An ammunition depot in northern Crimea was struck on Tuesday - a week after blasts rocked the Saky air base -with an unnamed Ukrainian official claiming Ukrainian forces were responsible. Meanwhile, a presidential advisor said that Ukraine is now engaged in a counteroffensive aimed at creating "chaos within Russian forces."Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces carried out strikes against the headquarters of the Wagner Group - a private Russian military company accused of being a Kremlin-sponsored mercenary force.On Thursday, Zelenskyy echoed the UN's calls for Russia to withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as Russia alleged that Ukraine is planning to attack the plant and blame Moscow, and threatened to turn off the plant.However, in a call with French Pres. Macron, Putin agreed to grant access to experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency.Meanwhile, at a summit on Thursday, Turkish Pres. Erdogan said he believes the war will " end at the negotiating table"as Putin accused the US of prolonging the conflict.

Somali forces ended a deadly hotel siege by Al-Shabaab jihadists,Syria claimed that multiple Israeli missile attacks killed at least three soldiers,and a new study revealed that all-out nuclear war could spark global famine.

Turkey and Israel restored diplomatic ties,Russia and North Korea committed to deepening relations, andPyongyang slammed Seoul's "absurd" offer of aid.Meanwhile, the US and Taiwan began formal trade talks,as five more US lawmakers visited the islandand China imposed sanctions on seven Taiwanese officials.Elsewhere, defeated candidate Raila Odinga rejected Kenya's presidential election results,India announced plans to allow up to 2.5M non-locals to vote in Kashmir,and Brazil's former Pres. Luiz Inacio Lula took the lead as the country's presidential campaign began.Meanwhile, a Myanmar court convicted ousted State Counsellor Suu Kyi of corruption, former Australian PM Anthony Morrison was accused of "undermining democracy,"and Finnish PM Sanna Marin faced backlash over a leaked partying video.In other news, Syria denied holding American journalist Austin Tice,Israeli troops raided the offices of seven Palestinian rights groups,and the US ruled out the release of billions of dollars of Afghan funds.

Liz Cheney lost the GOP primary for a House seat in Wyoming,Lt. Gov. Josh Green won Hawaii's Democratic gubernatorial nomination,a petition to recall LA's County DA failed to qualify for the November ballot,and a suspended Florida prosecutor sued Gov. Ron DeSantis.Meanwhile, a report revealed that the Secret Service knew of threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before Jan. 6,DeSantis announced 20 voter fraud arrests,former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was told he's the "target" of a 2020 election investigation,and a judge ordered the redaction and release of Trump's Mar-a-Lago search affidavit,despite opposition from the Dept. of Justice.

A UN report said it's "reasonable to conclude" that a forced labor regime exists in China,an Indian journalist was arrested over alleged Maoist ties,a rare protest by Afghan women was dispersed by the Taliban, Catholics in Nicaragua proceeded with mass despite a government ban, and the Pope ruled out a sexual misconduct probe into a Canadian cardinal.Meanwhile, a Florida judge ruled that a 16-year-old isn't "mature" enough for an abortion,the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued an apology to Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather,UK ministers partially lost a bid to shield comments by a Foreign Office official about human rights violations in Rwanda,and the CIA and its former director Mike Pompeo were sued for allegedly spying on Julian Assange's London visitors.

A bombing at a mosque in Afghanistan killed at least 21,while a gunman in Jerusalem wounded eight.Elsewhere, Chinese-Canadian tycoon Xiao Jianhua was sentenced to 13 years in jail for corruption.

The UK became the first to approve a COVID vaccine for the omicron variant,the FDA ruled on over-the-counter hearing aids,scientists discovered a new method to break down "forever chemicals,"and Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens were ordered to pay $650M in damages for their role in the opioid crisis.

Cuba announced it will allow some foreign investment,the US dollar hit a one-month high,and reports revealed the US was overwhelmed by pandemic fraud.Meanwhile, US Pres. Biden canceled $3.9B of ITT Tech student loans,and new details on his "Fresh Start" to 7.5M student loan borrowers were revealed.Meanwhile, several Chinese-owned companies announced plans to delist from the NY Stock Exchange,Japan encouraged young adults to drink more alcohol to boost the economy,and oil giant Saudi Aramco made a record $48.4B quarterly profit.

Biden signed a climate and tax bill,while droughts across the US caused the smallest cotton harvest in 13 yearsand forced federal restrictions on the Colorado river.

The CDC announced restructuring amid COVID shortcomings,Facebook reportedly failed an election disinformation test in Brazil,CNN canceled Brian Stelter's show 'Reliable Sources,'and Apple suppliers are looking to manufacture in Vietnamas the tech giant warned of a security flaw affecting iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

A de-extinction company announced plans to work on resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger, while NASA readied its giant moon rocket for its maiden flight..