2026 Republic of the Congo presidential election Congolese president Denis Sassou Nguesso announces his candidacy for re-election in the upcoming election.
2025 Guinean presidential election Provisional results show that incumbent leader Mamady Doumbouya is elected president.
Western Syria clashes Syrian authorities arrest 21 people in the Latakia Governorate and impose a curfew in the provincial capital following sectarian violence linked to unrest after a mosque bombing and protests in Alawite-majority areas.
Turkey–Islamic State conflict Turkish police detain 357 people nationwide suspected of being Islamic State members following clashes between the two sides yesterday.
Deportation in the second Trump administration U.S. federal judge Angel Kelley of Massachusetts blocks the Trump administration's plan to end temporary protected status for South Sudanese nationals, issuing an administrative stay that prevents the expiration of deportation protections while a legal challenge proceeds.
Burkina Faso–United States relations Burkina Faso and Mali impose reciprocal travel bans on Americans after the United States added them to a list of countries subject to a full U.S. entry ban.
South African Police Service The South African Police Service confirms at least 41 young men were killed from circumcision procedures during traditional initiation activities over the past two months in South Africa.
Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 The search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 resumes in the southern Indian Ocean under a contingent fee agreement between the Malaysian government and Ocean Infinity, which has deployed autonomous underwater vehicles.
2025 Ollantaytambo District train collision Two trains on a rail line between Cusco to Machu Picchu in Urubamba province, Peru, collide, killing a train driver and injuring 40 passengers.
Economy of Hungary Moody's downgrades the credit rating of the city of Budapest, Hungary, to Ba1 and places it on review for a further cut, citing weak liquidity, uncertainty over state transfers, rising solidarity tax obligations, and the partial suspension of European Union funds to Hungary.
Somali Civil War 29 al-Shabaab militants are killed by the Somali Armed Forces in Jabad Godane, Middle Shabelle, Somalia.
Yemeni civil war Yemen ends its defense pact with the UAE, with its leader Rashad al-Alimi ordering all Emirati forces to depart within 24 hours. He also declares a 90-day national state of emergency and a three-day blockade of the country's southern and eastern regions. The UAE later announces that its remaining forces in Yemen will leave the country.
The Royal Saudi Air Force strikes the port of Mukalla, Yemen, targeting a ship with weapons delivered from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Southern Transitional Council.
Gaza war Israel announces the suspension of many international humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, the International Rescue Committee, and divisions of Oxfam and Caritas, from operating in Gaza starting January 1 for allegedly failing to pass new rules to vet the organizations and cooperating with Hamas and other militant groups.