Russia says at least 27 people were killed after a Ukrainian drone strike allegedly hit a café and hotel in the Russian-occupied village of Khorly in Ukraine’s Kherson region during New Year celebrations. Russian authorities claim civilians, including children, were among the victims and have opened a terrorism investigation into the incident.

The United States has carried out a precision air strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government. President Donald Trump said the operation followed intelligence showing ISIS fighters targeting Christian communities, escalating U.S. involvement in West Africa’s growing security crisis. While Washington says multiple ISIS militants were killed, Nigerian officials caution the conflict is complex, affecting both Muslim and Christian populations. This report breaks down what triggered the strike, the religious freedom debate, and what comes next for U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation.