Current Affairs Events

Current Affairs Events

National and International Events 2023 and 2024

(CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC)

JANUARY 2024

January 1, 2024

• Russia launched a total of 90 Shahed-type drones over Ukraine in the early hours of the new year. Due to the attacks, a 15-year-old boy was killed, and seven others were injured after a residential building was hit by falling debris from one of the 87 downed drones.

January 2, 2024

• The main opposition party leader in South Korea, Lee Jae-Myung was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southern city of Busan. Lee was attacked while touring the construction site of the Gadeokdo New Airport. The attacker was wrestled to the ground by several people.

Unidentified gunmen kill six barbers in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

January 3, 2024

Saleh Al-Arouri, A Senior Official In Hamas, Killed In Lebanon

• Saleh al-Arouri, one of the most senior officials of Hamas has been killed in an Israeli drone strike in Beirut. The strike threatens a dangerous escalation of Israel’s war against Hamas and its related conflict with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

January 3, 2024

• Not less than 95 people were killed by two bomb explosions near the tomb of Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani. The explosion comes as the people gathered there for the fourth anniversary of his assassination by the United States. Several others were also wounded when the blast hit a procession close to a mosque in the city of Kerman.

January 4, 2024

New law signed by Belarusian President grants him lifelong immunity from prosecution

• The president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has signed into law, an order that gives him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution. The law also prevents opposition leaders who are living in exile from running in future presidential elections.
• With the new law, the president and members of his family will be provided with lifelong state protection, medical care, and life and health insurance. The president, after his resignation, will also become a permanent lifelong member of the upper house of parliament.

January 6, 2024

• 11 people were killed when a Russia S-300 missile strike struck Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Five out of the Eleven people were children.

January 7, 2024

Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Re-elected for fifth term

• The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has been re-elected for a fifth term. The spokesperson of the Election Commission told AFP that Hasina’s ruling Awami League has won the election. The election result will be announced later in a ceremony on Monday, however, the election commission said that Hasina’s party has won close to three-quarters of the seats, which amounts to at least 220 out of 300. Hasina has urged the citizens to show faith in the democratic process.

January 8, 2024

Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne resigns ahead of reshuffle

• The Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne has resigned, after less than two years in office. Her resignation comes as the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, is widely expected to reshuffle his top team ahead of the election in the European Parliament later this year.

January 10, 2024

• The Supreme Court of Pakistan upholds the 2019 death sentence upon former leader Pervez Musharraf, who died in February 2023.

January 12, 2024

• The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, during a visit to Kyiv made a £2.5bn commitment to the defense of Ukraine. He also pledged that the United Kingdom would not stop its support at a time when military aid from the United States has stalled.
• Rishi Sunak met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and addressed the parliament. After talks were held between the two leaders, a new UK-Ukrainian security treaty was signed. The treaty guarantees that the United Kingdom will provide “swift and sustained” help in case Russia attacks Ukraine again.

January 13, 2024

• William Lai Elected as the President of Taiwan. His victory cements a path that is increasingly divergent from China. The result of the election did not sit well with China, which issued a statement shortly after, saying that “Taiwan is part of China”.

January 14, 2024

King Frederik becomes King of Denmark after his Mother’s Abdication

• The King of Denmark, Frederik X has taken the throne after the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II. Queen Margrethe’s abdication after more than five decades on the throne was a shock for everybody. Her decision paved the way for her son, former Crown Prince Frederik, to succeed her.

January 15, 2024

One of Taiwan’s Ally, Nauru Cuts Diplomatic Tie with the Island

• Days after Taiwan elected a new president, one of the country’s last diplomatic allies has cut ties with the island in favor of Beijing. Taiwan suggests that the decision of Nauru was because of the weekend’s election result. China which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province welcomes the decision of Nauru to become its ally.

January 16, 2024

2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan:

• Iran launches a missile attack within Balochistan, targeting what it describes are terrorist sites. Pakistan calls the action an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace resulting in the death of two children and injuries to three others.

January 17, 2024

King of England to be treated in the Hospital for Enlarged Prostrate

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles will attend hospital for treatment of an enlarged prostate. According to the report from the palace, the condition of the king is benign, and he will attend the hospital next week for a corrective procedure. All the King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.

Pakistan recalls its ambassador to Iran in response to the attack on Balochistan the previous day.

January 18, 2024

• The Pakistan Air Force launches “precision airstrikes” on Baloch separatist targets inside Iran in retaliation for its attacks on Balochistan. Camps belonging to the Baluch Liberation Front and Balochistan Liberation Army are reportedly hit. Explosions are reported in the city of Saravan. Four women and three children are killed in the strikes, all of whom are foreign nationals.[7]

January 20, 2024

Tshisekedi takes oath of office for his second five-year term as President of DRC

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in for a second five-year term, following a landslide victory at the country’s presidential election in December.

January 23, 2024

Sweden’s NATO Membership Bid Has Been Approved By Turkish Parliament

• The Turkish parliament has approved Sweden’s membership in NATO, which brings the Nordic country closer to joining the Western military alliance. Three months after the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan submitted the bill, 287 of 346 MPs voted in favor, 35 against, and the rest abstained.
• Sweden applied to join NATO in May 2022, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, has hinted at progress, inviting Kristersson for negotiations.

January 27, 2024

Several Countries Block Aid to UN Agency Following Allegations:

• The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany have halted financing for UNRWA, the UN organization for Palestinian refugees, in response to suspicions of staff participation in the Hamas assaults on October 7.
• In Iran, three gunmen kill nine Pakistani labourers in Saravan

January 28, 2024

Pakistanis Killed Along Iranian Border

• Unknown assailants murdered nine Pakistani laborers in Saravan, Iran, shortly after military attacks occurred between the two countries. Responsibility was not claimed by any organization. The Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran conveyed astonishment and called for Iran to cooperate in the probe. Both countries are reducing tensions and fostering “close fraternal relations” during diplomatic negotiations.

Albania and Italy Strikes Migration Deal:

January 29, 2024,

• The Albanian constitutional court accepted an arrangement that allows Italy to transport asylum claimants to Albania for processing. The Italian government plans to create two processing facilities in northern Albania that would house up to 36,000 migrants each year. The deal calls for keeping 3,000 marine migrants while their asylum petitions are processed. Italy will either relocate or deport the people, with Albania providing security and police.

• The Balochistan Liberation Army launches a coordinated attack dubbed “Operation Dara-e-Bolan” on Pakistani security forces, attacking checkpoints and military bases in Machh, and attacking other areas, including Kolpur

January 30, 2024,

• Former prime minister Imran Khan is sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets

January 31, 2024

• Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, was sentenced to 14 years in jail for corruption, including the unauthorized selling of public goods. Khan has been in prison since August and is barred from seeking public office for ten years.

• This comes only a week before the general election, and one day after he was sentenced to ten years in prison for disclosing state secrets. He’ll serve his sentences consecutively.

January 27, 2024

• Alabama volunteered to help other US states use nitrogen gas executions, after its pioneering use of the procedure to kill Kenneth Smith in 1988. Attorney General Steve Marshall said that 43 more death row convicts had chosen asphyxiation over lethal injections since 2018, calling it “humane.” Oklahoma and Mississippi have also used nitrogen asphyxiation in their execution techniques. Almost half of the US states have abolished the death penalty, but other others continue to use lethal injections.

FEBRUARY 2024

February 1, 2024

• Zuckerberg and Yaccarino, who are high-ranking corporate leaders, are scheduled to provide testimony at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The focus of the discussion will be on the mental well-being and online safety of children. The leaders of TikTok, Discord, and Snap are anticipated to be there as well. Politicians contend that internet firms are failing to adequately safeguard youngsters from sexual exploitation. Lawmakers have proposed legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act.

February 5, 2024

• Ten policemen are killed and six more injured during an attack by Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan militants on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

February 10, 2024

The President of Hungary, Katalin Novak resigned

• The President of Hungary, Katalin Novak, resigned live on television following public outrage over her decision to pardon a man convicted of covering up child sexual abuse. Last week, it was revealed that Novak had granted clemency to a man who forced children to retract abuse claims against a director of a state-run children’s home.
• Protests demanding her resignation had been growing in Hungary which led to her unexpected decision to step down. Judit Varga, the former justice minister who approved the pardon, had also resigned from her new role, leading the European elections campaign for Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party.

February 7, 2024

• 2024 Balochistan bombings: Twin bombings outside electoral offices kill at least 29 people and injure dozens more in Balochistan ahead of the general election. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attacks.

February 8, 2024

• Five police officers were killed and two others were wounded when assailants detonate a bomb and then opened fire at a police van in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

• 2024 Pakistani general election: Voters elect members of the 16th National Assembly.^[15]
• 2024 Balochistan provincial election
• 2024 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election
• 2024 Punjab provincial election
• 2024 Sindh provincial election

• Mobile phone services are temporarily suspended and thousands of troops are deployed to protect polling stations. Five policemen and two children are killed during two separate bombings, targeting a patrol and a polling station respectively.

February 10, 2024

Qatar Defeat Jordan to win their second consecutive Asian Cup

• Qatar clinched their second consecutive Asian Cup title with a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Lusail Stadium. Akram Afif stole the show, converting all three penalties for Qatar, securing his team’s triumph in front of a crowd of 86,492, which included Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

• Pakistani general election: Despite a lead by candidates affiliated with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N)’s Nawaz Sharif claims victory amidst allegations of military-led rigging.

February 11, 2024

Ivory Coast Edges over Nigeria to Win Their Third African Cup of Nations

• In a stunning turn of events, Ivory Coast emerged victorious in the Africa Cup of Nations, securing their third title despite facing numerous setbacks.

February 12, 2024

Over 100 People Killed In Rafah As A Result Of Israeli Airstrike

• Israeli airstrike and shelling have killed dozens of people, including children, in Rafah. Over 100 people were killed because of the strike, where Israeli warplanes targeted different areas of the city and helicopters fired machine guns along the border areas.

February 14, 2024

Ghana’s President, Akufo-Addo Replaces Finance Minister

• The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, has replaced Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in a cabinet reshuffle amid criticism of his handling of the country’s severe economic crisis. Ofori-Atta, a former banker, has been overseeing debt restructuring efforts after Ghana defaulted on most of its external debt in 2022, which led to soaring inflation and currency depreciation.
• Mohammed Amin Adam, the current minister of state at the finance ministry, and deputy energy minister, will replace him.
• The PML-N, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and other allied parties announce that it would form a coalition government

February 15, 2024

• India’s Supreme Court has declared the electoral bond scheme, which allows people to make anonymous donations to political parties unconstitutional. The bond scheme was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2018 to enhance political funding transparency.
• The scheme allowed anonymous donations to political parties, but critics argued it increased opacity rather than transparency. The court ruled that electoral bonds violated citizens’ right to access government-held information, directing the State Bank of India (SBI) to cease issuing such bonds and disclose identity details of buyers.

February 15, 2024

• The Senate of Pakistan rejects a bill to introduce the public hanging of rapists

MARCH 2024

March 3, 2024

• Twenty-nine people are killed and 59 more injured during heavy rains that cause landslides across the country in the past 48 hours.

March 6, 2024

• Shehbaz Sharif is elected as Pakistan’s prime minister for a second term.
• The Supreme Court of Pakistan unanimously rules that former leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was denied a fair trial before his execution by hanging in April 1979.
• Asif Ali Zardari is elected as President of Pakistan for the second time.
• Two people are killed and another person is injured in a motorcycle bombing in Peshawar

• • Asif Ali Zardari is elected as President of Pakistan for the second time.^[21]
  • Two people are killed and another person is injured in a motorcycle bombing in Peshawar.^[22]

March 12, 2024

Nine people are killed and two others are injured after a three-story residential building collapses in Multan.

March 15, 2024

• A Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine, killed over 20 people and injured many in the deadliest attack since the invasion began. Emergency responders faced a “double tap” strike, a tactic often used by Russia. Among the victims was Denys Kolesnikov, a firefighter.

March 16, 2024

Military agreement between Niger and the United States comes to an end

• Niger’s military government has terminated a longstanding agreement with the United States. The agreement permits American military and civilian personnel to operate in Niger. This move comes shortly after high-level talks between Nigerien officials and United States diplomats and military representatives.

• Seven soldiers and six militants are killed in a combined suicide bombing and gun attack on a military post in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack is claimed by Jaish-e-Fursan-e-Muhammad

March 17, 2024

Columbia announces suspension of ceasefire with EMC in three areas

• Colombia has decided to suspend its ceasefire with the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) armed group in three provinces due to incidents of violence that violated the ceasefire terms. The EMC, formed by ex-members of the FARC rebels who rejected the 2016 peace deal, entered talks with President Gustavo Petro’s government last year to end Colombia’s long-standing conflict.

• Despite ongoing negotiations, violence persists among rebel and armed groups vying for control of illicit activities like drug trafficking and illegal mining. The ceasefire, in effect since October and extended to July 15, was ended in Nariño, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca provinces where EMC breaches occurred.

March 18, 2024

• President Vladimir Putin has solidified his control over Russia by winning the just concluded election with an overwhelming 87.3% of the vote, amid a record turnout of 77.5%. This victory extends his rule until at least 2030, marking him as Russia’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin

• In response to the attacks in North Waziristan on 16 March, Pakistan retaliates by air striking alleged TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan.^[25] The Taliban government claims that the air strikes by Pakistan kill eight civilians.^[26] Following this, cross-border attacks via shelling and mortar began between the two countries

March 20, 2024

• Eight militants are killed and two members of the security forces are injured in an attack on Gwadar Port, Balochistan, that is claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army.
• Twelve people are killed and eight more are rescued during an explosion at a coal mine in Harnai District, Balochistan

March 21, 2024

• Two soldiers are killed and 15 others are injured in a bomb attack on a security forces convoy in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

22 March 2023

Terror attack on Gwadar port complex thwarted

• Two security personnel embraced martyrdom and eight militants were killed as security forces foiled a militant attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Complex by a separatist armed group.

23 March 2024

• The Supreme Court ruled that outspoken former judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, will be deemed to have retired, and was entitled to receive all the benefits and privileges due to a retired high court justice.

• The ruling, given by a five-judge SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, came after it set aside the Oct 2018 Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) opinion, on the basis of which the government had issued a notification for Justice Siddiqui’s removal for his July 2018 address to the District Bar Association Rawalpindi.

March 24 2024

• Unidentified robbers looted Rs5.7 million from a money exchange outlet after breaking its locks in broad daylight on 24 March 2024.
• Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reiterated their resolve to work together and further enhance bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki also attended the meeting.

