COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia 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)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 134,439 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,533,635. (Infobae) COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia 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)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea authorizes the use of the protein-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for adults, making it the fifth vaccine to be approved for use in the country. (The Washington Post)
South Korea authorizes the use of the protein-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for adults, making it the fifth vaccine to be approved for use in the country. (The Washington Post)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Russia–United States relations Talks between NATO and Russia over Ukraine hit a breaking point as Poland warns of possible war. (Al Jazeera) Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will cut ties with the United States if sanctions are placed upon him. (Business Insider) The U.S. Senate rejects a bill that would sanction the Nord Stream pipeline amidst fears of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. (The New York Times)
Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will cut ties with the United States if sanctions are placed upon him. (Business Insider)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic The French Senate votes 249–63, with 26 abstentions, to approve a bill that would ban unvaccinated people from entering bars, restaurants, and other public places and also from using long-distance public transport. However, the modified bill would only apply to people over the age of 18 years and would only be in effect if the number of hospitalized patients exceeds 10,000 nationwide. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Sweden reports a record 25,215 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (U.S. News & World Report)
Sweden reports a record 25,215 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (U.S. News & World Report)
The French Senate votes 249–63, with 26 abstentions, to approve a bill that would ban unvaccinated people from entering bars, restaurants, and other public places and also from using long-distance public transport. However, the modified bill would only apply to people over the age of 18 years and would only be in effect if the number of hospitalized patients exceeds 10,000 nationwide. (The Independent)
The U.S. Senate rejects a bill that would sanction the Nord Stream pipeline amidst fears of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. (The New York Times)
Unidentified militants launch several rockets at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a woman and a child. (CNN)
2022 Australian Open The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Alex Hawke, invokes his ministerial powers under the Migration Act 1958 to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa on "health and good order grounds". (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil Brazil begins a COVID-19 vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 years old with the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine despite objections from President Jair Bolsonaro. (France 24) COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay Uruguay opens its borders to citizens and residents who have been infected with COVID-19. People will need to travel in private vehicles across the border and be in a family "bubble". (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 2022 Australian Open The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Alex Hawke, invokes his ministerial powers under the Migration Act 1958 to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa on "health and good order grounds". (ABC News Australia)
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Alex Hawke, invokes his ministerial powers under the Migration Act 1958 to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa on "health and good order grounds". (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports a record for the third consecutive day of 92,223 new cases of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency) COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson tests positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson tests positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay Uruguay opens its borders to citizens and residents who have been infected with COVID-19. People will need to travel in private vehicles across the border and be in a family "bubble". (Reuters)
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson tests positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
Uruguay opens its borders to citizens and residents who have been infected with COVID-19. People will need to travel in private vehicles across the border and be in a family "bubble". (Reuters)
2021 NFL season 2021–22 NFL playoffs In American football, the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 26-19, ending their 31-year playoff drought and winning a playoff game for the first time since 1991. (BBC Sport)
2021–22 NFL playoffs In American football, the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 26-19, ending their 31-year playoff drought and winning a playoff game for the first time since 1991. (BBC Sport)
An armed man claiming to be the brother of Pakistani Al-Qaeda suspect Aafia Siddiqui holds congregants hostage at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, United States. He is later shot and killed by police. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) (Jerusalem Post)
Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis An armed man claiming to be the brother of Pakistani Al-Qaeda suspect Aafia Siddiqui holds congregants hostage at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, United States. He is later shot and killed by police. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) (Jerusalem Post)
In American football, the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 26-19, ending their 31-year playoff drought and winning a playoff game for the first time since 1991. (BBC Sport)
Tonga is hit by ashfall and a tsunami after the eruption of Hunga Tonga, destroying homes as locals struggle to find higher ground. Major flooding is reported in the capital Nukuʻalofa. Shock waves from the eruption are detected as far away as Alaska, United States. Other Pacific countries have also advised their citizens to seek higher ground. Internet access has reportedly been disrupted in Tonga. (The Sydney Morning Herald) (The Guardian) (VOA)
2022 Australian Open The Federal Court of Australia confirms the lawfulness and legality of the visa cancellation and deportation order against Novak Djokovic issued by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Alex Hawke. Djokovic's lawyers are considering legal recourse while Djokovic himself has said that he is disappointed with the decision but will cooperate with Australian authorities. (ABC News Australia) Djokovic is deported from Australia, and disqualified from the Australian Open. He is replaced with Salvatore Caruso from Italy. (ABC News Australia)
The Federal Court of Australia confirms the lawfulness and legality of the visa cancellation and deportation order against Novak Djokovic issued by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Alex Hawke. Djokovic's lawyers are considering legal recourse while Djokovic himself has said that he is disappointed with the decision but will cooperate with Australian authorities. (ABC News Australia)
Authorities say that gunmen have killed more than 50 people, including two soldiers and a police officer, in a raid on a village in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. Security forces were forced to flee the area, leaving the militants to burn down shops and kidnap women and children. (Reuters)
Dankade massacre Authorities say that gunmen have killed more than 50 people, including two soldiers and a police officer, in a raid on a village in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. Security forces were forced to flee the area, leaving the militants to burn down shops and kidnap women and children. (Reuters)
Nigerian bandit conflict Dankade massacre Authorities say that gunmen have killed more than 50 people, including two soldiers and a police officer, in a raid on a village in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. Security forces were forced to flee the area, leaving the militants to burn down shops and kidnap women and children. (Reuters)
The French National Assembly votes 215–58 to give a final approval of mandatory vaccine pass that will require people aged above 16 years to be fully vaccinated in order to enter public places and long-distance public transport. The new law regarding vaccine pass will take effect in coming days once the law gets approved from the Constitutional Council. (Voice of America)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 137,102 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 23,211,894. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Paraguay Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez tests positive for COVID-19. (Yahoo! News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City The Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and his deputy Edgar Peña Parra both test positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
The Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and his deputy Edgar Peña Parra both test positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
US President Joe Biden says a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine will result in a more severe penalty than a "minor incursion" as he predicts that Russian President Vladimir Putin "will move in [on Ukraine]; he has to do something". (Reuters)
A seventh passenger from a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, tests positive for COVID-19. The plane landed in American Samoa on January 6, 2022. (Samoa News)
COVID-19 pandemic in American Samoa A seventh passenger from a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, tests positive for COVID-19. The plane landed in American Samoa on January 6, 2022. (Samoa News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kiribati Kiribati announces a curfew and mandatory face masks after 36 passengers on a charter flight from Fiji test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival. The plane was the first international commercial flight to land in the country since March 2020. Kiribati reopened its borders on January 10th. (Stuff.co.nz)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in American Samoa A seventh passenger from a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, tests positive for COVID-19. The plane landed in American Samoa on January 6, 2022. (Samoa News) COVID-19 pandemic in Kiribati Kiribati announces a curfew and mandatory face masks after 36 passengers on a charter flight from Fiji test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival. The plane was the first international commercial flight to land in the country since March 2020. Kiribati reopened its borders on January 10th. (Stuff.co.nz)
Kiribati announces a curfew and mandatory face masks after 36 passengers on a charter flight from Fiji test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival. The plane was the first international commercial flight to land in the country since March 2020. Kiribati reopened its borders on January 10th. (Stuff.co.nz)
Six people are killed in a fire at a nursing home in Moncada, Valencia, Spain. (The Washington Post)
Russo-Ukrainian War 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Russia–NATO relations The U.S. State Department approves the delivery of U.S.-made weapons systems from the Baltic states to Ukraine, including FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. (Euractiv)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Russia–NATO relations The U.S. State Department approves the delivery of U.S.-made weapons systems from the Baltic states to Ukraine, including FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. (Euractiv)
2021–2022 social unrest in the French West Indies Rioters injure a police officer with live ammunition on the sidelines of unauthorized demonstrations. The administrative building of the Basse-Terre hospital is invaded by about forty people. (Le Figaro)
Brazilian drug regulator Anvisa approves the use of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. (Agência Brasil)
Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis Two men are arrested in Manchester and Birmingham, England, as part of an investigation into the standoff that occurred at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, United States, on Saturday. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia Western Australia indefinitely suspends the reopening of its borders to fully vaccinated international and inter-state travellers in order to allow people to receive a booster dose due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Guardian) COVID-19 drug development The Therapeutic Goods Administration grants provisional approval for Pfizer's Paxlovid COVID-19 drug and Merck & Co.'s Molnupiravir COVID-19 drug. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccination in Brazil Brazilian drug regulator Anvisa approves the use of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. (Agência Brasil)
COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia Western Australia indefinitely suspends the reopening of its borders to fully vaccinated international and inter-state travellers in order to allow people to receive a booster dose due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Guardian)
Rioters injure a police officer with live ammunition on the sidelines of unauthorized demonstrations. The administrative building of the Basse-Terre hospital is invaded by about forty people. (Le Figaro)
Two men are arrested in Manchester and Birmingham, England, as part of an investigation into the standoff that occurred at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, United States, on Saturday. (The Guardian)
Western Australia indefinitely suspends the reopening of its borders to fully vaccinated international and inter-state travellers in order to allow people to receive a booster dose due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Guardian)
Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis The Federal Bureau of Investigation announces it is officially investigating the standoff at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, U.S., on Saturday as a "federal hate crime" and an "act of terrorism". (WFAA-TV)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announces it is officially investigating the standoff at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, U.S., on Saturday as a "federal hate crime" and an "act of terrorism". (WFAA-TV)
Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach resigns as Inspector of the German Navy following comments at a think tank in New Delhi, in which he called Russia's intention to attack Ukraine "nonsense", saying that Russian president Vladimir Putin "deserves respect" and dismissing the prospects of Ukraine ever regaining Crimea and joining NATO. (The Guardian)
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says that, according to the available information, the Russian government is planning to "install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine." (CNN)
Russo-Ukrainian War 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis The U.S. State Department orders its diplomats' families to leave Ukraine, and authorizes voluntary departure of non-essential embassy staff in Kyiv. "Due to the continued threat" of a Russian invasion on Ukraine, American citizens are also urged to leave the country. (France 24)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis The U.S. State Department orders its diplomats' families to leave Ukraine, and authorizes voluntary departure of non-essential embassy staff in Kyiv. "Due to the continued threat" of a Russian invasion on Ukraine, American citizens are also urged to leave the country. (France 24)
Spillover of the Yemeni Civil War Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces intercepts two ballistic missiles over the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. The Yemen-based Houthis claim responsibility for the attack. American troops stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base near the capital take shelter in bunkers during the attack. (ABC News)
Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces intercepts two ballistic missiles over the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. The Yemen-based Houthis claim responsibility for the attack. American troops stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base near the capital take shelter in bunkers during the attack. (ABC News)
The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces intercepts two ballistic missiles over the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. The Yemen-based Houthis claim responsibility for the attack. American troops stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base near the capital take shelter in bunkers during the attack. (ABC News)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces that the United States has given a written response to Russia, aimed at the de-escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The response, coordinated with European allies and Ukraine, addresses Russia's demands and actions. (CNN)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces that the United States has given a written response to Russia, aimed at the de-escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The response, coordinated with European allies and Ukraine, addresses Russia's demands and actions. (CNN)
2021–2022 Russian-Ukrainian crisis The United States rejects Russia's demand that Ukraine be barred from joining NATO. (BBC News) U.S. President Joe Biden, during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, says "the Russians could invade Ukraine in February". (BBC News)
Spillover of the Syrian civil war Jordanian troops kill 27 "armed smugglers" after they tried to cross the border from Syria with a large quantity of amphetamines. Several other smugglers, who were "supported by other armed groups", were wounded, according to a statement from the military. (Reuters)
2022 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes Two civilians are killed while 21 more people are wounded near the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan after troops from both countries engage in a battle. (Al Jazeera)
Jordanian troops kill 27 "armed smugglers" after they tried to cross the border from Syria with a large quantity of amphetamines. Several other smugglers, who were "supported by other armed groups", were wounded, according to a statement from the military. (Reuters)
The United States rejects Russia's demand that Ukraine be barred from joining NATO. (BBC News)
Two civilians are killed while 21 more people are wounded near the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan after troops from both countries engage in a battle. (Al Jazeera)
Russia–NATO relations Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that Russia is not interested in starting a war after U.S. President Joe Biden warned Ukraine that Russia may invade Ukraine in February. (NBC News) At a special Pentagon press briefing, United States Army General Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be "horrific" and could result in "significant casualties". (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that Russia is not interested in starting a war after U.S. President Joe Biden warned Ukraine that Russia may invade Ukraine in February. (NBC News)
At a special Pentagon press briefing, United States Army General Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be "horrific" and could result in "significant casualties". (Reuters)
Chinese espionage in the United States The Federal Communications Commission votes unanimously to revoke the authorisation of China Unicom to operate in the United States, citing national security and espionage concerns. The Chinese telecommunications operator must stop providing telecoms services in the U.S. within 60 days. (BBC News)
