The Taliban kills 23 security force members in three separate attacks in three different Afghani provinces. (Al Jazeera)
American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021), Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present), Aftermath of the Attack on the United States embassy in Baghdad A missile strike hits a convoy near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, killing Iranian Major general Qasem Soleimani and Popular Mobilization Forces leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. (TRT World)
A military plane crashes shortly after takeoff from an airport in Sudan's West Darfur, killing the 18 people on board. (BBC News)
A missile strike hits a convoy near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, killing Iranian Major general Qasem Soleimani and Popular Mobilization Forces leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. (TRT World)
Homeland security warns of potential attacks from Iranian backed militias or any other potential threat. Police been put on high alert due to such threats. (CNN)
A man stabs three people in Villejuif, Île-de-France, killing one person and wounding two others. The attacker is shot dead by police. (BBC News)
Boko Haram insurgency The death toll of an attack that occurred on 22 December 2019 rises from 14 to 50 after more bodies are found in Lake Chad. (BBC News)
The death toll of an attack that occurred on 22 December 2019 rises from 14 to 50 after more bodies are found in Lake Chad. (BBC News)
2020 Taji road airstrike An airstrike hits a Popular Mobilization Forces convoy near camp Taji, destroying two vehicles, killing six militia members and critically injuring three others, according to an Iraqi Army source. (Reuters)
An airstrike hits a Popular Mobilization Forces convoy near camp Taji, destroying two vehicles, killing six militia members and critically injuring three others, according to an Iraqi Army source. (Reuters)
Communal conflicts in Nigeria Gunmen kill 19 in Kogi State of Nigeria. A church, a school and other buildings are torched. (Al Jazeera)
Anti-war protests organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism and Code Pink break out in cities across the United States following the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Demonstrations are also held in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. (Axios) (The New York Times)
A roadside bomb strikes a bus in Toeni Department of Burkina Faso, killing fourteen people, including students on their way to school. (BBC News)
Insurgency in the Maghreb A roadside bomb strikes a bus in Toeni Department of Burkina Faso, killing fourteen people, including students on their way to school. (BBC News)
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Puerto Rico, causing small landslides, power outages, and severely cracking some homes. (Associated Press)
Mali War Five soldiers are killed after their vehicle hit a roadside bomb while traveling in the Alatona region. (Al Jazeera)
Second Libyan Civil War The Libyan National Army says it has captured Sirte and the Al-Qardabiya airbase. (The Guardian)
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes Puerto Rico, killing one and injuring nine others (NBC News)
Four children are killed in an al-Shabaab attack at a primary school in Garissa County, Kenya. (Al Jazeera)
Japan issues an arrest warrant for former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn's wife Carole for allegedly lying during testimony. (Reuters)
Terrorism in Kenya Four children are killed in an al-Shabaab attack at a primary school in Garissa County, Kenya. (Al Jazeera)
Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance announces that some of its military personnel in Iraq will be moved to neighboring Kuwait over safety reasons. (Reuters)
Germany announces a partial withdrawal of the Bundeswehr troops positioned in Iraq, citing security concerns. (Deutsche Welle)
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issues a statement warning regional countries not to allow the United States military to launch attacks on Iran from their territory or they "will be targeted". (Associated Press)
Syrian Civil War A car bomb kills four Turkish soldiers when a vehicle explodes at a checkpoint during a road check in northeastern Syria. (Arab News)
Battle of Chinagodrar Islamist militants kill over 25 Nigerien soldiers in an attack on an army base in Tillabéri Region, Niger. 63 militants are also killed in the ensuing shootout. (The Punch) (Reuters)
Islamist militants kill over 25 Nigerien soldiers in an attack on an army base in Tillabéri Region, Niger. 63 militants are also killed in the ensuing shootout. (The Punch) (Reuters)
Judge Ghassan Ouiedat, a Lebanese prosecutor, imposes a travel ban on former Chairman of Nissan Carlos Ghosn after he was summoned over an Interpol warrant issued by Japan seeking his arrest on financial misconduct charges. (Reuters)
Death of Qaboos bin Said al Said Omani state television announces the death of the Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said al Said aged 79. At the time of his death he was the longest serving head of state in the Middle East and Arab world. (Reuters) The high military council of Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces calls on the Omani royal family to convene to name a successor to the late sultan within three days. A three-day period of national mourning is declared. (The Guardian)