March 25 2024

• Simon Harris is set to become Ireland’s next prime minister after the governing Fine Gael party appointed him as its leader on 24^th March, following an uncontested election.

March 25 2024

Martin wins Portuguese MotoGP as Bagnaia crashes out.

• Jorge Martin hit the front in the first lap and never relinquished his lead to win the Portuguese MotoGP, in the second race of the season. Enea Bastianini was second and teenage rookie Pedro Acosta third.

March 25 2024

• The UN Security Council finally passed a resolution on Monday, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramazan, an unconditional release of prisoners, and urgent expansion of aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave.
• Reacting promptly after the vote, UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasised that the long-awaited resolution must be implemented as the council’s failure to do so “would be unforgivable”.

Attack on navy base in Turbat ‘foiled’

Makran Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani Said that, heavy exchange of fire and explosions were reported from the vicinity of Turbat airport.

• He said “The armed men attacked from three sides of the airport boundary, but security forces responded immediately and foiled their attempt to infiltrate the premises”

NOVEMBER 2023

November 1, 2023 

Foreign Nationals and injured Palestinians have been granted access to crossing from Gaza into Egypt. 81 injured Palestinians that were injured severely were expected to enter Egypt, out of which dozens have already arrived and undergoing treatment in several hospitals across Egypt.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic dissolved the parliament and announced an early election. This decision comes less than two years after the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by Vucic, secured victory in the previous election. The upcoming election, scheduled for December 17, will encompass both parliamentary and municipal elections.

November 2, 2023

• The lawmakers in Nigeria have approved President Tinubu’s $2.8 billion supplementary budget, which includes bulletproof cars for himself and his wife.

• The budget drew a lot of criticism from the citizens due to the ongoing increase in the cost of living. The budget was sent to the Senate and the House this week by the President, saying the extra funding was needed for urgent issues, which include defense and security.

November 3, 2023 

• A Nigerian court has ordered that Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, be released unconditionally from detention or should be taken to court for a hearing which is scheduled for Monday. Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ruled in Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation could not justify the detention of Mr. Emefiele.

President of Nigeria, Ahmed Tinubu suspended Mr. Emefiele on June 9, after which he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) a day later. He resigned in August, paving the way for the appointment of a new governor of the Central Bank.

• 2023 Dera Ismail Khan bombing: Five people are killed and 20 others injured by a motorcycle bomb at a bus stop in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when a police bus carrying officers passed the area.
• On 3 November 2023, a Pakistan Army convoy was attacked in Gwadar District, Balochistan, Pakistan, resulting in the death of 14 soldiers when two vehicles of the security forces were ambushed by militants while moving from Pasni to Ormara.

November 4, 2023 

• The Palestinian Red Crescent has confirmed that an Israeli strike in an ambulance outside Gaza City’s biggest capital killed not less than 15 people. The attack was confirmed by Israel, saying that the ambulance was being used by Hamas operatives.

• 4 November – Mianwali air base attack: Nine Tehreek-e-Jihad gunmen are killed during a shootout with soldiers when trying to storm a training air base in Mianwali, Punjab.

November 6, 2023

• South Africa’s diplomat has been recalled from Israel due to Israel’s intense air strike on Gaza. According to a hospital in Gaza, it said close to 200 people were killed because of the strike. The strike was one of the heaviest since the war began a month ago.
• South Africa is not the only country to recall its diplomats from Israel, in protest against the military operation in Gaza. Chad, Chile, and Colombia are part of the countries that have already done so.
• The 2023 Tirah shooting happened on 6 November 2023, in the Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Hassan Haider and three other soldiers were killed during an exchange of fire with militants. The security forces conducted an operation in the area, resulting in the death of three militants.

November 7, 2023 

• The Prime Minister of Italy, Georgia Meloni, in an attempt to control migration said Italy will build two detention centers in Albania to house migrants trying to reach its shores. She confirmed that the facilities that would be open next spring would initially take in 3,000 people. She further said that when the facilities are fully functional, they are expected to process as many as 36,00 people a year.
• During the joint press conference, she also added that “mass irregular immigration is a phenomenon that member states of the European Union cannot deal with alone.

November 8, 2023 

• The executive body of the European Union said that detailed negotiations about Ukraine joining the European Union should begin next year, giving a major boost to the country’s ambition. In a report, the Commission said that accession talks should finally start, close to 18 months since the bloc accepted Ukraine as a candidate state.
• The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, welcomed the Commission’s announcement and said that with the announcement, the history of Ukraine and the whole of Europe has taken the right step. While the decision to begin negotiations with Ukraine is a pivotal step, talks will not begin until certain conditions have been met.

November 10, 2023

• South Africa is expected to become the first country in Africa to introduce shared parental leave. Following the ruling of a high court, both parents must have the right to time off following the birth of a baby or adopting a child. According to the judgment, both parents have the autonomy to decide how to divide four months of parental leave between them.
• Though there has been an increase in the number of African nations guaranteeing paid leave for fathers over the past two decades, in many countries it remains below three weeks. Before the court ruling in South Africa, mothers were entitled to four months’ leave, while the fathers or partners were allowed not more than ten days.

November 11, 2023 

• Hospital In Gaza Has Been Surrounded By Israeli Tanks. Mustafa al-Kahlout, who heads the hospital in northern Gaza said that they were surrounded and asked for assistance from the Red Cross in evacuating.

Police Confirm That Shots Were Fired At Jewish School In Canada

November 12, 2023 

• A Jewish school in Montreal was hit by gunfire, which makes it the third time in less than a week that a Jewish school in the Canadian city was hit, amid the heightened tensions due to the conflict between Israel and Gaza. Nobody was injured, but the façade of Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal was struck.

November 13, 2023 

• The Government of Kenya has given its citizens a special holiday to plant 100 million trees as part of the plan of the government to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years. The Minister for Environment, Soipan Tuya says the holiday would allow every Kenyan to own the initiative.
• The President of Kenya, William Ruto, led the exercise in Makueni, the eastern part of the country. Members of his cabinet were sent to other regions to lead the process alongside county governors and other officials.

November 14, 2023 

• Liverpool player, Luiz Diaz has been reunited with his father. His father was kidnapped in northern Colombia by a unit of guerilla group last month and he was released last week. The photograph that was posted on the X account of the Colombian Football Federation showed the striker and his father hugging each other.

November 15, 2023 

• The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled the government’s plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda unlawful. The ruling deals a significant blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policy on migration and setting up an anticipated revolt from a part of his Conservative party.
• The court ruled unanimously against the government, and rather sided with the previous ruling of the appeals court that said the policy was not lawful. The Judges found that Rwanda could not be regarded as a safe country to which to send asylum seekers.
• According to the judges, Rwanda’s system for processing asylum claims, its poor human rights record, and its previous failure to comply with non-refoulement agreements meant that the government of the United Kingdom could not be sure that the asylum seekers would have their claims considered properly.

November 17, 2023 

• The Ministry of Justice in Russia filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of the country to ban what it refers to as the “international LGBTQ public movement.” This is the latest attack against the LGBTQ+ community in the country which is already suppressed. The proposed bill was however condemned by human rights activists.

November 18, 2023 

President of Liberia, George Weah, Congratulates Opponent of Election Victory

• The President of Liberia, George Weah has conceded defeat to his opponent after a tight run-off election. Weah, a former soccer star called Boakai, after the country’s National Elections Commission (NEC) released provisional results.
• While addressing the nation, George Weah said “The result that has been announced, though not the final indicates that Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai is in the lead that he cannot surpass.” He then added that he has spoken with President-elect, to congratulate him on his victory.

November 19, 2023 

• The new President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu has requested that India withdraw its military from the country. Mr. Muizzu won the country’s presidential election in September, ousting Ibrahim Solih in a runoff after he promised to remove a small Indian military presence of some 75 personnel.

November 20, 2023 

Javier Milei Wins Argentina’s Run-Off Presidential Election

• Javier Milei has been confirmed as the winner of Argentina’s presidential election. While giving a brief speech, his opponent, Sergio Massa conceded the run-off election even before the official results were announced.

November 21, 2023 

Several people killed in a Stampede army recruitment in congo-brazzaville

• The government of Congo-Brazzaville has confirmed that not less than 37 people died due to a stampede during an army recruitment drive at a stadium in the country. The stampede was caused as people tried to force their way through the stadium’s gates in the capital, Brazzaville.

• The government also confirmed that several people were injured in the crash, and no specific number was given concerning the injured people. However a crisis unit has been set up under the authority of the Prime Minister, Anatole Collinet Makosso.

• Police beat and arrest several protestors during a march toward Islamabad from Turbat, Kech District, after about 200 people planned to rally in the capital to draw attention to the killing of a man in police custody in Balochistan in November.

November 22, 2023

Ceasefire deal of four days have been agreed by Israel and Hamas

• Both Israel and Hamas announced that they have agreed to a four-day ceasefire. Alongside the ceasefire deal, 50 women and children that are held hostage in Gaza would be released, in return for 150 Palestinian women and children. A senior United States official confirmed the deal, saying that three Americans would be included in the hostages that would be freed.

November 24, 2023 

First day of Ceasefire Begins, with Hamas releasing 24 hostages

• After a long intense battle between Israel and Hamas, the first group of hostages were released from Gaza on 24 November 2024. Hamas released 24 hostages, 13 of them being Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Philippine national. The hostage release is part of the deal that facilitated a ceasefire and the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
• Israel also released a total of 39 Palestinian prisoners. Those that were released included 24 women, including some who were convicted of attempted murder, and 15 teenagers who were jailed for offenses such as throwing stones.
• According to the agreement, Hamas is expected to release not less than 50, out of the 240 Israeli hostages. Israel on the other hand is expected to release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and allow close to 300 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

November 25, 2023 

Madagascar President, Andry Rajoelina re-elected for a third term in office

• The Current President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has won a third term in office, following a controversial election that was boycotted by his opposition and their supporters. He won 59% to defeat the two closest rivals, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko and the ousted ex-president, Marc Ravalomanana.

November 26, 2023 

• During a meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, the commerce minister of China, Wang Wentao promised to deepen the bilateral trade ties between China and Vietnam. Mr. Wang said though the relations with Vietnam had already achieved fruitful results, it would now include strategic areas like digital economy, green development, and cross-border e-commerce.
• The Vice Foreign Minister of China, Sun Weidong held a talk with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Vu concerning bilateral ties, land border, and maritime issues. Though Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to travel to Hanoi in late October or early November, it was postponed till December.

November 27, 2023 

Qatar confirms the extension of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas by two days

• The truce which led to the release of 50 Israelis and several other nationals has been extended by two days. The Red Cross and Israel Defense Forces confirmed that 11 Israelis were freed by Hamas on Monday, which brings the total number of freed hostages to 69.

• Israel also released 33 Palestinian prisoners, bringing the total number of Palestinians that were released over the cause of the truce to 150. Spokesperson of the foreign ministry of Qatar, Majed Al-Ansari posted on X to confirm the extension of the truce.

November 28, 2023 

After 17 days of being trapped in an Indian tunnel, all 41 workers have been rescued:

• A group of 41 workers were greeted with excitement as they emerged from a collapsed tunnel under the Himalayas on Tuesday. The men had been trapped in the tunnel for 17 days, as recovery teams drilled an escape route through the mountains.

November 29, 2023 

European Union Court ruled that government offices have the autonomy to ban wearing of religious symbol

• The top court of the European Union has ruled that government offices can ban employees from wearing religious symbols, such as Islamic headscarves, to promote neutrality. According to the decision that was published by the Court of Justice of the European Union, it said that such bans are very important to enforce an “entirely neutral administrative environment.
• The court ruling was requested, after a Muslim employee in the municipality of Ans, eastern Belgium, was told that she could not wear a headscarf at work. The municipality then went ahead to amend its term of employment to require all employees to observe strict neutrality.
• However, a complaint was lodged with the local court, by the employee who described the ban as discriminatory, saying that her rights to freedom of religion had been infringed.

DECEMBER 2023

December 1, 2023 

Israel-Hamas truce ends, as Israel launches attack on Gaza

• Israel launched an attack at targets across Gaza following the end of a seven-day ceasefire after the negotiation of the release of more hostages failed overnight. More than 100 Palestinians were killed in the recent attack from Israel.

Israel confirmed that the reason the truce broke and could not be renewed was because Hamas had failed to release the remaining female hostages in Gaza. According to an Israeli Government spokesperson, Eylon Levy, he said that “Having chosen to hold on to Israeli women, Hamas will now take the mother of all thumping.”

December 2, 2023

President Putin Orders Increase In The Size Of Russian Military

• Chilas bus shooting On 2 December 2023, a mass shooting was carried out against a bus in Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, killing 10 people.
• The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has ordered the military of the country to increase the number of troops by 170,000, as the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its 22nd month. With the increase, the overall number of Russian military personnel will amount to more than 2.2 million, including 1.32 million troops.

December 3, 2023

Burkina Faso and Niger announce their withdrawal from G5

• Following Mali’s decision, Burkina Faso and Niger have also announced their withdrawal from an international force known as G5. The international force was set up to fight Islamists in the Sahel region. All three countries, which are governed by military rulers because of coups have formed their mutual defense pact known as Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which was signed in September.
• According to statements from the governments of both Burkina Faso and Niger, they said that the G5 forces have failed to make the Sahel region safer. They also added that the anti-jihadist force undermined the two African nations’ desire for greater independence and dignity.
• The two countries also question the impact that their international force will have on the Islamist militant groups that have been growing in strength across the Sahel region.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Army airstrike meant for terrorist mistakenly kills worshippers during festival in Nigeria

• Authorities have confirmed that at least 85 civilians were killed in Kaduna state, during an air strike during a Muslim celebration. The governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani said the civilians were mistakenly killed by a military drone that was intended for terrorists and bandits.

December 7, 2023 

Former President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori released from jail

• Peru’s former leader, Alberto Fujimori has been released from jail after the country’s highest court ruled that he should be granted a humanitarian pardon. His release came despite a request from the regional Inter-American Court of Human Rights to delay his release.

• The former leader was serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and ordering massacres, which were committed by an army death squad in the early 1990s.

December 9, 2023 

Fire breaks out in hospital in Rome, leaving at least four people dead

• At least four people have died and over 200 people were evacuated due to a fire outbreak close to the mortuary of the San Giovanni Evangelista hospital in the Roman suburb of Tivoli. The fire started in the lower level between the mortuary, clinic, and kitchen area.

December 11, 2023

• The Parliament of Poland has given former Prime Minister, Donald Tusk the mandate to form a new coalition government. The new administration will be sworn in at the Presidential palace by President Andrzej Duda.
• The decision of the Parliament will put an end to an eight-year rule of the Nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS), which clashed with the authorities of the European Union on several occasions. Led by Mateusz Morawiecki, the PiS came out as the single biggest party after the election but did not have the support of other parties, and was unable to form a majority in the parliament.

