Europe was thrown into the greatest turmoil since the 1991-2000 Yugoslav wars, as Russia recognized the independence of two Ukrainian breakaway regions and then invaded the country on four fronts, to widespread international condemnation. By Saturday, forces had reached Kyiv, where they met stiff Ukrainian resistance. In response, NATO activated troops and the West imposed further sanctions, including the EU banning Russian airlines and news outlets. By Sunday, Putin had put Russia's nuclear forces on alert ahead of planned talks.

Tensions have also remained high elsewhere. In the Pacific, Chinese warplanes entered Tawain's ADIZ again, amid increasing speculation that a Taiwan-China conflict might be next, while earlier in the week Australia accused China of dangerously pointing a laser at one of its warplanes. In the Middle East, Syria was rocked by a series of airstrikes attributed to Israel, the US Bombed Somalia and Yemen was further bombed by the Saudi-led coalition.

Nuclear talks continued with Iran this week, while in West Africa, Mali's military regime was approved to remain in power for five more years, and the US kicked off its annual "Flintlock" military training program. In America, Biden announced his Supreme Court nominee after narrowing down his search to three Black female candidates, and the GOP announced their pick to deliver a response to the President's State of the Union Address. The US vowed to end its controversial 'China Initiative' and SCOTUS agreed to hear Biden's appeal on America's 'Remain in Mexico' policy. Finally, in Trump news, prosecutors in charge of a criminal investigation into the former president resigned,Special Counsel Durham defended his spying allegations against the Clinton campaign, and Trump's latest attempt at shielding his White House records was blocked.

Colombia decriminalized abortion, SCOTUS agreed to hear a case on freedom of speech vs. LGBTQ+ rights,Florida's House passed a bill banning gender and orientation from being discussed in schools, and Texas labelled sex changes for minors as child abuse. Meanwhile, Canadian PM Trudeau declared the so-called Freedom Convoy protests against COVID mandates over and repealed the Emergencies Act, while the US doubled-down in preparation for its own protests. In other news, WEE1 Tactical began marketing a semi-automatic rifle for kids.

Another busy week in the courts. A juror on Ghislaine Maxwell's trial is being questioned for lying, Sarah Palin plans to appeal her defamation case against the NYT, three former officers were convicted of violating George Floyd's civil rights, and the trial for a police officer involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor began. Meanwhile, the Sackler family offered to pay more money for their role in the opioid crisis, and Johnson & Johnson finalized their own $26B settlement.

In COVID news, Uganda implemented a vaccine mandate and the CDC said a new omicron subvariant is sweeping across the US -- but still eased mask guidance -- while the UK scrapped all restrictions. Contaminated Michigan baby formula had to be recalled after an infant died.

Hackers stole $1.7 Million in NFTs from OpenSea users, Elon Musk and Elizabeth Warren had another spat over taxes, and Credit Suisse came under fire for alleged criminal ties. El Salvadors president Bukele proposed granting citizenship to foreign investors.

In Europe, the Champions League Final was moved from Russia and the F1 Grand Prix cancelled in response to Russian's invasion of Ukraine. In the US, Brian Flores accused the Dolphins of trying to bribe to sign an NDA, while the US Women's National Soccer Team reached a historic equal pay agreement.

The UK was battered by storms, high winds and flooding all week, while a UN report warned of a severe increase in global fire risk over the next several decades. Meanwhile, Biden continues to push for a higher social cost of carbon.

A gold mine explosion in Burkina Faso killed 63 people, bringing safety questions to the growing industry..