Finland reduces the quarantine period for positive COVID-19 patients to five days because the duration of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant's virus cycle is shorter than other variants. (Yle News)
Germany reports a record for the second consecutive day of 81,417 new cases of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
Heat waves of 2022 Onslow, Western Australia, reports the equal hottest day in recorded Australian history, reaching a high of 50.7°C (123.3°F). (The Guardian)
Italy imposes a six-month ban of hunting and other activities involving direct or indirect contact with infected boars in 114 rural areas in the north-western regions of Piedmont and Liguria, where the spread African swine fever has infected the animals. (Reuters)
Maynaguri train accident At least nine people are killed and about 50 others injured when a train derails in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India. (CNN)
Onslow, Western Australia, reports the equal hottest day in recorded Australian history, reaching a high of 50.7°C (123.3°F). (The Guardian)
Senegal authorizes the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children over the age of 12 years and also authorizes the use of booster doses for adults. (Reuters)
Six people are missing and three others are hospitalized following an explosion and subsequent fire at a commercial building in Ottawa, Canada. (Reuters)
South Korea receives their first shipment of Pfizer's Paxlovid anti-COVID-19 oral drug. (AP)
Sweden reports a record 25,215 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (U.S. News & World Report)
The Philippine Department of Transportation issues a memorandum banning unvaccinated individuals from using all forms of public transportation in the National Capital Region beginning on January 17. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Philippines reports a record of 34,021 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,092,409. This is the highest reported number of cases in a day since the start of the pandemic. (GMA News)
The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends that children between the ages of 12 and 17 years should receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months after having received their second dose, becoming one of the first countries to authorize booster doses for this age group. (Deutsche Welle)
The WHO guideline development group of international experts recommends the use of rheumatoid arthritis drug Baricitinib for severe and critical COVID-19 patients in combination with corticosteroids. (The Times of India)
Tunisia reimposes a nighttime curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the next two weeks and also orders the suspension of all public gatherings due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. (France 24)
2022 Hunga Tonga eruption and tsunami The Hunga Tonga, an undersea volcano, erupts, sending ash and steam 20 kilometers into the air. The government of Tonga issues a tsunami warning and advises people in all islands of Tonga to avoid the coasts. (RNZ)
2022 Ukraine cyberattack Up to 70 Ukrainian government websites are affected by cyberattacks. (BBC News)
The Hunga Tonga, an undersea volcano, erupts, sending ash and steam 20 kilometers into the air. The government of Tonga issues a tsunami warning and advises people in all islands of Tonga to avoid the coasts. (RNZ)
Up to 70 Ukrainian government websites are affected by cyberattacks. (BBC News)
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake is felt in Java and neighbouring islands in Indonesia. (Antara News) (CNA)
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)
Cambodia begins administering fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk groups, including healthcare workers, government ministers, and members of the armed forces. (AP)
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 Cambodia, COVID-19 vaccination in Cambodia Cambodia begins administering fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk groups, including healthcare workers, government ministers, and members of the armed forces. (AP)
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)
Earthquakes in Indonesia A magnitude 6.6 earthquake is felt in Java and neighbouring islands in Indonesia. (Antara News) (CNA)
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)
Magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes Banten and Sumatra Island at 16:05 local time. The earthquake hit 52 kilometres (32 miles) of a depth of 10 kilometres. There was no immediate reports of casualties though.
Mali War Operation Barkhane Sweden announces that it will withdraw its troops from a French-led special forces mission in Mali later this year, in response to Mali's ruling military junta inviting private Russian military contractors to fight Islamist rebels. The deployment was originally expected to end in 2024. (Reuters)
The earthquake hit 52 kilometres (32 miles) of a depth of 10 kilometres. There was no immediate reports of casualties though.
Bhutan reports its first 14 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in people who travelled abroad. (The Economic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bhutan Bhutan reports its first 14 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in people who travelled abroad. (The Economic Times)
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 Germany Germany reports a record for the third consecutive day of 92,223 new cases of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, COVID-19 drug development Mexican health regulator COFEPRIS approves the emergency use of Pfizer's anti-COVID-19 oral drug Paxlovid. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson tests positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issues a resolution stating that all foreign nationals entering the Philippines must present proof of full vaccination. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) The Philippines reports a record for the second consecutive day of 37,207 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,129,512. (Rappler)
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)
Germany reports a record for the third consecutive day of 92,223 new cases of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
Mexican health regulator COFEPRIS approves the emergency use of Pfizer's anti-COVID-19 oral drug Paxlovid. (The Hindu)
Operation Barkhane Sweden announces that it will withdraw its troops from a French-led special forces mission in Mali later this year, in response to Mali's ruling military junta inviting private Russian military contractors to fight Islamist rebels. The deployment was originally expected to end in 2024. (Reuters)
Sweden announces that it will withdraw its troops from a French-led special forces mission in Mali later this year, in response to Mali's ruling military junta inviting private Russian military contractors to fight Islamist rebels. The deployment was originally expected to end in 2024. (Reuters)
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issues a resolution stating that all foreign nationals entering the Philippines must present proof of full vaccination. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Philippines reports a record for the second consecutive day of 37,207 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,129,512. (Rappler)
Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issues a resolution stating that all foreign nationals entering the Philippines must present proof of full vaccination. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
2022 Kazakh protests The death toll from the civil unrest in Kazakhstan increases to 225, including 19 members of the security forces, according to a statement from the Prosecutor General's Office. (Reuters)
2022 Serbian constitutional referendum, Kosovo–Serbia relations In an extraordinary session, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo votes to ban Kosovo Serbs from voting in Serbia's upcoming constitutional referendum on Kosovan territory. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports its first three confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in people from the cities of Tabriz, Yazd and Shahrekord. (CNA) COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record for the third consecutive day of 39,004 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,168,379. (Rappler)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 vaccination in France France restricts the validity of health pass for fully vaccinated people to seven months after received their second dose and require them to receive booster dose. (Deutsche Welle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports its first three confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in people from the cities of Tabriz, Yazd and Shahrekord. (CNA)
France restricts the validity of health pass for fully vaccinated people to seven months after received their second dose and require them to receive booster dose. (Deutsche Welle)
In an extraordinary session, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo votes to ban Kosovo Serbs from voting in Serbia's upcoming constitutional referendum on Kosovan territory. (Reuters)
Iran reports its first three confirmed deaths related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in people from the cities of Tabriz, Yazd and Shahrekord. (CNA)
King Tupou VI is evacuated from the Royal Palace by His Majesty's Armed Forces. (CNN)
The death toll from the civil unrest in Kazakhstan increases to 225, including 19 members of the security forces, according to a statement from the Prosecutor General's Office. (Reuters)
The Philippines reports a record for the third consecutive day of 39,004 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,168,379. (Rappler)
Two people are killed by a small tsunami in Lambayeque, Peru. (Bio-Bio Chile)
Somali Civil War Somali government spokesperson Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu is injured in a suicide bombing in Mogadishu. (Al Jazeera)
Somali government spokesperson Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu is injured in a suicide bombing in Mogadishu. (Al Jazeera)
2022 Hunga Tonga eruption and tsunami Satellite imagery of Hunga Tonga shows that most of the volcanic island was destroyed by the eruption. (BBC News) The Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force send aircraft to assess the damage in Tonga as communications continue to be disrupted in the Pacific islands. (ABC News Australia)
2022 Serbian constitutional referendum Serbians vote in a referendum on whether to approve a constitutional reform that would bring the Serbian judicial system closer to the model required for the country to join the European Union. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Denmark reopens cinemas, zoos, museums and theatres as well as allowing limited number of spectators in indoor and outdoor sports despite the rising number of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases in the country. (AP) COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 86-year-old woman who died last month in Songkhla Province. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Denmark reopens cinemas, zoos, museums and theatres as well as allowing limited number of spectators in indoor and outdoor sports despite the rising number of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases in the country. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 86-year-old woman who died last month in Songkhla Province. (Bangkok Post)
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announces that the United Kingdom's state broadcaster BBC will be reformed, with the television licence fee being abolished in 2027. Funding of the BBC will also be frozen for the next two years. (The Guardian)
Denmark reopens cinemas, zoos, museums and theatres as well as allowing limited number of spectators in indoor and outdoor sports despite the rising number of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases in the country. (AP)
Djokovic is deported from Australia, and disqualified from the Australian Open. He is replaced with Salvatore Caruso from Italy. (ABC News Australia)
Military personnel from the Swedish Armed Forces are deployed to the island of Gotland in response to fears that Russia may attempt an invasion of Swedish territory amidst tensions between NATO and Russia over their intention to invade Ukraine. (Euronews)
Satellite imagery of Hunga Tonga shows that most of the volcanic island was destroyed by the eruption. (BBC News)
Serbians vote in a referendum on whether to approve a constitutional reform that would bring the Serbian judicial system closer to the model required for the country to join the European Union. (ABC News)
Sweden-Russia relations, 2021-2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis Military personnel from the Swedish Armed Forces are deployed to the island of Gotland in response to fears that Russia may attempt an invasion of Swedish territory amidst tensions between NATO and Russia over their intention to invade Ukraine. (Euronews)
Television licensing in the United Kingdom Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announces that the United Kingdom's state broadcaster BBC will be reformed, with the television licence fee being abolished in 2027. Funding of the BBC will also be frozen for the next two years. (The Guardian)
Thailand reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 86-year-old woman who died last month in Songkhla Province. (Bangkok Post)
The Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force send aircraft to assess the damage in Tonga as communications continue to be disrupted in the Pacific islands. (ABC News Australia)
Spillover of the Yemeni Civil War 2022 Abu Dhabi attack Three people are killed in a drone attack on petrol tanks at a major oil storage facility near Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates. The Yemen-based Houthis claim responsibility, saying that they launched "five ballistic missiles and a large number of drones". (Hindustan Times) (CNN)
