Disasters and accidents

• Typhoon Rai
  • The death toll in the Philippines from Typhoon Rai increases to 375. At least 500 more people are injured. (BBC News)
• 2021 Semeru eruption
  • The Semeru volcano 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)
• A child dies in hospital three days after an inflatable castle was lifted into the air in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia, bringing the death toll from the accident to six. (News.com.au)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a person who travelled from the United Arab Emirates. (The Jerusalem Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
      • Sri Lanka announces that it will require a proof of COVID-19 vaccination certificate for entry into public places beginning on January 1 in an attempt to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (Associated Press)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
      • 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)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
      • 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)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Peru
    • 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)

Politics and elections

• 2021 Chilean general election
  • Chileans go to the polls to elect their president in a run-off between leftist Gabriel Boric and right-wing candidate José Antonio Kast. (Euronews)
  • With over 50% of votes counted, Boric is declared the winner as Kast publishes a tweet conceding defeat. (CNN)
• 2019–2021 Sudanese protests
  • 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)
• A man in India is beaten to death by guards at the Golden Temple, the holiest place in the world according to the Sikh religion. Authorities allege he may have tried to harm the Guru Granth Sahib. (BBC News)