2019–2022 Persian Gulf crisis Protesters in Baghdad, Iraq, hold a rally to mark the second anniversary of the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general Qasem Soleimani.
Austria Austria legalizes assisted suicide for people over the age of 18 years who are terminally ill or who suffer from a permanent, debilitating condition.
Finland–Russia relations Finland rejects Russian demands that Finland never join NATO, with President Sauli Niinistö saying that it is his country's right to join the military alliance if it wants to.
Israel Israel reports the world's first case of "florona", which is believed to be a double infection of COVID-19 and influenza, in an unvaccinated pregnant woman who was admitted to the Rabin Medical Center to give birth.
Vegetable France officially bans the use of plastic packaging for large vegetables and fruits, such as cucumbers, carrots, and bananas. Spain plans to introduce a similar law in 2023.
Birth control in France France begins to introduce free birth control to women between the ages of 18 and 25 years to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. Up to three million women will receive enhanced access to the pill, IUDs, contraceptive patches and jabs.
COVID-19 pandemic Australia reports a record for the twelfth consecutive day of 35,326 new cases of COVID-19. New South Wales, Victoria and other states report record numbers of new cases.
Argentina imposes a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination certificate for people over the age of 13 years to participate in many types of activities, both indoors and outdoors.
The United Arab Emirates announces that unvaccinated citizens will be banned from travel and that vaccinated citizens will need to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on January 10.
Bahrain authorizes the emergency use of Pfizer's anti-viral oral drug Paxlovid for adults over the age of 18 years.
Vaishno Devi Temple stampede Twelve people are killed and 13 others injured during a stampede at the Vaishno Devi Temple in Indian-administered Kashmir, triggered by many people who were at the temple to celebrate the New Year.
2021–2022 Boulder County fires At least three people are confirmed missing, and at least 991 homes are confirmed destroyed, after a wildfire struck Boulder County, Colorado, United States, since December 30.
Haitian Prime Minister Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry survives an assassination attempt when gunmen attempted to shoot him at a ceremony celebrating the country's independence anniversary in a church in the city of Gonaïves.