Côte d'Ivoire State television in Côte d'Ivoire goes off the air outside the capital Abidjan amid a political crisis. The Economic Community of West African States threatens to remove incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo by "legitimate force".
Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Church in Cuba announces that the government will release two more political prisoners to exile in Spain.
Thongsing Thammavong Thongsing Thammavong is named as the new Prime Minister of Laos, a day after the unexpected resignation of Bouasone Bouphavanh.
People's Republic of China New laws restricting car purchases in the Chinese capital Beijing come into force, in an attempt to combat serious traffic problems.
India Indian police search for four people in Mumbai suspected of being members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
South Korea South Korea says it will keep a giant Christmas tree near the border with North Korea lit until January 8, amid threats from North Korea.
United Nations General Assembly The United Nations General Assembly unanimously approves opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara as President of Côte d'Ivoire.
Afghanistan A tripartite summit of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey is held in Istanbul, aimed at boosting trust between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Russia Russia's lower house gives preliminary approval the New START treaty signed with the United States; full approval will be decided upon next month.
Turkish Turkey welcomes a decision by the US House of Representatives not to vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution during the final session of the 111th Congress.
Vietnam At least 24,000 workers at two plants in Vietnam go on strike over pay, bonuses and lunar new year holidays.
TAAG Angola Airlines TAAG Angola Airlines grounds its Boeing 777 planes following engine troubles with two of its fleet.
Christmas A Christmas message by Pope Benedict XVI is broadcast by BBC Radio 4's "Thought for the Day" programme in the United Kingdom.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard A member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard captured in southern Afghanistan is accused of cross-border weapons smuggling by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Boko Haram Suspected Boko Haram members attack a church in northern Nigeria during Christmas Eve services.
Darfur Rebel groups in the Darfur region of Sudan clash with government forces, three days after resuming ceasefire negotiations.
Christmas Eve At least 32 people are killed in bomb blasts detonated during Christmas Eve celebrations near the city of Jos, Nigeria, while at least six people die in attacks on churches by suspected Islamists in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.