2026 Russian legislative election Russian citizens begin voting in an election for 450 seats of the State Duma over a period of three days amid Ukrainian attacks upon oil infrastructure. The elections are also held under strict control during the Russo-Ukrainian war, combined with an ongoing crackdown on anti-war opposition and Yabloko being disqualified from running.
Middle Eastern crisis * The IRNA reports that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has hit the Togo-flagged oil tanker "Trend" as it attempted to pass the Strait of Hormuz.
Articles The post-truth and the contextMost of the daily information we see on the mainstream media today is the news equivalent of fast-food.
Visa policy of Australia Australia tightens visa rules for international students and working holidaymakers, restricts visa switching, and increases enforcement against overstayers as it seeks to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2027–28 and ease pressure on housing.
Censorship and media control during the Venezuelan presidential crisis Venezuela restores access to 17 news websites that were previously blocked, including EFE, "El Nacional", NTN24, and "Semana", as the interim government and opposition resume political transition talks that include freedom of expression.
2026 Swedish general election Ulf Kristersson announces his resignation as Prime Minister of Sweden after his right-wing bloc wins 173 seats in the Riksdag, compared to 176 won by the opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson.
Israel–Serbia relations Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić inaugurates a factory for Israeli-made drones that will be produced by the country's Krušik company, with Vučić stating that it will employ 100 people and produce advanced equipment for the Serbian military.
Current Biology Biologists publish a study in the journal "Current Biology" describing a new species of wild cat belonging to the genus "Leopardus", commonly called the "tilcayo", in the Yungas cloud forests of Bolivia. This discovery marks the first new cat species in over 100 years.
Environmental policy of the second Trump administration The United States Fish and Wildlife Service narrows its enforcement of the Endangered Species Act by excluding unintentional wildlife deaths from its definition of prohibited take, including foreseeable deaths linked to activities such as commercial fishing and logging.
France–Mexico relations The 16th-century Codex Azcatitlan goes on display in Mexico City after France loaned two folios nearly two centuries after the manuscript left the country. Mexico continues seeking the codex's permanent return from France.
Middle Eastern crisis A Yemeni resident is reported to be killed by debris from a drone in Taif, Mecca Province.
"Al-Akhbar" reports that Saudi Arabia has sent a proposal for Oman to mediate a two-week ceasefire with the Houthis.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission finds "reasonable grounds" that the United States military may have committed war crimes with attacks on the Minab school and Lamerd sports hall.
The Israel Defense Forces confirm that they have killed a Al-Qassam Brigades Nukhba Forces commander who took part in the October 7 attacks in a airstrike and a Hamas navy officer in another airstrike in Gaza City.
Lt. Col. "Aleph", the chief police officer in the Southern Command's Gaza Division, is dismissed following his role in the failures leading to the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel.
Women's Tennis Association The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announces that its finals will move from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, for three years beginning in 2027. The WTA also relocates its global headquarters from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Charlotte.
Association football In association football, Clearlake Capital buys out Todd Boehly and Mark Walter's stakes to gain full control of Premier League club Chelsea. The deal is valued at around £950 million (€1.1 billion) for the 25% share. Chelsea is now worth about £5 billion (€5.8 billion).
NASA NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter discovers a recently formed crater on the moon larger than the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
2026 Bangsamoro Parliament election The Philippine Commission on Elections proclaims all 78 elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, with four parties given all seats for party representation. The Bangsamoro Federalist Party, earning most of the seats, fails to secure a majority, leading to a hung parliament. Meanwhile, six sectoral seats are given to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.
War crimes in the Kosovo War The Kosovo Specialist Chambers sentences former prime minister Hashim Thaçi to 25 years in prison after convicting him on charges of murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention committed during the Kosovo War.
Human rights in Macau Macau begins its first closed-door national security trial against former legislator Au Kam San, who faces charges including subversion of state power and alleged ties with foreign groups and media outlets. He faces up to 25 years in prison.
North Korea–South Korea relations A district court in Seoul, South Korea, orders North Korea to pay KRW{{nbsp}}44.6 billion (US$32.5 million) in damages for destroying the Inter-Korean Liaison Office in Kaesong in 2020, in South Korea's first damages lawsuit against North Korea.
South Korea The first summit between South Korea and the five countries of Central Asia is held in Seoul.
International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine The United States House of Representatives passes a bipartisan sanctions bill that imposes sanctions on Russia's energy revenues, financial institutions, officials, and shadow fleet, while authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The bill will head to president Donald Trump's desk for his signature for it to become law.
Canada–European Union relations European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen invites Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union amidst the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States.
Nature Medicine In a study published by the "Nature Medicine" journal, scientists report that the PANXEON blood test helps detect pancreatic cancer at early stages and treat the disease before it spreads.
Fiji Fiji declares HIV a national crisis after reporting 2,016 new diagnoses in 2025, sixteen times the 2019 total. The government estimates that one in 60 adults lives with HIV and expands testing, prevention, and treatment services.
2026 United Kingdom heatwaves The United Kingdom records its second-best butterfly season in 16 years amidst record heat waves in the country.
Gold mine At least 82 people are killed when a gold mine explodes in West Kordofan, Sudan, an area under control of the Rapid Support Forces.
2026–2027 El Niño event Guatemala announces food aid for about 1.2 million families affected by severe El Niño-related drought, which damages crops and livestock across the Dry Corridor. The programme distributes maize, beans, and rice with World Food Programme support.
2026 Americana Music Honors & Awards The Americana Music Honors & Awards are held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, with the Heartbreakers performing for the first time since lead vocalist Tom Petty's death in 2017.
Middle Eastern crisis Twenty-one people are killed, 45 are injured, and about 100 others are missing after a residential building in Gaza City collapses after it was previously hit by an Israeli airstrike. Twelve children are among the fatalities.