All news: Wednesday 31 December 2025

United States strikes on alleged drug traffickers during Operation Southern Spear

Five people are killed while others escape after the United States conducts airstrikes on three alleged drug boats at an undisclosed location.

Russo-Ukrainian war

Russian authorities report at least 24 people are killed, including a child, and dozens of others are injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on a hotel and a restaurant in Khorly in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, Ukraine.

2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis

Thailand releases 18 prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia.

Syrian conflict

An Islamic State suicide bomber blows himself up near a checkpoint in Aleppo, Syria, after attempting to reach an Orthodox church, killing one security force member and wounding two more.

Serbia–United States relations

The United States issues a temporary license allowing Serbia's majority-Russian-owned Naftna Industrija Srbije to resume refinery operations until January 23 despite sanctions linked to the Russo-Ukrainian war.

United States–Venezuela relations

The United States imposes sanctions on four Venezuelan companies in the oil industry and four oil tankers.

2025–2026 Iranian protests

Iran appoints Abdolnaser Hemmati as the new leader of the Central Bank following protests over the Iranian rial's value depreciating and the previous governor's resignation.

2025–2026 Iranian protests

A Basij officer is killed and 13 others are injured in clashes in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran, during demonstrations over rising living costs.

2025 deployment of federal forces in the United States

U.S. president Donald Trump announces the withdrawal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland after federal courts blocked or restricted the deployments.

Deportation in the second Trump administration

U.S. federal judge Trina Thompson of California blocks the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for about 89,000 migrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, ruling that the terminations may be motivated by racial hostility.

At least three informal miners are killed in a shooting in Pataz District, Department of La Libertad, Peru. Two people are arrested.

Saudi Vision 2030

The Six Flags Qiddiya City amusement park officially opens to the public in Saudi Arabia, with the Falcons Flight attraction breaking records as the world's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.