1. US kicks off vaccination

Healthcare workers have been the first people in the United States to receive COVID-19 vaccines outside of a trial, which the country's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said would also be prioritised to nursing homes residents. Intensive care nurse Sandra Lindsay, who was reportedly the first to receive Pfizer's vaccine in the US, said she was "very proud to be in this position, to promote public confidence in the safety of the vaccine".

2. Aussie shares up 14.5% for the quarter so far

The Australian share market is on track for one of its best quarters in decades according to the AFR, which reported that shares have risen 14.5% so far this quarter, the third highest gain in the past 20 years behind a 16.2% rise in the second quarter and a 19.9% rise in Q3 2009.

3. China bans coal imports

Australian coal imports into China have reportedly been officially banned according to state-owned The Global Times, which said that power stations were permitted to import coal without clearance restrictions other than from Australia. Coal imports have effectively been unofficially banned since October.

4. Santa Claus lays down the law

Two police officers dressed as Santa and an elf have arrested two men for attempting to steal a car outside at a shopping centre in the city of Riverside, California. The police officers were able to arrest two of the suspects after a short chase, with one onlooker yelling "get him Santa" in encouragement according to CNN.

5. Nasdaq outperforms Dow and S&P

The Nasdaq moved 62.17 points or 0.50% higher to 12,440.04 on Monday, while both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 were down for the day. The Dow dropped 184.82 points or 0.62% to 29,861.55 and the S&P 500 fell 15.97 points or 0.44% to 3,647.49