Northern France has been gripped by a snow cyclone, causing transport collapse and record traffic jams in Île-de-France. An orange alert has been declared in 26 departments, and road traffic remains critical.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of a humanitarian energy catastrophe in Ukraine due to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that Russia's actions bear the hallmarks of war crimes, and lasting peace is only possible with effective security guarantees for Ukraine.
World oil prices fell on January 5, despite geopolitical tensions following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The market remains stable due to an oversupply of global crude oil reserves.
US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuela's new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, of severe consequences if she does not change the country's political course. The statement comes amid preparations for the trial of ousted Nicolas Maduro in New York.
The price of Bitcoin reached $93,323 on January 5, updating a three-week high. This happened after the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro, which caused the crypto market to grow.
Russia claims that Ukraine has been attacking Moscow daily with drones since the beginning of 2026, considering it an escalation. By January 4, 437 drones were allegedly shot down over Russia, including 57 over the Moscow region, causing flight delays at Moscow airports.
Samsung plans to double the number of mobile devices featuring Google's Gemini platform to 800 million units by 2026. The company aims to integrate AI into all its products, including mobile devices, televisions, and home appliances.
Over the past day, Ukrainian defenders eliminated 990 occupiers, bringing the total losses of the Russian army to 1,212,520 military personnel. The enemy suffered the greatest losses in drones and artillery.
At the first auction of 2026 in Tokyo, a 243 kg tuna was sold for $3. 2 million to Kiyomura Corp. The owner of the Sushi Zanmai sushi bar chain set a new record, surpassing his 2019 figure.
Donald Trump threatened Colombia with a military operation, accusing President Gustavo Petro of facilitating drug trafficking. This happened after the detention of Nicolás Maduro, which indicates increased US pressure on Latin American leaders.
As a result of the night attack by Russian troops on Kyiv on January 5, one person died and three were injured in a medical facility in the Obolonskyi district. A shell hit a four-story building where an inpatient department with patients was operating.
Hyundai Motor Co. Executive Chairman Chung Euisun predicted an extremely difficult period for the global automotive industry due to trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts, and increased competition. The company plans to invest 125 trillion won in new technologies over the next five years.
Russia continues to export LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project in winter, using only one vessel. This highlights Moscow's critical dependence on its icebreaking fleet to circumvent Western restrictions.
Donald Trump stated that he does not believe the reports of a Ukrainian attack on Vladimir Putin's residence. He noted that the available information does not confirm the fact of a targeted strike.
As a result of the night shelling of the Kyiv region, a civilian born in 1951 died in the Fastiv district. The city of Slavutych was left without electricity, critical infrastructure facilities were switched to backup power.
One of the most legendary actors of South Korean cinema, Ahn Sung-ki, died at the age of 74 on January 5.
The house at 630 Northstar Court in Colorado, designed by architect Charles Hertling in 1976, is for sale. The estate, spanning over 340 square meters and visually resembling a double tent, features five bedrooms and glass walls with panoramic views.
Veterinarians claim that cats remember their owners for months or years, associating them with safety, smells, and daily routines. Research confirms that 80% of owners have noticed their pets' ability to recall past events through familiar triggers.
Barry Manilow successfully underwent surgery after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Thanks to early detection of the cancer, the musician will not need chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Tyson Fury officially announced the resumption of his professional career in 2026 after a year-long break caused by defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. This is not the first return for the 37-year-old boxer, who has 34 wins, two losses, and one draw.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto nationalized over 4 million hectares of land, equivalent to the territory of Switzerland. This led to the state-owned company Agrinas Palma Nusantara becoming the largest player in the global palm oil market.
Gold and silver prices surged on January 5 after the detention of Nicolas Maduro by US forces. Gold surpassed $4370 per ounce, and silver reached $73.32, linked to the escalating geopolitical situation.
Following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro in early 2026, international creditors have intensified their struggle to recover Venezuela's $150-170 billion foreign debt. The main players are China, Russia, bondholders, and energy giants, while restructuring is complicated by US sanctions and a lack of cooperation with the IMF.
Armed militants attacked the village of Kasuwan-Daji in Niger State, killing at least 30 people and abducting a group of others. The President of Nigeria condemned the attack, instructing special services to track down the terrorists.
A two-week election campaign has begun in Portugal ahead of the January 18 presidential elections. A record 11 candidates, including Luís Marques Mendes, António José Seguro, André Ventura, and Henrique Gouveia e Melo, make a second round of voting almost inevitable.
On January 4, a small private plane crashed at Provincetown Municipal Airport, Massachusetts. The pilot, the only person on board, died at the scene; the airport is closed, and an investigation has been launched.
The Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, has regained control of the city of Mukalla and Hadramaut province. This happened after a series of Saudi coalition airstrikes on separatist positions.
On the night of January 5, Russian troops attacked Kharkiv, Poltava, and the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region with drones. Slavutych Mayor Yuriy Fomichev confirmed strikes on the city's energy facilities; the extent of the damage is being assessed.
Actress Evangeline Lilly reported severe cognitive impairment after a head injury in May 2025. A recent brain scan revealed a decrease in functional capacity in almost all areas of her brain.
Latvian law enforcement is investigating damage to an underwater fiber optic communication cable that occurred on January 2. Police checked a vessel in the port of Liepāja that may be involved in the incident.
