Sunday, January 15th, 2023 

The British government announces a ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, polystyrene cups, bowls, and balloon sticks in England beginning in October as part of an effort to reduce plastic pollution. The ban will apply to all retailers, takeaways, and food vendors. (BBC News) 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirms that the United Kingdom will send 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine in the coming weeks, as well as 30 self-propelled AS-90 howitzers. Ukrainian troops will also be trained by the British Armed Forces to operate the tanks. (Reuters) 

American R’Bonney Gabriel is crowned Miss Universe by her predecessor, Indian Harnaaz Sandhu. (CNN) 

A female former lawmaker and one of her bodyguards are shot dead in Kabul. Taliban police spokesman Khalid Zadran condemns the killing and says that a “serious investigation has been launched”. (Arab News) 

Two suspected drug traffickers are killed in a shootout with United States Customs and Border Protection officials off the coast of Puerto Rico. (AP) 

President of the United States Joe Biden issues a major disaster declaration for the state of California following major flooding. (The Guardian) 

The Jamaica Constabulary Force seizes $80 million worth of cocaine from a cargo ship at the port of Kingston. (Reuters) 

Saturday, January 14th, 2023 

Iran announces the execution of dual British Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari, who had served as a deputy for the ministry of defense, on charges of spying for the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemns Akbari’s execution. (Reuters) 

Russia strikes Dnipro with cruise missiles, killing at least 30 people and injuring 73 others. (Reuters) 

Two Palestinian Islamic Jihad members are killed by Israeli soldiers during a raid in Jaba, in the occupied West Bank. (Al Jazeera) 

The government declares a 30-day state of emergency in Lima and three other regions in response to the violent protests. (AFP via Gulf News) 

Retired general Petr Pavel and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš advance to a runoff vote in the Czech presidential election, which will be held on January 27–28. (DW) 

A large explosion occurs on the Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection natural gas pipeline in Pasvalys District Municipality, Lithuania. Latvian Defence Minster Artis Pabriks says that the cause of the explosion would be investigated and that sabotage “could not be ruled out”. (BBC News) (Reuters) 

The New York County Courthouse issues the maximum allowable $1.6 million fine on the Trump Organization, former president Donald Trump’s conglomerate, for tax fraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records. (AFP via France 24) 

Czechs head to the polls to elect their president. Incumbent Miloš Zeman is not eligible to run for re-election, as he is term limited. (Euronews) 

The End