1. The leaders of the 27 member states of the European Union agreed on the latest emission reduction plan on December 11, agreeing that EU greenhouse gas emissions will be at least 55% lower by 2030 than in 1990. The EU had previously set a target of 40 per cent. However, the EU’s new emission reduction plan still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.

2. The epidemic in Germany has risen further recently, and Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss with government officials on December 13 measures to further tighten the blockade. Sunday’s discussion will include whether stores should be closed before Christmas. Earlier, parts of Germany had been closed for six weeks, bars and restaurants had been closed, but shops and schools remained open.

3. Tesla, the US carmaker, will send a delegation to Indonesia next month to discuss potential investment in its electric vehicle supply chain, the Indonesian government said. Mr Musk said he planned to offer a “long-term, huge contract” as long as nickel mining was “efficient and environmentally friendly”.

4.The Eiffel Tower in France is scheduled to reopen from December 16. The attraction has been closed since the blockade was reopened on Oct. 30. Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the passenger volume and turnover of the Eiffel Tower decreased by about 80% and 70% respectively compared with 2019. The biggest reason for the collapse in turnover is the lack of tourists.

5.According to U.S. federal law, state electors will meet on December 14 to formally vote for president and vice president. The new Congress will be established on January 3, 2021, and will hold a joint meeting on January 6 to formally count electoral votes and announce the winner of the presidential election. At noon on January 20, 2021, the transfer of presidential power was completed.

6.Apple CEO Tim Cook: Apple has achieved carbon neutrality in its global business this year and has helped 95 suppliers achieve 100% renewable energy transformation. Apple has unveiled a plan to achieve carbon neutrality in its entire supply chain and product use by 2030, 20 years earlier than the target set by the United Nations.

7.BBC reported that with the help of the United States, Morocco’s relations with Israel were normalized. As part of the agreement, the United States agreed to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara. Morocco is the fourth country to reach a similar agreement with Israel. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan have previously reached agreements with Israel. 

8.World Gold Council: global gold ETF holdings fell by 107t, or about $6.8 billion, in November, accounting for 2.9 per cent of total assets under management. It was the first decline in the past year and the second highest monthly net outflow in history. The main reason may be that gold prices suffered their worst monthly performance since November 2016, falling 6.3 per cent. 

9.There is no problem with the safety of gene editing tomatoes at the University of Tsukuba and Sanatech Seed, and it is expected to be the first “gene editing food” approved in Japan. The developed tomatoes are rich in GABA, a substance that inhibits the rise in blood pressure. Gene editing techniques are used to destroy part of the genes that limit the content of GABA, increasing the content.

10.Americans will be vaccinated with new crown pneumonia developed by Pfizer and Biotech from December 14 local time. The first batch of vaccines will be released on December 13 local time, and 145 supply sites will be set up across the United States on December 14, with an additional 425 on the 15th and an additional 66 on the 16th. The number of people receiving the first batch of vaccines will reach 3 million.

 11.On December 14, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that since the beginning of this year, radio technicians of the Russian Space Army have discovered more than 1,000 incidents of foreign reconnaissance planes flying near the Russian border, which is about 40% more than last year. The Russian Defense Ministry also said that radio technicians have located and tracked more than 2 million air targets this year. 

12.Local time on the afternoon of December 13, a shooting occurred near a church in Manhattan, New York, the gunman fired several shots into the air and the police before being subdued by the police. Edward Riley, spokesman for the New York Police Department, said the gunman opened fire on the police, the police responded, and the gunman was arrested by the police after he was shot. The gunman has been rushed to hospital in critical condition.