Armed conflicts and attacks
A study by BBC World Service and King's College London finds the death toll from jihadist attacks during the month of November surpassed 5,000. (BBC)
Taliban insurgency
A Taliban suicide bomber kills at least six Afghan National Army soldiers in Tangi Tarakhil on the outskirts of Kabul. (AFP via France 24)[permanent dead link]
A suicide bomber attacks a cultural center putting on a play critical of terrorist attacks, killing a German national and wounding 16 others. (Reuters/AFP via ABC News Australia)
The Obama Administration orders the closing of the last US-run detention facility in Afghanistan at the Bagram Airfield. (New York Daily News)
Islamist insurgency in Nigeria:
Two bombs explode in the central Nigerian city of Jos with at least 40 people dead. (Reuters via Daily Mail)
Arts and culture
The oldest time capsule in the United States is unearthed at the Massachusetts State House. The capsule was first buried in the cornerstone by Samuel Adams in 1795 and reburied by Henry Gardner in 1855. Wrapped in cowhide, four silver coins fell out when it was found. (ABC), (CNN)
Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, announces that Pope Francis will hold a consistory for the creation of new cardinals Feb. 14-15, 2015. Fr. Lombardi spoke during a briefing with media at the end of the Council of Cardinals that met in the Vatican Dec. 9 – 11. (Catholic News Agency)