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December 2021 was the twelfth and final month of that common year. The month, which began on a Wednesday, ended on a Friday after 31 days.
Portal:Current events
This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from December 2021.
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2021 Afghanistan–Iran clashes
- Clashes occur between the Taliban and Iran on the Afghanistan–Iran border after Iranian farmers crossed the border. (Bloomberg)
- Mexican drug war
- 2021 Tula prison break
- 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)
- 2021 Tula prison break
- Two soldiers are killed and others are wounded during an attack at a security post by Islamic extremists in Porga, Benin. It is the second confirmed Islamic extremist attack in the country's history. (Yahoo! News)
Disasters and accidents
- Bagwai boat disaster
- At least 29 people, mostly schoolchildren, drown after an overloaded boat capsizes in Bagwai, Kano State, Nigeria. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, COVID-19 vaccination in Japan
- Japan begins administering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant that has already been detected in the country. (The Independent)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a citizen who travelled from North Africa. (Al Arabiya)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
- The United Arab Emirates reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a citizen who travelled from Africa. (Gulf News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, COVID-19 vaccination in Japan
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
- The Andorran government announces a ten-day quarantine for all travelers coming from southern Africa countries. (Diari d'Andorra)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- Denmark reports a record 5,120 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Yahoo! News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland
- Iceland reports its first case of the Omicron variant. (Morgunblaðið)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
- Ireland reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a person who recently travelled from southern Africa. (The Irish Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
- Italy reports 103 deaths of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, making it the deadliest toll since June 8. (Il Sole 24ore)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, COVID-19 vaccination in Poland
- Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki receives a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (The New Indian Express)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in California
- The United States reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a person who travelled from South Africa to California. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in California
- COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, COVID-19 drug development
- Mexican health regulator COFEPRIS approves the emergency use of Eli Lilly and Co's injectable combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 cases in people over the age of 12 years who weigh at least 40 kg (88 lb). (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
- COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana
- Ghana reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a traveller who arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. (The EastAfrican)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- Aftermath of COP26
- Micronesian president David W. Panuelo condemns the outcome of the climate summit, stating that industrialized nations must increase their commitments in order to help countries switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy. (Reuters)
Politics and elections
- 2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations
- Former Attorney-General of Australia Christian Porter announces he will retire from politics following sexual assault allegations published earlier in the year, and controversy surrounding his reliance on a blind trust in a legal battle against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation over their reporting of the allegations. (The Guardian)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian civil war
- Ten oil workers are killed and another is injured during an ISIL attack on a bus in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. (Reuters)
- 2021 Solomon Islands unrest
- The New Zealand Defence Force and Police travel to Honiara, Solomon Islands, in order to help stabilize the country and maintain peace after days of rioting, looting and unrest that killed three people. (RNZ)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in India
- COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka
- India reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two foreigners who travelled to Karnataka. (NDTV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in India
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Finland
- COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
- Greece reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a man who travelled from South Africa to Crete. (Ekathimerini)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 drug development
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
- Minnesota reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a person who traveled from New York City. (KSTP-TV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
International relations
- Algeria–Morocco relations, Morocco–Turkey relations
- Morocco buys six Bayraktar TB2 drones from Baykar amid rising tensions between Morocco and Algeria. (Morocco World News)
Law and crime
- 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)
Politics and elections
- 2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations
- Alan Tudge stands down as Minister for Education and Youth after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Tudge from a former staffer who claimed that the two were involved in an extramarital affair. (The Guardian)
Sports
- 2021 Major League Baseball lockout
- Major League Baseball implements a lockout after the collective bargaining agreement they had with the Major League Baseball Players Association expired yesterday. This is the league's first labor stoppage since the players' strike of 1994 and 1995. (ESPN)
- 2021–22 NBA season
- In basketball, the Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 152–79, making it the largest blowout in the history of the National Basketball Association. (ESPN)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Insurgency in the Maghreb
- Mali War
- Mopti bus massacre
- 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)
- Mopti bus massacre
- Mali War
- Islamic State insurgency in Iraq
