World News

Myanmar’s Generals Stage Long-Delayed Election, Tightening Control Through New Laws

Myanmar’s 2025–26 polls, held amid civil war, show how the junta used party rules, voting changes and speech bans to cement power.

#myanmar, #election, #militaryjunta, #asean, #humansrights

Israel Bulldozes UNRWA East Jerusalem Compound, U.N. Calls It an Unprecedented Breach

Israeli forces demolished parts of UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem, citing new laws and taxes; the U.N. says its premises are immune.

#israel, #unrwa, #jerusalem, #unitednations, #internationallaw

U.S.-Backed Syria Deal Ends Kurdish Holdouts as Aleppo Clashes Displace Tens of Thousands

A U.S.-mediated pact shifts control of northeast Syria to Damascus after Aleppo fighting uproots more than 100,000 and raises ISIS security fears.

#syria, #kurds, #aleppo, #sdf, #unitedstates

Sudan war hits 1,000 days as WHO calls it the world’s worst health crisis

As Sudan’s war enters its 1,000th day, WHO warns of collapsing health care, mass displacement and spreading outbreaks amid aid shortfalls.

#sudan, #humanitariancrisis, #who, #displacement, #cholera

U.S. Seizes Seventh Tanker in Caribbean Crackdown on Venezuelan Oil Exports

U.S. forces seized the tanker Sagitta, the seventh ship detained since Dec. 10, as Washington intensifies a maritime “quarantine” on Venezuelan crude.

#venezuela, #sanctions, #oil, #shipping, #usmilitary

Massive Russian Barrage Knocks Out Heat and Water in Kyiv as Deep Freeze Bites

Ukraine says Russia launched 300+ drones and missiles at energy sites, plunging Kyiv into outages amid subzero cold and renewed peace talks.

#ukraine, #russia, #kyiv, #energy, #blackouts

Kremlin Says Putin Invited to Trump-Led U.N. Gaza ‘Board of Peace’

Moscow says Putin was asked to join Trump’s U.N.-mandated Gaza ‘Board of Peace,’ a postwar governance and reconstruction body drawing scrutiny in the West.

#gaza, #russia, #putin, #trump, #unitednations

Uganda Votes Under Internet Blackout and Long Delays as Museveni Seeks to Extend 40-Year Rule

Uganda’s election saw late-opening polls, biometric failures and an internet shutdown as President Museveni faces challenger Bobi Wine.

#uganda, #elections, #internetshutdown, #museveni, #bobiwine

6.5 Earthquake Strikes Guerrero, Tests Sheinbaum as Mexico City Evacuates

A 6.5 quake off Guerrero killed two, damaged thousands of buildings and rattled Mexico City, highlighting gaps in seismic safety and preparedness.

#mexico, #earthquake, #guerrero, #mexicocity, #disasterresponse

WHO calls Sudan war the world’s worst humanitarian crisis as health system collapses

WHO says Sudan’s 1,000-day war has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with mass displacement, famine risk and a collapsing health system.

#sudan, #humanitariancrisis, #who, #darfur, #displacement

Russia’s Oreshnik Missile Hits Near Polish Border, Raising Alarm at U.N. and in NATO

Ukraine says Russia used a nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in a Jan. 8-9 barrage, striking near Poland and intensifying NATO escalation fears.

#ukraine, #russia, #nato, #unsecuritycouncil, #missiles

Iran Goes Dark as Protests Surge, Rights Groups Warn of Crackdown Behind Internet Shutdown

Connectivity in Iran plunged Jan. 8 amid nationwide protests. Rights groups say a deliberate blackout is obscuring killings, arrests and a widening crackdown.

#iran, #protests, #internetshutdown, #humanrights, #irgc

Victoria bushfires raze towns after rare ‘catastrophic’ alert; state of disaster declared

Extreme heat, winds and dry lightning drove fast-moving fires across Victoria, burning up to 395,000 hectares and destroying hundreds of structures.

#australia, #bushfires, #victoria, #disaster, #climate

Bulgaria’s GERB refuses mandate to form government, raising prospect of another snap election

Bulgaria’s biggest party returned its mandate without a cabinet, pushing the new eurozone member toward yet another snap election amid protests.

#bulgaria, #eurozone, #snap-election, #coalition, #protests

Hamas Says It Will Dissolve Gaza Government Under U.S.-Backed Transition Plan

Hamas says it will hand Gaza’s administration to a nonpartisan technocratic committee, but disarmament and continued violence threaten the transition.

#gaza, #hamas, #israel, #ceasefire, #unitednations