented in
England as a precondition in order to enter nightclubs, indoor events with more than 500 people, outdoor events with more than 4,000 people, and all events with more than 10,000 people as part of "Plan B" measures that are intended to reduce the spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(ITV News)
The
United Kingdom reports a record 78,610 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(BBC News)
The
Philippines reports its first two imported cases of the Omicron variant in an
overseas Filipino who travelled from
Japan on December 1 and a Nigerian national who arrived in the country on November 30.
(Rappler)
South Korea reports a record 7,850 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 536,495.
(Yonhap News Agency)
The number of people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in
New Zealand surpasses 90%.
(Stuff)
Auckland reopens its domestic borders to travellers who are vaccinated or who have
tested negative in the previous 72 hours after closing its borders for four months due to an outbreak of the
Delta variant.
(RNZ)
Australia reopens its borders to
vaccinated skilled migrants and foreign students without an exemption, after a closure of more than 18 months due to the pandemic, despite the worldwide spread of the Omicron variant.
(ABC News Australia)
Rwanda reports its first six cases of the Omicron variant in a group of travellers and their contacts, prompting the
government to close all nightclubs and extend the quarantine for international travellers to three days.
(MedicalXpress)
One person is killed, eleven others are injured and more people are unaccounted for after an arson attack at a four-storey block of flats in
Reading,
England. A suspect has been arrested.
(BBC News)
A court in
Hanoi,
Vietnam, sentences two
Facebook users to lengthy jail sentences for "conducting propaganda against the state". One man was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of
house arrest while another man was given a six-year prison term and three years of house arrest.
(Reuters)
Thousands of people are
evacuated from their homes in central and southern
Philippines as Typhoon Rai, described as one of the strongest storms of the year, begins to make landfall in mid-eastern parts of the country, with warnings of very destructive
typhoon-force winds.
(Al Jazeera)
The
Malaysiangovernment announces that due to the threat of the Omicron variant, there will be a ban on all large-scale
Christmas and
New Year's Eve celebrations. The government will also require people over the age of 60 as well as adults who received the
SinovacCoronavac vaccine to receive a booster dose before February in order to maintain their full
vaccination status.
(Malay Mail)
The
Palestinian Authority reports its first cases of the Omicron variant in three people from different cities in the
West Bank who travelled abroad.
(AP)
The
Danish Health Authority approves the usage of the
Molnupiravir antiviral pill developed by
Merck & Co. for at-risk patients with symptoms, becoming the first
EU country to authorize the usage of this drug.
(NDTV)
Denmark reports a record 9,999 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(CPH Post)
Italy imposes mandatory
COVID-19 testing for all travellers from European Union countries and mandates a five-day
quarantine on arrival for those who are unvaccinated due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant in Europe.
(Bloomberg)
Poland reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a 30-year-old
Mosotho woman who is currently in isolation in a hospital in the city of
Katowice.
(The First News)
Malawi announces that public service workers,
healthcare workers and journalists will be required to be
vaccinated against COVID-19 beginning on December 20 amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections.
(Reuters)
The
WHO issues interim recommendations for mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccine for second and booster shot, where
mRNA-based vaccines can be used as subsequent doses after initial doses of the
Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and vice versa, while these vaccines can be used after initial doses of
Sinopharm's
inactived vaccine.
(Reuters)
The
Turkish lira plunges to an all-time low of 17.0705 to the
U.S. dollar, triggering a direct
central bank intervention in the
stock market. The lira has lost 55% of its value this year, including 37% in just the last 30 days.
PresidentRecep Erdoğan announces a 50% rise in the minimum wage from next year.
(Reuters)
Russia demands that
NATO end all military activity in
Eastern Europe and never admit
Ukraine as a member of the military alliance, saying that it wants a legally binding guarantee to end further eastward NATO expansion. Other demands include a Russian veto on Ukrainian membership in NATO, the removal of U.S.
nuclear weapons from Europe, and the withdrawal of multinational NATO battalions from
Poland and the
Baltics.
(Reuters)
A senior
Biden regime official says that the U.S. is "prepared to discuss Russia's proposals" with its NATO allies, but says that "there are some things in those documents that the Russians know will be unacceptable."