- Seven Peshmerga fighters and three civilians are killed by Islamic State gunmen in a village in Makhmour, Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. (Al Jazeera)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
- Two hippos at Antwerp Zoo test positive for COVID-19 in Antwerp, Belgium. (Deutsche Welle)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
- Germany surpasses six million cases of COVID-19. (Urdu Point)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
- Taoiseach Micheál 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia
- Europe surpasses 75 million cases of COVID-19. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- Malaysia reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 19-year-old student who travelled from South Africa on November 19 and is in quarantine. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an unvaccinated woman who travelled from Nigeria. (Ada Derana)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
- Mexico reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 51-year-old man who travelled from South Africa. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
- South Africa surpasses three million cases of COVID-19. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia
- Tunisia reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a Congolese man who travelled from Istanbul. (Arab News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
International relations
- France–United Arab Emirates relations
- French president Emmanuel Macron meets UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed at Expo 2020 in Dubai. The two men sign a major arms deal between the two nations. (The National News)
Law and crime
- 2021 Oxford High School shooting
- 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)
- Islam in Kosovo
- A Kosovar man is arrested for terrorism due to his ties to the Islamist al-Nusra Front in Syria. (The Public's Radio)
- Police in Bosnia and Herzegovina arrest seven suspected war criminals in Bijeljina and Sokolac due to their reported massacre of 22 civilians during the Bosnian Genocide. (CTV News)
Politics and elections
- Portuguese Minister of Internal Administration Eduardo Cabrita resigns after a series of scandals, including an incident where his official car was involved in a car accident that killed a highway worker. (AP)
Sports
- Magnus Carlsen defeats challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi in Game 6 of the 2021 World Chess Championship in a marathon 136 move game. It is the first decisive result in a regulation World Chess Championship game in more than 5 years and is also the longest game in World Chess Championship history. (The Guardian)
Arts and culture
- COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, List of events affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes cancels the city's New Year's Eve celebrations on Copacabana Beach due to the worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (Sky News)
Disasters and accidents
- 2021 Semeru eruption
- One person is killed and 41 others are injured as the Semeru volcano erupts in East Java, Indonesia. (BBC News)
- Twenty-three people drown after the bus they are travelling in plunges into the Enziu River in Mwingi, Kenya. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
- Former queen Beatrix of the Netherlands tests positive for COVID-19. (AP)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
- Romania reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two citizens who travelled from South Africa on November 30. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
- COVID-19 pandemic in Chile
- Chile reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a fully vaccinated foreigner who travelled from Ghana on November 25. (ABC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Cook Islands
- The Cook Islands reports its first case of COVID-19 in a 10-year-old boy who travelled on a repatriation flight from New Zealand with his family on December 1 and is in quarantine. (ABC News Australia)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
International relations
- Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations
- The Pakistani Minister of Finance announces that the country has received a $3 billion (11.3B SAR, ₨.530B) one-year loan from Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Law and crime
- An improvised explosive device is discovered in the personal vehicle of a Turkish police officer who was to be part of the security detail for a rally in Siirt featuring Turkish President Recep Erdoğan. The bomb was discovered before the officer had left for the rally, and was defused by bomb squads. (Bloomberg)
Politics and elections
- 2021 Gambian presidential election
- Gambians go to the polls to elect their president. Approximately 960,000 people are eligible to vote. (BBC News)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2021 Apure clashes
- Venezuelan intelligence officials announce the death of Hernán Darío Hernández, the leader of a FARC dissident group, after an ambush carried out by a commando of the Venezuelan Armed Forces. Hernández was responsible for the 2003 El Nogal Club bombing that killed 36 people and injured over 200 others. (El Tiempo)
- Mali War
- Militants bomb two UN camps in Gao, with no fatalities. (Voice of America)
- 2021 Niger attacks
- Hundreds of insurgents on motorcycles attack an international military base in Tillabéri. Seventy-nine of the rebels and 29 soldiers are killed during the battle. (Deutsche Welle)
- 2021 Nagaland killings
- 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)
Disasters and accidents
- 2021 Semeru eruption
- The death toll from yesterday's eruption of the Semeru volcano in East Java, Indonesia, increases to 14, with 56 others injured. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration provisionally 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 January 10, once ATAGI gives its recommendation. (The Guardian)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Maldives
- Maldives reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a tourist that arrived in the country. (Raajje)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia grants the approval for people vaccinated with Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to enter the country beginning from January 1, 2022 in a move that will enable Muslims to take part in religious pilgrimage. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
Sports
- 2021 Bathurst 1000
- Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth win the 2021 Bathurst 1000 in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. (ABC News Australia)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Tigray War
- The Ethiopian military says that they have recaptured the strategic Amharan towns of Dessie and Kombolcha from rebel forces. (Al Jazeera)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