General Assembly Of The United Nations Has Voted For An Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza

December 12, 2023 

• The General Assembly of the United Nations has voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The votes oppose the United States, which has repeatedly blocked ceasefire calls in the United Nations Security Council. During the General Assembly emergency special session, 153 nations voted for the ceasefire, 10 voted against it and 23 abstained.

• Although the vote of the General Assembly is politically significant, it majorly carries a moral weight, and it is nonbinding, unlike a Security Council resolution. Last week, the United States vetoed a ceasefire resolution in the Security Council, which had already been approved.

• Daraban police station attack: A Tehreek-e-Jihad militant blows himself up with a car bomb outside a police station being used by the army in Daraban, Dera Ismail Khan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, before six gunmen open fire, killing at least 23 people and wounding 34 others.

December 13, 2023 

• Militants attack a military camp and village in central Mali, killing close to two dozen soldiers and at least five civilians. Armed assailants stormed the village of Farabougou and a military camp that was nearby, shooting everywhere.
• Mali is one of the West African countries that is fighting a jihadist insurgent that was established in its arid north after militants hijacked a Tuareg rebellion in 2012. Since then, the violence has spread across the Sahel region south of the Sahara, where groups that are linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have seized lots of territories.

December 15, 2023 

• Militant attacks were launched against the Pakistan Army and local police in Tank, Pakistan. Ansar ul-Islam claimed responsibility for the attack. The attacks occurred at a police station in Tank District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

December 16, 2023 

Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf dies at the age of 86

• Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait has died at the age of 86 after he ruled the country for three years. Sheikh Nawaf was admitted to the hospital in November due to an emergency health issue.
• He once served as the minister for defense in 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait in what was referred to as the Gulf War. In his political career, he also served in positions such as Interior Minister and Minister of Social Affairs. He was then named the crown prince in 2006 and held the position for 14 years. He was sworn in as Emir in 2020.

December 17, 2023

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that they believe over 60 migrants have drowned in a shipwreck on the coast of Libya. The United Nations agency said that the vessel left the city of Zuwara, with close to 86 people on board. 

December 18, 2023

Pope gives priests in catholic churches the authority to bless same-sex couples

• Pope Francis has given his blessing regarding same-sex couples. The news serves as a significant advance for LGBT people in the Roman Catholic Church. The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said priests should be permitted to bless same-sex couples and irregular under certain conditions.

December 20, 2023

• The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo has sacked the Prime Minister, Geraldo Martins just a week after he was reappointed. The president announced that the former Prime Minister, Rul Duarte de Barros is the new Prime Minister.

• The newly appointed Prime Minister, De Barros has previously worked as the minister for the economy of the country and served as the commissioner at the West African Economic and Monetary Union before he served as the Prime Minister of a transition government between 2012 and 2014.

• Sarfraz Bungulzai, leader of the separatist Baloch Nationalist Army, surrenders to authorities alongside 70 other militants in Balochistan.

December 23, 2023 

Russian Electoral commission votes to invalidate candidacy of other presidential candidate.

• The Russian electoral commission has unanimously voted to reject the candidacy of a former TV journalist, who announced that she would be contesting against President Vladimir Putin in the upcoming Russian presidential election.
• According to the commission, 29 people have filed to run for the presidency, but Mr. Putin remains the only candidate to be able to register as a candidate.

December 25, 2023

• A Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who was jailed has been found in a remote prison colony above the Arctic Circle after he went missing for over three weeks. 

• Navalny was sentenced to close to three decades in jail after he started a nationwide political opposition against President Vladimir Putin.
• Navalny was previously poisoned in Russia in 2020, after which he was evacuated to Germany for treatment. He returned to Russia in 2021, after which he was arrested and sentenced to 30 decades in prison on charges of fraud.

CURRENT AFFAIRS 2023

JULY 2023

July 1, 2023:

• Riots erupt across France due to the Nahel Merzouk protests. Over 1,300 individuals are arrested, and 79 police officers sustain injuries.
• Looters in Marseille raid a gun shop, obtaining eight hunting rifles before police intervention.
• President Emmanuel Macron subsequently cancels a long-anticipated state visit to Germany.
• The 2023 Western North America heat wave results in the deaths of more than 100 individuals across Mexico after two weeks of elevated temperatures.

July 2, 2023:

• The residence of L’Haÿ-les-Roses mayor Vincent Jeanbrun is targeted during the Nahel Merzouk protests, with rioters injuring the mayor’s wife and child.
• In the world of sports, three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen secures a victory at the Grant Park 220, marking him as the first New Zealander to win a NASCAR race.

July 3, 2023:

• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies, with Israeli soldiers launching an assault on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. This results in the deaths of eight Palestinians, with over 50 others injured.
• The Russian invasion of Ukraine sees drone attacks on Sumy, leading to two deaths and 19 injuries.
• Amidst a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, Vietnam opts to ban the upcoming American film “Barbie” due to a controversial scene displaying the nine-dash line in the South China Sea.
•  In a significant business move, Indian oil refiners begin to make payments for Russian oil imports using the Chinese yuan as an alternative to the US dollar.

July 4, 2023:

• The Israeli military continues its operation in Jenin for the second day, resulting in four additional Palestinian deaths.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency green lights the discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. Climate change repercussions become evident as data shows global temperatures reaching record highs, with June being declared the hottest month on record in most regions.

July 5, 2023:

• After two days of intense operations, the Israeli military decides to withdraw from the Jenin refugee camp. The operation has culminated in the death of at least 13 Palestinians, displacement of many residents, and significant infrastructure damage.
• On the African continent, jihadist activities in Burkina Faso lead to the death of 15 civilians in Sorgha.
• A hazardous nitrate gas leak originating from illegal mining activities in Boksburg, South Africa, claims 17 lives, while a bus tragedy near Magdalena Peñasco, Oaxaca, Mexico, results in 27 deaths.
• Severe flooding in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, due to unprecedented rainfall, prompts Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene to issue a “high alert” for the city.

July 6, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russia initiates a Kalibr cruise missile attack on Lviv from the Black Sea, resulting in the death of 10 civilians and injuring 48 others. Ukrainian forces report that they successfully shot down seven of the ten missiles.
• Indonesia–Netherlands relations: The Dutch government reveals plans to repatriate 478 colonial-era artifacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka, signifying a step in addressing historical grievances between the nations.

July 7, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: The United States announces a significant $800 million aid package for Ukraine, which notably includes cluster munitions for the first time. Despite over 100 countries outlawing these weapons under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, neither the U.SUkraine, nor Russia are signatories.
• Spillover of the Somali Civil War: A severe confrontation occurs in Orgene village, Mandera County, Kenya, resulting in the death of six Kenyan soldiers and 23 Al-Shabaab members. An additional eight soldiers sustain injuries.

July 8, 2023

• Syrian civil war: The United States Central Command declares that an MQ-9 Reaper drone strike killed a senior Islamic State leader, Usamah al-Muhajir, in eastern Syria.
• Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Renowned English musician Elton John, who stands as the fourth best-selling music artist of all time, holds his final concert at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, marking the culmination of over 50 years of touring.

July 9, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russian forces launch a severe assault on Omdurman, Sudan, with at least 22 individuals losing their lives due to the subsequent airstrike.
• Effects of climate change: The World Meteorological Organization releases alarming data, reporting that the Earth experienced its hottest week ever recorded at the beginning of July. This surge in global temperatures is attributed to climate change and the early indicators of El Niño.

July 10, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: Orikhiv, a city in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast of Ukraine, suffers a direct attack from Russian forces. The offensive results in the death of seven civilians and leaves 11 others wounded, according to local officials.
• International relations between China and the Solomon Islands: China and the Solomon Islands strengthen their ties by signing a cooperation agreement during an official visit of the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to Beijing. This collaboration focuses on bolstering the relationship between the People’s Police of China and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

July 11, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: A notable development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine occurred when Russian Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov was reportedly killed by a missile strike near Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This event signals the intensity and escalating nature of the conflict, especially considering the stature of the official target.
• Proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft: In the business world, a landmark decision was reached when U.S. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley approved Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard. This acquisition is the largest in video game history and dismisses the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust injunction request, potentially reshaping the future of the gaming industry.

July 12, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: In another incident related to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Russian forces struck a residential area in Zaporizhzhia, resulting in 18 civilian injuries, including six children. This attack highlights the unfortunate reality of civilian areas becoming targets in larger geopolitical conflicts.
• Censorship in the Philippines: On the cultural front, the Philippines’ film review board asked American film distributor Warner Bros. Pictures to censor a scene in the upcoming film “Barbie”. The contentious scene included a map displaying the internationally contested nine-dash line in the South China Sea, raising concerns over the influence of geopolitics in entertainment.

July 13, 2023

• Russian invasion of Ukraine: The capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv, faced another setback when a Russian drone attack caused damage to infrastructure and injured at least two civilians. The targeting of Kyiv, the heart of the Ukrainian state, demonstrates Russia’s intent and capability to strike deep within the country.
• SAG-AFTRA Strike: In the entertainment industry, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members announced they would join writers on a strike. This decision followed failed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, threatening to disrupt numerous entertainment projects.

July 14, 2023

• Foxconn’s Expansion in India: In a significant move for the tech manufacturing industry, Foxconn, a Taiwan-based tech giant, announced a deal with the Indian state of Karnataka to buy land for a new iPhone factory. This investment could potentially shift production dynamics and enhance India’s role in global electronics manufacturing.
• Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Amid the continuing Armenia-Azerbaijan border crisis, Azerbaijan’s State Border Service made a humanitarian gesture by reopening the Lachin corridor. This was done to allow the Red Cross to conduct medical evacuations from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, indicating the dire state of the humanitarian situation in the disputed region.

July 15, 2023

• 2023 South Korea floods: A tragic event unfolded in South Korea when heavy torrential rains caused landslides and a dam overflow in North Chungcheong. This led to the deaths of 37 people and evacuations of over 4,700 individuals. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called for military assistance to conduct search and rescue operations.
• 2023 European heatwaves: Italy faced an extreme weather challenge when the country’s ()health ministry issued a severe health risk warning for 16 cities, including prominent ones like Rome and Florence. The European Space Agency reported potential record-breaking temperatures, shedding light on the escalating issue of climate change in Europe.

July 16, 2023

• Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: A tragic incident occurred in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon. Gunmen launched a sudden attack at a busy junction, leading to the death of ten innocent civilians. Additionally, two people sustained injuries in this ruthless assault, further escalating the ongoing Anglophone Crisis.
• Russian Invasion Business Response: In response to several private companies reducing their business operations in Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin made a decisive move. He authorized a temporary state takeover of the shares of French agribusiness Danone and the Carlsberg-owned brewer, Baltika. This strategy is seen as Russia’s wider response to the economic consequences of the invasion.

July 17, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: The Russian-Ukrainian conflict saw another devastating incident. A couple lost their lives, and their daughter was gravely injured due to explosions at the Crimean Bridge. This attack adds to the growing list of confrontations and tragedies stemming from this prolonged invasion.
• Greece Wildfires: The beautiful Greek seaside towns of Lagonisi, East Attica, and Loutraki, Corinthia, fell victim to two raging wildfires. These fires have not only inflicted significant property damage but also prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents. Additionally, southern Greece and the Athens urban area were placed on the second-highest level of wildfire alert.

July 18, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Russia’s Federal Assembly made a strategic amendment to its mobilization laws amid the ongoing invasion. The age limits for conscription were increased from 65 to 70 years for the highest-ranking officers of the armed forces. This move showcases Russia’s intent to bolster its military ranks, hinting at a potential long-term conflict.
• Amazon and Apple Fined in Spain: Two of the world’s tech giants, Amazon and Apple, faced repercussions in Spain. The country’s competition commission imposed a hefty fine of €194 million (US$218 million) on both companies. The penalty comes after accusations that they allegedly collaborated to restrict competition, particularly concerning the sale of Apple products directly through Amazon’s platforms.

July 19, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Odesa, a significant port city in Ukraine, was struck by a Russian missile attack. The strike resulted in the unfortunate death of at least three people and left eight civilians injured. The city’s significance makes this event crucial in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
• Powerball Jackpot in California: The world of lottery saw another billionaire. A lucky Powerball player from California bagged a whopping $1 billion jackpot. This win marks the third instance where a Powerball prize has reached the billion-dollar mark, showcasing the immense popularity and scale of this lottery.

July 20, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: The conflict in Ukraine witnessed more casualties. Russian forces launched an aggressive strike on the city of Odesa. This attack led to the death of at least three people and left eight civilians wounded. Furthermore, the Chinese consulate general in Odesa sustained minor damages, marking an international dimension to this particular assault.
• Auckland Shooting: A peaceful day turned tragic in the central business district of Auckland, New Zealand. A mass shooting took place at a construction site, resulting in the death of three individuals, including the shooter. Six other individuals sustained injuries. The incident was mourned by citizens, especially with the proximity to the FIFA Women’s World Cup event.

July 21, 2023 

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: The Russian Armed Forces target Ukrainian infrastructure in various cities. In Odesa, grain warehouses are bombed with Kalibr missiles, destroying significant amounts of crops and injuring civilians. Another strike occurs in Mykolaiv, killing two civilians.
• Sudan Conflict: Violent confrontations continue in Sudan. In the Battle of Khartoum, a drone attack results in the death of numerous civilians and army officers. Additionally, rocket attacks claim lives in Nyala, South Darfur, and near hospitals in El-Obeid, North Kordofan.

July 22, 2023 

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: In a counter-offensive, Ukraine targets an ammunition depot in occupied Crimea. This attack prompts the evacuation of nearby residents due to the resultant dangers.
• LGBT Rights in Malaysia: Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications cancels a music festival after the 1975’s lead singer criticizes the country’s anti-LGBT laws during a performance.

July 23, 2023 

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Nighttime Russian missile attacks on Odesa lead to civilian casualties and significant damage to historical structures like the Transfiguration Cathedral. Elsewhere, the International Atomic Energy Agency makes a concerning discovery at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
• Disasters in Greece: Greece faces severe wildfires that require emergency evacuations in various locations, including Corfu and Rhodes. The latter witnesses what officials claim is the largest evacuation in the country’s history.

July 24, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: In an escalation of violence, various Russian missile attacks target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Journalists covering the invasion are not spared, with an Agence France-Presse correspondent injured during one of the assaults. Moscow, too, witnesses drone attacks, hinting at potential retaliatory actions.
• Somali Civil War: Al-Shabaab intensifies its violent activities with a suicide bombing at a military academy in Mogadishu, resulting in significant casualties among soldiers.

