Stepan Haftko
Dozens of beaches in Australia have been closed after four shark attacks in 48 hours, the latest occurring near Point Plomer. Experts attribute the increased activity of predators to deteriorating water quality after heavy rains.
The French government has invoked a constitutional right to pass part of the 2026 budget without parliamentary approval. This decision is due to a lack of votes to approve the document, which could lead to a vote of no confidence in the government.
Canadian defense planners have, for the first time in a hundred years, conducted a theoretical simulation of actions in the event of a large-scale conflict with the United States. The model envisages a transition to unconventional warfare using small groups and drones due to the inability to confront the US army.
Zelenskyy held a selector meeting on the situation in the regions and the restoration of energy infrastructure, calling the work of the Air Force in intercepting drones unsatisfactory. He emphasized the need for changes in the organization of air defense, despite the available resources.
The value of the Russian Central Bank's gold reserves has increased by $216 billion since 2022, reaching $326. 5 billion. This growth is due to a 65% increase in gold prices in 2025 and another 8% in early 2026.
The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with an additional 23 million euros for the energy sector. The funds will be used to purchase gas, repair power plants, and equipment.
Russian troops attacked Zaporizhzhia with drones, killing three civilians, including a married couple and their neighbor. Two more people were injured, six houses and three cars were damaged.
Automaker Renault and defense group Turgis Gaillard will produce unmanned aerial vehicles for Ukraine. The project is being implemented at the initiative of the French Ministry of Defense, and drone assembly will take place at two Renault factories.
A massive fire at the "Gul Plaza" shopping mall in Karachi has killed 21 people, with over 60 reported missing. The fire raged for over 24 hours, destroying almost the entire complex.
Donald Trump has invited a number of countries to his "Peace Council for Gaza" to implement a 20-point plan. The signing ceremony is scheduled for this Thursday in Davos.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Kyiv cannot abandon emergency blackouts due to energy shortages. The authorities plan to expand distributed generation by 100 MW to increase the capital's resilience.
Moldova has officially initiated the process of denouncing key agreements that form the legal basis of its membership in the CIS. By mid-February, the documents will be submitted to parliament for consideration.
Hungarian MOL Group has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire a 56. 15% stake in Serbian NIS from Russian "Gazprom Neft". The deal requires approval from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control due to sanctions.
Rising tensions between the US and Iran, as well as internal protests, pose a threat to the security of Tehran's nuclear assets. Experts are concerned about the loss of control over highly enriched uranium and possible sabotage at nuclear power plants.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha met with his Romanian counterpart Oana Toiu at the World Economic Forum. Sybiha handed over a list of urgent needs for the restoration of energy supply and heating in Ukraine.
Syrian government forces strengthened their control over the northern and eastern regions after the withdrawal of Kurdish units. This marked the biggest change in the control map since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2024.
A railway disaster involving two high-speed trains occurred in southern Spain, killing at least 40 people. The accident, caused by a faulty rail joint, was one of the largest in Europe in 80 years.
Ukraine's Defense Forces hit a UAV warehouse of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation in Novokrasnyanka, Luhansk region. The damage to the bulk terminal of an oil refinery in the Krasnodar Krai and an oil depot in the Belgorod region has also been confirmed.
Guatemalan President declared a state of siege after nine police officers were killed in coordinated attacks by criminal gangs. The conflict began with prison riots organized by the "Barrio 18" gang, which seized 46 guards.
Three influential US Catholic archbishops condemned the country's foreign policy. They stated that the moral role of the state in confronting global evil is questionable, and the use of military force should be a last resort.
French President Emmanuel Macron declined Donald Trump's invitation to the "Peace Council. " The reasons were differences in diplomatic vision and a $1 billion contribution.
The National Antarctic Scientific Center has started publishing video materials for the 30th anniversary of the "Akademik Vernadsky" station. The footage shows events from 1995, when Ukraine was preparing to become an Antarctic state.
On January 18, Russian troops attacked the southern districts of Odesa region with drones, damaging an energy infrastructure facility and a production building. There were no fatalities or injuries, and the fire has been extinguished.
On the night of January 18, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 201 drones, of which 167 were shot down or suppressed by air defense forces. 30 UAVs hit 15 locations.
On January 18, the Armed Forces of Ukraine held back an intense enemy onslaught, which carried out 90 airstrikes and used 8071 kamikaze drones. The highest enemy activity is observed in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions.
Daniel Hayden was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a fatal accident on July 4, 2024. The intoxicated man drove into a crowd, killing four people.
Heavy rains on Australia's east coast have caused widespread flooding, leading to evacuations. In New South Wales, 20 people were rescued, and one woman died.
Xi Jinping ordered an intensified fight against corruption, resulting in 983,000 people being punished in 2025. This is a record figure for two decades, aimed at ensuring the implementation of decisions by the top leadership.
The EU is preparing to suspend the ratification of a new trade agreement with the US in response to Donald Trump's statement about imposing tariffs on goods from European countries that supported Greenland's sovereignty. The EU is considering using the Anti-Coercion Instrument, which would allow for the introduction of mirror tariffs.
Indonesian rescuers have found debris of the ATR 42-500 reconnaissance aircraft that disappeared the day before. There were 11 people on board, their fate remains unknown.