- Croatia reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two people who had not travelled abroad. (N1)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in New York
- COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
- Outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all private-sector employees, which will take effect on December 27. (The New York Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
- COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut
- Connecticut reports its first case of the SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant. (WTIC-TV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in New York
- COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina
- COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina
- Argentina approves the usage of the single-dose Sputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine as a standalone vaccine and as a booster dose. (Reuters)
- 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)
- COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
International relations
- 2021 Belarus–European Union border crisis, Foreign relations of Belarus
- Belarus bans airlines and imports of certain goods from the European Union and United Kingdom in retaliation for sanctions imposed on the country by Western nations. (ABC News)
Law and crime
- 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 president Andry Rajoelina. (Reuters)
Politics and elections
- 2021 Solomon Islands unrest
- Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare survives a no-confidence vote in the National Parliament after his management of the riots. (Reuters)
- Karl Nehammer is sworn in as the new Chancellor of Austria after the resignation of Alexander Schallenberg on December 2. (ABC News)
Sports
- 2022 Winter Olympics
- 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)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian civil war
- Israel's role in the Syrian civil war
- Israeli Air Force warplanes bomb the Port of Latakia, Syria's main seaport. At least five explosions are reported, with a Syrian military official stating that several missiles struck the container area of the port. It is the first Israeli attack on the facility through which Iran and Hezbollah import weapons into Syria. (The Times of Israel) (Reuters)
- Israel's role in the Syrian civil war
- Islamic State insurgency in Iraq
- Four civilians are killed and four more are injured in an ISIL motorcycle bombing near a hospital in Basra, Iraq. (The New Arab)
- Nigerian bandit conflict
- Sokoto bus massacre
- Bandits ambush and set fire to a passenger bus in Sokoto State, Nigeria, killing 30 people. (Reuters)
- Sokoto bus massacre
Business and economy
- Evergrande liquidity crisis
- Chinese property developer Evergrande Group misses a deadline for the payment of debt for the first time at the end of a 30-day grace period, pushing the property developer closer to formal default. (Reuters)
- The United Arab Emirates says that weekends in the country will occur from Friday afternoon to Sunday, effective January 1. (CNBC)
Disasters and accidents
- 2021 Semeru eruption
- Gitega prison fire
- At least 38 people are killed and 69 more are injured during a fire at an overcrowded prison in Gitega, Burundi. (BBC News)
- 2021–22 European windstorm season
- European Windstorm Barra causes at least 56,000 power outages across the United Kingdom and Ireland. (BBC News)
- Thirteen people are killed in a collision between a minibus and a truck in Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine. (RFE/RL)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two people from the same household in the greater Belfast area and a third unrelated person. (The Independent)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
- COVID-19 pandemic in Norway
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 vaccination in Spain
- 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)
- European Union response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The EMA and the ECDC approves the mixing and matching of two different COVID-19 vaccines for both initial and booster doses. (France 24)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
- Illinois reports their first case of the Omicron variant in a Chicago resident. (Chicago Tribune)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri
- COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
- COVID-19 pandemic in Martinique
- The French overseas territory of Martinique orders a nightly 8 p.m. curfew beginning tomorrow amid a worsening situation of the COVID-19 epidemic in the territory. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
- COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico
- President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his cabinet ministers receive COVID-19 vaccine booster doses as the government begins administering booster doses for people over the age of 60. (Yahoo! News)
- COVID-19 vaccination in Mexico
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina
- President Alberto Fernández receives a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. (Buenos Aires Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
Law and crime
- LGBT rights in the Americas
- LGBT rights in Canada
- A bill to criminalize the widely discredited practice of conversion therapy passes the Senate in Canada without opposition, one week after it passed the House of Commons without opposition; the bill now awaits royal assent to become law. (CTV News)
- LGBT rights in Chile
- A bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Chile is approved by both chambers of the National Congress. (The New York Times)
- LGBT rights in Canada
- A policeman kills six people, including his wife, and injures two others during a killing spree in Kabete, Kenya, before committing suicide. (Al Jazeera)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- War in Donbas
- U.S. President Joe Biden rules out deploying American troops unilaterally to Ukraine in order to deter a potential Russian invasion, saying that the option "was not on the table". (Reuters)
- War in Donbas
Arts and culture
- The bones of over 100 Indigenous Australian Kaurna people are repatriated from the South Australian Museum and buried in a ceremony in Adelaide. (The Guardian)
Disasters and accidents
- 2021 Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash
- Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and 12 other people are killed when their Indian Air Force Mi-17V-5 crashes near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, while flying from Sulur Air Force Station to Wellington. Another person was injured. (BBC News)
- 2021 Semeru eruption
- The death toll from the eruption of the Semeru volcano in Indonesia increases to 39. (France 24)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, COVID-19 drug development
