As the war entered its second month this week, Ukraine conducted several successful counterattacks and, on Tuesday, declared that Russia has "lost its offensive potential." Russia, however, has made steady advances in Mariupol after Ukraine on Monday rejected a deadline to surrender the city entering the center on Thursday. Intense shelling also continued throughout the week, reportedly causing an ammonia leak at a facility in Sumy on Monday, and striking an oil storage facility in Lviv on Saturday. Ukraine on Thursday accused Russia of using phosphorus weapons, and on Saturday Russia said they'd be willing to use nuclear weapons against Europe and the US if existentially threatened. On Friday, Russia declared that the "first stage" of their invasion is complete and that focus will now be turned to eastern Ukraine, while the Pentagon said Russia has begun mobilizing reinforcements after facing heavy losses. On Wednesday,NATO pledged to double its eastern flanks and said they'd help Ukraine prepare for possible chemical, biological, or nuclear threats. Meanwhile, Western leaders met in Brussels on Thursday, and Biden travelled to Poland on Friday. In a speech on Saturday, he said Putin "cannot remain in power," though the White House quickly clarified he wasn't calling for a regime change. On Sunday, the UN reported that 1,119 civilians, including 99 children, have been killed since the start of the war.

Elsewhere, China was accused of a large military buildup in the South China sea, North Korea confirmed its first ICBM test since 2017,four US Marines were killed in a NATO drill, andYemen's Houthi rebels attacked facilities across Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Israel was accused of blocking Ukraine and Estonia from buying its Pegasus spyware out of fear it would be used against Moscow.

The ripple effects of the Ukraine crisis continued this week, withFacebook and Instagram banned in Russia,Poland expelling 45 Russian diplomats as suspected spies,Putin labeled a murderous war criminal by Biden, andUS intelligence indicating that Russia might be planning cyberattacks.Elsewhere, the Israeli PM and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince traveled to Egypt for a three-way summit, andSouth Korea's president-elect announced plans to relocate his office.In Iran news, supreme leader Khamenei signalled support for nuclear negotiations with the West, whileBritish-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe urged the country to release remaining detainees, after being freed herself last week.In the UK, PM Boris Johnson faced criticism for comparing Ukraine with Brexit and a witness claimed he prioritized animal evacuation from Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover.Meanwhile, the Duke of Cambridge expressed his sorrow over slavery during a tour of Jamaica, after the Royals' Caribbean tour faced several anti-colonial protests.

In Jan. 6 news, Liz Cheney hinted that Trump faces potential criminal liability,a witness implicated his former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, in the riot's planning, and texts between Meadows and SCOTUS Justice Thomas' wife were revealed.Trump faced more heat as ex-prosecutor Mark Pomerantz alleged the former president committed numerous felonies.In other news,Kamala Harris' National Security Adviser announced she'll be stepping down,GOP Senate candidate Mo Brooks called for Mitch McConnell to be fired and then lost Trump's endorsement andMcConnell confirmed he won't support Ketanji Brown Jackson's SCOTUS nomination, after her Senate hearings concluded this week.In the White House, a new book claimed that Harris' communications director blamed the VP for disfunction in her office.Meanwhile, a pro-Israel lobbying group was criticized for GOP Rep. endorsements, andformer Sec. of State Madeleine Albright died at 84.

Four people were rr killed in a stabbing attack in Southern Israel, while in Canadaa group of worshippers were attacked at a Toronto mosque. In the courts, Jussie Smollett's attorney faced a defamation suit,and the"Cowboys for Trump" founder was convicted in a Capitol Riot case, while another suspect evaded conviction after being granted asylum in Belarus. Meanwhile, South Carolina brought back firing squad executions, andthe US declared that Myanmars military committed genocide against Rohingya.In Russia news, Putin critic Navalny was sentenced to 9 more years in prison, and the US charged four Russians with alleged cyberattacks on the global energy sector.

On the abortion front,Idaho's Gov. signed a 6 week abortion ban into law, whileOklahoma's HOR passed a bill to ban abortion in nearly all instances.In other news,GOP Governors vetoed transgender sports bans in Utah and Indiana, a federal judge ruled that a former Kentucky clerk violated a same-sex couple's rights by not issuing them a marriage license, and a death row inmate in Texas won the right to have a priest present at his execution. Meanwhile, conservative activist group Project Veritas said Biden's DOJ violated its rights by secretly seizing emails, and a megachurch co-founder resigned following a probe into inappropriate conduct.

Rishi Sunak delivered the UK's spring budget statement, asSri Lanka faces its worst economic crisis since independence. Meanwhile, amid rising oil prices, the US and Europe announced a strategy to reduce Russian oil dependence.

In COVID news,Jen Psaki tested positive,Moderna is seeking vaccine approval for kids under 6,several airlines asked Biden to lift mask mandates, andFauci warned that COVID cases may rise in the US, although further restrictions are unlikely.Meanwhile, the UK began COVID boosters for vulnerable adults.In other news, 7 were hospitalized after fentanyl spread through air vents at an Ohio detention center.

Moscow launched a bid to host UEFA's Euro 2028 soccer championship, Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin was barred from chess competitions,Ron DeSantis refused to recognize trans swimmer Lia Thomas' NCAA win,anda US official found Hoops star Griner, who's been detained in Russia since last month, in "good condition."Meanwhile, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving became eligible to play home games after COVID mandates were lifted in New York.

New Orleans was struck by a tornado,wildfires prompted hundreds to evacuate in Texas, and an ice shelf the size of Rome collapsed in Antarctica.