日: 2021年12月31日

1. The daily numbers of coronavirus cases have reached record highs in the United States and some European countries.
2. US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have spoken by phone on the situation surrounding Ukraine. They failed to find common ground, but agreed to continue talks in diplomatic sessions next month to decrease tension.
3. US electric carmaker Tesla is recalling more than 470,000 vehicles after problems that could affect safety came to light. It’s the largest-ever recall for the firm and about the same as the automaker’s 2020 worldwide sales.

1. Weather officials are warning of more heavy snow, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan, as a winter pressure pattern is expected to intensify again.
2. A group of researchers in Japan says its animal experiments have suggested that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus may be less pathogenic than Delta.
3. Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has called for all-out anti-infection measures against the coronavirus in a video message ahead of the New Year holiday season.