ABC World News Season 11 Episode 347 Thu, Dec 31, 2020

David Muir anchors the 347th episode of ABC World News Tonight on Thursday, December 31, 2020, the final day of the year, bringing viewers the latest breaking news stories from around the globe.

The show starts with a segment on the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollout of vaccines across the United States. Muir reports on the rising number of cases and deaths, especially in California, which has become the epicenter of the crisis. He also covers the challenges of distributing and administering vaccines to the general public, and the concerns over new strains of the virus emerging in the UK and South Africa.

Next, Muir focuses on the political divide in the aftermath of the 2020 US presidential election. He reports on the ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump and his supporters to overturn the results, including the continuing legal challenges and the controversial phone call to Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger. Muir also covers the response of Republican officials and lawmakers, some of whom have acknowledged Joe Biden as the President-elect, while others continue to back Trump's claims of voter fraud.

The show then shifts to the impact of the pandemic on the US economy and the job market. Muir reports on the latest jobless claims, which have surpassed 800,000, and the struggles of small businesses to stay afloat amid the lockdowns and restrictions. He also covers the stimulus package passed by Congress in late December, which includes direct payments to Americans and additional unemployment benefits, and its potential impact on the economy and the stock market.

In the next segment, Muir covers the latest developments in the ongoing conflict in Syria and the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. He discusses the recent bombing in Aden, which killed dozens of people, and the fragile ceasefire in Idlib, where the Syrian government and opposition forces are still at odds. He also reports on the efforts of aid groups to provide relief to millions of people in Yemen who are facing famine and disease due to the war and the blockade.

The show then turns to the weather, with Muir reporting on the extreme conditions affecting parts of the US, including the Northeast, where a blizzard has caused travel disruptions and power outages. He also covers the wildfires in California, which have left thousands homeless and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.

The final segment of the show focuses on the year in review, with Muir highlighting some of the biggest news stories and trends of 2020, from the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice protests to the US election and the space race. He also pays tribute to the many people who have lost their lives to the virus or to social injustice, and looks forward to the hope and possibilities of the new year.

Overall, ABC World News Tonight With David Muir season 11 episode 347 offers a comprehensive and informative look at the major news stories of the day and the year, providing viewers with insight and context on the events shaping our world.