miquitos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Summary: 

• With Omicron continuing to break records for the number of new daily cases across Europe, many planned New Years’ celebrations around the world were scaled back, cancelled, or held with no restrictions. 
• Sydney, Australia rang in the New Year with a spectacular display of fireworks over the Opera House and allowed tens of thousands of spectators to watch as long as they had purchased tickets in advance. 
• Large New Years’ celebrations were called off in London, Paris, Japan, China, South Korea, and Kuala Lumpur. 
• Forgoing an elaborate fireworks display, London opted to televise their New Years’ celebration by showing Big Ben ringing in the new year for the 1st time since 2017. 
• Although many large celebrations were cancelled, the skies across the globe were still filled with fireworks as many people set off their own fireworks to celebrate the New Year. 
• In the US, the New York Times Square New Years’ celebration still occurred although the crowd was reduced to just a quarter of its usual size, and vaccinations and masks were required for all attendees. 
• Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, attracted large crowds with its extravagant fireworks display. 
• South Africa, the 1st country to warn the world about the Omicron variant, lifted its midnight curfew after 2 years with officials announcing that their country was officially past the peak of the new Omicron surge. Business owners and citizens rejoiced as they celebrated the New Year throughout the night. 
• Many New Years’ messages from world leaders paid respect to those that lost their lives from COVID in 2021 and encouraged citizens to get vaccinated or boosted to help with COVID hospitalizations. 

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Putin and Biden Speak Over Phone Amid Ukraine Tensions

White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• US President, Joe Biden and Russian President, Vladimir Putin spoke for the 2nd time this month for over 50 mins on Thursday as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to rise. 
• Putin warned that the US would be making a “colossal mistake” should they decide to impose sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. 
• Biden urged Putin to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine because the US and its allies will be forced to respond decisively should Russia invade Ukraine. 
• Both leaders believe the call ended positively although no major breakthroughs occurred. 
• The call sets the stage as diplomatic parties from both countries are set to meet next month on January 10th, 2022 to discuss the situation further.

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Casualties in Pro Democracy Demonstrations in Sudan

• Violence persists after the October 25th coup in Sudan, killing four people.
• The individuals were killed during nationwide protests against the military rule.
• The Sudanese Security Forces have taken responsibility for the casualties.
• The demonstrators are calling for elections free of military involvement.

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Colorado Wildfires Continue to Decimate Parts of Boulder County

• Boulder County, Colorado remains the epicenter of devastating wildfires.
• Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes, with the towns of Louisville and Superior hardest hit.
• Officials estimate that nearly 1000 homes have been destroyed.
• The Marshall and Middle Fork Fires have ravaged many suburban areas of Colorado.

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Rohingya Refugees Accepted into Indonesia

• A boat carrying about 100 Rohingya refugees has been rescued by the Indonesian navy.
• The boat had been spotted earlier in the week but the government of Indonesia had initially refused to accept the migrants.
• International humanitarian organizations had decried Indonesia, calling on the country to take in the refugees.
• The Indonesian government relented but adverse weather conditions delayed rescue operations.

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Mexico Announces Plans to Offer Digital Currency In Two Years

• The Office of Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced plans to offer use of digital currency by 2024.
• The country’s Central Bank has expressed interest in broadening and modernizing the payment options for transactions in the country.
• Nearly a quarter of financial transactions in Mexico are made in cash.
• The currency in question would be backed by the issuing entity, as opposed to having the backing of a physical commodity.