December 31, Thursday, 2020 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline read by Ms. Keiko Kitagawa

  1. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 1,337 new cases of coronavirus in the Japanese capital on Thursday.                              2. Japan’s Meteorological Agency is warning of heavy snowfall in many parts of the country during the New Year’s holidays, with the authorities pointing out the possibility of disruptions to transportation networks and blackouts. People are advised to be on the lookout for snow falling from roofs and avalanches.                3.Britain is set to begin a new relationship with the European Union after British lawmakers approved a bill that will put a post-Brexit trade agreement into effect come January 1.