- China's National Medical Products Administration approves the use of the neutralizing antibody cocktail developed by BRII Biosciences to treat COVID-19 in adults and teenagers. (Financial Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India
- India's Serum Institute announces that it will halve the production of its COVID-19 vaccine because it has no new orders for the vaccine. (BBC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait
- Kuwait reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a fully vaccinated European citizen who travelled from an African country. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, COVID-19 drug development
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- COVID-19 pandemic in England
- British Prime Minister Boris 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in England
- COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- The Danish government 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa
- The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for people over the age of 18 that can be administered six months after their second dose, as well as immunocompromised people aged above 12 years that can be administered 28 days after their second dose. (BusinessTech)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
Law and crime
- 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal
- The Court of Appeal of Malaysia upholds the conviction against former Prime Minister Najib Razak of all seven counts of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust for his involvement in the 1MDB scandal. (CNA)
Politics and elections
- Aftermath of 2021 German federal election
- The Bundestag elects Olaf Scholz as the new Chancellor of Germany, replacing Angela Merkel after 16 years in office. (BBC News)
Sports
- Concerns and controversies at the 2022 Winter Olympics
- Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom join a U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing citing China's human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and Beijing's ongoing freeze on ministerial contact with Canberra. (Yahoo! News) (Politico) (The New York Times)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Turkish–Kurdish conflict
- PKK fighters kill three Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq, before Turkish fighter jets reportedly kill six PKK fighters during airstrikes. (Al Jazeera)
Disasters and accidents
- Mexico–United States border crisis
- Chiapas truck crash
- A tractor-trailer transporting more than 180 illegal migrants, mostly Guatemalans and Hondurans, crashes in Chiapas, Mexico, killing 55 people and injuring 105 others. (The Washington Post)
- Chiapas truck crash
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, COVID-19 apps
- COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
- Jordan reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a citizen who had travelled from South Africa and another who had no travel history. (Petra News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba
- Cuba reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a person who travelled from Mozambique. (The Straits Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people as young as 16 years receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes after the FDA authorized the usage of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for people in that age group. (CBS News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba
- COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
- 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)
- COVID-19 vaccine
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- HIV vaccine development
- An mRNA vaccine candidate against the human immunodeficiency virus, developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Moderna and other institutes, shows a 79% efficacy rate and no major side effects in animal trials on rhesus macaques, according to a peer-reviewed paper published in Nature Medicine. (France 24)
Law and crime
- Smoking in New Zealand
- 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)
- Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Human rights in the Philippines
- The Supreme Court of the Philippines partially upholds provisions of the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 while declaring unconstitutional the designation of terrorists on the request of foreign jurisdictions as well as the qualifier on harmful dissent. (Rappler)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- A man is killed and others are wounded as Israeli soldiers open fire on a group of Palestinian people protesting against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Al Jazeera)
Disasters and accidents
- Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021
- A tornado outbreak hits Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky, United States. Around 50 people are feared dead. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Laos
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore
- The Health Sciences Authority approves the usage of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years, with vaccine rollout for this age group to begin before the end of the year. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- South Korea surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19. (Yonhap News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Laos
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
- Cyprus reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in three Greek Cypriots who travelled from South Africa in Limassol. (Cyprus Mail)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 vaccination in Germany
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
- The Czech government announces the compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for people aged above 60 years, as well as healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and the military, beginning from March 1, as the country experiences the world's highest infection rate. (The Times of India)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
International relations
- Foreign relations of Nicaragua, Foreign relations of Taiwan, Foreign relations of China
- Nicaragua severs diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. (The Hill)
Law and crime
- The London High Court accepts an appeal from the U.S. government to extradite WikiLeaks 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)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz says he has instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare military options for potential use against Iran, that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action yielded "no progress", and that world powers "understand that the Iranians are playing games". (Haaretz)
- 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)
Disasters and accidents
- Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021
- 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 Governor Andy Beshear. (AP)
- 2021 Ravanusa explosion
- Storm Barra
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two female cricketers of the Bangladesh Cricket Team who travelled from Zimbabwe. (Asian News International)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- South Korea reports a record 80 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 4,210. (The Korea Herald)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
- Taiwan reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in three people who travelled from the United Kingdom, Eswatini, and the United States. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malta
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
- Turkey reports its first six cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in five people from the province of Izmir and one person from Istanbul. (TRT World)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malta
- COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritius
- Mauritius reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in two people who travelled from South Africa. (Daily Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
Law and crime
- A court in Benin sentences 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)
Sports
- MLS Cup 2021
- New York City FC defeats the Portland Timbers 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out, winning their first title. (ESPN)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Somali Civil War
- Four Burundian soldiers are killed as their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Burane, Somalia. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. (All Africa)
- 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)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- The United Kingdom raises its COVID-19 Alert level to Level 3 due to the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which has resulted in 3,137 cases. (France 24)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
- President Cyril Ramaphosa tests positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
Law and crime
- 2021 Banco de Oro hack
- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippines' central bank, issues a statement that it is currently monitoring an increase in complaints on social media regarding Banco de Oro clients losing money and having their accounts hacked. (Reuters)
Politics and elections
- 2021 New Caledonian independence referendum
- 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)
Sports
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo attacks; Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
- Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi assures his country that the presence of Ugandan troops in the DRC is only to prevent the ongoing insurgency by the Allied Democratic Forces. The president says that Uganda's intervention will be temporary. (Reuters)
- Kashmir conflict
- Three policemen are killed and 11 others injured as Jaish-e-Mohammed gunmen open fire against a bus carrying Indian security forces in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. (BBC News)
- 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)
Arts and culture
- Miss Universe 2021
- Harnaaz Sandhu of India is crowned Miss Universe in Eilat, Israel. (CNN)
Disasters and accidents
- Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021
- The death toll from the tornado outbreak in Kentucky, United States, increases to 74, making it the second deadliest tornado outbreak to occur in the state. Fourteen people are also killed in other U.S. states, with some towns being completely destroyed. (BBC News)
- 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)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
- Hungary reports its first two cases of the Omicron variant, which was first detected in South Africa. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Norway
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that at least one person in the UK has died after testing positive for the Omicron variant. (BBC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
- COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
- Pakistan reports its first confirmed case of the Omicron variant in a 57-year-old unvaccinated woman from Karachi. (The Express Tribune)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
- The Australian state of Queensland reopens its land borders with New South Wales and Victoria to vaccinated domestic travellers. (The Guardian)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
- COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia imposes a vaccine mandate for indoor activities such as dining, cinemas, and at the Wells Fargo Center for a 76ers or Flyers game. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia
- COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
- New York state reimposes a mandatory indoor mask mandate for businesses that haven't implemented a vaccination requirement amid threats of the COVID-19 surge and the Omicron variant in winter. (The New York Times)
- The United States surpasses 50 million cases of COVID-19. (The Hill)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
International relations
- Israel–United Arab Emirates relations
- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates discuss strengthening bilateral trade and cooperation in multiple areas, at the first meeting of the leaders of the two countries. (CNN) (NBC News)
- South Africa–Zimbabwe relations
- South Africa cancels a plan to forcibly deport 200,000 Zimbabweans from the country amid an outcry and concerns over perceived xenophobia and human rights abuses. (Bloomberg)
Law and crime
- Eight people are injured as a teenager detonates an improvised explosive device, in an attempt to blow himself up, at a Russian Orthodox school near a convent in Serpukhov, Russia. The perpetrator is identified as a student at the school, and is currently hospitalised in critical condition. (BBC News)
Sports
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
- 2021 NFL season
- The National Football League reports their first case of the Omicron variant in a Washington Football Team staffer. Additionally, 36 players tested positive for COVID-19 throughout the NFL. (WRC-TV) (NFL.com)
- 2021 NFL season
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Colombian conflict
- Two explosions at Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta kill two law enforcement officials and one of the perpetrators. (Yahoo! News)
Disasters and accidents
- Cap-Haïtien fuel tanker explosion
- At least 62 people are killed and more than 100 others injured when a fuel tanker explodes in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia
- Indonesia begins administering the COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years, with 100 children receiving the Sinovac Coronavac vaccine. (The Straits Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- South Korea reports a record 94 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 4,387. (Yonhap News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
- The Italian Council of Ministers approves the extension of the COVID-19 state of emergency until March 31 and also rules that travellers from other EU countries must present a negative swab test prior to departure due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
- Caretaker Prime Minister Mark 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- The United States surpasses 800,000 deaths from COVID-19, remaining the highest death toll in the world. (NPR)
- COVID-19 drug development
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
Law and crime
- 2021 Colombian protests
- A United Nations investigation into the 2021 Colombian protests found that the National Police of Colombia resorted to acts of police brutality that resulted in the massacre of 11 civilians. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- The House of Commons votes to approve "Plan B" measures that include the extension of the indoor mask mandate, vaccine passports, and mandating COVID-19 vaccines for NHS workers in England, despite large opposition from Boris Johnson's own Conservative Party. (Euronews)
- Indictment and arrest of Julian Assange
- Australian Deputy Prime Minister and National Party Leader Barnaby Joyce and a small group of Liberal Party backbenchers join the Labor Party in criticising the Liberal-National Coalition Morrison Government's inaction on the United Kingdom's imminent extradition of Australian publisher Julian Assange to the United States, arguing that Assange has not broken any Australian laws. (The Guardian)
- A court in Minsk, Belarus, sentences opposition activist Sergei Tikhanovsky to 18 years in prison for several charges, including organising riots, following what was widely described as a "sham trial". Tikhanovsky's wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, left Belarus amid the protests that occurred in the country in 2020. (BBC News)
- Ugandan politician Bobi Wine is placed under house arrest in Magere, Wakiso District. (The EastAfrican)
Science and technology
- Living With a Star
- Scientists announce that NASA's Parker Solar Probe became the first ever spacecraft to enter the stellar corona of the Sun during a flyby in April. (The Guardian)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2020–2021 Ethiopian–Sudanese clashes
- The Sudanese Armed Forces announces that they are in "full control" of the disputed Al Fushqa District after clashing with Ethiopian forces in the border region. (Africa News)
Disasters and accidents
- A boat carrying Indonesian migrants capsizes off the southern coast of Malaysia, killing 11 people and leaving 25 others missing. (Al Jazeera)
- A privately-owned Gulfstream GIVSP jet crashes near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, killing all nine people onboard, including Puerto Rican music producer Flow La Movie. (Reuters)
- A fire occurs at the World Trade Centre Hong Kong, injuring 13 people and leaving 300 others trapped within the building. (Al Jazeera)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark tests positive for COVID-19. (7 News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 vaccination in France
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary, COVID-19 vaccination in Hungary
- Hungary begins administering the COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years using the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Hungary Today)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID passports in the United Kingdom
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID passports in the United Kingdom
- European Union response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The European Medicines Agency recommends that adults over the age of 18 years who received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine should get a booster dose two months after receiving their first dose of the vaccine. (The Times of India)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
- COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
- COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand
- 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)
- COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
- COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya
- Kenya reports its first three cases of the Omicron variant. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in California
- California reimposes its indoor mask mandate due to fears of the spread of the Omicron variant. The mandate will last until at least January 15. (The New York Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in California
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
Law and crime
- Cannabis in Malta
- Malta legalizes the personal use and limited cultivation of cannabis, becoming the first country in the European Union to do so. (Reuters)
- 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)
- David Fuller, a double murderer who sexually abused the corpses of more than 100 women, is sentenced to a whole life tariff. (BBC News)
Politics and elections
- Siaosi Sovaleni becomes prime minister-designate of Tonga. (RNZ)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian civil war
- Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war, Israel's role in the Syrian civil war
- Israeli warplanes launch overnight airstrikes in southern Syria, with missiles originating from the Golan Heights, killing a soldier and causing some material damage, according to a Syrian military official. Syrian air defences engaged the Israeli missiles, with most missiles reportedly intercepted. (The Times of Israel)
- Operation Shader
- The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence says a Royal Air Force Typhoon has shot down a "small hostile drone" over Syria. It is the first enemy aircraft shot down by an RAF pilot since the Falklands War. (BBC News)
- Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war, Israel's role in the Syrian civil war
- Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Disasters and accidents
- Typhoon Rai
- 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)
- Five children are killed and four others are injured after falling from an inflatable castle that was blown into the air in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia. (ABC News Australia)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
- Indonesia reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an hospital cleaning employee at the Kemayoran Athletes Village in Jakarta with no overseas travel history. (The Independent)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, COVID-19 vaccination in Japan