The high military council of Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces calls on the Omani royal family to convene to name a successor to the late sultan within three days. A three-day period of national mourning is declared. (The Guardian)
War in Afghanistan Two United States troops are killed and another two troops injured by a roadside bomb. The Taliban later claim responsibility. (Reuters) (CBS News)
Forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar say they accept a ceasefire starting on 12 January, conditional on their rivals' acceptance. (Reuters)
Protests continue for a second day despite a large deployment of security forces. (BBC News)
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, 2019–20 Iranian protests Protests continue for a second day despite a large deployment of security forces. (BBC News)
92nd Academy Awards The nominees for this year’s Academy Awards are announced. Joker receives 11 nominations, including for Best Picture and Best Director, the most out of those nominated. (The Hollywood Reporter)
The nominees for this year’s Academy Awards are announced. Joker receives 11 nominations, including for Best Picture and Best Director, the most out of those nominated. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Battle of Chinagodrar ISIL claims responsibility for the attack in Chinagodrar, Tillabéri Region, Niger, that killed at least 89 Nigerien soldiers. (Reuters)
ISIL claims responsibility for the attack in Chinagodrar, Tillabéri Region, Niger, that killed at least 89 Nigerien soldiers. (Reuters)
Security forces block roads leading to intelligence buildings in Sudan as gunfire is heard in the capital Khartoum. (Reuters)
Egypt–Turkey relations Turkey summons its chargé d'affaires to Egypt after accusing the Egyptian security forces of raiding the Cairo offices of the state-run Anadolu News Agency and arresting four of its employees. (Reuters)
Turkey summons its chargé d'affaires to Egypt after accusing the Egyptian security forces of raiding the Cairo offices of the state-run Anadolu News Agency and arresting four of its employees. (Reuters)
Winter Storm Jacob continues to move eastwards across the northern United States, bringing up to 26 inches (66 cm) of snowfall from Montana to Idaho and Utah and down into the Sierra Nevada of California. (The Weather Channel)
In a landmark case, the South Korean military is set to decide on the first transgender soldier's possible discharge. The soldier underwent surgery overseas and is stationed in Gyeonggi Province. The case sparks a national debate on LGBT issues in the military, which punishes sex between two males with up to two years imprisonment. (Reuters)
LGBT rights in South Korea In a landmark case, the South Korean military is set to decide on the first transgender soldier's possible discharge. The soldier underwent surgery overseas and is stationed in Gyeonggi Province. The case sparks a national debate on LGBT issues in the military, which punishes sex between two males with up to two years imprisonment. (Reuters)
A man is sentenced to death for murdering a doctor in Beijing on New Year's Eve. The murder was the latest in a string of attacks on medical staff in China by angry relatives blaming them for the lack of medical resources and services. (AsiaOne)
Crime in China A man is sentenced to death for murdering a doctor in Beijing on New Year's Eve. The murder was the latest in a string of attacks on medical staff in China by angry relatives blaming them for the lack of medical resources and services. (AsiaOne)
2019–2021 Iraqi protests At least two people are killed and dozens injured after Iraqi security forces fire upon protesters at Sinak bridge in central Baghdad. (Al Jazeera)
At least two people are killed and dozens injured after Iraqi security forces fire upon protesters at Sinak bridge in central Baghdad. (Al Jazeera)
Yemen Civil War (2015–present) 2020 Ma'rib attack Eighty military personnel are killed by ballistic missiles and drone strikes in an attack reportedly carried out by the Houthis against a military camp in the Yemeni city of Ma'rib, according to Saudi state TV. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
2020 Ma'rib attack Eighty military personnel are killed by ballistic missiles and drone strikes in an attack reportedly carried out by the Houthis against a military camp in the Yemeni city of Ma'rib, according to Saudi state TV. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
Eighty military personnel are killed by ballistic missiles and drone strikes in an attack reportedly carried out by the Houthis against a military camp in the Yemeni city of Ma'rib, according to Saudi state TV. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
Somali Civil War (2009–present) 2020 Afgooye bombing An al-Shabaab car bombing kills four people and injures at least 20 others near Afgooye, Lower Shabelle, Somalia. (Al Arabiya)
A historic blizzard strikes Atlantic Canada, with St. John's in Newfoundland worst affected – over 30 inches (76 cm) of snow fell during the day, breaking the city's all-time daily snowfall record. 21,000 homes are without power and one person is missing. (The Weather Channel)