(Axios)
Three workers are killed and three other people are injured when two
cranes collapse on a street in
Turin,
Piedmont,
Italy. A residential building is also damaged.
(BBC News)
France imposes a ban on British citizens from entering the country without compelling reasons due to the spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the
United Kingdom. French and
EU citizens returning from the UK must self-isolate for seven days unless they show a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival, which will reduce the self-isolation to 48 hours.
(France 24)
The
Mayor of LondonSadiq Khan declares a "major incident" in effort to ease pressure of hospitals amid a record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the UK caused by the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
The
Semeruvolcano in
Java,
Indonesia, erupts for the second time this month, spewing a two-kilometre-high ash column. The first eruption killed at least 46 people on December 4.
(Reuters)
A light plane crashes off
Australia's east coast of
Queensland, killing all four people on board, including two children.
(The Guardian)
A "tornado-like" severe weather event impacts
Sydney's
Northern Beaches on Australia's east coast, downing trees and cutting power to thousands of residents. One woman is killed and two women are in a critical condition in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital after a "large" pine tree fell in
Narrabeen.
(ABC News)
The
Netherlands imposes strict
lockdown measures that restrict visitors to two people, closes all non-essential shops, bars, and restaurants until January 14, and closes schools until January 9, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(The Hill)
Ireland introduces an 8:00 p.m. closure time for bars and restaurants, restricts the capacity of most indoor and outdoor events to 50%, and allows a maximum of 100 guests for weddings in order to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Medical Xpress)
Peru reports its first four cases of the Omicron variant in one person who travelled from
South Africa and another three who had no travel history.
(Reuters)
Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrate against the
October 2021 Sudanese coup d'état, leading to government forces spraying protesters with
tear gas in an attempt to halt the demonstrations, one of the largest in Sudan's history.
(CBC News)
Kuwait will require incoming travellers who fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 more than nine months ago to receive
booster dose beginning from January 2 and also requires them to self-isolate for 10 days unless they received a negative
PCRtest within 72 hours of their arrival beginning from December 26.
(Al Arabiya)(Times of Oman)
Germany bans all travel from the
United Kingdom and imposes a mandatory 14-day
quarantine and proof of a negative
PCR test from the previous 48 hours for German residents and citizens returning from the UK, amid the spread of the Omicron variant in Britain.
(Euronews)
Quebec closes all bars, gyms, spas, cinemas, and concert halls as well as suspends in-person learning and mandates
remote working after the province reported a record 4,857 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(Global News)
The United States reports its first confirmed death related to the Omicron variant in an unvaccinated man in his 50s in
Harris County, Texas who had underlying health issues.
(U.S. News and World Report)
Colombia reports its first case of the Omicron variant in two Colombia people who travelled from the United States and a U.S. citizen who travelled from Spain.
(Reuters)
Poland and
Lithuania join
Ukraine in calling for stronger Western
sanctions on
Russia, with Polish President
Andrzej Duda saying that "everything must be done" to prevent a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, and that he was "absolutely against any policy of concessions to Russia".
(RFE/RL)
Egyptian blogger and activist
Alaa Abdel Fattah is sentenced to five years in prison by Egyptian authorities for spreading fake news. His family continues to protest the verdict.
(Al Jazeera)
Heavy
floods continue to affect eight
Malaysianstates for the third day, killing 14 people and partially submerging several towns and villages.
(BBC News)
GermanChancellorOlaf Scholz and 16
state premiers agree to tighten the restrictions beginning on December 28, including limiting the number of people in private gatherings to 10 and banning spectators at large-scale musical, sporting and cultural events due to concerns related to the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Deutsche Welle)
Prime MinisterAntónio Costa announces that nightclubs and bars will be closed and all people will work from home for at least two weeks beginning on December 25 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. There will also be capacity restrictions at shops and people will require a negative
COVID-19 test in order to enter events.
(Bloomberg)
The
Swedishgovernment announces that several new measures will begin on December 23, including limiting the number of people at private gatherings to 50, requiring the use of a vaccination pass for public events with a capacity of more than 500 people, and recommending
work from home where possible, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
(Reuters)
The
European Commission announces a binding proposal that will make the
EU Digital COVID Certificate only valid for travel within the
European Union for nine months without a
booster dose after a person's primary vaccination schedule in order to standardize different travel requirements in the member states. The new rules will be mandatory for all 27 EU member states beginning on February 1.
