• On grounds of “health and good order”, the Australian government has denied Novak Djokovic’s visa for the 2nd time leaving his chances to participate in the Australian Open, which is set to start on Monday, bleak. 
• Australian Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, denied Djokovic’s 2nd visa Friday stating, “Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr. Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.”
• Djokovic’s legal team responded to the visa cancellation by stating it is “patently irrational,” and that Djokovic poses no harm to Australia, rather the government is using his case to set precedent to not excite anti-vax sentiments. 
• Following the visa cancellation, an emergency hearing was held where a government lawyer advised the judge that Australia will not begin deportation processes immediately, rather, they will allow Djokovic to meet his legal team on Saturday to prepare for his appeal hearing that is scheduled on Sunday. However, after Saturday, Australian officials have the right to detain Djokovic at any time. 
• Unvaccinated, Djokovic’s visa was originally revoked after arriving in Melbourne on January 6th, where Australian border authorities stated that Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to receive a vaccine exemption even though an Australian visa was previously granted prior to the trip. 
• Djokovic’s intent to participate in the Australian Open caused an uproar from Australian tennis stars and citizens who felt allowing Djokovic to enter Australia unvaccinated was unfair as many have been under numerous strict COVID lockdowns throughout the pandemic. 
• Although Djokovic has not openly promoted anti-vaccination information, Australians who are against vaccinations, have begun using “#IStandWithDjokovic” to show their support. 

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Ukrainian Government Websites Hit By Massive Cyber attack

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• Amid growing tensions between Russia, Ukrainian government websites were hit by a massive cyberattack on Friday leaving the country’s cabinet, seven ministries, the treasury, the National Emergency Service, and the state services website, where Ukrainians’ electronic passports and vaccination certificates are stored, temporarily unavailable. 
• The hacked websites contained messages written in Ukraine, Russian, and Polish that stated that the user’s information has been leaked and to “be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future.”
• Although no one has taken responsibility, Ukrainian officials found evidence that leads them to believe that Russia was behind the attack. 
• At this time, Ukrainian officials do not believe that personal information was leaked but that an investigation is still ongoing.
• Ukraine has been hit hard by cyberattacks in recent months with officials stating they have neutralized over 1,200 cyber attacks in just 9 months. 
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Millions of Afghans on the Verge of Death According to UN Chief

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• According to UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, as of Thursday, freezing temperatures, as well as assets, are the causes of the lethal combination that are causing Afghans to suffer including the act of preventing money that should be used to save lives. 
• A meeting is to be held among the UN Humanitarian Chief, President Of The International Committee Of The Red Cross, and the US Secretary of State to discuss how to create mechanisms to allow effective injunction of funds into the Afghan economy. 
• Guterres mentioned the US’s crucial role in the Afghan economy stating, “[the US has] a very important role to play because most of the financial system in the world operates in dollars”. Approximately $7 billion Afghan reserves have been frozen and are being held in the US. 

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Nigeria Lifts Twitter Ban After 7 Month Suspension

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• As of Thursday, the Nigerian government has restored access to Twitter after a 7-month ban was imposed when Twitter removed Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s post which threatened a violent crackdown on secessionist groups. 
• Since the ban was put into place in June, Twitter has agreed to several demands and will now open an office in Nigeria, pay taxes, appoint a representative head, as well respectfully acknowledge Nigerian laws and culture according to a government official. 
• In the past, several bills had been passed for social media regulation for the sake of security grounds and national unity. Many rights groups argue that none of the measures were approved and violate those that protect freedom of speech. 
• During the suspension period, many Nigerians still used the platform through VPN sites and are now acknowledging those companies in regards to also causing the country to lose billions of dollars since small businesses used Twitter to reach customers. 

El Salvador Officials Denies Hacking Journalists

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• El Salvador officials deny hacking into the phones of approximately 35 journalists and activists using the Pegasus Spyware Software. 
• According to a University of Toronto Research Group, the software was made by an Israeli firm for government clients to hack photo, video, and voice recordings of journalists and activists from 2020-2021. 
• The use of the Pegasus Software now reveals a new threat in the country according to Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International Americas Director. Guevara-Rosas states that authorities should make the effort to prevent the restriction of freedom of expression and identify those who are involved in this situation. 
• Julia Gavarrete, an El Faro Journalist states that her apartment was broken into and stated that her computer among several belongings were stolen and suspects it might have something to do with the hackings; she continues that “You can feel fear, but at the end, you know that you are doing things that are correct and you can not give them the power to control your life,”

‘Potentially Dangerous’, Skyscraper Sized Asteroid To Pass Near Earth Next Week

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• Asteroid 7482 (1994PC1) has been deemed “potentially hazardous” as the asteroid, estimated to be about 3,280 feet tall, is set to pass 700,000 miles away from the Earth’s surface later this week. 
• The asteroid which is taller than the Empire State Building from base to the antenna in New York and the Burj Al Khalifa in Dubai has been classified as “potentially hazardous” as there is a potential for it to make a “threatening close approach to Earth.” 
• Although classified as “potentially hazardous,” Asteroid 7482 1994PC1 won’t be the largest to sweep past Earth, since Asteroid 3122 Florence (1981 ET3) passed and missed colliding with the Earth back in September 2007. 
• Although 7482 1994PC1 is not visible to the naked eye, amateur astronomers say it is still visible to see through a telescope. 

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