Megxit Officials within Buckingham Palace announced that effective around Q2 2020, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex will retain, but will no longer publicly use, the style His/Her Royal Highness, and will no longer receive public funds for royal duties. (BBC News) The couple will also repay £2.4 million of public money spent on renovating Frogmore Cottage. (RTÉ News and Current Affairs) The couple will keep their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While Prince Harry will lose all his military appointments, he will remain a prince. (Sky News)
The couple will keep their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While Prince Harry will lose all his military appointments, he will remain a prince. (Sky News)
The Philippines military announce that they have launched search and rescue operations for five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped by militants belonging to the ISIL-linked Abu Sayyaf group in Malaysian waters last week in Sabah. (Reuters)
Yemen Civil War (2015–present) 2020 Ma'rib attack The death toll from the drone and missile attack on a mosque in a military training camp in Ma'rib, Yemen, has risen to 116. (BBC News)
2020 Ma'rib attack The death toll from the drone and missile attack on a mosque in a military training camp in Ma'rib, Yemen, has risen to 116. (BBC News)
The death toll from the drone and missile attack on a mosque in a military training camp in Ma'rib, Yemen, has risen to 116. (BBC News)
Ukraine demands the United Kingdom's National Counter Terrorism Policing Network remove the country's Tryzub coat of arms from a guide on hate symbols associated with white supremacy and Neo-Nazism. Counter Terrorism Policing says the coat of arms was included due to its use by National Action, a proscribed far-right terror group. (BBC News)
Ukraine–United Kingdom relations Ukraine demands the United Kingdom's National Counter Terrorism Policing Network remove the country's Tryzub coat of arms from a guide on hate symbols associated with white supremacy and Neo-Nazism. Counter Terrorism Policing says the coat of arms was included due to its use by National Action, a proscribed far-right terror group. (BBC News)
Mitiga International Airport, the only functioning airport in Libya's capital Tripoli, closes and a flight from Tunisia is diverted after forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar fire rockets toward the airport. (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War Mitiga International Airport, the only functioning airport in Libya's capital Tripoli, closes and a flight from Tunisia is diverted after forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar fire rockets toward the airport. (Reuters)
2020 Houston explosion Two people are killed and 18 injured in a warehouse explosion in Houston, Texas, United States. (Associated Press)
Two people are killed and 18 injured in a warehouse explosion in Houston, Texas, United States. (Associated Press)
COVID-19 pandemic General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping holds a special Party Politburo meeting where he says that the country faces a "grave situation" as he warns the virus is "accelerating its speed". (People's Daily) The United States orders the evacuation of the Consulate General of the United States, Wuhan employees and U.S. citizens in the city. (The New York Times)
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping holds a special Party Politburo meeting where he says that the country faces a "grave situation" as he warns the virus is "accelerating its speed". (People's Daily)
2019–2021 Iraqi protests Iraqi security forces raid a protest site in Baghdad and try to remove protesters in southern cities, firing tear gas and live bullets, killing four and wounding dozens more. The raid comes after Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers to withdraw. (Reuters)
Iraqi security forces raid a protest site in Baghdad and try to remove protesters in southern cities, firing tear gas and live bullets, killing four and wounding dozens more. The raid comes after Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers to withdraw. (Reuters)
Mali War Nineteen Malian soldiers are killed in an attack on an army camp. No group has claimed responsibility. (France24)
62nd Annual Grammy Awards Billie Eilish sweeps the major categories winning Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist. (Los Angeles Times)
Nineteen Malian soldiers are killed in an attack on an army camp. No group has claimed responsibility. (France24)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Afghan forces launch ground and air operations against the Taliban, killing 51 of them in nine provinces of the country. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense say that the military conducted thirteen ground offensives and twelve airstrikes. In the northern province of Balkh, local officials say that three women and four children were killed. (Reuters)
Afghan forces launch ground and air operations against the Taliban, killing 51 of them in nine provinces of the country. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense say that the military conducted thirteen ground offensives and twelve airstrikes. In the northern province of Balkh, local officials say that three women and four children were killed. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany confirms its first case of novel coronavirus in the state of Bavaria. The infected man has been placed in an isolation ward and the risk of further infection is currently considered to be "low", according to the Bavarian Health Ministry. (Deutsche Welle)
