Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Suspension and ban of humanitarian aid organizations during the Gaza war

The Israeli military demolishes the main UNRWA building in East Jerusalem, forcing staff out and confiscating their devices, following the Israeli ban on the organization operating in the region.

China–United Kingdom relations

The British government approves China's new embassy at London's Royal Mint Court, despite security concerns. The planning decision affirmed development compliance, while MI5 raised no objections. The embassy will be the largest Chinese embassy in Europe upon completion.

2021–present Bulgarian political crisis

Bulgarian president Rumen Radev resigns, marking the first voluntary resignation of the country's president in its post-communist history. Vice president Iliyana Yotova is sworn in as acting president, becoming the country's first female president.

Politics

Thousands of people protest across Germany, particularly in Bremen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, in support of Kurdish forces against the Syrian Armed Forces in clashes in northeastern Syria.

2026 Australia gun buyback program

The Australian parliament passes laws introducing a nationwide gun buyback program, stricter background checks, and tougher penalties for hate crimes, following the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people.

War on drugs

Thai authorities announces the end of a 4-month operation to combat drug trafficking in the country, resulting in the seizure of 330 million methamphetamine tablets, the arrests of over 88,000 suspects, and frozen assets worth ฿3.39B (US$140M).

Justice

Portuguese police arrest 37 suspects linked to an ultra-right network accused of racially motivated hate crimes, seizing weapons and neo-Nazi materials during a nationwide operation targeting Grupo 1143 [pt], whose leader is already imprisoned.

2026 Mount Aso helicopter crash

A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people, including two Taiwanese nationals, goes missing near Mount Aso, Japan.

2026 Gelida train derailment

The driver is killed and 37 other people are injured when a commuter train collides with a wall and derails in Gelida, Catalonia, Spain.

Disasters

At least four people are killed in flooding in Monastir Governorate, Tunisia, the worst floods in the country since 1950.

Disasters

At least two people are killed in flooding in Algeria.

Disasters

Search and rescue crews rescue a motor banca crewman off a capsized boat in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Philippines, while continuing to search for the other three missing crew members and 11 passengers.