Armed conflicts and attacks
Yemeni crisis
The Houthis release eleven seamen from the Eternity C carrier. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera)
The Southern Transitional Council seizes swathes of territory from the government of Yemen in Hadhramaut Governorate, including Seiyun. (The New York Times)
Gaza war
The Israeli army says four of its soldiers were wounded in a Hamas attack in Rafah. (The Times of Israel)
Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip
Israel says it will reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, allowing Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip. (BBC News) (PBS)
Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip
Five Palestinians, including two children, are killed by Israeli drone strikes near Khan Younis. (Al Jazeera)
Disasters and accidents
Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
Malaysia announces that the search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will resume on December 30, with Ocean Infinity conducting a 55-day underwater search in a targeted area of the southern Indian Ocean under its existing "no-find, no-fee" agreement with the government. (Reuters)