- Japan officially approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for people over the age of 18 years. This comes after health ministry experts recommended the vaccine yesterday. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- The Malaysian government 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 Sinovac Coronavac vaccine to receive a booster dose before February in order to maintain their full vaccination status. (Malay Mail)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- COVID-19 drug development
- 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)
- COVID-19 drug development
- COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 vaccination in Germany
- Germany administers a record 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the past 24 hours. (The Guardian)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- The United Kingdom reports a record for the second consecutive day of 88,376 new cases of COVID-19. (BBC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
- New Zealand reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a fully vaccinated person who travelled from Germany and is currently isolated at a managed isolation quarantine facility in Christchurch. (New Zealand Herald)
- History of COVID-19 vaccine development
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
Politics and elections
- Caretaker Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte is appointed as formateur and tasked with forming a new coalition government following the conclusion of the 2021 cabinet formation. (Politico)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian civil war
- Rojava conflict
- Rioters burn down the office of the Kurdish National Council in Dirbêsiyê, Syria, injuring four people. (Kurdistan24)
- Rojava conflict
- Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- Israeli settlers burst into several villages in the occupied West Bank, beating and injuring at least two people. (Al Jazeera)
- Karen conflict
- Around 2,500 Karen refugees cross the Myanmar–Thailand border into Thailand. (CP24)
- War in Donbas
- A Ukrainian soldier is killed and another is injured after pro-Russian separatist forces targeted Ukrainian positions near Mariupol with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. (The Guardian)
Business and economy
- 2018–2021 Turkish currency and debt crisis
- 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. President Recep Erdoğan announces a 50% rise in the minimum wage from next year. (Reuters)
Disasters and accidents
- Typhoon Rai
- Twelve people are killed as Typhoon Rai impacts the Philippines, causing severe damage. (Al Jazeera)
- Eight people are killed and many more are injured by floods in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. (Al Jazeera)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia
- Cambodia surpasses 3,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Star)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia
- Mongolia reports no COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours for the first time since April 4. (Manila Bulletin)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar
- Qatar reports its first four cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in three fully vaccinated people and an unvaccinated person who all travelled abroad. (The Peninsula)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Finland
- The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare reissues a nationwide face mask mandate recommendation in public space and public transport for adults aged 12 years and older due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. (Yle)
- COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 vaccination in France
- The French National Consultation Ethical Committee approves the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
- President of Asturias Adrián Barbón is admitted to hospital when his health condition worsens after testing positive for COVID-19. (El Periódico)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- The United Kingdom reports a record for the third consecutive day of 93,045 new cases of COVID-19. (Sky News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Finland
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
- Australia reports a record 3,837 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including a record 2,213 cases in New South Wales. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
- Canada ends a travel ban on many African nations, including Nigeria and South Africa. (Peoples Gazette)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt
- Egypt reports its first three cases of the Omicron variant. (Asian News International)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
International relations
- Russia–NATO relations
- 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)
Law and crime
- 2021 Osaka building fire
- Twenty-four people are killed and four more are injured during an arson attack at a medical clinic in Osaka, Japan. (The Japan Times)
- Facebook exposes a group of spy firms that could affect the private security of over 50,000 people. (The Times of India)
Politics and elections
- Elections in the United Kingdom
- 2021 North Shropshire by-election
- Helen Morgan of the Liberal Democrats wins North Shropshire, a seat in the British House of Commons which the Conservative Party has held since the constituency's creation. (BBC News)
- 2021 North Shropshire by-election
- Brazil, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States issue a joint condemnation of the worldwide persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. (The Washington Times)
Arts and culture
- Strictly Come Dancing
- EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis becomes the first deaf person to win the BBC show after she and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice beat the show's first male same-sex couple containing TV chef John Whaite and his professional partner Johannes Radebe in the final. (BBC News)
Disasters and accidents
- 2021 Karachi explosion
- Fourteen people are killed and several others are injured by a gas explosion in a sewage system in Karachi, Pakistan. (BBC News)
- 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)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in France, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 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)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, COVID-19 vaccination in Portugal
- Portugal begins administering COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. (Reuters)
Zdroj:https://en.wikipedia.org?pojem=Portal:Current_events/December_2021
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- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
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