North Korea fired suspected missiles ahead of US drills and a visit from US Vice President Kamala Harris,at least 19 died in a suicide attack at an education center in Afghanistan,rockets hit Baghdad's "green zone,"at least 13 were killed as Iran targeted dissidents in Iraq,and Russias Yevgeny Prigozhin admitted to owning the private military company Wagner Group.

The Russian-backed referenda in the occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia concluded on Tuesday,with results indicating the regions' intent to join Russia.In response to the polls - which the US, the EU, and Ukraine claimed were illegitimate -the UK announced 92 new sanctions against Moscow.Russian Pres. Putin formally announced the annexation of the four areas on Friday, saying it "is the will of millions of people,"and, shortly after, Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine would submit an "accelerated" application to join NATO.The US, however, has discouraged Ukraine's effort to join the alliance, with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan saying the bid "should be taken up at a different time."On the ground, Ukraine continued to press on from the Kharkiv region into Donetsk, reportedly encircling an estimated 5k Russian troops in the city of Lyman, and, on Saturday, Russia announced that its forces were withdrawn from the city to "more advantageous lines."Meanwhile, amid Russia's mobilization drive, the US urged American citizens in Russia with dual citizenship to leave immediately.Finally, on Monday, Ukraine's Armed Forces general staff alleged that some Russian conscripts are being sent to the frontlines without training.

Russia and Western countries denounced several leaks in Russian pipelines as sabotage for which they blamed each other,Putin granted former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden Russian citizenship,the Taliban announced plans to buy Russian oil, gas, and wheat,and Japan demanded an apology over a Russia-detained diplomat.Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was named Saudi Arabia's prime minister,the Popular Front of India disbanded after a government ban,Myanmar's Suu Kyi and an Australian economist were sentenced to three years,and Japan held a state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.In other news, a Malaysian defense contractor behind a Navy bribery scheme reportedly sought asylum in Venezuela,protests continued in Iran despite legal warnings,and the US unveiled a "big-dollar" deal with the Pacific Island nationsand sanctioned Chinese firms accused of helping Iran circumvent bans on exports.

Representative Nancy Mace said the GOP is considering impeaching Biden,a report said that the president's student loan forgiveness could cost $400B,which the Biden administration then changed following state lawsuits,the House and Senate passed a bill to avoid a government shutdown,Ginni Thomas met with the Jan. 6 Committee,and a Michigan election worker was charged with equipment tampering.

Biden unveiled a plan to end hunger in the US by 2030,a report alleged that whistleblowers faced retaliation for exposing the treatment of migrant children,the US maintained its refugee admission cap at 125k,and the UK could fine TikTok up to $29M over child privacy issues.Meanwhile, Amnesty said that Meta owes Myanmar's Rohingya minority reparations,India approved equal abortion access for all women,Haiti's UN envoy warned that the country faces a "humanitarian catastrophe,"and Palestinian prisoners began a hunger strike.

The Oath Keepers' US sedition trial began,Highland Park shooting survivors sued gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson,at least 15 were killed in a Russian school shooting,the prosecutor investigating a missing students case in Mexico resigned,and Global Witness reported that Latin American environmentalists are most at risk of being murdered.

Ugandas ebola count rose to 35 as the outbreak spreads.

The Bank of England announced plans to purchase bonds amid a collapse in the bond market,with threats that house prices could fall 20%,and as the pound fell to a record low against the US dollar.Meanwhile, US home prices cooled at a record rate,a report revealed that over half of US schools face staff shortages,Goldman Sachs closed a $9.7B fund,and Chinas yuan sank to a record low against the US dollar.

Hurricane Ian saw fatalities in Florida rise as it headed to South Carolina,Canada deployed troops after hurricane Fiona made landfall,and super Typhoon Noru swept across the Philippines.In other news, Switzerland recorded its worst glacial melt rate in 2022,and the worlds first all-electric passenger plane took flight.

Chess champion Carlsen accused his US rival Niemann of cheating,a quarterback's injury raised questions about the NFL's concussion protocols,and Morocco called for the removal of Adidas' Algerian jersey design.

Australia ordered telecommunications company Optus to pay for a data breach,Elon Musk claimed that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is muzzling his tweets,and Tesla //www.improvethenews.org/story/2022/tesla-unveils-optimus-humanoid-robot died in a building collapse in Kenya,and at least 50 were killed after a boat capsized in Bangladesh.

Chinas Mars rover found hints of catastrophic floods,and NASA successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid.