CORONAVIRUS: France reports 104,611 new daily cases, the most since the pandemic began.
CORONAVIRUS: Hospital in Sydney, Australia accidentally tells 400 people they tested negative when they had in fact returned positive results
CORONAVIRUS: UK reports 122,186 new daily cases, the most since the pandemic began.
SPAIN: Country will ban smoking on all beaches, with councils allowed to issue fines worth up to $2,200
CORONAVIRUS: Study finds that two doses of China's Sinovac vaccine, followed by a Pfizer booster, is protective against omicron. However a third Sinovac dose, as a booster, 'does not provide adequate levels of protective antibody'.
BELGIUM: Man arrested after getting coronavirus vaccine eight times, in order to get vaccine certification on behalf of other people.
BELGIUM: Man arrested after getting coronavirus vaccine eight times, in order to get vaccine certification on behalf of other people.
BUSINESS: Facebook/Meta is voted worst company of 2021 according to Yahoo Finance survey.
CORONAVIRUS: Netherlands to enter strict lockdown that will see schools, non-essential retail, restaurants and bars closed until January
CORONAVIRUS: UK records 93,045 new daily cases, the most since the pandemic began.
CORONAVIRUS: France reports 65,713 new daily cases, the most since the pandemic began
EUROPE: Malta is set to become the first EU state to legalize the cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use
CORONAVIRUS: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says that as of the 12th of December, known omicron cases were 'either asymptomatic or mild', with no deaths reported so far, but that figures should still be assessed with 'caution'.
South Africa unemployment rate.
January, 2018: 26.7%
January, 2019: 27.1%
January, 2020: 29.1%
Now: 34.9%
ENVIRONMENT: Vietnam has imprisoned a rhino horn trafficker for fourteen years, the country's longest sentence for the crime.
CORONAVIRUS: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says that as of the 11th of December, known omicron cases were 'either asymptomatic or mild', with no deaths reported so far.
ECONOMY: US reports annual inflation rate of 6.8% in November, the highest since 1982.
CORONAVIRUS: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says that as of the 9th of December, known omicron cases were 'either asymptomatic or mild.', with no deaths reported so far.
NEW ZEALAND: Country to ban tobacco sales to young people for their entire lifetime, to create 'smokefree generations'
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Emirate of Sharjah to switch to four-day working week, days after the whole country switched to 4.5 day work week.
Size of economy.
India: $3 trillion
France: $2.9 trillion
Italy: $2.1 trillion
Canada: $1.9 trillion
South Korea: $1.8 trillion
Russia: $1.7 trillion
California: $3 trillion
Size of economy.
India: $3 trillion
France: $2.9 trillion
Italy: $2.1 trillion
Canada: $1.9 trillion
South Korea: $1.8 trillion
Russia: $1.7 trillion
California: $3 trillion
Year Founded.
TikTok: 2016
Snapchat: 2011
Pinterest: 2010
Instagram: 2010
Tumblr: 2007
Twitter: 2006
YouTube: 2005
Reddit: 2005
Facebook: 2004
LinkedIn: 2002
Wikipedia: 2001
Baidu: 2000
Tencent: 1999
Google: 1998
Paypal: 1998
Netflix: 1997
Yahoo: 1994
Amazon: 1994
RESEARCH: Bitcoin mining uses up more electricity annually than the entirety of Argentina, according to a study by Cambridge University.
UAE new working week for government employees:
Monday to Thursday: 7.30am to 3.30pm
Friday: 7:30am to midday
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook is being sued for $150 billion by Rohingya refugees, who claim the firm allowed hate speech against them and their community to spread on the platform.
MEDICINE: According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, users of Viagra are 69% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
US Federal Government debt.
1990: $3.2 trillion
1995: $4.9 trillion
2000: $5.6 trillion
2005: $7.9 trillion
2010: $13.5 trillion
2015: $18.1 trillion
Now: $29 trillion
Japan population
2010: 127 million
2015: 126 million
2020: 125 million
UNITED KINGDOM: Man who placed superglue on door lock of vaccination center in Gorleston, thereby preventing over 500 people from getting their dose, has been imprisoned for twelve weeks.
US Presidents during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II
- Harry Truman
- Dwight Eisenhower
- John F. Kennedy
- Lyndon Johnson
- Richard Nixon
- Gerald Ford
- Jimmy Carter
- Ronald Reagan
- George H. W. Bush
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Donald Trump
- Joe Biden
UNITED STATES: Man from Minnesota who tested positive with omicron variant met with 35 friends at an anime convention in New York City, with several since testing positive.
RESEARCH: Playing violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto every day for two months straight is not linked with reduction in empathy or increase in aggression.
