Russian forces destroy the last remaining bridge leading to Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine, trapping all remaining Ukrainian civilians in the city, according to regional governor Serhiy Haidai. (Reuters)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra tests positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
Taiwan reports their first cases of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants in five Taiwanese citizens who arrived from overseas. (The Straits Times)
The S&P 500 closes more than 20% below its January 3 record closing high, confirming that the index is in a bear market. (Reuters)
Vila-seca train crash A passenger train and a locomotive collide in the town of Vila-seca, Catalonia, Spain, injuring 22 people. (AP)
Attacks in Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian war Six people are reported injured in an alleged shelling attack on Klintsy, Bryansk Oblast, Russia. (Reuters)
Russo-Ukrainian war Attacks in Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian war Six people are reported injured in an alleged shelling attack on Klintsy, Bryansk Oblast, Russia. (Reuters)
Canada–Denmark relations Whisky War The Danish Foreign Ministry announces that it has reached a deal with Canada to divide the long-disputed Hans Island in the Arctic in half between Canada's Nunavut territory and Greenland. (Reuters)
Ethiopian civil conflict In a joint operation, the Oromo Liberation Army and the Gambela Liberation Front launch an attack on the regional capital of Gambela city. The fighting lasted for several hours before security forces were able to recapture the city from the rebels, with heavy casualties reported on both sides. (BBC News) (Addis Standard)
In a joint operation, the Oromo Liberation Army and the Gambela Liberation Front launch an attack on the regional capital of Gambela city. The fighting lasted for several hours before security forces were able to recapture the city from the rebels, with heavy casualties reported on both sides. (BBC News) (Addis Standard)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War The European Union removes Russia's largest bank Sberbank, the Russian Agricultural Bank and the Credit Bank of Moscow from the SWIFT international payments system as part of another round of economic sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. (Ukrinform)
Mexican drug war Ten people are killed and three others are injured in a shootout between security forces and suspected criminals in Texcaltitlán, State of Mexico. (Reuters)
Six people are reported injured in an alleged shelling attack on Klintsy, Bryansk Oblast, Russia. (Reuters)
The government of Kiribati declares a state of disaster due to severe drought in the country. (RNZ)
Whisky War The Danish Foreign Ministry announces that it has reached a deal with Canada to divide the long-disputed Hans Island in the Arctic in half between Canada's Nunavut territory and Greenland. (Reuters)
2022 monkeypox outbreak The World Health Organization announces plans to officially rename the monkeypox virus in order to combat stigma and racism surrounding the disease. (Bloomberg)
An explosion at a chemical factory in Firouzabad, Fars, Iran, injures 103 people. (AP)
Cannabis in Germany The Federal Ministry of Health says that it will hold consultations with over 200 representatives from medical, legal and other fields on legalizing the sale of cannabis in licensed shops for recreational purposes. (AP via ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Spain removes all COVID-19 entry requirements for anyone arriving into the country from the European Union or the Schengen Area. However, travellers from outside the EU will still need to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure in order to enter Spain. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Spain removes all COVID-19 entry requirements for anyone arriving into the country from the European Union or the Schengen Area. However, travellers from outside the EU will still need to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure in order to enter Spain. (Euronews)
Decommunization Finnish authorities remove the country's last remaining monument of Soviet Union founder and leader Vladimir Lenin in Kotka, Kymenlaakso, relocating the 1979 gift from the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic to a museum. (Yle)
Finnish authorities remove the country's last remaining monument of Soviet Union founder and leader Vladimir Lenin in Kotka, Kymenlaakso, relocating the 1979 gift from the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic to a museum. (Yle)
Pakistan reports its 10th case of polio this year after two more cases of the virus are reported in North Waziristan District. (ARY News)
Polio eradication, Polio in Pakistan Pakistan reports its 10th case of polio this year after two more cases of the virus are reported in North Waziristan District. (ARY News)
Spain removes all COVID-19 entry requirements for anyone arriving into the country from the European Union or the Schengen Area. However, travellers from outside the EU will still need to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure in order to enter Spain. (Euronews)
Ten people are killed and three others are injured in a shootout between security forces and suspected criminals in Texcaltitlán, State of Mexico. (Reuters)
The Danish Foreign Ministry announces that it has reached a deal with Canada to divide the long-disputed Hans Island in the Arctic in half between Canada's Nunavut territory and Greenland. (Reuters)
The European Union removes Russia's largest bank Sberbank, the Russian Agricultural Bank and the Credit Bank of Moscow from the SWIFT international payments system as part of another round of economic sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. (Ukrinform)
The Federal Ministry of Health says that it will hold consultations with over 200 representatives from medical, legal and other fields on legalizing the sale of cannabis in licensed shops for recreational purposes. (AP via ABC News)
The World Health Organization announces plans to officially rename the monkeypox virus in order to combat stigma and racism surrounding the disease. (Bloomberg)
List of foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War The United States announces a new $1 billion military aid package to Ukraine that includes 18 howitzers, artillery rockets, night vision devices, and for the first time, two Harpoon anti-ship missile units. (Reuters)
Russo-Ukrainian War List of foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War The United States announces a new $1 billion military aid package to Ukraine that includes 18 howitzers, artillery rockets, night vision devices, and for the first time, two Harpoon anti-ship missile units. (Reuters)
Yemeni Civil War A Yemeni journalist is assassinated after a bomb explodes inside his car in Aden. (AP)
2026 FIFA World Cup FIFA announces the names of the cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States that will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. (ESPN)
A Yemeni journalist is assassinated after a bomb explodes inside his car in Aden. (AP)
FIFA announces the names of the cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States that will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. (ESPN)
Indian security forces kill two suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir, India. (Reuters)
Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Indian security forces kill two suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir, India. (Reuters)
Israel–Palestine conflict Mohammad El Halabi, a Palestinian aid worker at the center of an international controversy over his six-year detention in Israel, was convicted on the basis of 'secret evidence'. (The Guardian)
Kashmir conflict Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Indian security forces kill two suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir, India. (Reuters)
Kurdish–Turkish conflict Operation Claw-Lock Two people are killed and seven others are injured in a Turkish military action against the Sinjar Resistance Units in Sinjar District, Iraq. A 12-year-old child is reported to be among the deceased. (Reuters) (Times of Israel)
Mohammad El Halabi, a Palestinian aid worker at the center of an international controversy over his six-year detention in Israel, was convicted on the basis of 'secret evidence'. (The Guardian)
Operation Claw-Lock Two people are killed and seven others are injured in a Turkish military action against the Sinjar Resistance Units in Sinjar District, Iraq. A 12-year-old child is reported to be among the deceased. (Reuters) (Times of Israel)
Opposition parties in Thailand file a no-confidence motion in prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and 10 of his ministers, accusing them of "graft, economic mismanagement and of undermining democracy and clinging to power". (Reuters)
The European Union launches legal action against the United Kingdom, alleging a breach of post-Brexit agreements regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol. (CNN)
Two people are killed and seven others are injured in a Turkish military action against the Sinjar Resistance Units in Sinjar District, Iraq. A 12-year-old child is reported to be among the deceased. (Reuters) (Times of Israel)
United Kingdom–European Union relations The European Union launches legal action against the United Kingdom, alleging a breach of post-Brexit agreements regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol. (CNN)
Russo-Ukrainian War 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Ukrainian officials say that four people have been killed and six others have been injured in a rocket attack in Sumy overnight. (Reuters) The mayor of Melitopol claims that Ukrainian farmers caused "mass illness" in Russian troops by poisoning cherries. (The Daily Beast)
2022 NBA Finals In basketball, the Golden State Warriors defeat the Boston Celtics in six games to win their fourth NBA championship in eight years. Stephen Curry is named NBA Finals MVP. (The Washington Post) (KION-TV)
2022 Russia–European Union gas dispute European benchmark natural gas prices increase by around 30% after Russia's Gazprom reduced Nord Stream 1's gas supply to Germany to 40% of the pipeline's capacity. Russia blames maintenance problems resulting from Canada's refusal to return equipment that was sent for repair and warns that usage of the pipeline could be completely suspended. (Reuters)
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Ukrainian officials say that four people have been killed and six others have been injured in a rocket attack in Sumy overnight. (Reuters) The mayor of Melitopol claims that Ukrainian farmers caused "mass illness" in Russian troops by poisoning cherries. (The Daily Beast)
European benchmark natural gas prices increase by around 30% after Russia's Gazprom reduced Nord Stream 1's gas supply to Germany to 40% of the pipeline's capacity. Russia blames maintenance problems resulting from Canada's refusal to return equipment that was sent for repair and warns that usage of the pipeline could be completely suspended. (Reuters)
In basketball, the Golden State Warriors defeat the Boston Celtics in six games to win their fourth NBA championship in eight years. Stephen Curry is named NBA Finals MVP. (The Washington Post) (KION-TV)
Ukrainian officials say that four people have been killed and six others have been injured in a rocket attack in Sumy overnight. (Reuters)
Firefighters fight wildfires across Catalonia and Navarre, Spain, as temperatures reach 40 °C (104 °F), complicating the efforts of the firefighters. (Euronews)
Four people are killed and five others are injured in a building fire in the town of Handlova, Slovakia. (AP)
One Sudanese protester is shot dead after a flare up of anti-military protests in Khartoum and Omdurman. (Reuters)
Sergey Cherkasov, a Russian military intelligence official, is expelled from the Netherlands for attempting to begin an internship at the International Criminal Court in The Hague using a fake Brazilian identity. Cherkasov will now face a criminal trial in Brazil. (The Guardian) (Reuters)
The mayor of Melitopol claims that Ukrainian farmers caused "mass illness" in Russian troops by poisoning cherries. (The Daily Beast)
Russo-Ukrainian War 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Nuclear threats during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia would only use nuclear weapons if the sovereignty of the country is threatened. (Ukrinform) Ukrainian authorities say that its forces hit the Russian tugboat Vasiliy Bekh transporting soldiers, weapons, and ammunition to Snake Island with Harpoon missiles. (Al Arabiya)
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Nuclear threats during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia would only use nuclear weapons if the sovereignty of the country is threatened. (Ukrinform) Ukrainian authorities say that its forces hit the Russian tugboat Vasiliy Bekh transporting soldiers, weapons, and ammunition to Snake Island with Harpoon missiles. (Al Arabiya)
Insurgency in Balochistan Three people are killed when militants attack a labor camp in Balochistan, Pakistan. (AP)
Nuclear threats during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia would only use nuclear weapons if the sovereignty of the country is threatened. (Ukrinform)
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia would only use nuclear weapons if the sovereignty of the country is threatened. (Ukrinform)
Somali Civil War Security forces and armed locals kill 70 al-Shabaab members in Bahdo, Somalia. Two local children and a cleric are also killed in the fighting. (Reuters)
Three people are killed when militants attack a labor camp in Balochistan, Pakistan. (AP)
2022 monkeypox outbreak Georgia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Serbia, and Chile report their first confirmed cases of monkeypox. (Agenda.ge) (Reykjavik Grapevine) (Luxembourg Times) (Reuters) (Reuters 2) Nepal reports its first suspected case of monkeypox. (NDTV)
Accession of Ukraine to the European Union The European Commission recommends that the European Council grant Ukraine candidate status for accession to the European Union. (The Washington Post)
Afghanistan conflict One person is killed and seven others injured by an explosion at a mosque in Imam Sahib, Kunduz Province. (AP)
At least six people are killed by a building collapse in Cairo, Egypt. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Estonia removes all of its COVID-19 entry restrictions for non-EU travellers after the Estonian Health Board concluded that the situation is under control and that third-country nationals are unlikely to affect the epidemiological situation in the country. (Schengenvisa Info) COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco King Mohammed VI of Morocco tests positive for COVID-19 with no symptoms. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia, Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Estonia removes all of its COVID-19 entry restrictions for non-EU travellers after the Estonian Health Board concluded that the situation is under control and that third-country nationals are unlikely to affect the epidemiological situation in the country. (Schengenvisa Info)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco King Mohammed VI of Morocco tests positive for COVID-19 with no symptoms. (Reuters)
Eurovision Song Contest 2023 The United Kingdom is asked to host next year's Eurovision Song Contest after its organisers concluded that Ukraine is not capable of hosting the competition. (The Guardian)
Gaza–Israel conflict Israel intercepts a rocket fired by suspected Hamas militants over Ashkelon. The Israel Defense Forces respond by launching airstrikes on military targets in Gaza. (AP)