July 25, 2023

• Sudan Conflict: The situation in Sudan worsens with more clashes and bombings. The Ombada district in northern Khartoum becomes a hotspot of violence, resulting in numerous deaths.
• Islamic Terrorism in Europe: Six men are convicted in connection to the Brussels bombings of 2016, further highlighting the lasting impact and aftermath of terrorism in Europe.

July 26, 2023 

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Russia launches missile strikes against Kyiv Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and Kirovohrad Oblast in Ukraine.
• 2023 Nigerien coup d’état: Soldiers detain President Mohamed Bazoum, later announcing his removal from power.
• Travis Scott’s Concert: Egypt cancels Travis Scott’s concert at the Giza Pyramids over allegations of promoting Freemasonry.
• Pacific Typhoon Season: Typhoon Doksuri causes fatalities and displaces thousands in the Philippines.
• Moldova-Russia Relations: Moldova orders the expulsion of 22 Russian diplomats over alleged spying concerns.
• Cambodian Politics: Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen announces his resignation with his son succeeding him.
• UFO Controversy: The US House Committee discusses unidentified aerial phenomena and related claims.

July 27, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Ukrainian forces reportedly retake a village.
• 2023 Nigerian coup d’état: Supporters of the military coup set fire to the ruling party’s headquarters.
• Syrian Civil War: Bombing at a Shi’ite mosque kills several people.
•  Roman Discovery: Nero’s private theater is discovered in Rome.
•  China, North Korea, and Russia Relations: Leaders and officials meet in Pyongyang to celebrate the cessation of Korean War hostilities.

July 28, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Russian forces launch missile strikes on several Ukrainian cities.
•  Pacific Typhoon Season: Typhoon Doksuri’s impact grows in the Philippines and Taiwan.
•  Canadian Wildfires: Another firefighter is killed during the Canadian wildfire season.
•  Haitian Crisis: The US orders the departure of its personnel from Haiti due to security concerns.
•  Taiwan-US Relations: The US announces a military aid package for Taiwan.
•  Capital Punishment in Singapore: Singapore executes its first woman in nearly two decades.

July 29, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Russian missile strikes continue on Ukrainian cities.
• Fireworks Disaster in Thailand: An explosion at a fireworks warehouse results in numerous casualties.
• Haitian Crisis: Kenya announces plans to deploy police officers to Haiti.
• Kenyan Politics: Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo mediates in Kenyan politics.
• World Aquatics Championships: Katie Ledecky surpasses Michael Phelps in gold medals won.

July 30, 2023 

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Russian forces shoot down drones over Moscow. The airport is temporarily closed due to the incident.
•  Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A suicide bombing at a rally results in significant casualties.
•  Sinai Insurgency: A mass shooting occurs at a police facility in Egypt.
•  Religious Violence in India: Clashes between Hindus and Muslims occur in Haryana.
•  UNESCO & Venice: Venice might be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger.
• Nigerien Crisis and International Response: ECOWAS takes actions and makes demands in response to the coup in Niger.

July 31, 2023

• Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Residential areas in Ukraine continue to be targets of Russian missile strikes.
•  Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The Islamic State-KP claims responsibility for the bombing.
•  Colombian Conflict: Shootouts and clashes involving FARC dissidents and the military result in casualties.
•  Myanmar’s Political Situation: The state of emergency is extended, suggesting further delays in elections.
•  Senegalese Protests: Protests erupt in Senegal following the arrest and indictment of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

June Current Affairs 2023
1 JUNE 2023
⦁ The winner of Miss Trans Pakistan-2023 is Alina Khan. The title of Miss Trans Pakistan 2023 has been bestowed upon Alina Khan, well known for playing Biba in the movie Joyland. The first pageant in Pakistan specifically for transgender women is called Miss Trans Pakistan, and it is run by Sonia Ahmed.
⦁ On June 1, 2023, the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place. The 15th BRICS summit, planned to take place in South Africa in August, had its agenda finalized during the conference of foreign ministers. A proposal to increase the number of BRICS members and a proposal for a unified currency are two items on the agenda that are drawing attention for their potential to further the geopolitical unification of the organization.
⦁ With the recent introduction of category-based selection drawings for Express Entry candidates, Canada hopes to provide preference to those with strong French language skills or job experience in important industries.
June 2, 2023
⦁ When it comes to reducing environmental contamination and advancing sustainable practices, the treatment of formation water, a byproduct of the extraction and processing of crude oil, is crucial. Using a ground-breaking mixture, scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have found a sustainable way to treat formation water.
June 3, 2023
⦁ In order to implement the federal government’s financial plans for the forthcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2023, the administration submitted the Finance Bill, 2023, to the National Assembly.
⦁ Palaeontologists from Flinders University have made a spectacular find, naming a new group of extinct marsupials Ambulator, which is Latin for “walker or wanderer.” About 3.5 million years ago, these remarkable animals roamed Australia’s dry interior.
June 4, 2023
⦁ Japan, the US, and South Korea decide to strengthen their security ties in order to monitor North Korean missile launches in real time.
June 5, 2023
⦁ On the outskirts of London, in the countryside, a black-veined white butterfly that was considered to have been extinct in Britain for nearly a century has just made a surprise resurgence.
June 6, 2023
⦁ A legal term for hostile possession of property is “adverse possession.” Legal professionals have disagreed on its basis and effect, and the topic has been the focus of discussion and debate among them.
June7, 2023
⦁ The enormous stretch of ice-covered Arctic Ocean may experience a significant transformation in the years to come. According to a recent international study, the Arctic Ocean may no longer have summer ice by the year 2030.
June 8, 2023
⦁ For a three-year term commencing on January 1, 2024, Pakistan was elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN’s economic body, on June 8, 2023. Ambassador Munir Akram cited the achievement as evidence of “our positive role in international diplomacy.” With 193 members, Pakistan received 129 votes in the General Assembly.
⦁ The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the US Space Force are preparing to launch the Silent Barker constellation of satellites.
June 9, 2023
⦁ In light of the impending elections, the coalition government unveiled an expansive budget for fiscal 2023–24 late on June 9, 2023, increasing federal employee salaries by a whopping 30-35 percent, increasing development spending by 33 percent, and announcing tax breaks for industry, construction, information technology, agriculture, and the latter three.
⦁ On June 9, 2023, the federal government unveiled its planned budget for the fiscal years 2023–2024, totaling Rs. 14.460 trillion.
⦁ In its attempts to update the laws governing the fair distribution of the responsibility of housing asylum seekers, the European Union (EU) has made a substantial progress. The agreement was struck on June 8 in Luxembourg after a full day of difficult discussions between EU interior ministers.
June 10, 2023
⦁ In a historic indictment, prosecutors claim that Trump put national secrets at risk. The indictment provides evidence that the former president conspired to obstruct the inquiry into the situation and put the safety of national security secrets in peril.
June 11, 2023
⦁ The first discounted Russian crude oil shipment landed in Karachi on June 11, 2023, and oil production started on June 12 as announced on Twitter by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
June 12, 2023
⦁ Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is detained in connection with an investigation into SNP funding
June 13, 2023
⦁ Russian Traveler’s Body Parts Found in Shark’s Stomach after It Was Chopped to Death
June 14, 2023
⦁ One of the most prestigious beauty pageants, Miss World, has a long history and a large following around the world. Since its establishment, it has taken place in numerous nations. India has been chosen as the host nation for the 2019 Miss World competition, which is expected to take place later this year, according to a recent announcement by the Miss World Organization.
⦁ Researchers at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) have just published a study that illuminates the remarkable connection between genetic variety and species features.
June 15, 2023
⦁ Nusrat Choudhury made history on June 15 when she was sworn in as the nation’s first female Muslim federal judge. This historic appointment is an important step towards judicial inclusion and diversity.
⦁ On the International Space Station (ISS), a noteworthy event has occurred in the vastness of space. NASA astronauts have successfully grown a space garden, demonstrating the possibility of cultivating fresh food outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
June 16, 2023
⦁ The barrier of 1.5 degrees Celsius for global mean temperatures was reportedly crossed in the first few days of June, according to the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF).
⦁ In a brief statement released, Pakistan’s central bank stated that the country had received $1 billion from China as part of the government’s efforts to bolster the country’s official foreign exchange reserves by securing external funding from allies and international lenders.
June 17, 2023
⦁ In Japan, the legal minimum age for having sex has recently increased as a result of significant revisions to the country’s age of consent regulations. This revolutionary change intends to strengthen legal protections, especially for children, in cases involving sexual interactions and crimes.
⦁ The storied Roosevelt Hotel in New York, one of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) finest holdings, has lately been leased out. The three-year lease agreement, which PIA signed, will offer a large infusion of cash amid the airline’s persistent financial difficulties.
June 18, 2023
⦁ For an undisclosed fee, popular online discussion board Reddit is purchasing machine learning (ML) platform Spell.
June 19, 2023
⦁ The most recent Food Outlook Report, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlights important trends and worries regarding food imports.
June 20, 2023
⦁ China intends to build the Chashma-5 nuclear power plant in Pakistan on June 20, 2023. In Punjab’s centre province, construction on the Chashma 5 project will begin. Pakistan will benefit from China’s assistance in its move away from fossil fuel dependence.
⦁ China and Pakistan agreed to a $4.8 billion contract to construct a 1,200 megawatt nuclear power facility, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan regards China as its most trusted friend.
⦁ The well-known British-American author Salman Rushdie has received the prestigious German Peace Prize for his exceptional achievements.
June 21, 2023
⦁ In both the regional and worldwide ranking tables of the World Economic Forum’s worldwide Gender Gap Report 2023, Pakistan is ranked 142 out of 146, last among all nations. Although this level of parity remains one of the lowest globally, the nation’s score on the economic participation and opportunity sub-index increased by 5.1 percentage points over the course of the last ten years to reach 36.2 percent.
⦁ By creating an environmentally friendly Boeing airliner, NASA and Boeing hope to revolutionize the aviation sector. The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing is a cutting-edge wing design that has the potential to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions in single-aisle passenger aircraft.
June 22, 2023
⦁ By recreating the physics of black holes using quantum computers, Chinese researchers have made a huge advancement in the science of astrophysics. The behavior of black holes and their radiative characteristics are clarified by this ground-breaking study, which is based on the Hawking radiation theory.
⦁ To support women in business, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have teamed up.
June 23, 2023
⦁ Google’s Startups Cloud Programme, which aims to equip Pakistan’s burgeoning technology-driven companies with tools, resources, and credits up to $350,000 for AI startups to grow and scale their enterprises in the cloud, was launched there on June 22, 2023.
⦁ The prospect of an altogether new form of matter known as the chiral bose-liquid state has been raised by recent research in the realm of quantum physics. This state, in contrast to the more common solid, liquid, and gas states, develops at extremely low temperatures close to absolute zero.
June 24, 2023
⦁ The essential minerals alliance, commonly known as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), is a global effort that was introduced in June 2022. This partnership’s main objective is to lessen China’s dominance in the market for important minerals while ensuring reliable supplies of these minerals for the economies of the participating nations.
June 25, 2023
⦁ After a three-decade hiatus, the Kishtwar area of Jammu and Kashmir received its first digital cinema theatre on Friday.
June 26, 2023
⦁ On June 26, 2023, Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani signed the modified Finance Bill 2023-24 and the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2023 into law. After President Dr. Arif Alvi left for the Haj, Senate Chairman Sanjrani took over as acting president.
⦁ In the discipline of arachnology, researchers in Mumbai have uncovered a fascinating finding. Hasarius mumbai, a brand-new species of spider, was discovered and named after the location where it was discovered.
⦁ The expanding problems caused by drug use around the world have been highlighted by a recent United Nations report. Alarming numbers are presented in the report, titled the World Drug Report 2023, which also emphasizes the urgent need to give public health, prevention, and access to treatment services priority.
June 27, 2023
⦁ Over 10,000 people were left homeless by a severe flood in many Chinese cities as authorities hurriedly relocated many residents to safer areas.
June 28, 2023
⦁ After goats were smuggled in ahead of Eid-Al-Adha, violence broke out in a Thane housing complex, and eleven individuals were ultimately arrested.
June 29, 2023
⦁ China just passed its first Foreign Relations Law, which, according to Wang Yi, the country’s top diplomat, will serve as a “deterrent” to Western sanctions and protect national security and sovereignty.
June 30, 2023
⦁ The “gravitational wave background” is a spectacular discovery made by telescopes all across the world. This discovery, which was made public in recent papers, is consistent with Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity and provides significant new understandings of the nature of space and time.
⦁ Millions of people all over the world suffer with the chronic illness known as multiple sclerosis (MS). By identifying a genetic mutation that is connected to the severity of the illness, researchers have lately made strides in their understanding of MS.

National and International Events – May 2023

May 1, 2023

•         Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) marched from the Liberty Chowk intersection to Nasir Bagh Park in Lahore on May 1 between 13:00–18:00.
•         Labor Day Protest

Workers and labor unions demanded improved government policies to protect their rights and meet their wage demands during Labor Day protests and strikes that have taken over France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

May 2, 2023

•         Five fatalities have been reported in the media as of 2 May, with two of them occurring in Khuzdar City (also known as Qusdar, Khuzdar District, central Balochistan Province), one each in Kech District, Lasbela District, and Mach Town, all of southern and southern-most Balochistan, which border Karachi City.

May 3, 2023

•         Bangladesh will get financial assistance from the World Bank to support initiatives that promote regional connectivity, economic growth, and disaster preparedness.

May 4, 2023

•         Seven individuals were killed, and three police officers were injured in a school shooting that happened on May 4, 2023, at a high school in Parachinar, Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In a different incident earlier in the day, a teacher from the same school was shot and killed.

May 5, 2023

•         Five soldiers were killed in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir during a clash between security forces and militants in the Kandi Forest area of the Rajouri district.

May 6, 2023

•         There were growing indications of confusion and discomfort within Russia’s military and political leadership, as they prepared for an impending Ukrainian offensive, for which their forces may be underprepared, as Ukraine escalated its strikes deep inside Russian-controlled territory.

07-May-2023

•         Return of Syria to the Arab League.

After more than ten years, the Arab League finally decided to readmit Syria. Syria was expelled from the group due to its harsh suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations, which sparked the ongoing civil war.

May 8, 2023

•         US Patriot Shoots Down Kh-47 Kinzhal.

For the first time, a Kinzhal missile was downed, according to Ukraine. A US Patriot air defense system was used to target the missile and shoot it down over Kyiv.

