In Brief: Trump announces U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem as Arab states protest; Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Britain condemn U.S. decision; Former Yemen President killed after switching sides in civil war; Honduras opposition contest Presidential election; Iraqi PM announces end of war against ISIS; U.K. and E.U. agree to preliminary Brexit deal; Russian air-strikes kill dozens in Syria; 15 U.N. peacekeepers killed in Congo; Australia allows same-sex marriage; Putin announces re-election bid; IOC bans Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics.

 United States of America

• Trump recognizes Jerusalem as capital of Israel, will move U.S. embassy
• Supreme Court backs Trump’s travel ban
• U.S. flies bomber over South Korea in show of force to North Korea
• Trump taps career diplomat to run U.S. Embassy in Cuba
• Thousands forced to evacuate from fires in Southern California 
• 2 killed in school shooting in Nex Mexico
• 14 U.N. Security Council members criticize U.S. action on Jerusalem
• E.U. calls on U.S. to stick to Iran nuclear deal

Yemen

• Former President Saleh killed after switching sides in civil war
• Saudi air strikes hit Sanaa in retaliation 
• Death toll in Sanaa fighting rises to 234 killed, 400 wounded
• Saudi-backed fighters capture coastal area from Houthi’s 
• U.S. military air strikes kill 5 al Qaeda militants 

Honduras

• Incumbent President Hernandez leads in presidential election recount, irregularities reported
• Opposition challenges presidential election, will seek to annul results and request full recount
• OAS refuses to back Honduran results after vote count chaos 
• Election tribunal recounts 4,753 ballots, same results 

Iraq

• Prime Minister announces war against ISIS has ended

Israel

• Israel strikes Gaza militant post after rockets fired at Israel
• Thousands march in Tel Aviv to protest against Netanyahu as he faces corruption allegations 
• French President Macron asks Netanyahu to make gestures towards peace, suggests freeze of settlement constructions
• Palestinian stabs Israeli security guard in Jerusalem

Palestine

• Palestinians protest Trump’s move on Jerusalem 
• Hamas calls for uprising in response 
• 2 killed in clashes between protesters and Israeli forces along the Gaza fence, many injured
• Israeli strikes kill 2 Hamas men 
• E.U. vows push to make Jerusalem capital for Palestinians too 
• President Abbas will refuse to meet U.S. Vice President Pence during visit over Jerusalem move
• U.S. House passes measure to limit aid to Palestinians over ‘martyr payments’ 

United Kingdom

• Plot to kill Prime Minister Theresa May foiled
• U.K. and E.U. claim Brexit breakthrough 
• Voters may be able to change final deal

India

• Rahul Ghandi set to be opposition Congress party chief
• China criticizes India over crashes drone on border
• Soldier kills 4 colleagues at camp in Central India

Pakistan

• Bomb blast kills 9 near Afghan border
• U.S. defense chief urges Pakistan to redouble efforts against militants 
• Over 300 Balock separatist militants surrender

France

• Rock-star legend Johnny Hallyday dies after battle with lung cancer
• France and Qatar sign deals with $12 billion
• Pro-Palestinians march in Paris 
• Conservatives elect new leader, Laurent Wauquiez to oppose President Macron

Spain

• Judge withdraws arrest warrant for Catalan leaders 
• Thousands of Catalans rally in Brussels, decry E.U. failures to help

Malta

• 10 arrested in journalist’s bombing murder
• Police suspect car bomb that killed reporter was triggered from boat 

Turkey

• Turkey says recognizing Jerusalem as capital would cause catastrophe 

Syria

• Bus bomb kills 8 in Homs city
• Russian air strikes kill 21 in Eastern Syria 
• Israeli missiles target Syrian military facility near Damascus 
• Russian long-range bombers hit ISIS targets
• U.N. calls for urgent evacuation of 137 sick Syrian children

Italy

• Police arrest woman mafia boss, 24 others in Palermo
• Thousands of Democrats protest against fascism 

Egypt

• Security forces kill 5 suspected militants in raid
• Former interior minister arrested for corruption
• Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo for emergency meeting on Jerusalem

Central African Republic

• Christian militants kill U.N. peacekeeper in Bria

Sierra Leone

• Peace diamond sold for $6.5 million in New York; half of the proceeds to be used for infrastructure in Sierra Leone 

Mali

• Saudi Arabia pledges $100 million to African anti-jihadist force 

North Korea

• Senior North Korean diplomat meets with U.N. political affairs chief
• Government says U.S. threats make war unavoidable on Korean peninsula 
• U.N. urges North Korea to keep diplomatic channels open

Chile

• Leftist leader backs center-left candidate Guillier in run-off presidential election

Japan

• Japan wants missile with enough range to strike North Korea 
• E.U. and Japan conclude world’s largest free trade agreement 
• Samurai sword attack leaves 3 dead at Tokyo shrine 
• Man kills wife, priestess sister, and himself with sword in family feud 

Brazil

• Prosecutor accuses ex-minister, congressman of money laundering
• Police catch most wanted favela boss in Rio de Janeiro 

