December 2017 Current Events: World News
Disaster News | Science & Technology News | US News
The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the world news events you need to know so far for December 2017:
An explosion and fire at the Gas Connect Austria pipeline hub in Baumgarten an der March kills one person and injures 21. Service to Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy is suspended. Italy declares a state of emergency. (Reuters) (Deutsche Welle)
- Switzerland Expected to Return Stolen Funds to Nigeria
- Number of IS Fighters Dwindles
- U.S. Media Barred from Russia
- Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
- Japan to Acquire Missiles
- Putin Orders Withdrawal of Troops
- School Bus Accident in France
- Putin to Run for Reelection
Switzerland Expected to Return Stolen Funds to Nigeria
On December 4, Switzerland announced it will return nearly $321 million to Nigeria, money that was laundered by former military ruler Sani Abacha. The two countries have worked with the World Bank to ensure the assets would be returned. (Reuters)
AP Photo
Number of IS Fighters Dwindles
On December 5, it was announced that fewer than 3,000 IS fighters remain in Syria and Iraq. However, U.S. Army Colonel Ryan Dillon maintains that the group still possesses a certain threat to the area. (Reuters)
AP Photo/ Russian Defense Ministry Press Service
U.S. Media Barred from Russia
On December 6, Russia’s parliament voted to bar U.S. mass media correspondents from attending its sessions. (Reuters)
AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin
Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
Reversing decades of U.S. policy, President Trump announced on December 7 that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. President Trump is working towards moving the embassy. The announcement has received much criticism from allies and enemies of the U.S. (Reuters)
Debbie Hill, Pool via AP
Japan to Acquire Missiles
After North Korea’s successful missile test, Japan announced on December 8 that it would acquire missiles that could reach North Korea. However, Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera stated that Japan is still relying on the U.S. for defense, not the missiles. (Reuters)
Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP
Putin Orders Withdrawal of Troops
After visiting Syria on December 11, Russian President Putin ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian troops. Putin remains an ally to Syria as it continues to fight terrorism. (CNN)
Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP
School Bus Accident in France
On December 14, a train crashed into a school bus near Perpignan in southern France, resulting in two deaths, according to early reports (BBC news).
AP Photo/Lewis Levine
Putin to Run for Reelection
On December 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his bid for reelection in 2018. (ABC News)
AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin
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