2021–2022 Boulder County fires At least three people are confirmed missing, and at least 988 homes are confirmed destroyed, after a wildfire struck Boulder County, Colorado, United States, since December 30. (CNN)
At least three people are confirmed missing, and at least 988 homes are confirmed destroyed, after a wildfire struck Boulder County, Colorado, United States, since December 30. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England England reports a record 162,572 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Independent) COVID-19 pandemic in France France surpasses 10 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the sixth country to reach the milestone. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland reports a record 23,281 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Irish Independent) Europe surpasses 100 million cases of COVID-19. (Voice of America)
Europe surpasses 100 million cases of COVID-19. (Voice of America)
Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war The rebel-held city of Idlib loses its supply of water after Russian Air Force jets bombed a nearby water station. Airstrikes have increased in the past 24 hours with attacks also reported on farms near the Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing, and on IDP camps near Jisr al-Shughur which killed three people. (Reuters)
Syrian civil war Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war The rebel-held city of Idlib loses its supply of water after Russian Air Force jets bombed a nearby water station. Airstrikes have increased in the past 24 hours with attacks also reported on farms near the Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing, and on IDP camps near Jisr al-Shughur which killed three people. (Reuters)
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake strikes on the border between Yunnan and Sichuan, China, injuring 22 people. (Al Jazeera)
The rebel-held city of Idlib loses its supply of water after Russian Air Force jets bombed a nearby water station. Airstrikes have increased in the past 24 hours with attacks also reported on farms near the Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing, and on IDP camps near Jisr al-Shughur which killed three people. (Reuters)
AIDAnova, a cruise ship operated by German cruise line AIDA Cruises and carrying 4,197 people, has docked in Lisbon, Portugal, after 52 crew members tested positive for COVID-19 and isolated at various hotels. (The New York Times)
An Azerbaijani State Border Service guard kills three fellow servicemen at his post and escapes. A manhunt is underway. (Trend News Agency)
COVID-19 misinformation Twitter announces that they have permanently suspended U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for allegedly violating the company's policies about COVID-19 misinformation. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announces that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships AIDAnova, a cruise ship operated by German cruise line AIDA Cruises and carrying 4,197 people, has docked in Lisbon, Portugal, after 52 crew members tested positive for COVID-19 and isolated at various hotels. (The New York Times)
Ethiopia–United States relations, Guinea–United States relations, Mali–United States relations The United States cuts off Ethiopia, Guinea and Mali from the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade preference program citing their human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions. (Al Jazeera)
February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm, 2021 Texas power crisis The death toll from a destructive winter storm that triggered statewide blackouts in Texas, U.S., last year is updated to 246. (The Texas Tribune)
The death toll from a destructive winter storm that triggered statewide blackouts in Texas, U.S., last year is updated to 246. (The Texas Tribune)
The United States cuts off Ethiopia, Guinea and Mali from the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade preference program citing their human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions. (Al Jazeera)
Twitter announces that they have permanently suspended U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for allegedly violating the company's policies about COVID-19 misinformation. (The New York Times)
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announces that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (Politico)
Spillover of the Somali Civil War Six men are killed by suspected al-Shabaab militants in a village in Lamu County, Kenya, near the border with Somalia. (Reuters)
2022 Arauca clashes Clashes between the revolutionary far-left armed groups ELN and FARC dissidents in Arauca Department leave 23 people dead near Colombia’s border with Venezuela. (Al Jazeera)
Clashes between the revolutionary far-left armed groups ELN and FARC dissidents in Arauca Department leave 23 people dead near Colombia’s border with Venezuela. (Al Jazeera)
Colombian conflict 2022 Arauca clashes Clashes between the revolutionary far-left armed groups ELN and FARC dissidents in Arauca Department leave 23 people dead near Colombia’s border with Venezuela. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Food and Drug Administration authorizes the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for children between the ages of 12 and 15 years, becoming the world's first vaccine to be authorized as a booster shot for this age group. (ABC News)
Six men are killed by suspected al-Shabaab militants in a village in Lamu County, Kenya, near the border with Somalia. (Reuters)
2022 Kazakh protests Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposes a two-week state of emergency in Almaty, the country's largest city, and in Mangystau District due to violent protests that have been occurring in the region over an increase in the price of gasoline. (The Guardian)
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposes a two-week state of emergency in Almaty, the country's largest city, and in Mangystau District due to violent protests that have been occurring in the region over an increase in the price of gasoline. (The Guardian)
The government of Kazakhstan resigns following the protests, with Alihan Smaiylov becoming acting Prime Minister. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also announces the reintroduction of the price cap on liquefied petroleum gas. (Deutsche Welle)
2021 Belarus–European Union border crisis, Belarus–Lithuania relations The Lithuanian government announces that it will not extend the state of emergency at the border with Belarus. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Polish President Andrzej Duda tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. He previously tested positive in October 2020. (Voice of America)
Polish President Andrzej Duda tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. He previously tested positive in October 2020. (Voice of America)
The Lithuanian government announces that it will not extend the state of emergency at the border with Belarus. (Reuters)
2022 Philadelphia apartment fire Twelve people are killed and two others are injured in a fire at a row house converted into apartments in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses the use of booster shots of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12. (CNN)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses the use of booster shots of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12. (CNN)
Eight police officers are killed and 317 others injured in clashes between protesters and security forces. No figures on civilian casualties have been released. (Reuters)
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses the use of booster shots of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12. (CNN)
Twelve people are killed and two others are injured in a fire at a row house converted into apartments in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. (ABC News)
United States President Joe Biden blames former President Donald Trump squarely over his role in the January 6 United States Capitol attack. (CNN)
2021 Men's Singles champion Novak Djokovic is detained by the Australian Border Force for failing to provide a valid medical exemption to explain his not being vaccinated against COVID-19 under federal guidelines. The Victoria State Government and Tennis Australia had previously approved Djokovic's exemption under their own guidelines, which was not endorsed by the federal Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. (The Guardian)
2022 Australian Open, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 2021 Men's Singles champion Novak Djokovic is detained by the Australian Border Force for failing to provide a valid medical exemption to explain his not being vaccinated against COVID-19 under federal guidelines. The Victoria State Government and Tennis Australia had previously approved Djokovic's exemption under their own guidelines, which was not endorsed by the federal Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic The French National Assembly votes 214−93 with 27 abstentions to approve a bill to transform the COVID-19 health pass into a vaccine pass, which would require people over the age of 12 years to show proof of vaccination in order to enter most public places and use inter-regional public transport. The bill will be debated in the Senate early next week and is expected to come into effect later this month. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The United States Armed Forces order all personnel stationed in Japan to wear masks when traveling off-base amid criticism of their handling of the increase in COVID-19 cases in areas where they are based in large numbers, such as Okinawa and Iwakuni. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina surpasses 6 million cases of COVID-19 after reporting a record for the third consecutive day of 109,608 new cases of COVID-19. (NHK World-Japan) COVID-19 pandemic in Peru Peru raises its pandemic Alert level in 24 provinces from "moderate" to "high", resulting in an extended curfew between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., as well as tightened capacity limits in shopping centers, banks and restaurants. This comes as the number of daily COVID-19 cases increased 25% from the previous week. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, Strikes during the COVID-19 pandemic The Chicago Public Schools announces that schools in Chicago, Illinois, has been canceled for a third consecutive day as teachers in the city go on a strike over COVID-19 protocols. (National Review) (Chicago Tribune)
The French National Assembly votes 214−93 with 27 abstentions to approve a bill to transform the COVID-19 health pass into a vaccine pass, which would require people over the age of 12 years to show proof of vaccination in order to enter most public places and use inter-regional public transport. The bill will be debated in the Senate early next week and is expected to come into effect later this month. (Euronews)
The United States Armed Forces order all personnel stationed in Japan to wear masks when traveling off-base amid criticism of their handling of the increase in COVID-19 cases in areas where they are based in large numbers, such as Okinawa and Iwakuni. (ABC News)
2022 Kazakh protests Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issues his security forces a shoot-to-kill without warning order in an attempt to end the ongoing protests. (Reuters) The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that Russian troops deployed to Kazakhstan have maintained control of the Almaty International Airport and secured critical government buildings in Nur-Sultan, including the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. (Bloomberg) (The New York Times)
The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that Russian troops deployed to Kazakhstan have maintained control of the Almaty International Airport and secured critical government buildings in Nur-Sultan, including the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. (Bloomberg) (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan declares a quasi-state of emergency for Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima prefectures, which host U.S. military bases and are reporting an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. The quasi-emergency measures will take effect on January 9. (Kyodo News)
Japan declares a quasi-state of emergency for Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima prefectures, which host U.S. military bases and are reporting an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. The quasi-emergency measures will take effect on January 9. (Kyodo News)
At least seven people are killed and 32 others injured when a rock face collapses onto boats at Furnas Lake in Capitólio, Minas Gerais, Brazil. (The Washington Post)
Capitólio rock collapse At least seven people are killed and 32 others injured when a rock face collapses onto boats at Furnas Lake in Capitólio, Minas Gerais, Brazil. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden tests positive for COVID-19 for a second time. (U.S. News & World Report)
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden tests positive for COVID-19 for a second time. (U.S. News & World Report)
Foreign relations of Mali The West African nations of the 15-member bloc ECOWAS suspend diplomatic relations with Mali and announce that they are closing their borders with and imposing economic sanctions on Mali in response to an "unacceptable delay" to the country's next general election. (Reuters)
The West African nations of the 15-member bloc ECOWAS suspend diplomatic relations with Mali and announce that they are closing their borders with and imposing economic sanctions on Mali in response to an "unacceptable delay" to the country's next general election. (Reuters)
2022 Bronx apartment fire Seventeen people are killed and 44 others are injured after a fire spreads through a 19-story apartment building in the Bronx, New York City, United States. (CNN) (ABC News)
Seventeen people are killed and 44 others are injured after a fire spreads through a 19-story apartment building in the Bronx, New York City, United States. (CNN) (ABC News)
2022 Australian Open The Federal Court of Australia orders that Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic be released from immigration detention and allowed to compete in the Australian Open in order to defend his Championship, and also orders the federal government to pay Djokovic's legal fees. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education The Ontario government says that the province will resume in-person learning for students by January 17. (Ottawa Citizen) COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (NPR)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 2022 Australian Open The Federal Court of Australia orders that Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic be released from immigration detention and allowed to compete in the Australian Open in order to defend his Championship, and also orders the federal government to pay Djokovic's legal fees. (BBC News)
The Federal Court of Australia orders that Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic be released from immigration detention and allowed to compete in the Australian Open in order to defend his Championship, and also orders the federal government to pay Djokovic's legal fees. (BBC News)
2021–2022 social unrest in the French West Indies Roadblocks are set up by demonstrators and stones are thrown at the police in Basse-Terre. (France info)
2022 College Football Playoff National Championship In American football, Georgia defeats Alabama to win the national championship, its first since 1980. (CBS News)
Chile begins administering second booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, including immunocompromised people, becoming the first country in Latin America to do so. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile begins administering second booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, including immunocompromised people, becoming the first country in Latin America to do so. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal bans mass public gatherings of more than 25 people, closes schools until January 29 and mandates proof of vaccination in order to enter hotels, parks, restaurants, cinema halls, and public office beginning on January 21 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Reuters)
In American football, Georgia defeats Alabama to win the national championship, its first since 1980. (CBS News)
Nepal bans mass public gatherings of more than 25 people, closes schools until January 29 and mandates proof of vaccination in order to enter hotels, parks, restaurants, cinema halls, and public office beginning on January 21 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Reuters)
Roadblocks are set up by demonstrators and stones are thrown at the police in Basse-Terre. (France info)
Russia and the U.S. begin a series of talks in Geneva in an effort to defuse tensions between both countries as well as tensions with Ukraine. (The Guardian)
Russia–United States relations Russia and the U.S. begin a series of talks in Geneva in an effort to defuse tensions between both countries as well as tensions with Ukraine. (The Guardian)
The United States Mint announces that they have started shipping the first coins of the American Women quarters program. American poet Maya Angelou will become the first African American woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter. (The Hill) (NPR)
Bolivian vice president David Choquehuanca tests positive for COVID-19 for the third time. Six government ministers also test positive for COVID-19. (France 24)