(Source: Molecular Psychiatry)
CORONAVIRUS: Dr Angelique Coetzee, head of South African Medical Association, says none of the patients who have tested positive with omicron variant have 'felt the need for oxygen support' so far.
RESEARCH: Playing violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto every day for two months straight is not linked with reduction in empathy or increase in aggression.
(Source: Molecular Psychiatry)
Turkish Lira per US Dollar
Three years ago: 5.2
One year ago: 7.8
Six months ago: 8.4
One month ago: 9.6
Now: 13.4
Currency against US Dollar, 2021.
Bitcoin: +98%
China: +2.1%
Russia: -0.3%
Canada: -0.3%
Indonesia: -2%
UK: -2.6%
India: -2.8%
Euro: -7.1%
Australia: -7.5%
Mexico: -7.7%
South Africa: -7.9%
Brazil: -8.2%
S Korea: -8.5%
Japan: -9.4%
Pakistan: -10%
Argentina: -20%
Turkey: -83%
Confirmed cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- UK
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Belgium
- Israel
- Denmark
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Australia
- Canada
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Japan
Ballon d'Or wins
Messi: 7
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5
Platini: 3
Cruyff: 3
Van Basten: 3
Beckenbauer: 2
Ronaldo: 2
Rummenigge: 2
Keegan: 2
Di Stefano: 2
Confirmed cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- UK
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Belgium
- Israel
- Denmark
- Czech Republic
- Australia
Confirmed cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- UK
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Belgium
- Israel
- Denmark
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Australia
- Canada
Confirmed cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- UK
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Belgium
- Israel
- Denmark
- Czech Republic
- Australia
- Canada
Confirmed cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- UK
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Belgium
- Israel
- Australia
Have detected confirmed cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- UK
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Belgium
- Israel
'Omicron' variant
- First detected in South Africa
- 32 mutations in spike protein
- May be more transmissible, evade vaccine immunity
- WHO: 'Variant of concern'
- Detected in Israel, Hong Kong and Belgium
- US, Canada and European states impose travel bans
- Markets fall
CANADA: Country releases 50 million pounds from its strategic reserves of maple syrup, amid worldwide shortage.
'Omicron' variant
- First detected in South Africa
- 32 mutations to spike protein
- May be more transmissible, evade vaccine immunity
- WHO: 'Variant of concern'
- Detected in Israel, Hong Kong and Belgium
- US, Canada and European states impose travel bans
- Markets fall
RESEARCH: Higher quality relationships lead to slower biological aging, while relationships of lower quality and increased partner violence leads to faster aging.
(Source: Psychology and Aging journal)
Coronavirus variant B.1.1.529
- First case detected in South Africa
- Contains over 30 mutations to the spike protein
- Concerns may be more transmissible, evade vaccine immunity
- Cases detected in Israel and Hong Kong
- UK and Israel impose travel bans
- Markets tumble
GERMANY: Country's new government is set to increase minimum wage from €9.60 to €12 an hour
Size of economy
Australia: $1.6 trillion
Brazil: $1.4 trillion
Spain: $1.4 trillion
Mexico: $1.1 trillion
Indonesia: $1.1 trillion
Texas: $1.7 trillion
UNITED STATES: Jeff Bezos has donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation
Size of economy.
India: $3 trillion
France: $2.9 trillion
Italy: $2.1 trillion
Canada: $1.9 trillion
South Korea: $1.8 trillion
Russia: $1.7 trillion
California: $3 trillion
Size of economy.
India: $3 trillion
France: $2.9 trillion
Italy: $2.1 trillion
Canada: $1.9 trillion
South Korea: $1.8 trillion
Russia: $1.7 trillion
California: $3 trillion
Size of economy
Australia: $1.6 trillion
Brazil: $1.4 trillion
Spain: $1.4 trillion
Mexico: $1.1 trillion
Indonesia: $1.1 trillion
Texas: $1.7 trillion
Size of economy.
Australia: $1.6 trillion
Brazil: $1.4 trillion
Spain: $1.4 trillion
Mexico: $1.1 trillion
Indonesia: $1.1 trillion
Texas: $1.7 trillion
Market value.
Toyota: $257 billion
Volkswagen: $140 billion
Daimler: $108 billion
General Motors: $91 billion
Ford: $79 billion
BMW: $69 billion
Honda: $50 billion
Hyundai: $40 billion
Kia: $28 billion
Nissan: $22 billion
Tesla: $1.01 trillion
Qualified for 2022 World Cup
- Qatar
- Germany
- Brazil
- Denmark
- France
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Spain
RESEARCH: Consuming meat is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety than abstaining from meat.