May 9, 2023

•         Imran Khan, a former Pakistani prime minister, and politician was detained by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on May 9, 2023, inside the High Court in Islamabad, on suspicion of corruption in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust, which he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, jointly own. His party demanded protests when Khan was detained.
•         Project-SMART

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been established with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Railways, and the “Station Area Development along Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail” programme has been authorized by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

•         Creditor-led Insolvency Resolution Mechanism

The Creditor-led Insolvency Resolution technique, a recently suggested technique, intends to shorten resolution times, which have become longer under the current system and resulted in legal issues and a lack of NCLT benches.

•         Lifting of Title 42

The COVID-19 restrictions, also known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border from requesting asylum since March 2020 may shortly be lifted by the United States.

•         TROPICS Mission

Two CubeSats for storm tracking were successfully launched into orbit by NASA and Rocket Lab after an earlier launch attempt was aborted in April owing to weather issues in New Zealand.

•         ESCAP’s “Race to Net Zero” Report

A report titled “Race to Net Zero” was recently published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which has its headquarters in Bangkok.

May 10, 2023

•         Telangana Launches State Robotics Framework

To create a viable robotics ecosystem in the state, the Telangana government launched the State Robotics Framework.

•         Greek Embassy Event to Host Event About Situation in Mariupol

The Greek Embassy in Delhi will host a demonstration of the situation in Mariupol, Ukraine. EUNIC and the European Union delegation in Delhi support the event.

May 11, 2023

•         A gigantic pilosaur’s fossil remains were recently found in England. The gigantic size estimate makes their discovery a noteworthy one.
•         What is Pangenome?

The pangenome, a revolutionary advancement in human genetics, has scientists in a frenzy as they announce it. This phrase refers to a new, more varied DNA blueprint that could fundamentally alter how we think about human health and disease.

May 11, 2023

•         Mitochondrial Donation Treatment

Mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), a novel procedure, is making waves in the field of in vitro fertilization (IVF). This ground-breaking method aims to stop moms from passing on incurable illnesses to their children.

May 12, 2023

•         The Global Health Emergency of Mpox Comes to an End

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the conclusion of a 10-month-long global health emergency, which is a huge development. This choice was made in accordance with the emergency committee of the organization’s recent meeting’s proposal.

•         Comb Jellies and Their Unique Neurons

Ctenophores, or comb jellies, have long fascinated both scientists and nature lovers. These sea critters are visually stunning due to their jelly-like bodies that are covered in iridescent combs.

•         Zimbabwe’s Gold-Backed Digital Currency

A recent effort by Zimbabwe to strengthen and stabilize its currency was the development of a digital currency backed by gold. This creative action tries to address the persistent issues the nation’s financial system is facing.

•         SCO Starup Forum 2023

The SCO Startup Forum’s third iteration was recently held. Its goal is to encourage innovative collaborations and new business startups among SCO member nations.

•         Vaccination of Wild Koalas Against Chlamydia

Australian researchers have started a ground-breaking project to immunize wild koalas in New South Wales against chlamydia.

•         Clinical Trial of Viaskin

A recent clinical trial of the Visaskin patch in preventing severe allergic responses in toddlers with peanut allergy showed encouraging results.

May 13, 2023

•         Moroccan Locust Attack in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s recent Moroccan locust outbreak has sparked worries about the nation’s wheat production and food security. The widespread infestation spanning eight provinces, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), could cause considerable financial losses and worsen the situation of food shortages.

•         Agenda for Action: Sustainable Urban Transformation in Bhopal

The capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, has made history by being the first city in India to embrace the localized version of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) imposed by the UN.

•         TRAI Regulation on Misuse of Telemarketing Message Templates

In accordance with the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recently issued a significant instruction to telecom operators directing them to address the issue of the misuse of telemarketing message templates.

•         ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ Campaign

The ‘100 Days, 100 Pays’ campaign will begin on June 1, according to a recent statement from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Within a 100-day period, this initiative attempts to locate and resolve the top 100 unclaimed deposits in each bank across all districts.

May 14, 2023

•         Exceptionally Strong Cyclonic Storm Mocha touched down on land close to Sittwe in western Myanmar. The country’s meteorological authority predicted that over the next 24 hours, Rakhine coastal areas might experience winds up to 120 mph and tides that could surge up to 20 feet.

May 15, 2023

•         What is ASC2?

It has been revealed through ground-breaking research that was published in the journal Cell that bats have the astonishing capacity to host viruses without suffering serious sickness. This study focuses on the ASC2 protein, which is unique to bats.

•         In May 2023, in the Pakistani capital city of Islamabad, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) held a sit-in protest and demonstration outside the Pakistan Supreme Court.

May 16, 2023

•         Imran Khan was urged by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to participate in the inquiry into the Al Qadir Trust scandal.

May 17, 2023

•         Imran Khan, a former prime minister of Pakistan, had his arrest postponed till May 31 by the Islamabad High Court.

May 18, 2023

•         Climate Change Impact on Sea Butterflies

The intriguing and fragile sea butterflies, often referred to as sea snails, are essential components of marine ecology. However, due to climate change, the tiniest species of sea butterflies, which are found in the Southern Ocean, are facing considerable difficulties.

•         “Age of First Smartphone and Mental Wellbeing Outcome”

Even though smartphones have become an essential part of our lives, recent studies indicate that early ownership of these devices may have detrimental effects on mental health.

•         A detonation happened near to the Ring Road on May 18, 2023, in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The explosion claimed the life of one individual while injuring three others.

May 19, 2023

•         In Zhob area, Balochistan, Pakistan, on May 19, 2023, a suicide bomber struck Sirajul Haq’s convoy, who was the emir of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI). Six people were injured in the attack, including Haq, and the perpetrator was killed. Many people denounced the incident and urged an extensive investigation.

May 20, 2023

•         Panthera and Oxford University’s Wild CRU Collaborate to Protect Lions

Various dangers have caused the population of lions in Africa to significantly drop. Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization, and Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Wild CRU) are working together to address this issue.

May 21, 2023

•         Following a Show-Stopping Arrival at the G7, Zelensky Begs for More Assistance

He pushed his followers to continue and tried to persuade countries who are on the fence, like India and Brazil, that there is no middle ground.

May 22, 2023

•         Bakhmut in Ukraine Conflict

The current war between Russia and Ukraine has focused on the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Conflicting claims and strategic reasons have recently brought attention to the position and importance of Bakhmut.

May 23, 2023

•         ONDC Academy

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) will advance its ecosystem and increase awareness in major ways. The organization hopes to create a wide network of accredited vendors, buyers, and logistics partners throughout the nation with the inauguration of the ONDC Academy next month.

•         GRSE’s ‘GAINS’ Startup Challenge

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. recently made a substantial effort to advance innovation and technology in shipbuilding.

•         Data Centre Q1 2023

Data center markets are booming in the Asia-Pacific region, with several cities emerging as major players in this quickly changing industry. In collaboration with DC Byte, a top data center research and analytics platform, Knight Frank, a global property consultant, just published its “Data Centre Q1 2023” study.

•         Dangote Refinery

Nigeria has put the Dangote Refinery into operation, marking a big step towards the goal of becoming a net exporter of petroleum products. The Dangote Refinery, with a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, bears promise for addressing Nigeria’s ongoing fuel shortages and lowering the country’s high reliance on petroleum imports.

May 24, 2023

•         Brain’s Role in Chronic Pain

By locating the precise brain region linked to chronic pain, researchers have made a huge advancement in their knowledge of the disorder.

May 25, 2023

•         Georgi Gospodinov Wins International Booker Prize

The well-known Bulgarian author Georgi Gospodinov has won praise from readers throughout the world for his challenging writings that explore the complexity of human existence. He was just awarded the International Booker Prize, making him the first Bulgarian to do so.

May 26, 2023

•         USS Gerald R. Ford Visits Oslo

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, recently paid its first ever visit to Oslo, demonstrating NATO’s might and unity at a time when tensions between the alliance and Russia are at an all-time high.

•         ITF Transport Outlook 2023

One of the most important factors in reaching the objectives set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement is the decarbonization of transportation. Recent publication of the eagerly awaited ITF Transport Outlook 2023 study by the OECD’s International Transport Forum (ITF) emphasizes the significance of adopting a variety of policies to encourage sustainable transport options.

May 27, 2023

•         An avalanche happened in the Shounter Top Pass, Astore District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, on May 27, 2023. At least 11 individuals were killed and 13 more were hurt in the catastrophe. The major victims of the tragedy were a Gujjar family, a group of 25 people, who were travelling with their cattle from Kashmir to Astore when they were struck by the avalanche.

May 28, 2023

•         Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who presided over Turkiye for 20 years, is running for re-election to another five-year term. He is being challenged by political veteran Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who is supported by a broad coalition of opposition parties.

May 29, 2023

•         AI Discovers Antibiotic for Acinetobacter baumannii

Healthcare is one of the industries where artificial intelligence (AI) has become a useful tool. AI’s substantial contribution to the development of medical therapies is one way it benefits humanity.

May 30, 2023

•         Polio Eradication Efforts in West and Central Africa

A vaccination force was commenced in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger as a strategic move in the battle versus polio. This multi-country programme, commanded by the World Health Organization (WHO), expects to develop immunization works in West and Central Africa and address the continuing problem of distributing vaccine-derived poliovirus.

May 31, 2023

•         What is 2023 FW13?

An asteroid that performs like a quasi-moon and orbits the Earth while being gravitationally constrained by the Sun has recently been uncovered by scientists. The breakthrough of this newly encountered celestial object, known as 2023 FW13, has provoked space fans and describes a rare opportunity for scientific investigation.

•         PARAS Spectrograph Discovers Dense Exoplanet

The finding of a thick exoplanet lately has piqued the curiosity of both scientists and space enthusiasts. The analysis of the universe persists to yield fascinating findings.

National and International Events – April 2023

April 1, 2023

• In India, a new income tax law comes into effect. It is a significant change on the old 1961 statute, and contains a controversial “angel tax” provision seeking to capture some of the income entering the country from foreign investors funding India’s start-ups.
• Russia assumes the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council as part of the standard monthly rotation among the council’s 15 members.
• The toll from yesterday’s tornado outbreak rises to 32 people dead and at least 90 injuries, especially in the states of Arkansas and Illinois.

April 2, 2023

• South Sudanese troops arrive in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, becoming the fourth country to join a coalition of peacekeeping missions to fight insurgencies.
• Fifteen people are killed after two Gold pits are flooded in Cibitoke Province, Burundi.
• Former economic minister Jakov Milatović defeats incumbent Milo Đukanović to become the new President of Montenegro, with 60.1% of the vote.

April 3, 2023

• A Lions’ Den militant and a Fatah member are killed during a raid by Israeli soldiers in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank. Two other Palestinians are arrested and dozens more are hospitalized due to tear gas.
• A 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, killing eight people, injuring several others, and causing damage.
• Russia announces a ban on Armenian dairy imports amid a continued worsening of relations between the two countries.

April 4, 2023

• The Israeli Air Force launches airstrikes near Damascus, killing two civilians, according to Syrian state media.
• United States Central Command says that U.S. forces killed senior Islamic State leader Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, who was allegedly planning attacks in Europe during Easter, in an overnight raid in rebel-held northwest Syria.
• Satellite launch service provider Virgin Orbit files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after failing to secure long-term funding.

April 5, 2023

• An international human development agency says that 13 Jiye/Jie people have died from conditions related to famine in Kapoeta, South Sudan, while hundreds of others are on the verge of starvation.
• Israeli police storm Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in response to rioting, injuring seven Palestinians and resulting in clashes in the West Bank and in Gaza, where nine rockets were launched.

April 6, 2023

• At least 34 rockets are fired, four of which landed, from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel, injuring three people. Israel later fires artillery toward two Lebanese villages and the Gaza Strip, wounding a Palestinian child.
• Two people are killed and over a million people are without power after an ice storm strikes Ontario and Quebec, Canada.
• The Japanese Coast Guard reports the crashing of a Black Hawk military helicopter carrying ten crew members near Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture.

April 7, 2023

• Twenty people are killed after Islamic State members storm a village in Musandaba, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• A court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo sentences six men to life in prison for the assassination of Italian envoy Luca Attanasio in February 2021.
• The UK defence ministry says that Russian forces have captured the Bakhmutka river west banks, endangering Ukrainian supply lines.

April 8, 2023

• Two soldiers are killed after their vehicle hits a roadside bomb in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In a separate incident, a police officer is killed and two more injured during a grenade attack in Swabi. The Pakistani Taliban claims responsibility for both attacks.
• Chad expels German ambassador Gordon Kricke after he criticises the government delaying the 2024 election.
• Police in Iran announce the installment of cameras in public places to identify and penalize women who do not observe dressing codes for hijabs, while also urging citizens to confront women who are not sufficiently covered.

April 9, 2023

• Israel launches retaliatory airstrikes on Syrian territory after several rockets were launched toward the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
• Six people are killed, two are missing and five more injured after a gas explosion causes two buildings to collapse in Marseille, France.
• Three parties (Reform, E200 and Social Democrats), led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, agree to a new government coalition, five weeks after the parliamentary elections in Estonia.

April 10, 2023

• Four people are killed and 15 others are injured when a motorcycle bomb targeting a police vehicle explodes in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• The staff of Rutgers University vote to go on the first strike by academics in the school’s 257-year history, affecting over 67,000 students in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
• U.S. officials confirm that top secret U.S. government documents relating to the war in Ukraine have been leaked on social media, revealing details of Ukrainian military vulnerabilities. The Pentagon refers the leak to the Department of Justice, which has opened a criminal investigation into the leak.

April 11, 2023

• At least 100 people are killed in an airstrike by the military junta in the village of Pazigyi, Kanbalu Township, Sagaing, in the third major attack against civilians since the junta’s offensive in Sagaing began in February. It is the junta’s deadliest attack since seizing power in 2021.
• Four police personnel and a terrorist are killed in an exchange of fire during a police operation in Kuchlak, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• The Shiveluch volcano in the Russian Far East erupts, sending ash up to 20 kilometres (12 mi) into the air.

April 12, 2023

• NPR announces that it will no longer use Twitter after the social media site labeled it and the BBC as “government-funded media”. Shortly thereafter, Twitter CEO Elon Musk announces that the labelling of the BBC will be changed to “publicly-funded media”.
• Syrian foreign minister Faisal Mekdad meets with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the first such visit between the two countries since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011 in order to discuss the security situation in Syria and the return of Syrian refugees.
• Four soldiers are killed in a mass shooting at a military base in Bathinda, Punjab, India. Authorities say that the shooting is not terror-related.

April 13, 2023

• The European Council agrees to donate a billion euros worth of ammunition to Ukraine through an EU financing instrument.
• North Korea launches a ballistic missile towards northern Japan, prompting evacuation orders in Hokkaido, before the missile falls into the sea.
• The government of Bolivia calls on the armed forces to tighten border controls in order to prevent the smuggling of state-subsidized fuel.

April 14, 2023

• A major prisoner swap of nearly 900 prisoners begins between rival factions in Yemen.
• At least 42 people are killed by suspected CODECO militants during a raid at a village in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Ghana becomes the first country to approve Oxford‘s malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M.

April 15, 2023

• Chad closes its border with Sudan as heavy fighting continues between the Sudanese military and rebel forces.
• Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Qatar suspend all planes from inside and outside of Sudan due to the ongoing conflicts and closure of several airports; airlines also fear attacks on their planes mainly in Khartoum.
• Former Indian Parliament member Atique Ahmed, and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, are assassinated on live television while giving an interview to reporters in Allahabad, while in the custody of police, Uttar Pradesh, India.

April 16, 2023

• The Sudanese military is said to have retaken control of the presidential palace and other key government installations in Khartoum. The military says Khartoum International Airport remains under the control of Rapid Support Forces, but that it was holding back from launching airstrikes to avoid destroying the airport.
• Thirty-four VDP and six soldiers are killed during an ambush in the village of Aorema, Ouahigouya, Nord, Burkina Faso. Thirty-three other people are injured.
• Thousands of people protest against rising inflation at Wenceslas Square in Prague, Czech Republic, demanding the government‘s resignation.

April 17, 2023

• Sudan closes its airspace, cancelling all flights in and out of the country. Kenya likewise suspends all flights to and from Sudan.
• The provincial health ministry of Santa Fe, Argentina, asks the public to “not underestimate” the current situation of dengue fever after the province surpasses 10,000 cases and reports its third death from the disease amid a national outbreak.
• Argentina is confirmed as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup by FIFA, following the suspension of the tournament in Indonesia, which refused to host the Israeli team.

April 18, 2023

• Six Fulani herders are killed by Kodo armed men during an attack on two villages in Logone Oriental, Chad. Fourteen attackers are killed by soldiers in the ensuing gunfight, while two others are killed in the initial clashes with the Fulanis.
• Two people are killed and dozens of others are feared missing after a landslide occurs in the Khyber Pass in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
• Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reach a US$787.5 million settlement in the defamation lawsuit, which was initially filed against the network in March 2021 for spreading false claims about the company regarding the 2020 United States presidential election.

April 19, 2023

• Thousands of Sudanese civilians cross the closed border with Chad as refugees and are detained, according to Chadian Defence Minister Daoud Yaya Brahim.
• Over 155,000 Canadian federal workers go on strike after the Public Service Alliance of Canada failed to reach an agreement with the government over pay raises and remote work.
• A heatwave in Asia leads to deaths and school closures in India, and record-breaking temperatures in other countries.

April 20, 2023

• An Iranian Navy commander claims on state television that the Iranian Navy forced a U.S. submarine to surface as it transited the Strait of Hormuz and that the submarine violated Iranian territorial waters. The U.S. denies the Iranian claims.
• A hybrid solar eclipse occurs across the South Pacific in Australia, East Timor, and Indonesia.
• SpaceX launches the first test flight of Starship, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle to ever fly, from Starbase in South Texas. The vehicle successfully launched but lost control and the flight was explosively terminated four minutes after liftoff.

April 21, 2023

• Many countries, including South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, announce plans to evacuate all of their citizens or nationals from Sudan.
• Latvian Defence Minister Ināra Mūrniece announces that Latvia will send all of its FIM-92 Stinger missile sytems to Ukraine, following a meeting with NATO allies at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
• Wreckage of the Imperial Japanese Navy ship SS Montevideo Maru, sunk during World War II, is found after 81 years in the South China Sea, off the coast of Luzon Island. The ship, which was carrying over 1,000 prisoners of war, including 850 Australian POWs, represented the largest loss of life for the Australian armed forces during the Second World War.

April 22, 2023

• A Malian Air Force attack helicopter crashes into a residential area of Bamako while returning from operations against jihadists near the Mauritanian border. Three people on board are killed and six on ground injured.
• Japan places its Self-Defense Forces on high alert as defence minister Yasukazu Hamada says that Japan could potentially shoot down the North Korean reconnaissance satellite that is expected to be launched by Pyongyang if it falls in Japanese territory.
• Russia announces the expulsion of several German diplomatic personnel in a tit-for-tat decision following the expulsion of Russian personnel from Germany.

April 23, 2023

• The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines announces the suspension of all flights to Sudan to ensure the safety of its citizens and raises alerts to level 3 after a Filipino is hit by a stray bullet in Khartoum.
• American retailer Bed Bath & Beyond files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• The United Kingdom launches its UK Emergency Alert System, sending a test emergency population warning to all 4G and 5G mobile phones for the first time. Many people do not receive the alert, particularly users of the Three mobile network.

April 24, 2023

• Fox News and host Tucker Carlson part ways. Less than an hour later, CNN fires host Don Lemon.
• Seventeen people are killed and more than 50 others are injured after explosive material in the basement of a police station in Kabal Tehsil, Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, catches fire, causing explosions.
• A geomagnetic storm hits Earth, causing auroras as far south as Alabama and southern England.

April 25, 2023

• Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei pays an official visit to Taiwan to reaffirm support for Taiwan as one of the 13 countries which recognize Taiwan in the One-China policy dispute. China condemns Giammattei’s visit.
• Incumbent President Joe Biden formally announces his re-election campaign.
• The United Kingdom begins a large-scale evacuation of British citizens from Sudan.

April 26, 2023

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with both countries announcing the dispatch of representatives to establish a diplomatic presence after the call.
• Singapore executes Tangaraju Suppiah for plotting to smuggle 1 kilogram of cannabis into the country. His execution, the country’s first this year, drew significant pleas for clemency, including from the United Nations.
• By a vote of 217–215, the United States House of Representatives passes a bill that would raise the United States debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for spending restrictions.

April 27, 2023

• Girma Yeshitilla, the leader of the Amhara Prosperity Party, the ruling party in Ethiopia, is shot dead by unknown gunmen in North Shewa, Amhara Region.
• An attack on a Burkinabé military base in Burkina Faso‘s Est region by jihadists kills 33 Burkinabé soldiers. During the attack, the soldiers say they killed 40 of the jihadists before government reinforcements arrived.
• The Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia begins the recruitment of women for the military, allowing both genders to join for the first time.

April 28, 2023

• At least 25 civilians are killed and many others are injured in a new wave of Russian cruise missile strikes across Ukraine. The capital Kyiv is hit for the first time in 51 days.
• Defence ministers of member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in New Delhi, India, to discuss regional security challenges and related issues.
• Argentine President Alberto Fernández orders the payment of a compensation of $861,860 dollars for the abduction and torture of an Uruguayan couple in 1976 after the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned Argentina for the first time over its failure to investigate and compensate crimes that occurred during its last military dictatorship.

April 29, 2023

• Warplanes bomb Khartoum and heavy anti-aircraft artillery is heard in the city as the conflict enters its third week, with the United Nations warning that Sudan is “collapsing”.
• A huge fire engulfs a fuel depot in the port of Sevastopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, in what governor Mikhail Razvozhaev says was a drone attack.
• Citizens of Niue head to the polls to elect the 20 members of the Assembly.

April 30, 2023

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces that the Turkish National Intelligence Organization has tracked down and killed the Caliph of the Islamic State Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi in Syria.
• Citizens of French Polynesia head to the polls to elect the 57 members of the Assembly.
• The Boston Bruins, who had previously set new NHL records for wins and points in a single season, are upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers, losing game 7 in overtime after having led the series 3 games to 1.

National and International Events – March 2023

March 1, 2023

•         Russian forces strike the Kyiv TV Tower with a missile, causing a temporary disruption of TV and radio broadcasting. Five people are killed in the bombing, according to Ukrainian emergency services. A Russian missile also strikes the Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center.

•         A battle between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian soldiers kills two SDF fighters and two government soldiers.

•         Prime Minister Xavier Espot announces that he will enter urgently to parliamentary procedure on Wednesday so that the General Council can approve the normative framework to apply economic sanctions to Russia. This law will aim to freeze the bank assets of 700 people and 50 companies that the European Union considers to be linked to the invasion of Ukraine. 

March 2, 2023

•         An emergency special session of the UN General Assembly adopts a resolution calling for Russia to end the invasion.

•         Russian stocks endure a total wipeout in value on the London stock exchange, losing $570 billion in two weeks, with many Russian companies’ stocks worth pennies. Entities such as Gazprom and Lukoil have lost almost all of their value. Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia, had a market cap of $102 billion six months ago but the value of outstanding shares is currently less than $190 million.

•         South Korea surpasses 200,000 daily cases from COVID-19 for the first time after reporting a record 219,241 new cases.

March 3, 2023

•         The Estonian cargo ship MV Helt sinks near the Port of Odessa in the Black Sea following an explosion. All six crew members on board were rescued, according to authorities. Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets says that an investigation into the incident will occur. 

•         Hong Kong reports a record for the second consecutive day of 56,827 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the total of confirmed cases in the territory to 350,557. The territory also reporting a record 144 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the death toll in territory to 1,366.

•         Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says that his country will continue talks with regional rival Iran in order to reach an agreement between the two countries. Bin Salman also reaffirms his support for a “strong” nuclear deal that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

March 4, 2023

•         The Czech Republic introduces a state of emergency for 30 days as thousands of Ukrainian refugees arrived in the country.

•         Islamic State gunmen and a suicide bomber kill at least 61 people and injure 196 others during Friday prayers at a Shia mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. 

•         The government announces that Brazil’s economy has grown by 4.6%, the largest increase since 2011, after suffering a slump in 2020 due to the COVID-19 recession. 

March 5, 2023

•         South Korean electronics giant Samsung Electronics suspends all shipments to Russia due “to current geopolitical developments”. Samsung is the largest supplier of smartphones in Russia with a 30% market share.

•         Saudi Arabia will lift its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR COVID-19 testing requirements, along with requirements for travelers to quarantine.

•         North Korea tests a ballistic missile in the Sea of Japan four days before the upcoming South Korean election. This is the ninth test conducted by North Korea this year.

March 6, 2023

•         A militant attacks a marketplace in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, with a grenade, killing a man and injuring 24 others. 

•         The Nigerien government confirms reports that five soldiers were killed on Friday by an improvised explosive device bombing in Torodi, Tillabéri Region.

•         North Korea says that it performed data transmission and other key tests to make a reconnaissance spy satellite. This comes a day after the country conducted a missile test.

March 7, 2023

•         Two United Nations peacekeepers are killed in a bomb attack north of Mopti. Shortly before that, militants kill two Malian soldiers in Gao Region. 

•         Metal markets register new highs. Aluminium and nickel register a record price on the London stock exchange, at about $4,000 and $55,000 per tonne, respectively; nickel prices rose 90% on intraday trading.

•         The number of deaths due to COVID-19 worldwide surpasses six million.

March 8, 2023

•         An Islamic State – Khorasan Province militant blows himself up in the city of Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan. The attack kills five people and injures thirty. It may have been an assassination attempt on President Arif Alvi.

•         The Biden administration bans imports of Russian oil, gas and coal to the United States. The United Kingdom also announces that it would phase out Russian oil by the end of the year.

•         In an interview with ABC News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukraine is open to holding discussions about the Russia-recognized Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. He also concedes that his country may no longer be prepared to be accepted into NATO.

March 9, 2023

•         The Russian Ministry of Economic Development proposes a draft nationalisation bill that will impose receivership for up to 3 months on assets of companies that boycotted the Russian market due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine if the ownership share by legal entities from “unfriendly countries” exceeds 25%

•         Romania lifts all COVID-19-related restrictions including requiring a digital COVID pass to access institutions and the obligation to wear protective masks both indoors and outdoors.

•         The wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance, which sank in 1915, has been located beneath the Weddell Sea.

March 10, 2023

•         An armed incident occurs between border guards at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border, killing one Tajik border guard. Following the incident, officials from the Batken Region in Kyrgyzstan and the Sughd Region in Tajikistan hold talks.

•         Video game companies Nintendo and Sony Interactive Entertainment suspend all product sales in Russia. Sony’s online PlayStation Store will also no longer be available in Russia.

•         Moderna begins a study and a phase 2 trial of a hybrid vaccine aimed at combating the Omicron variant with their current COVID-19 vaccine.

March 11, 2023

•         The Pakistani military says that a surface-to-surface missile hit near Mian Channu, Punjab. India later admits to accidentally firing a missile into Pakistani territory. No casualties were reported by either side.

•         The Central Bank of Russia orders all banks not to take any commission for the withdrawal of foreign-denominated cash from bank accounts of natural persons. Additionally, all remittances from abroad can only be withdrawn after they are converted to rubles.

•         Gabriel Boric is sworn-in as President of Chile, becoming the youngest person to serve as President.

March 12, 2023

•         Iran launches twelve ballistic missiles at the Iraqi city of Erbil, Kurdistan Region, with explosions reported near the U.S. consulate and Erbil International Airport. The missiles are believed to be Fateh-110s. There are no reports of injuries or deaths.

•         At least 61 people are killed and 54 more injured by a train crash in Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

•         Vietnam reports a record 454,197 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, including a record 225,693 new cases in Hanoi, which is the highest single-day total in any municipality or province.

March 13, 2023

•         The Transitional Military Council in Chad says that it has released hundreds of prisoners of war and has granted amnesty to several prominent leaders as a condition for the talks.

•         The 75th British Academy Film Awards is held, with The Power of the Dog winning Best Film and Best Director. 

•         The embassy of India in Ukraine is relocated from Lviv to Poland due to the attacks on Western Ukraine. 

March 14, 2023

•         The United Nations reports that around 161,000 people in Yemen are expected to face a famine in the second half of the year.

•         Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol announces that South Korea will begin its COVID-19 vaccine campaign for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years on March 31. Booster doses will also be administered for children between the ages of 12 and 17 years.

•         Germany announces that it will buy 35 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the United States to replace its aging fleet of Panavia Tornados. Germany will also purchase 15 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Airbus.

March 15, 2023

•         Around 2,000 private cars have left Mariupol since a humanitarian corridor was imposed, with another 2,000 cars waiting to leave.

•         Two Palestinians are shot and killed in clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. A man is also killed in the Bedouin town of Rahat in the Negev following clashes with members of the Border Police. 

•         In India, the Karnataka High Court upholds restrictions on the wearing of the hijab in its schools, with Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi saying in the court’s judgement that the wearing of the hijab “does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith.” 