(RFI)
The
Health ministry recommends that
Israelis over the age of 60 years and healthcare workers should receive a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the world's first country to administer a fourth dose of the vaccine. The move is welcomed by
Prime MinisterNaftali Bennett.
(Sky News)
Thailand reinstates its mandatory hotel
quarantine for all incoming foreign travellers and suspends the "sandbox" program for places other than
Phuket after the country reported its first locally transmitted case of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(Rappler)
Argentina reports 9,336 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total in 4 months, thereby bringing the nationwide total of cases to 5.4 million.
(IProfesional)
New Zealand postpones a phased reopening of the border for quarantine-free travel to the end of February in order to strengthen the country's defence against the spread of the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
California GovernorGavin Newsom announces that healthcare workers will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose in order to keep their "fully vaccinated" status, becoming the second state to impose such mandate.
(NBC News)
Three inmates in Japan are
executed by
hanging, marking the first executions in the country in nearly two years. One inmate was the perpetrator of a 2004
mass stabbing in which he killed seven of his relatives.
(Euronews)
At least 64 people are confirmed dead following a boat accident off the coast of Antseraka,
Analanjirofo,
Madagascar, on Monday, with 24 others still missing.
(France 24)
Madagascar's police minister
Serge Gellé is rescued after swimming for 12 hours to shore after his helicopter crashed off the country's northern coast during the boat accident rescue operation.
PresidentAndry Rajoelina hails Gellé's survival.
(Deutsche Welle)
First ministerMark Drakeford announces new restrictions, including limiting the number of people in events to 50 people outdoors and 30 people indoors, no more than six people in a group at bars, restaurants, and cinemas, and imposing a
face mask mandate due to the spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. These measures will be in effect beginning on December 26.
(BBC News)
The
United Kingdom reports a record 106,122 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the first time that the country has reported more than 100,000 new cases in a single day.
(The Independent)
The
government announces a series of new restrictions, including closing restaurants at 10 p.m. beginning on December 27, discourage large-scale New Year's Eve celebrations, capacity restrictions of indoor and outdoor events, and imposing strict entry requirements for travellers from the UK,
Denmark,
Norway, and the
Netherlands where the Omicron variant is already dominant in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variant.
(AP)
Prime MinisterAlexander De Croo announces that, due to the spread of the Omicron variant,
water parks, cinemas, theatres and concert halls will be closed, and all indoor events and outdoor events using a tent will be banned. Additionally, shopping will only be allowed in pairs and professional and amateur sport events will be held without spectators. These measures will begin on December 26.
(The Brussels Times)
British Columbia closes all bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres, and dance studios, and bans all indoor gatherings due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
(CBC)
The
Soroka Medical Center in
Beersheba clarifies that the man thought to be
Israel's first Omicron death had actually had the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, following the final laboratory results regarding his condition.
(The Times of Israel)
Japan reports its first locally transmitted cases of the Omicron variant in three people from
Osaka Prefecture with no international travel history.
(The Japan Times)
Venezuela reports its first seven cases of the Omicron variant in a group of people who had travelled from another country, such as
Spain,
Dominican Republic,
Panama, and Turkey.
(Reuters)
Italy bans
fur farming and orders all remaining
mink farms to shut down by June 2022, while a ban on breeding animals for their fur becomes effective immediately.
(Greek Reporter)
Gunmen ambush a column of a civilian militia in
Loroum,
Burkina Faso, killing 41 people. It is one of the deadliest single-day attack against the militia.
(Reuters)
Twenty-four more people are found dead after the boat accident off the coast of
Analanjirofo,
Madagascar, three days ago, bringing the total death toll to 85.
(France 24)
The
Kuwaiti Directorate General of Civil Aviation announces that all citizens who wish to travel, but who were fully vaccinated more than nine months ago, must receive a
booster dose of the
COVID-19 vaccine beginning on January 2.
(Times of Oman)
Singapore suspends new ticket sales for the quarantine-free Vaccinated Travel Lane until January 20 in an attempt to reduce the number of imported cases of the Omicron variant.
(CNBC)
The
Italiangovernment announces a ban of
New Year's Eve celebrations as well as all mass gatherings and closes nightclubs and bars until the end of January. The government also agree to reintroduce
mandatory mask wearing outdoors and will reduce the validity of vaccine certificate to six months beginning from February 1.
(MedicalXpress)
Malta reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, prompting the health ministry to ban all standing events except for weddings and funerals beginning on December 17 and restrict entry to the hospitality sector and sporting events to only those with a valid
vaccine certificate. A 1 a.m. curfew will also be imposed for all businesses beginning on January 17.
(Times of Malta)
Ecuador's Minister of Public Health announces that the COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for all citizens over the age of 5 years unless they have a medical exemption due to the spread of
SARS-CoV-2 variants and an increase in the number of new cases.
(BBC News)
New South Wales reports a record 5,715 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant becoming the dominant strain in the state. The
NSW Government reintroduces mask-wearing in indoor settings, despite the state having a 93.5% vaccination rate.
(ABC News Australia)
Australia reports a record 8,697 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, surpassing the previous record set on December 22.
(ABC News Australia)
While responding to multiple reports of a violent assault suspect at a
Los Angeles clothing store,
LAPD officers fired upon one male subject. Valentina Orellana-Peralta was sheltering with her mother and other patrons and was killed by an errant shot. Valentina and the suspect both succumbed to their injuries in the store. Several patrons were injured by the suspect prior to officers' arrival.
[1]
The
Seimas votes 89–17 with 19 abstentions to approve a law that would require
MPs to have a health pass, which shows proof of
vaccination, a negative
test result from the previous 72 hours, or that a person has recovered from COVID-19, in order to attend hearings beginning in January.
(Barron's)
At least 39 people are killed and 100 others are injured after a
ferry catches fire in
Jhalakathi.
(BBC News)
Sixteen people are dead as a boat carrying migrants overturn and sink near the island of
Paros,
Greece. Sixty-three more people are rescued.
(Al Jazeera)
Greece cancels all public
Christmas and
New Year's Eve celebrations, as well as mandates
mask wearing outdoors and requiring people to wear two masks or a high-protection mask in order to use
public transport and enter supermarkets due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(The Independent)
Italy reports a record for the second consecutive day of 50,599 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.57 million.
(Reuters)
Catalonia reimposes a curfew between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. in
municipalities where the infection rate surpasses 250 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, limits the number of people in social gatherings to 10, closes nightclubs, and restricts the capacity of the hospitality sector due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. These measures will be in effect until at least January 7.
(MedicalXpress)
The
South AfricanHealth Department suspends COVID-19 contact tracing and quarantine for people with asymptomatic cases due to 80% of the population being vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.
(Bloomberg)
The global version of
video gamedigital distribution service
Steam is reportedly blocked in
China. The China-only version of the service, launched in February of this year, remains accessible.
(The Verge)
The scientific committee (Pevolca) of the
Canary Islands government declares that the
Cumbre Vieja volcano's eruptions on
La Palma island stopped after 10 days of inactivity. However, the authorities do not consider the emergency situation to be over.
(RTVE)
The
Israeligovernment finalizes an agreement with
Pfizer to purchase 100,000 courses of the anti-viral drug
Paxlovid for high-risk patients over the age of 12 years, with delivery expected to begin in one week.
(The Times of Israel)
France reports a record for the third consecutive day of 104,611 new cases of
COVID-19, which is also the first time that the country has reported more than 100,000 new cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
(Al Arabiya)
Italy reports a record for the third consecutive day of 54,762 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.62 million.
(Il Sole 24 Ore)
A massive
Romancastrum dated to the reign of
Caligula is discovered in
Velsen,
Netherlands. The site is the most northern fort found by archaeologists, and believed to be a stationing port of Caligula’s failed invasion of
Britain.
(The Guardian)
China reports 206 new cases of
COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of new cases in 21 months, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 101,077.
(The Straits Times)
Oman's Supreme Committee announces that all incoming expatriates over the age of 18 years who want to enter the country must show proof of at least two doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine as well as a negative
PCR test from the previous 72 hours. They also announce that the ban on travelers from
South Africa,
Botswana,
Zimbabwe,
Namibia,
Lesotho,
Eswatini, and
Mozambique will be lifted.
