On Sunday, December 28, a train carrying at least 250 people derailed in the state of Oaxaca, southern Mexico. 13 people died, 98 were injured, 36 of whom are receiving medical attention.
On December 27 and 28, severe snowstorms swept across the US and a number of European countries, leading to fatalities in Sweden and thousands of flight delays in the United States. Storm Johannes left hundreds of thousands of people without power in Scandinavia, and 11 centimeters of snow fell in New York.
Great Britain and Germany have signed a joint contract worth £52 million for the acquisition of advanced RCH 155 artillery, capable of firing on the move and hitting targets at a distance of over 70 km. The agreement provides for an early demonstration model for the British Army and two units for testing by Germany.
The presidents of Ukraine and the United States will meet in Florida to discuss a plan to end the war, including Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Russian air attacks and disagreements on key issues.
The head of the Swiss armed forces, Thomas Süssli, stated that the country is not ready for large-scale military threats and can only counter cyberattacks. Only a third of soldiers would be equipped in an emergency.
China's cyber regulator has unveiled draft rules to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence services that mimic human personality and stimulate emotional dependence among users. Developers are obliged to control addiction, ensure safety, and protect data.
According to satellite analysis by American researchers, Russia may deploy new hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads in eastern Belarus, potentially enhancing its missile capabilities in Europe.
World oil prices for Brent and WTI fell by more than 2% due to expectations of a significant supply surplus in 2026 and US diplomatic activity. Traders are selling off contracts ahead of the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting, where a peace plan will be discussed.
Maduro authorized the release of 99 participants in the 2024 anti-government protests. This came after Donald Trump intensified the naval blockade and called for the country's leader to resign.
Two Chadian soldiers were killed and one wounded in a drone strike on a military camp in the border town of Tine. Chadian intelligence suggests the drone came from Sudan, where a war is ongoing.
Israel has become the first state to recognize Somaliland's independence since its de facto secession from Somalia in 1991. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint declaration with the region's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak received a 15-year prison sentence and a $2. 82 billion fine in the case of embezzlement from the 1MDB fund. The new term will begin after the completion of his previous sentence in 2028.
Thai Defense Minister Nakphanit flies to Cambodia for truce talks. The conflict has lasted three weeks, causing 98 deaths and half a million refugees.
Russia has almost doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Central Asia and Afghanistan, reaching 1. 016 million metric tons from January to November 2025. This happened after the EU imposed restrictions on the import of Russian propane and butane in December 2024.
Silver hit $75 for the first time on Friday, with gold and platinum also setting record highs. This occurred amid speculative bets, expectations of US interest rate cuts, and rising geopolitical tensions.
Oil prices rose on Friday after the US increased economic pressure on Venezuelan oil supplies and launched airstrikes against militants in Nigeria. Brent futures rose to $62.30 and WTI to $58.41 amid low market activity due to the Christmas holidays and expectations of an annual price decline.
Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, arrived in Dhaka after almost 17 years in London. His return is seen as a key stage in the party's preparations for the general election in February.
Russia criticized US actions in the Caribbean, calling the pressure on Venezuela a return to banditry. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow supports Nicolas Maduro.
Prince Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, appeared at the Christmas service in Sandringham without their father. Prince Andrew was absent due to his ties to convicted Jeffrey Epstein and the deprivation of military ranks and royal titles.
The Serbian government has supported negotiations between NIS's Russian owners and Hungarian MOL regarding the sale of a controlling stake. The aim of the deal is to remove the country's largest energy company from under US sanctions.
Authorities in Liechtenstein and Switzerland are investigating the deaths of four members of the same family, whose bodies were found in two locations. A 41-year-old man was discovered on the banks of the Rhine, and his parents and sister were found in an apartment in Vaduz.
Five people have died after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The aircraft was on a medical rescue mission, and among the dead are a guide, a doctor, a pilot, and two foreign tourists.
Turkish authorities have detained 115 people suspected of involvement with the "Islamic State," who were planning attacks during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Istanbul police conducted searches at 124 locations, seizing weapons.
Paramount Skydance revised its takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, including Larry Ellison's personal financing of $40.4 billion and an increased breakup fee. However, WBD's fifth-largest shareholder, Harris Oakmark, considers the changes insufficient, demanding a greater incentive.
On Wednesday evening, an explosion occurred in a mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria, during prayer. This region is the epicenter of the activities of the terrorist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State – West Africa.
The Trump administration has developed a plan to reform the immigrant detention system, envisioning the conversion of industrial warehouses into deportation centers. The new system is designed to accommodate over 80,000 people simultaneously, with a network of seven "super-warehouses" and 16 smaller facilities.
In Russia, the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center predicts the end of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2026. 70% of respondents consider 2026 to be more successful, and 55% associate this with the possible end of the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced preparations for a response after the explosion incident in Rafah, which injured an IDF officer. Hamas denies involvement, claiming the explosion was caused by old ammunition.
The US cannot intercept the oil tanker Bella 1, linked to the Nicolas Maduro regime, due to limited resources of the Maritime Security Response Team. The vessel's crew refused to voluntarily allow US law enforcement officers on board.
The militaries of Thailand and Cambodia have begun three-day talks to end a 16-day armed standoff that has killed at least 86 people. The goal of the meeting is to restore the truce previously brokered by Malaysia and the United States.
