Mohammad Ishaq Aloko Attorney general Mohammad Ishaq Aloko is fired by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, over an unsanctioned meeting with Taliban peace negotiators in the United Arab Emirates.
New Zealand The first same-sex marriages take place in New Zealand, following the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill in April.
South Africa South African track star Oscar Pistorius is officially charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home earlier this year, with the trial due to start on March 13.
Russia Russia and Japan begin discussing the main starting points and modality of the upcoming talks on a peace treaty.
B-1B A B-1B Lancer with the United States Air Force's 28th Bomb Wing crashes near Broadus, Montana during a routine training mission.
Volcanic eruption The 500th eruption this year of Mount Sakurajima in Southern Japan covers the major city of Kagoshima in a cloud of ash.
Devastating floods in summer Torrential rain and floods in north-east China, together with Typhoon Utor-triggered floods in southern China, jointly result in at least 91 people dead and 111 missing.