(Gulf News)
Northern Ireland imposes tightened COVID-19-related restrictions, which include closing
nightclubs and banning indoor seating at events, restricting socialization to three households, and reintroducing the rule of six at bars, restaurants, and pubs that only offer table service.
(RTÉ News and Current Affairs)
South Australia reports a record 744 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the statewide total of confirmed cases to 4,324.
(ABC News)
Algeria begins to implement
vaccine passports as a precondition for people to enter or leave the country and also for people to enter a wide range of public venues such as sports facilities, theatres and museums as part of an attempt to increase the country's low
COVID-19 vaccination rate.
(Ahram Online)
Kodiak, Alaska sets the highest temperature ever recorded in December in the state of
Alaska, reaching 19.4 °C (66.9 °F). The
Aleutian Islands and island communities in West Alaska have seen abnormally high temperatures since mid-December, including eight straight days of over 10 °C (50 °F) in
Unalaska, including 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) on
Christmas Day, the warmest Christmas temperature on record for the state. Temperature anomalies for late December reach 10–15 °C (18–27 °F) in some areas. The state also lately experiences unusually wet spells of weather.
(The Guardian)(The Weather Network)
The Indian state of
Kerala imposes a nighttime curfew from December 30 to January 2 in order to reduce the spread of the
Omicron variant.
(Khaleej Times)
The
health ministry reduces the interval between the second dose and booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to three months, citing concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant.
(The Times of Israel)
South Korea authorizes the emergency use of the anti-viral oral drug
Paxlovid manufactured by
Pfizer for high-risk patients over the age of 12 years, becoming the first drug to be approved for use in the country.
(Yonhap News Agency)
Swissmedic approves the use of the
Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for people over the age of 18 years, which can be administered two months after the first dose, or six months after a person receives mixed vaccinations with mRNA-based vaccines.
(Reuters)
Frenchprime ministerJean Castex announces that, for the next three weeks, all public gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 people outdoors. Work from home will be mandated where possible, and
outdoor mask wearing will be mandatory in city centres. The interval between the second dose and the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will also be reduced to three months in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)
The
Greekgovernment announces new restrictions that will be in effect from January 3 until at least January 16, which include mandatory high-protection or double
mask wearing in
supermarkets and on
public transport, closure of entertainment and hospitality venues at midnight, reinstating
work from home policies for up to 50% of employees, and reducing the capacity of sports stadiums to 10%. This comes after the country reported a record 9,284 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
(Kathimerini)
Sydney's
St. Vincent's Hospital incorrectly issues premature negative COVID-19 test results to 1,395 people who had actually tested positive in the past 48 hours.
(ABC News)
South Australia reports a record 842 new cases in the past 24 hours. The state also reports their first death from COVID-19 since April 2020 in a 92-year-old woman.
(ABC News)
Massive damage at the port is reported from the air raid with most of the port on fire, although there are no immediate reports of casualties from the attack. Videos on
social media show multiple large explosions and
anti-aircraft fire over the city. A hospital, shops, and some residential buildings were also badly damaged.
(Al Jazeera)
Delhi enters Level 1 "Yellow alert" which closes cinemas, schools, colleges, and gyms, imposes a nighttime curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and restricts the capacity of public transport, restaurants, funerals and weddings, due to an increase in the number of
Omicron variant cases.
(The Times of India)
Bangladesh begins administering
booster doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 60 and frontline workers who have been fully vaccinated more than six months ago as the country attempts to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(Bdnews24.com)
China issues stay-at home orders for hundreds of thousands of people in
Yan'an due to the spread of COVID-19 cases, which also resulted in a
lockdown in
Xi'an, the country's largest lockdown since last year.
(France 24)
Cyprus reports a record for the second consecutive day of 2,241 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 154,926.
(Financial Mirror)
Greece reports a record for the second consecutive day of 21,657 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,105,885.
(Kathimerini)
Portugal reports a record 17,172 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,303,291.
(The Portugal News)
South Africa postpones a plan to end COVID-19
contact tracing and suspend some quarantine measures in order to consider additional comments about the policy after the government received many inquiries about the plan.
(Bloomberg News)
France reports a record for the second consecutive day of 208,099 new cases of
COVID-19, which is also the highest daily total recorded in any European nation since the beginning of the pandemic.
(Le Parisien)
Greece reports a record for the third consecutive day of 28,828 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,134,713.
(Greek Reporter)
Despite the number of new cases caused by the Omicron variant reaching a record 98,030 cases,
Italy completely lifts the mandatory quarantine for those who received
COVID-19 vaccinebooster shot and reduces it to five days for the vaccinated people whose most recent dose was more than 120 days before exposure.
(Bloomberg)
Malta reports a record for the second consecutive day of 1,337 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 49,625.
(The Malta Independent)
Despite the number of cases caused by the Omicron variant reaching a record high,
Spain reduces the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 and the mandatory
quarantine for people who had close contact with someone who tested positive to seven days due to staffing shortages and disruptions in some industries.
(Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Spain reports for the first time more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 in one day.
(El Periódico)
Zambia reports a record 5,255 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 243,638.
(Anadolu Agency)
Pro-democracy digital media website Stand News shuts down in
Hong Kong as police raids its offices and arrest senior executives. The senior executives are later charged with
sedition in the latest crackdown related to the national security law. The Hong Kong government says that the news site's assets have been frozen and that more arrests could occur.
(Forbes)
Greece reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 35,580 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,170,293.
(Ekathimerini)
Italy reports a record for the third consecutive day of 126,888 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.98 million.
(ANSA)
Ireland reduces the mandatory
quarantine for those who received the booster dose or completed their primary vaccination course and had COVID-19 within the previous three months, to seven days despite a record 20,554 new cases being reported.
(The Irish Times)
Portugal reports a record for the third consecutive day of 28,659 new cases of COVID-19. The country also reduces the mandatory
quarantine for asymptomatic people who test positive from COVID-19 and high-risk contacts to seven days due to concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant.
(Reuters)
Turkey begins to roll-out its domestically-developed
Turkovac inactive vaccine as part of its COVID-19 vaccination program. This comes after the
health ministry issued an emergency use authorization for the vaccine.
(Daily Sabah)
Premier of QuebecFrançois Legault announces a curfew between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on
New Year's Eve, bans private gatherings involving more than one household bubble, and closing dine-in restaurants amid the spread of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant.
(Global News)
South Africa lifts its midnight curfew, allowing alcohol sales to return to normal hours in certain premises, and also allowing gatherings of up to 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors, due to a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases.
(Business Insider South Africa)
A 16-year-old boy is stabbed to death in
Hillingdon, west
London, making him the 30th teenage homicide in the
British capital in 2021. It is now the deadliest year on record for killings of teenagers, surpassing a previous peak of 29 homicides in 2008.
(BBC News)
Six soldiers from
Niger and
Nigeria are killed and 16 others are wounded during a fight with
ISWAP militants in the
Lake Chad region of
Borno State, Nigeria. Twenty-two militants are also killed and 17 more are captured.
(Reuters)
Metro Manila moves into Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 amid an increase in the number of
COVID-19 cases and the detection of local cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The
Philippines reports its first three locally transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.
(CNN Philippines)
Hong Kong reports its first potential community cluster of the
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which are also the first locally transmitted cases reported by the city since June.
(Bloomberg)
Israel extends fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to elderly people in care facilities and begins administering fourth doses for vulnerable people, citing the high-risk of infection.
(Reuters)
Paris begins to implement mandatory
outdoor mask wearing for people over the age of 11 years. This comes as
France reports a substantial increase in new cases of the Omicron variant nationwide.
(France 24)
France reports a record 232,200 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is also the highest daily total recorded in any European nation since the beginning of the pandemic.
(Arab News)
Cyprus reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 5,048 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 166,827.
(In-Cyprus)
Greece reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 40,560 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,170,293.
(Greek Reporter)
New Zealand moves COVID-19 traffic light settings for
Auckland from red to orange, allowing bars, restaurants and cafes that enforce the
vaccine pass requirement to remove crowd size limits and requirements to sit down, despite fears of community transmission of the Omicron variant.
(The Guardian)