March 16, 2023

•         A 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes off Fukushima, Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and causing power outages for millions of people in Tokyo. At least four people are killed and 94 others are injured.

•         Russia is expelled from the Council of Europe due to the invasion of Ukraine, although the Russian Foreign Ministry had previously announced that it would be quitting the organisation.

March 17, 2023

•         Amazon agrees to purchase American film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for US$8.5 billion.

•         The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves the use of antibody-based treatment to preventing infections in adults with poor immune response Evushield developed by AstraZeneca.

March 18, 2023

•         The Çanakkale 1915 Bridge, connecting the European and Asian continents in Turkey, is opened for traffic. It surpasses Japan’s Akashi Kaikyō Bridge as the world’s longest suspension bridge. 

•         Spanish minister of foreign affairs José Manuel Albares announces that Spain supports Morocco’s proposal to recognize Western Sahara as a Moroccan autonomy for the first time, as it considers it is “the most serious, realistic, and credible basis” for resolving the conflict.

March 19, 2023

•         Twenty-two people are killed and 38 more injured during a bus–truck collision in Melela Kibaoni, Morogoro Region, Tanzania.

•         An anti-NATO protest is held in Bulgaria during a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to oppose Bulgaria selling weapons to Ukraine during the invasion. 

March 20, 2023

•         The Shia Islamist Houthis fire missiles at an ARAMCO facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

•         At least five people are dead and dozens more missing after a ferry collides with a vessel and sinks in Bangladesh. 

•         France ends all attempts to negotiate with Russia and freezes financial assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation worth €22 billion. France also freezes properties owned by Russian oligarchs worth €150 million.

March 21, 2023

•         The Moscow Stock Exchange reopens for bond trading after being closed for almost a month following the invasion.

•         Ontario removes their mask mandate for most settings with the exception of public transportation, long-term care and retirement homes, congregate care and living facilities, homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, other healthcare settings, shelters, and jails.

•         Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expresses his support for negotiations and efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. He also says that the Iranian economy should not be tied to efforts to ease U.S. sanctions against the country.

March 22, 2023

•         Four people are killed and two others are injured during a vehicle-ramming and mass stabbing attack in Beersheba, Southern Israel. The attacker, an Islamic State supporter, was shot dead by a bus driver.

•         French oil and natural gas company Total Energies announces that it will no longer buy Russian oil by the end of the year and will also terminate additional investments in Russia.

•         Australia announces the creation of the Defence Space command, saying it is designed to counter Russia and Mainland China’s ambitions in outer space. The new agency’s service members will come from the army, navy, air force, and will also include private contractors. 

March 23, 2023

•         Two suicide bombers blow themselves up targeting a vehicle carrying politician Amina Mohamed Abdi in Beledweyne, killing her and 47 more people. At least 105 more are injured. 

•         Nestlé announces that it will suspend sales of non-essential items in Russia, following similar company boycotts to Russia.

March 24, 2023

•         A shootout between military forces and Tehrik-i-Taliban militants in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaves four Pakistani soldiers dead. 

•         The UEMOA court orders sanctions against Mali to be suspended. The sanctions were imposed on the junta in January after elections were delayed.

March 25, 2023

•         The Russian Defence Ministry updates its official casualty figures in Ukraine, stating that 1,351 troops have been killed in action and 3,825 others have been injured since the “special military operation” began on February 24.

•         The Government of Japan signs a basic agreement with Shionogi to provide million doses of oral COVID-19 treatment the company is now developing pending the regulatory approval. 

•         Former U.S. President Donald Trump files a lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, alleging that her campaign tried to rig the 2016 United States presidential election by creating a false narrative that tied Trump’s campaign to the Russian government. 

March 26, 2023

•         The Saudi coalition in Yemen launches a series of air raids on targets in Yemen in response to attacks on Saudi Arabian energy facilities by the Houthis. 

•         Spotify announces that it expects to suspend all its services in Russia by the end of April, citing recently passed legislation that restricts access to information as a reason for the suspension.

•         65 terabytes of data belonging to the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviation), the Russian airspace regulator, gets lost indefinitely in a hacker attack, which is said to be one of the largest ever. The data lost includes all official documents, files on its servers, the public procurement system of Rosaviation, as well as all emails for the last one and a half years; no backups are available. 

March 27, 2023

•         Two policemen are killed and 12 more people are injured during a mass shooting by two Islamic State gunmen at a bus stop in Hadera, Haifa District, Israel. The attackers are shot dead.

•         U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that the U.S. and their Gulf allies will deter Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, regardless if a deal to revive the 2015 agreement has been reached or not.

March 28, 2023

•         Bandits bomb and open fire at a train in Kaduna State carrying 970 passengers travelling from Abuja to Kaduna, Nigeria, killing 7 people and wounding 22 more. Some others are kidnapped. 

•         The Andorran government announces the lifting of indoor mask usage, except in health care institutions, as well as the need for antigen testing for nightlife. The government also announces the relaxation of the protocol for positive contacts.

March 29, 2023

•         The U.S. deploys 200 marines from the Marine Air Control Group 28, 10 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, and an unspecified number of C-130s to Lithuania as part of NATO’s response to Russian military aggression in Eastern Europe. 

•         Six Pakistani crew members and a Russian and a Serbian soldier are killed as a MONUSCO helicopter crashes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rebel March 23 Movement group is accused of being behind the crash. The group has denied their involvement. 

•         South Korean lawmakers and the defense ministry say that last week, North Korea has tested a Hwasong-15, which was successfully tested in November 2017, instead of a Hwasong-17.

March 30, 2023

•         The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan attack a military base in Tank, Pakistan, killing six soldiers.

•         The President of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, declares that the partially recognised state will undertake “legal steps” in the near future for accession to become part of Russia.

•         Russia announces that it will ban all usage of software from other countries in government agencies beginning in 2025. Additionally, beginning on March 31, all foreign software purchases for government agencies must be pre-approved by the government.

March 31, 2023

•         Two people are killed and 14 more injured as the Israeli Defense Forces raid the city of Jenin in the West Bank in order to capture a suspect linked to Tuesday’s shooting in Bnei Brak. 

•         The world expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which was delayed to October 1, 2021, closes after six months. 

•         Scientists sequence the complete human genome for the first time, more than three decades after the Human Genome Project was first commenced.

National and International Events – February 2023

1st February

• According to local officials, a Russian Iskander-K ballistic missile destroys an apartment complex in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, killing at least three people and injuring 20 others.
• The central bank of Lebanon devalues the Lebanese pound by 90% amid an ongoing financial crisis.
• More than 500,000 workers across multiple public sectors go on strike in the United Kingdom, forcing thousands of schools to close and many services to be delayed or cancelled, amid disputes over pay and working conditions. It is the largest industrial action in the UK since 2010.

2nd February

• Israel and Sudan announce the finalization of a deal to normalize relations between the two countries.
• The UK Health Security Agency confirms that avian influenza has crossed over to several wild mammals, including foxes, otters, and seals. The agency says that the risk to humans remains very low, however, there will now be more “targeted surveillance” and testing of animals.

3rd February

• Chile expands its state of emergency due to wildfires that have killed at least 23 people and burned up to 8,000 hectares and also declares a catastrophe in the Biobío region amid a summer heat wave.
• At least seventeen people are killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in Kohat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
• A train carrying 20 cars of hazardous material derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The material was burned, which released hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air, causing an evacuation of all residents within a one-mile radius of the crash and an emergency response across three states.

4th February

• The Federal Aviation Administration closes the airspace off the east coast of the United States, and suspends arrivals at Myrtle Beach International Airport, Charleston International Airport, and Wilmington International Airport after President Joe Biden orders the high-altitude balloon to be shot down over the Atlantic Ocean.
• Two people are killed, and three others are injured by an avalanche in Raghistan District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan.

5th February

• American singer Beyoncé sets a Grammy Awards record for the most wins with 32 wins, surpassing Hungarian conductor Georg Solti.
• At least eight people are killed and 42 others are injured when a bus crashes and overturns in Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkey.
• Cypriots head to the polls to elect their new President.

6th February

• At least 34 people are killed and 40 others are injured during clashes between Somalilander soldiers and anti-government fighters in Laascaanood, Sool, Somaliland.
• Five Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades members are killed, three others are injured, and eight members are arrested during a raid by Israeli soldiers and subsequent gunbattle at a refugee camp near Jericho, in the West Bank.
• At least 3,400 people are killed in Turkey and Syria as a magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes Gaziantep Province, Turkey.

7th February

• Peru’s Ministry of Environment reports that the H5N1 influenza A virus has killed 585 sea lions and more than 55,000 birds within its protected areas in recent weeks.
• Two of four Japanese gang leaders based in the Philippines are deported on suspicion of ordering around 2,300 robberies and phone fraud activities with a total value of ¥3.5 billion (US$26.4 million) in Japan.
• During a regular-season game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James records his 38,388th career NBA point, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA all-time scoring leader.

8th February

• The UK Competition and Markets Authority provisionally concludes that the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft will likely lead to a substantial loss of competition in the console market and could strengthen Microsoft’s position in cloud gaming.
• Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the United Kingdom in his second trip outside Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, meeting with King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and addressing Parliament at Westminster Hall.
• Lee Sang-min, the Minister of the Interior and Safety of South Korea, is impeached for his handling of the 2022 Seoul Halloween crowd crush. He is the first cabinet member of South Korea to be impeached.

9th February

• Russia launches drone and cruise missile strikes across the south and east of Ukraine with large explosions reported in the Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
• The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria increases to 21,051.
• Poland announces the closure of a major border crossing with Belarus “until further notice” amid heightened tensions between the two countries. There are currently only two checkpoints open between the two nations.

10th February

• A Russian Navy drone boat strikes the Zatoka railway bridge on Highway H33 near Odesa. It is believed to be the first use of the naval weapon in the war by Russian forces.
• Two people are killed and three others are injured when a vehicle hits a roadside bomb in Kohlu District, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• A World War II-era bomb weighing around 250kg explodes while being defused in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. No injuries are reported.

11th February

• A suicide bomber blows himself up near a security forces’ vehicle in North Waziristan District, Pakistan, killing three soldiers and wounding 20 more.
• At least ten civilians and a soldier are killed in a mass shooting by Islamic State gunmen at a truffle farm in Palmyra, Homs Governorate, Syria.
• In association football, Spanish club Real Madrid wins a record fifth FIFA Club World Cup title and eighth club world championship after defeating Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal 5–3 in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. With eight goals, the match was the highest scoring final in Club World Cup history.

12th February

• Thousands of people are left without power as Cyclone Gabrielle makes landfall over North Island, New Zealand. The regions of Northland and Auckland are currently under a state of emergency.
• NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg announces that he will not extend his mandate to serve a fourth term and is expected to step down in October.
• Gaziantep becomes the 2nd club (after Hatayspor) to withdraw from the top division of Turkish football due to the earthquake.

13th February

• The death toll of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria surpasses 37,000.
• United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres agrees with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to open two of the country’s border crossings with Turkey for at least three months to permit access to humanitarian aid.
• Police in Punjab, Pakistan, arrest 50 men for the lynching of a blasphemy suspect at a police station in Nankana Sahib District two days ago.

14th February

• Three Pakistani Taliban members are killed by fellow militants who were trying to free them while being transported from Miranshah to Bannu, Pakistan by counter-terrorism officers. Four of the attackers are also killed in the ensuing shootout.
• Twenty people are killed and 68 others injured in a head-on collision between a tour bus and an armoured cash-in-transit van in Makhado, Limpopo, South Africa.
• Sri Lanka announces a ban on disposable cutlery, cocktail shakers, and artificial plants beginning in June, citing the risk of plastic pollution on its wildlife.

15th February

• The FTSE 100 Index, the main share index of the 100 most highly capitalized companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, ends its trading day at a record value of 8,003.65 points, surpassing the previous record value of 7,906.58 points recorded on February 3, 2023.
• At least 39 migrants are killed in Gualaca District, Chiriquí Province, Panama, when their bus, heading to the United States, falls off a cliff.
• A United Nations report says that former Egyptian Army colonel Saif al-Adel has become the new leader of Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda and is currently residing in Iran.

16th February

• Armenia submits a peace treaty to Azerbaijan in an effort to end the decades-long conflict between the two countries.
• The CAC 40, the benchmark stock market index for the 40 largest market caps on the Euronext Paris, Europe’s second-largest stock exchange market, reaches a record intraday value of 7,387.29 points.
• A Da Nang court sentences four South Korean men to imprisonment for smuggling around 200 South Koreans into Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic when the country suspended the entry of all foreigners from 2020 to 2021.

17th February

• The Pakistani Taliban attack a police station in Karachi. Three militants, three police officers and a civilian are killed.
• At least 51 soldiers are killed when their convoy is ambushed by jihadists on a road between Oursi and Déou. At least 160 attackers are killed.
• A Syrian family of seven, including five children, are killed by a fire that struck a home in Konya Province, Turkey, which they moved to after surviving the earthquake. Seven other people are injured during the fire.

18th February

• Five people are killed and fifteen others are injured by an Israeli airstrike on Kafr Sousa, Damascus Governorate, according to Syrian media.
• Iran International suspends all broadcasting from its London headquarters due to a security threat.

19th February

• Fourteen people are killed and 63 others are injured when a bus crashes and overturns near Kallar Kahar, Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan.
• The African Union announces the organization of a peace conference to address the instability in Libya.
• At least 43 people are killed in São Sebastião and another person is killed in Ubatuba during floods and landslides in São Paulo, Brazil.

20th February

• A magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes southeastern Turkey and Syria, killing eight people and injuring 600 others. The earthquake is also felt in Lebanon and Egypt. This aftershock comes fourteen days after the main earthquake killed more than 47,000 people.
• British authorities repatriate 77 pieces of Khmer jewellery from indicted art trafficker Douglas Latchford’s family to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia.

21st February

• Russian forces shell the city of Kherson, killing at least six people and injuring 12 others, according to local officials.
• Supermarkets in the United Kingdom, such as Asda and Morrisons, begin rationing fruit and vegetables, citing poor harvests in Spain and North Africa, and a domestic farming crisis. The shortages are expected to last several weeks.
• Cyclone Freddy makes landfall in Madagascar, killing at least four people.

22nd February

• Ten people are killed when al-Shabaab gunmen storm a house in Mogadishu where several lawmakers are staying. All four attackers are killed by soldiers.
• At least five people are killed and 48 others are reported missing following a collapse at a coal mine in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, China. Search and rescue operations are underway.
• Germany expels two employees of the Iranian embassy in response to Iran sentencing pro-monarchist dual German-Iranian Jamshid Sharmahd to death over a 2008 bombing in Iran.