(Source: Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal)
Turkish Lira per US Dollar
Five years ago: 3.3
One year ago: 7.6
Now: 9.9
RESEARCH: Consuming meat is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety than abstaining from meat.
(Source: Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal)
UNITED STATES: Over 4.4 million workers quit their jobs in September, the highest monthly figure on record.
Unemployment
South Africa: 34%
Spain: 14.5%
Brazil: 13.2%
Turkey: 12.1%
Argentina: 9.6%
Italy: 9.2%
France: 8%
Canada: 6.9%
India: 6.9%
Indonesia: 6.2%
China: 4.9%
US: 4.8%
Australia: 4.6%
UK: 4.5%
Russia: 4.3%
Mexico: 4.2%
Germany: 3.4%
Netherlands: 3.1%
S Korea: 3%
Japan: 2.8%
Unemployment
South Africa: 34%
Spain: 14.5%
Brazil: 13.2%
Turkey: 12.1%
Argentina: 9.6%
Italy: 9.2%
France: 8%
Canada: 6.9%
India: 6.9%
Indonesia: 6.2%
China: 4.9%
US: 4.8%
Australia: 4.6%
UK: 4.5%
Russia: 4.3%
Mexico: 4.2%
Germany: 3.4%
Netherlands: 3.1%
S Korea: 3%
Japan: 2.8%
RESEARCH: Bitcoin mining uses up more electricity annually than the entirety of Argentina, according to a study by Cambridge University.
FINANCE: The Mayor-elect of New York City says he wants his paycheck to be in Bitcoin
Unemployment
South Africa: 34%
Spain: 14.5%
Brazil: 13.2%
Turkey: 12.1%
Argentina: 9.6%
Italy: 9.2%
France: 8%
Canada: 6.9%
India: 6.9%
Indonesia: 6.2%
China: 4.9%
US: 4.8%
Australia: 4.6%
UK: 4.5%
Russia: 4.3%
Mexico: 4.2%
Germany: 3.4%
Netherlands: 3.1%
S Korea: 3%
Japan: 2.8%
ENVIRONMENT: Jeff Bezos pledges $1 billion for reforestation in Africa
RESEARCH: Bitcoin mining uses up more electricity annually than the entirety of Argentina, according to a study by Cambridge University.
BUSINESS: Car rental firm Hertz has ordered 100,000 Tesla vehicles
RESEARCH: Teenager loneliness and depression increased significantly across the world after 2012, in 'conjunction' with increased smartphone and internet usage.
(Source: Journal of Adolescence)
RESEARCH: While engagement with Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Messenger is associated with increased belief in coronavirus conspiracy theories, engagement with Twitter is linked with reduced belief in them.
(Source: New Media & Society journal)
Bitcoin price
Three months ago: $31,500
One month ago: $47,500
Now: $63,300
RESEARCH: While engagement with Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Messenger is associated with increased belief in coronavirus conspiracy theories, engagement with Twitter is linked with reduced belief in them.
(Source: New Media & Society journal)
FINANCE: The wealthiest 10% of Americans now own 89% of stocks in the US
(Via CNBC)
FINANCE: The wealthiest 10% of Americans now own 89% of stocks in the US
(Via CNBC)
Market value.
1st of January, 2017
General Motors: $53 billion
Tesla: $34 billion
Now
General Motors: $84 billion
Tesla: $834 billion
Brent crude oil price
One year ago: $43
Six months ago: $66
Three months ago: $73
One month ago: $75
Now: $84.8
Brent crude oil price
One year ago: $43
Six months ago: $66
Three months ago: $73
One month ago: $75
Now: $84.8
FOOTBALL: Cristiano Ronaldo scores hat-trick as Portugal beat Luxembourg 5-0
MEDICINE: World Health Organization endorses the world's first malaria vaccine in Africa
BUSINESS: Mark Zuckerberg has lost $5.9 billion in net worth over the course of today, amid Facebook outages.
Facebook
- Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp down for hours
- Facebook shares down 4.9%
- Facebook CTO apologizes
- Mark Zuckerberg loses over $5.9 billion in net worth
- Servers being reset manually
- Twitter records highest number of users on its platform at one time
Highest government debt as share of GDP, 2020.
Japan: 237%
Greece: 177%
Lebanon: 150%
Italy: 135%
Singapore: 126%
Portugal: 117%
Angola: 111%
Mozambique: 109%
US: 107%
Jamaica: 103%
Belgium: 98%
France: 98%
Congo: 98%
Cyprus: 95%
Spain: 95%
Bahrain: 93%
Jordan: 92%
Egypt: 90%