Armed conflicts and attacks
Gumsuri kidnapping
News emerges, after survivors reach the city of Maiduguri, that suspected Boko Haram militants stormed the remote village of Gumsuri in north-eastern Nigeria on December 14, killing at least 33 people and kidnapping about 200. (BBC)
Business and economy
The price of Brent Crude oil rises to $61+ per barrel as companies cut upstream investments. (Reuters)