Ukraine was granted candidate status to the EU, discussions over Ukrainian grain exports continued in Luxembourg, and Russia's foreign minister demanded that Lithuania lift a ban on the rail transit of goods to Kaliningrad.Meanwhile, on the ground, Kyiv sustained its highest number of strikes in months on Sunday, while Severodonetsk - one of the last Luhansk cities under Ukrainian control - fell under full Russian occupation on Saturday, after Ukrainian forces were ordered to withdraw on Friday.Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces launched an attack on the Black Sea island of Zmiinyi on Tuesday, claiming to have inflicted "significant losses" to Russian troops stationed there. While Russia's defense ministry confirmed the attack, it claimed that it shot down 13 unmanned drones and repelled all missiles.Meanwhile, in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv, 15 civilians were killed and 16 injured as a result of Russian shelling between Monday and Tuesday, according to the region's Military Administration.

At least 132 civilians were killed in the latest attacks in Mali,an ethnic attack in Ethiopia reportedly killed more than 200,two Jesuit priests were killed inside a church in northern Mexico,and Nigerian church attacks left eight killed and 38 kidnapped.Meanwhile, US and Iranian military vessels nearly crashed in the Strait of Hormuz.

Colombia elected its first leftist president,Macron lost his majority in the French legislative elections,Sara Duterte was sworn in as the Philippines' vice-president,and Israel's PM and foreign minister agreed to dissolve parliament and hold early elections.Meanwhile, China hosted the 14th BRICS summit,Saudi Arabia's leader visited Turkey for the first time since Khashoggi's murder,the UK experienced its biggest rail strike in 30 years,and the tooth of a slain Congolese leader was returned by Belgium.In other news, the UN stated that evidence indicates that journalist Abu Akleh was shot by Israeli forces,Iran appointed a new Revolutionary Guard intelligence chief,and indigenous protests continued in Ecuador.

The Jan. 6 Committee held its fourth and fifth hearings,a former Democratic nominee for governor of Florida was indicted,Katie Britt won Alabama's GOP Senate primary runoff,the Texas GOP claimed that Biden wasn't legitimately elected,and the US president announced plans to appoint the first Native American treasurer.

Uvalde's school police chief was placed on leave,Roske pleaded not guilty to charges of an alleged assassination attempt on a Supreme Court Justice,a $3.25M settlement was reached in the killing of Daunte Wright.and prosecutors said Ghislaine Maxwell should be sentenced to 30-55 years.Meanwhile, an Argentinian court ruled that Maradona's medical team will be charged with homicide.

In a landmark ruling, SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade, sparking widespread protests. Meanwhile, it also determined that New York's concealed carry law is unconstitutional, ruled that public funds can go to Maine religious schools,and upheld acancer-related settlement with Bayer over the Roundup herbicide.In other news, Biden signed new bipartisan gun legislation into law,and the White House proposed changes to Title IX.Elsewhere, a US woman was treated in Spain after being denied an abortion in Malta,a Japanese court upheld its gay marriage ban,and the French High Court ruled against burkini swimwear.

In the US, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell and investment banking giant Goldman Sachs warned of a recession,the housing market's average price hit a record of $407k,Biden called for a gas tax holiday,and the Dept. of Education agreed to provide $6B in student debt relief.Elsewhere, Germany activated the second phase of its gas emergency program.

A national incident was declared in the UK after traces of polio were found in sewage,Florida is facing a meningitis outbreak,and global monkeypox cases increased.Meanwhile, the FDA announced plans to regulate nicotine levelsand ordered Juul e-cigarettes to be removed from the US market.

Afghanistan was struck by its deadliest earthquake since 1998,catastrophic floods inundated India and Bangladesh, andYellowstone partially reopened after experiencing floods. Meanwhile, Canada announced plans to ban harmful plastics.

The International Rugby League banned trans athletes,FINA barred transgender swimmers from competing,and Russian tennis star Dzalamidze changed her nationality to compete at Wimbledon.

Tesla announced that it will lay off 3.5% of staff,and Twitter's board unanimously endorsed Musk's takeover bid..