Nine people are killed and two injured after a truck and minibus collided at on Highway 90, Palestine. (BBC News)
Sixteen people are killed and 10 others injured by a gas explosion in Chongqing, China. (CNN)
Sri Lanka begins its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children between the ages of 12 and 15 years using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
The Food and Drug Administration begins accepting requests for certification of COVID-19 antigen test kits for home use. Previously, antigen test kits were only available for professional use. (CNN Philippines)
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases places 14 more provinces and cities under Alert Level 3 from January 9 to January 15. Five areas including Metro Manila were already placed into Alert Level 3 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Northern Territory reports a record for the third consecutive day of 412 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory-wide total of confirmed cases to 1,686. (ABC News Australia)
The three defendants convicted in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery are sentenced to life in prison. Travis and Greg McMichael are sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, while William Bryan is sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. (NBC News)
West Bank bus crash Nine people are killed and two injured after a truck and minibus collided at on Highway 90, Palestine. (BBC News)
Tigray War Dedebit airstrike At least 56 people are killed by an airstrike on an IDP camp in Dedebit, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. (Sky News)
2022 Murree snowstorm At least 21 people are killed by a snowstorm on a highway in Murree, Rawalpindi District, Punjab, Pakistan. (BBC News)
2022 Zamfara massacres At least 200 people were killed by a bandit group from January 4 to 6 in Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria. (Al Jazeera)
A Cypriot scientist reportedly detects a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 called "Deltacron", which combines genomes found in the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and genetic signatures found in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (CNBC)
A traffic collision between two buses in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, kills 16 people and injures 18 others. (Reuters)
At least 200 people were killed by a bandit group from January 4 to 6 in Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria. (Al Jazeera)
At least 21 people are killed by a snowstorm on a highway in Murree, Rawalpindi District, Punjab, Pakistan. (BBC News)
At least 56 people are killed by an airstrike on an IDP camp in Dedebit, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia surpasses 100,000 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, with Victoria reporting a record 51,356 new cases in the past 24 hours after including rapid antigen tests as part of the total number of cases. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus A Cypriot scientist reportedly detects a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 called "Deltacron", which combines genomes found in the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and genetic signatures found in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico reports a record 30,671 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4.1 million. The country also surpasses 300,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania reintroduces mandatory face mask wearing in outdoor and indoor public spaces; reduces the operating hours and capacity of bars, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, and sporting events; and also reduces the quarantine period, amidst concern that the next wave of COVID-19 could overwhelm the health system. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden tests positive for COVID-19 for a second time. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record 26,458 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,936,875. (ABS-CBN News)
Dedebit airstrike At least 56 people are killed by an airstrike on an IDP camp in Dedebit, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. (Sky News)
Mexico reports a record 30,671 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4.1 million. The country also surpasses 300,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
Nigerian bandit conflict 2022 Zamfara massacres At least 200 people were killed by a bandit group from January 4 to 6 in Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria. (Al Jazeera)
Romania reintroduces mandatory face mask wearing in outdoor and indoor public spaces; reduces the operating hours and capacity of bars, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, and sporting events; and also reduces the quarantine period, amidst concern that the next wave of COVID-19 could overwhelm the health system. (AP)
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia surpasses 100,000 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, with Victoria reporting a record 51,356 new cases in the past 24 hours after including rapid antigen tests as part of the total number of cases. (RNZ)
The Philippines reports a record 26,458 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,936,875. (ABS-CBN News)
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden tests positive for COVID-19 for a second time. (U.S. News & World Report)
Volcán Wolf, the tallest mountain and volcano in the Galápagos Islands, erupts. (The Guardian)
79th Golden Globe Awards South Korean actor O Yeong-su wins the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in the Squid Game television series, becoming the first person from South Korea to win the honor. (Korea Times) Mj Rodriguez wins the Best Actress in the Pose television series, becoming the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 vaccination in Greece The Greek government announces that fully vaccinated people who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose seven months after receiving their second dose will be banned from entering most indoor venues and participating in many types of activities beginning on February 1. (Times of Malta)
South Korean actor O Yeong-su wins the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in the Squid Game television series, becoming the first person from South Korea to win the honor. (Korea Times)
The Greek government announces that fully vaccinated people who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose seven months after receiving their second dose will be banned from entering most indoor venues and participating in many types of activities beginning on February 1. (Times of Malta)
2022 Kazakh protests The death toll from the protests in Kazakhstan increases to 164, including 103 who were killed in Almaty. 5,135 people have also been detained. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa surpasses 10 million. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales reports a record 16 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the statewide death toll to 727. (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait Kuwait reports a record 2,999 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 433,919. (Kuwait News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev announces that 55% of the Kyrgyzstan population has received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China Tianjin begins city-wide COVID-19 testing for 14 million people after 20 children and adults tested positive for COVID-19, two of whom were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales reports a record 16 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the statewide death toll to 727. (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar Qatar reports a record 3,487 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 266,344. (Qatar Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record for the second consecutive day of 28,707 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,965,447. (Rappler)
Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev announces that 55% of the Kyrgyzstan population has received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (AKIPress)
Kuwait reports a record 2,999 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 433,919. (Kuwait News Agency)
Mj Rodriguez wins the Best Actress in the Pose television series, becoming the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe. (CNN)
New South Wales reports a record 16 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the statewide death toll to 727. (ABC News Australia)
Qatar reports a record 3,487 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 266,344. (Qatar Tribune)
The death toll from the protests in Kazakhstan increases to 164, including 103 who were killed in Almaty. 5,135 people have also been detained. (Al Jazeera)
The Philippines reports a record for the second consecutive day of 28,707 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,965,447. (Rappler)
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa surpasses 10 million. (Barron's)
Tianjin begins city-wide COVID-19 testing for 14 million people after 20 children and adults tested positive for COVID-19, two of whom were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (The Guardian)
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)
Yemeni Civil War The pro-Yemeni government militia Giants Brigades say that they are in "full control" of the Shabwah Governorate after ten days of fighting Houthi forces. (France 24)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis Ukrainian authorities arrest an alleged Russian intelligence agent who they claim attempted to recruit others to launch attacks in the port city of Odesa. (MSN)
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)
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)
Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (NPR)
The Ontario government says that the province will resume in-person learning for students by January 17. (Ottawa Citizen)
The pro-Yemeni government militia Giants Brigades say that they are in "full control" of the Shabwah Governorate after ten days of fighting Houthi forces. (France 24)
Ukrainian authorities arrest an alleged Russian intelligence agent who they claim attempted to recruit others to launch attacks in the port city of Odesa. (MSN)
2022 East London floods Ten people are killed and hundreds more are left homeless due to floods in East London, South Africa, as poorly built homes are swept away, especially in Mdantsane just outside the city. (Reuters)
Australia surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Al Jazeera)
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 India COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins administering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for high-risk individuals, such as healthcare workers and people over the age of 60 with comorbidities. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia The Indonesian Drug and Food Control Agency issues an emergency use authorization of five COVID-19 vaccines as booster dose, namely Pfizer–BioNTech, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, and Zifivax's ZF2001 for one dose, and half dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Kompas)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy restricts the access of public transport, coffee shops, gyms, and many other activities to people who have been vaccinated or has been recovered from COVID-19 amid the surge of the COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant. (Sky News)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales New South Wales reports a record for the second consecutive day of 18 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the statewide death toll to 745. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record for the third consecutive day of 28,707 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,998,530. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education Uganda reopens schools for the first time since March 2020 after a nearly two year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Independent)
COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins administering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for high-risk individuals, such as healthcare workers and people over the age of 60 with comorbidities. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 vaccine development Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says that the company will develop a COVID-19 vaccine to target the Omicron variant by March. (CNBC)
