December 18, 2010 (Saturday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Teams of militants assaulted the Afghan army in the north of the country and in the capital, killing at least 16 members of the security forces. (The New York Times) (Xinhua)
- An Israeli air-strike in the Gaza Strip kills five Palestinian militants according to Palestinian sources; Israel says they were attempting to fire missiles into Israel. (BBC)(CNN)(The Jerusalem Post)
Business and economy
- The United States' unemployment rate rises in 21 states, the highest number to report an increase since August. It falls in 15 states. (Washington Times)
- Bank of America bans Wikileaks payments as a result of news of an upcoming release of information on banks in the United States that could leave an impact. (New York Post)
Disasters
- At least 30 people drown after a boat capsizes in northeastern Bangladesh. (BBC) (Times of India)
- A Chinese fishing boat capsizes during a scuffle with a South Korean coastguard ship, leaving one dead and two missing. (AP) (Channel News Asia)
- Roads, railways and airports across the United Kingdom are severely affected by further heavy snowfall. Severe weather warnings have been issued for many areas. (BBC)
International relations
- Ivory Coast crisis:
- Kenya calls on African nations to oust Ivory Coast incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo from office, by force if necessary, if he does not step down. (Al Jazeera)
- Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo orders United Nations peacekeepers to leave the country. (BBC)
- South Korean military officials say they will proceed with planned live-fire artillery drills from an island bombarded by North Korea last month, despite threats of retaliation. (VOA) (BBC)
- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrives for a working visit in Pakistan and meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. (The Hindu)
- Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad says that there has been a change in the Palestinian mindset and they "are fully committed to non-violence". (Jerusalem Post)
- A PRC fishing boat collided with a South Korea coastguard ship causing an incident near Eocheong island (Yahoo)
Law and crime
- Nigeria agrees to drop corruption charges against Dick Cheney and Halliburton in exchange for a $250 million settlement. (Business Week)
- Hundreds of people, including nationalists, are arrested in the Russian capital Moscow in an attempt to prevent an outbreak of ethnic violence. (Reuters) (RIA Novosti)
- Around 140 prisoners break out of jail in Nuevo Laredo, northern Mexico. (UPI)
- The United States Senate repeals "Don't Ask Don't Tell" by a vote of 65-35. The bill will now be sent to President Barack Obama to be signed. (New York Times)
- An Italian court grants Amanda Knox a review of the forensic evidence used to convict her of the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher. (BBC)
Politics
- The Venezuelan parliament temporarily grants more powers to President Hugo Chávez in the wake of recent flooding, allowing him to pass laws by decree without the support of the National Assembly.(BBC)