Mexico

• U.N. rights team warns of crisis for the safety of journalist’s 
• Opposition leader Anaya to seek presidency in coalition

China

• China warns of imminent attacks by “terrorists” in Pakistan
• China accuses Australia of paranoia over foreign influence laws
• Macau suspends lawmaker for protest

South Africa

• Listeria kills at least 36 people 
• Corruption watchdogs find $22 million misspent during Mandela’s funeral
• Court rules Zuma’s appointment of state prosecutor invalid

Australia

• Citing concerns over China, Australia cracks down on foreign political influence
• Parliament allows same-sex marriage

New Zealand

• Foreign minister praises China ties, puts away fears of protectionism 

South Sudan

• At least 45 killed in ethnic fighting 
• Government wants thousands sheltering in U.N. camps to leave

Georgia

• Protesters gather in Kiev after police recapture former Georgia leader

Greece

• Greek islanders protest in Athens over migrant overcrowding
• Turkish President Erdogan visits Greece to discuss borders 

Iran

• British foreign minister visits President Rouhani to lobby for jailed aid worker 

Austria

• Constitutional court legalizes same-sex marriage 

Qatar

• Gulf rulers boycotting Qatar skip annual cooperation summit 

Myanmar

• U.N. claims Myanmar forces may be guilty of genocide against Rohingya Muslims 

Lebanon

• Hariri rescinds resignation as government agrees to deal
• Major powers push Saudi Arabia and Iran to stop interfering in Lebanon
• Thousands protest against Trump protest at U.S. Embassy in Beirut, tear gas used

Mongolia

• President vetoes 2018 budget claiming the planned deficit would violate terms of IMF bailout agreement 

Afghanistan

• At least 80 al-Qaeda militants killed in Eastern Afghanistan including top leader

Ethiopia

• German tourist shot dead in Northeastern Ethiopia 

Russia

• President Putin announces re-election bid 
• IOC bans Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics 
• Russia declares 9 U.S. media outlets ‘foreign agents’
• Lawmakers vote to bar entry of U.S. reporters 

Germany

• Passenger train hits freight train, dozens injured 
• On Jerusalem, Merkel sticking to U.N. resolutions 
• Center-left party agrees to hold talks with Merkel
• German intelligence warns of increased Chinese cyber-spying 

Paraguay

• Congress legalizes planting of marijuana for medical uses 

Colombia

• Shoot-out between rebels kills 13 

Venezuela

• Venezuela’s U.N. envoy resigns on orders of President Maduro 
• Main opposition parties banned from presidential election 
• Ruling Socialist Party wins Zulia state governorship 

Saudi Arabia

• Detainees in anti-corruption drive receive pardon in exchange for settlements 
• Saudi Arabia condemns Trump decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital 
• Trump asks Saudi Arabia to allow immediate aid to Yemen

Kosovo

• President wants international missions to leave country 

Libya

• African Union to evacuate 15,000 migrants from Libya this year

Somalia

• Air-strikes reported near Mogadishu, al Shabaab militants targeted 

Czech Republic

• President appoints Andrej Babis as new Prime Minister 

Guatemala

• 5 people electrocuted decorating Christmas tree

Uganda

• 281 troops to withdraw from Somalia 

Cambodia

• U.S. restricts visas for Cambodians ‘undermining democracy’ 

Algeria

• Algeria says Jerusalem announcement ‘blatant violation’ of U.N. resolutions 

Ivory Coast

• Ivory Coast to retire 1,000 soldiers to slim down military 

Cameroon

• Government escalates military crackdown on Anglophone separatists 

Argentina

• Federal judge seeks arrest of former President Fernandez for treason 

Nepal

• Millions vote for provincial, national assemblies
• Alliance between former Maoist rebels and moderate communists head for election victory 
• K.P. Oli wins parliament seat, likely to be next Prime Minister 

Madagascar

• IMF approves $44.5 million credit for Madagascar 

Malaysia

• Prime Minister Najib calls on Muslims worldwide to oppose recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Zimbabwe

• Budget proposal aims to woo foreign investors 
• Bank accounts of Mugabe’s allies frozen

Nigeria

• Anti-Boko Haram general fired 

Poland

• Finance Minister Morawiecki to be new Prime Minister
• Polish parliament, defying E.U. approves judiciary overhaul

Tunisia

• Thousands protest against Trump’s Jerusalem decision

Liberia

• Court clears way for Presidential run-off vote

Congo

• 15 U.N. peacekeepers killed, 53 injured in worst single attack against U.N. mission

Serbia

• President says Serbia does not plan to join NATO

Norway

• Liberal Party seeks to join right-wing government 

Maldives

• Maldives rush through trade pact with China despite opposition 

Finland

• 2 die after boat capsizes in Gulf of Finland 

Vietnam

• Police arrest former politburo member over misconduct 

Kuwait

• Kuwait names ruler’s son as defense minister in Cabinet shakeup 

Sweden

• 3 arrested after attempted attack at Swedish synagogue 

Indonesia

• Thousands protest Jerusalem move outside U.S. Embassy in Jakarta 

Romania

• Over 20,000 protest against proposed judicial reforms 

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