Multiple scientific reports, including from NASA, said that 2020 effectively tied 2016 as the hottest year ever recorded (NYT). Scientists warned that the world could soon see the first year that is at least 1.5°C (2.7°F) above preindustrial levels; a goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change is to limit warming to 1.5°C.
 
The high temperatures had sweeping consequences (WaPo) around the world: in the United States, California suffered some of its worst wildfires ever; Russia’s Siberia saw temperatures more than 10°F above average; and the Atlantic hurricane season was the busiest on record, among other catastrophes. Disasters, worsened by climate change, caused $210 billion in damage (E&E News) worldwide in 2020, according to global reinsurer Munich Re. And in the United States, there were twenty-two disasters that each caused at least $1 billion in damage last year.

North Korea unveiled a new submarine-launched missile (Yonhap) during a military parade. The event came on the heels of the country’s party congress, during which leader Kim Jong-un pledged to bolster North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

CFR’s annual Preventive Priorities Survey ranks a crisis stemming from North Korea’s continued development of nuclear weapons as the top conflict that could emerge in 2021.

Indonesia: More than thirty people died (AFP, Reuters) in a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked the island of Sulawesi early this morning. Rescuers are searching for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed hospital and other buildings.

India’s government held a ninth round of talks with farmers protesting against new agriculture laws but failed to break a deadlock (Indian Express). The farmers have vowed to continue protesting even after India’s Supreme Court put the laws on hold earlier this week.

Kazakhstan: Askar Mamin was reappointed as prime minister (Reuters) after parliamentary elections held earlier this month, indicating that drastic changes in policy are unlikely.

UN officials called on the United States to reverse a recent decision (NYT) to blacklist Yemen’s Houthi rebels, warning that designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization could disrupt food deliveries to Yemen and cause a “large-scale famine.”

Iran: State television reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched several surface-to-surface ballistic missiles (AP) as part of military exercises held today. Iran has upped its military drills in recent weeks amid increased tensions with the United States.

Early results from yesterday’s Ugandan election showed President Yoweri Museveni with a wide lead (AFP). The opposition leader known as Bobi Wine rejected the provisional results, alleged electoral fraud, and claimed victory.

Central African Republic: The UN refugee agency said that some sixty thousand people have been displaced from their homes, double the number from a week ago, due to rising violence related to the December 27 presidential election.

Germany’s main governing party, the Christian Democratic Union, will choose a new leader (Politico) from three candidates on Saturday. That person will have a strong chance of succeeding Angela Merkel as chancellor later this year.
 
Russia: The Foreign Ministry announced the country will pull out of the Treaty on Open Skies (Reuters), a pact that allows signatories to fly unarmed aircraft over other countries’ territory for surveillance. The United States withdrew from the treaty in November.

This CFR In Brief explains the Treaty on Open Skies.

Mexican authorities said they won’t bring charges (NYT) against former Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, whom U.S. authorities arrested last year on drug-trafficking and corruption charges. Following outrage from Mexico, the U.S. charges were dropped and he was sent home. Mexican officials had promised to pursue a thorough investigation.
 
CFR’s Shannon K. O’Neil writes that the U.S.-Mexico relationship could face challenges in the near future.
 
Haiti: Opposition leaders have called for their supporters to join protests (AP) starting today demanding that President Jovenel Moise step down next month.

President-Elect Joe Biden shared the details of a $1.9 billion emergency relief plan (WaPo) that would deliver direct aid to families, businesses, and communities and provide funding for COVID-19 vaccines and tests.