Monday, January 6, 2025

French military withdrawal from West Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron says France was right to intervene militarily in the African Sahel against the mujahideen, that he is still waiting for the Sahel states to thank France and that the French Armed Forces were not forced out.

2025 al-Funduq shooting

Three Israelis are killed and eight others are injured in a mass shooting by Palestinian gunmen firing at a bus and two vehicles on Highway 55 in Al-Funduq in the West Bank.

2025 Bijapur Naxal attack

A bomb blast attributed to Maoist rebels in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, India, kills eight police officers and a driver traveling in a police vehicle.

Kherson strikes

A Russian drone attacks a civilian passenger bus in Kherson, Ukraine, reportedly killing at least one person and injuring at least nine others.

2024 Magdeburg car attack

The death toll in the vehicle-ramming attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on December 20, increases to six after a 52-year-old woman dies from injuries sustained in the attack.

North Korean missile tests

The South Korean military reports that North Korea has fired what appears to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, in what would be the country's first missile launch in two months. The launch comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Seoul, South Korea, for talks with South Korean leaders.

Mexican drug war

At least eight gunmen are killed and three policemen are wounded after security agents repels an attack near the Buenavista de Libertad, Yuriria, Guanajuato, Mexico. Security forces members seize four vehicles, ballistic vests, and twelve firearms. In the same area, another encounter was reported two months ago, leaving three officers wounded.

World

Two people are killed and two others are injured in an IED attack at a school near Abuja, Nigeria, with police identifying three men as suspects in bringing the device to the site.

Humanitarian aid during the Syrian civil war

The International Committee of the Red Cross announces plans to expand its operations in Syria beyond an initial US$100 million program, citing urgent needs in the health, water, and power sectors.

International reactions to the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election

The Venezuelan government suspends diplomatic relations with Paraguay, after Paraguayan President Santiago Peña recognizes Edmundo González as president-elect of Venezuela.

2024 Austrian legislative election

After the Austrian People's Party fails to form a government, President of Austria Alexander van der Bellen gives the mandate to form a post-election government to the Freedom Party's leader Herbert Kickl, who is expected to rule within a coalition of the two parties.

Conscription in Israel

More than 50 Haredi Jews join the Israel Defense Forces for the first time since the start of the Gaza war, forming the Haredi Hasmonean Brigade, after repeated protests against the conscription of yeshiva students.

Proposals for the United States to purchase Greenland

The King of Denmark officially changes the Danish coat of arms to feature Greenland and the Faroe Islands more prominently, following suggestions from United States president-elect Donald Trump about the nation purchasing Greenland.

Resignation of Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and also announces that he will resign as Prime Minister once a new Liberal Party leader is chosen.

Second presidential transition of Donald Trump

The U.S. Congress certifies the results of the 2024 presidential election. U.S. Vice President and Democratic Party candidate in the 2024 presidential election. Kamala Harris presides over the ceremony and certifies her defeat, officially making Donald Trump the President-elect and JD Vance the Vice President-elect. Trump and Vance are expected to be sworn-in on January 20.

Politics

Pope Francis appoints Sister Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, becoming the Vatican's first female prefect of the Roman Curia.

Politics

The President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, dismisses the Government of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada.

Volksverhetzung

Germany reports a significant increase in far-right crime, primarily from increasing online expression offenses and hate speech, as well as an increase in Gaza war-related resentment.

Justice

The Court of Appeal of Malaysia orders a lower court to reconsider former Prime Minister Najib Razak's claim of a royal order granting him home detention, which he alleges was issued alongside his reduced prison sentence for his involvement in the 1MDB corruption scandal. The ruling follows the disclosure of a letter confirming the existence of such an order, which the government asserts they have not received.

Justice

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello says that 125 foreign citizens have been arrested on suspicion of serving as United States mercenaries in order to cause a coup in Venezuela.

2025 Assam mine incident

Several miners are trapped in a coal mine in Dima Hasao, Assam, India, with rescue efforts underway involving the State Disaster Response Force, the National Disaster Response Force, and the Indian Army. Local authorities state that flooding may have caused the incident.

Disasters

18 people are killed in a multi-vehicle collision on Van Reenen's Pass in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

2022–2023 Russia–European Union gas dispute

According to Slovakia, a planned meeting between Slovak, Ukrainian, and European Commission officials over gas supplies scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled due to Ukraine's refusal to participate in the meeting.

Business

The Brazilian government announces that Indonesia has joined the BRICS trade bloc as a full member.

Business

Colombian bank Davivienda and Canadian bank Scotiabank announces a merger where Davivienda will absorb Scotiabank's operations in Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama, and, Scotiabank will acquire 20% of Davidienda's stakes.

2020–2025 H5N1 outbreak

The United States reports its first death from H5N1 bird flu after a man died in the hospital in Louisiana.