23rd February

• Philippine authorities confirm that all four people aboard a Cessna 340 aircraft that crashed on February 18 on Mayon Volcano, Albay, are dead. Retrieval operations have begun.
• Iran publicly acknowledges accusations by the International Atomic Energy Agency that it has enriched uranium to 84%, bringing it close to developing a nuclear weapon. However, the government maintains that its nuclear program is “completely peaceful”.
• The European Commission bans Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok from corporate devices used by its staff, citing data protection concerns.

24th February

• China unveils a 12-point position paper on ending the war in Ukraine, ahead of an expected speech by President Xi Jinping on the conflict. Ukraine says that it hopes China can urge Russia to withdraw its troops in response to the paper.
• The death toll of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria surpasses 50,000.
• Cambodia’s Ministry of Health reports 12 more suspected cases of H5N1 influenza in Prey Veng province following the death of a 12-year-old girl, the first confirmed death from the virus since 2014.

25th February

• Nineteen athletes are injured by small explosions during the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon. The Ambazonia Defence Forces claim responsibility for the incident.
• Thirteen people are killed and several others are injured when a bus collides with a van in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.
• Nigerians head to the polls to elect their new president and members of the National Assembly.

26th February

• Two Israeli settlers are killed by a Palestinian gunman in Huwara, Nablus Governorate, West Bank. During revenge attacks by Israelis, a Palestinian is shot and killed and 98 others are injured, many during arson attacks.
• Four people are killed and 14 others are injured in a bombing at a market in Barkhan, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• At least 60 people are killed and 80 others are rescued after a boat carrying migrants capsizes in rough seas off the southern coast of Calabria, Southern Italy.

27th February

• UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announce the United Kingdom and European Union had reached an agreement on post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland after a protracted row over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry visits Syria and Turkey in the first official state visit by Egypt in more than 10 years amid strained relations with both countries.

28th February

• The Taliban kill the leader of operations and intelligence of Islamic State – Khorasan Province during a raid in Kabul.
• Grocery inflation in the United Kingdom reaches a record high of 17.1%, according to market research group Kantar Worldpanel, amid high levels of inflation, supply chain issues and high energy costs impacting the economy.
• Canada bans social media platform TikTok from all government-issued devices, citing “an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security” from the Chinese-owned app.

National and International Events – January 2023

1st January

• Several people are killed by an Islamic State bombing at a checkpoint outside the military airport in Kabul.
• Two soldiers are killed during a series of Israeli airstrikes at Damascus International Airport.
• Four civilians are killed and six others injured when two gunmen open fire against Hindu people’s homes in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir.

2nd January

• Two children are killed, and four other people are injured by an explosion outside the home of one of the four Hindus who were killed yesterday in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
• Four people are killed, and eight others are injured when two helicopters collide near the Sea World theme park in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

3rd January

• The Russian defense ministry increases the death toll of soldiers from a December 31 Ukrainian missile attack in Makiivka, Donetsk Oblast, to 89. The ministry attributes the casualties to the soldiers’ use of mobile phones with tracking systems.
• Five gunmen and two members of the security forces are killed during a shootout while searching for 30 inmates who escaped two days ago during an armed attack on a prison in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
• The Pakistani government orders the closure of all shopping malls and retail markets by 8:30 p.m. (PKT) daily as part of an energy conservation plan to offset increasing energy prices.

4th January

• Al-Shabaab jihadists kill 35 people in a double car bombing outside a politician’s home and a market in Mahas District, Hiran, Somalia.
• Two intelligence officers, including the director of the provincial counterterrorism department, are shot dead outside a restaurant in Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan, by suspected Pakistani Taliban gunmen.
• The National Hurricane Center publishes a new Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Katrina, lowering the death toll from over 1,800 to 1,392.

5th January

• The army arrests Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of incarcerated drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The arrest is followed by state-wide unrest, with many schools and airports closed.
• The Taliban says that its forces have killed eight Islamic State insurgents, including foreign nationals, and arrested seven others in a series of raids in Kabul and the western Nimruz Province, following recent attacks by the jihadist group.
• Greece announces that travelers from China will require a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the country.

6th January

• Russian forces shell the front line city of Kramatorsk, damaging at least fourteen homes, according to the city’s mayor, with no reports of casualties. Meanwhile, Donetsk People’s Republic officials accuse Ukraine of shelling Donetsk with artillery.
• Mexico’s secretary of defense Luis Cresencio Sandoval reports that a total of 29 people, 19 gang members and ten military personnel, were killed during the operation which ended in the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán.
• The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization reports that international food prices reached a record high in 2022 amid ongoing concerns of food shortages.

7th January

• Thirty-five Islamic State members are killed during a fight with Boko Haram militants in Lake Chad, resulting in the dislodgement of Islamic State from two of its enclaves.
• Twenty-one people are killed and 49 others are injured when a bus heading for Nairobi, Kenya, crashes after crossing the border from Uganda.
• Kevin McCarthy is elected speaker of the United States House of Representatives after fifteen rounds of voting, the most rounds since 1860.

8th January

• Pro-Bolsonaro protesters storm the National Congress, the Supreme Federal Court, and the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília, Brazil.
• A truck crashes into a funeral procession in Nanchang County, Jiangxi, China, killing 19 people and injuring 20 others.
• American alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin equals fellow American Lindsey Vonn’s record of 82 wins, the most by a woman in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, after winning the giant slalom at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.

9th January

• At least 18 people are killed and over 100 others are injured when the Peruvian National Police fire upon demonstrations in Juliaca.
• China reopens its borders for unrestricted travel, marking the repeal of the country’s last Zero-COVID policy.
• Around 1,200 supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are arrested following yesterday’s riots in Brasília.

10th January

• China suspends the issuance of short-term travel visas to Japanese and South Korean citizens in order to reciprocate the two countries’ imposition of travel restrictions on Chinese citizens in response to China’s recent COVID-19 surge.
• Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy denaturalizes pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk and three others for high treason.

11th January

• An Islamic State suicide bomber blows himself up at the entrance of the foreign ministry offices in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and many others injured.
• Six people are injured in a mass stabbing at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris, France. The attacker is shot by police, arrested, and hospitalized.

12th January

• Israeli soldiers raid the village of Qabatiya in the West Bank, killing two Palestinian men. In a separate incident, Israeli forces arrest an 18-year-old Palestinian man and kill his father in the Qalandia refugee camp.
• The National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina records a 94.8% inflation rate for its economy in 2022, the highest since 1991.
• Cricket Australia announces the withdrawal of the Australia national team from their One Day International matches against Afghanistan scheduled for March in response to the Taliban government’s recent prohibitions of education and employment for women.

13th January

• Russia’s defense ministry says that its forces have taken full control of Soledar in Donetsk Oblast. However, Ukraine denies the fall of the city and its salt mines, claiming that the battle was still ongoing.
• The British government announces a ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, polystyrene cups, bowls, and balloon sticks in England beginning in October as part of an effort to reduce plastic pollution. The ban will apply to all retailers, takeaways, and food vendors.

14th January

• Eleven people are killed and more than 50 injured by an al-Shabaab suicide car bombing in Buloburde, Hiran.
• Iran announces the execution of dual British Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari, who had served as a deputy for the ministry of defense, on charges of spying for the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemns Akbari’s execution.

15th January

• Ten people are killed, and 39 others are injured when a bomb explodes at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
• A plane that had departed from Kathmandu crashes in Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal, killing all 72 people on board.
• The Jamaica Constabulary Force seizes $80 million worth of cocaine from a cargo ship at the port of Kingston.

16th January

• At least six people including three children died and 176 people were injured from cuts and falls while flying kites during Uttarayan festival in Gujarat. Some bled to death as revellers used sharp strings that entangled around the necks.
• The Somali Armed Forces claim to have recaptured the port town of Harardhere from Al-Shabaab militants. According to a Puntland officer, Somali forces allied with regional militias also recaptured the town of El Dhere.
• The British government says that it will block the Gender Recognition Reform Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament despite objections from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, saying that the proposed law would conflict with “equality protections” across Great Britain.

17th January

• Seven soldiers, including a commander, are killed when al-Shabaab jihadists attack a military base in Hawadley, Middle Shabelle, with a suicide car bomb and gunmen.
• The World Tourism Organization reports that the figures for international tourist arrivals worldwide had doubled in 2022 compared to the previous year, citing the easing of COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions.

18th January

• The United Nations reports the discovery of mass graves in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, containing the bodies of 49 civilians. CODECO militants are suspected of being behind the killings.
• Despite a slight decrease in overall inflation at the end of last year, food prices in the United Kingdom increased by 16.9% in the twelve months to December, the highest rate since September 1977, according to the Office for National Statistics.
• President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva dismisses 13 more military personnel from the presidential cabinet whom he blames for the January 8 attack in Brasília.

19th January

• Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson announces that Sweden will send its self-propelled Archer Artillery System, 50 Combat Vehicle 90 IFVs, and NLAW anti-tank missiles to Ukraine as part of its latest military support package for the Ukrainian military.
• A Palestinian teacher and a member of the Jenin Brigades are killed, and three others are injured, in a raid by Israeli soldiers at a refugee camp in Jenin, in the West Bank.
• The United States reaches its debt ceiling of $31.4 trillion, requiring the Treasury Department to suspend the issuance of new Treasury securities and take extraordinary measures to prevent a default.

20th January

• A bomb blast derails a passenger train in Peshi village, Kachhi District, Balochistan, Pakistan, injuring 13 people.
• The Bank of Japan reports that inflation in Japan increased by 4.0% in December, the highest recorded increase since 1981.
• Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announces the termination of the country’s indoor mask mandate, with the exception of public transport and medical facilities, effective January 30.

21st January

• Peru indefinitely closes its iconic Machu Picchu historic site due to the ongoing unrest which has killed dozens of people. Around 500 foreign nationals are currently stranded in Peru.
• Burkina Faso demands that French forces withdraw from its territory after suspending a 2018 military accord that allowed the presence of French troops in the country. The ruling military junta has given France one month to complete the withdrawal.
• Slovakians head to the polls to vote in a referendum to determine whether early elections can be called before the customary end of the mandate.

22nd January

• The Lebanese Army declares a “state of alert” after stopping Israeli bulldozers and accompanying soldiers from approaching a border fence in Southern Lebanon. Peacekeeping forces from UNIFIL have also been deployed to the area.
• Police in Cameroon find the mutilated body of prominent journalist Martinez Zogo, who had been kidnapped by unknown assailants five days ago, amid increasing violence against reporters in the country.

23rd January

• Swedish music streaming service Spotify announces that it will cut 600 jobs, around 6% of its workforce, citing low revenue growth and a need to improve efficiency. Dawn Ostroff will also depart as its chief content and advertising business officer.
• A major power outage in Pakistan leaves nearly 220 million people without electricity after a failure at the national power grid. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a reduction in energy consumption as the country faces a severe energy crisis.
• An eleventh person dies in the hospital from injuries sustained in Saturday’s mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, United States.
• A new study by seismologists at Peking University in Beijing says that Earth’s inner core stopped rotating faster than the rest of the planet in 2009.

24th January

• Two police officers are killed and a third is injured in an attack in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran.
• The death toll from two weeks of cold is 124 people and about 70,000 livestock, according to the government, the majority of whom lived in rural areas.

25th January

• Forty people are killed by an airstrike against Fulani people in Rukubi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The massacre is blamed on the army.
• France agrees to withdraw its 400 special forces personnel from Burkina Faso, following Saturday’s mandate from the ruling military junta that France withdraw within one month.

26th January

• Russia launches a wave of cruise missile and Shahed 129 drone strikes across Ukraine, targeting major cities and critical infrastructure, killing at least 11 people and injuring 11 others. Ukrainian general Valerii Zaluzhnyi says that at least 20 missiles have been intercepted over the capital Kyiv.
• Four Al-Qassam terrorists, three Islamic Jihad members and two Palestinian civilians are killed and 20 others are injured during a raid and subsequent gunfight by Israeli soldiers in Jenin, in the West Bank. In a separate raid in Al-Ram, a Palestinian man is killed and two others are injured by Israeli soldiers.

27th January

• Israeli Air Force jets launch airstrikes on an underground rocket manufacturing site, and a military base used by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in response to rockets fired by Palestinian militants into southern Israel.
• South Africa agrees to send twelve cheetahs to India each year for the next eight to ten years to help secure a viable wild population. The Asiatic cheetah went extinct in India in the 1940s due to overhunting and habitat destruction.
• Authorities in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, release footage of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols being violently assaulted by multiple Memphis Police Department officers during a traffic stop on January 7.

28th January

• The Russian Air Force launches an airstrike on the city of Seredyna-Buda in Sumy Oblast, destroying a kindergarten and damaging nearby residential buildings. No casualties have been reported. The towns of Esman and Shalyhyne are also damaged by cross-border shelling.
• British regional airline Flybe collapses into administration with 277 job losses, while 75,000 customers are affected by flight cancellations.
• Three people are killed inside a vehicle and four others are injured on the street during a mass shooting in the Beverly Crest neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States.

29th January

• The governor of Comoé Province reports that 15 corpses, who were among 24 passengers of two minibuses that departed the provincial capital of Banfora when suspected jihadists hijacked the buses in Linguekoro and coerced the passengers to walk to Mangodara, were discovered near Linguekoro. The governor also reports that 15 other passengers had been abducted.
• An 18-year-old Palestinian man is shot dead by a group of Israeli civilians near the settlement of Kedumim, in the West Bank. In a separate incident, a Palestinian civilian home is set on fire by settlers. The occupants were not there at the time of the attack.
• At least 41 people are killed and two others are injured when a bus falls off a bridge and catches fire in Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan.

30th January

• At least 100 people are killed and 225 others are injured when a suicide bomber detonates his explosive belt at a mosque in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The mosque is located inside a compound that includes the headquarters of the provincial police force and a counter-terrorism department.
• British sports-fashion retailer JD Sports says that the stored data of 10 million customers “may have been accessed” in a cyberattack, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, order details, and the final four digits of debit card numbers.
• The death toll from a boat capsize at the Tanda Dam in Kohat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on 29 January increases to 51.

31st January

• The Salvadoran government opens the Terrorism Confinement Center, a prison with a capacity of 40,000, amidst a gang crackdown that has arrested over 62,000 people since March 2022.
• Chelsea F.C. signs Argentinian central midfielder Enzo Fernández from Primeira Liga club Benfica in a £106.8m deal to break the British football transfer fee record.
• The Namibian environment ministry announces that 61 black rhinoceros and 26 white rhinoceros were killed in the country in 2022 as a result of poaching, including 46 in Etosha National Park.