Disasters and accidents

• Eight construction workers are killed near Sevastopol , Crimea , in an overnight fire at a barracks . (Reuters)

Health and environment

• 2020?2023 H5N8 outbreak
  • The UK Health Security Agency confirms that avian influenza has crossed over to several wild mammals, including foxes , otters and seals . The agency says that the risk to humans remains very low, however, there will now be more "targeted surveillance" and testing of animals. (BBC News)

International relations

• Israel?Sudan relations
  • Israel?Sudan normalization agreement
    • Israel and Sudan announce the finalisation of a deal to normalize relations between the two countries. (Reuters)
• High-altitude object events in 2023
  • 2023 Chinese balloon incident
    • The United States Department of Defense monitors a high-altitude balloon from China flying over Montana . The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry says the balloon is used for civilian meteorological research and had drifted off-course due to unexpected weather. (AFP via NDTV) ( The Guardian )
• Philippines?United States relations
  • The Philippines permits the U.S. Armed Forces access to an additional four military bases , thereby expediting the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement . (AFP via France 24)

Law and crime

• War on terror
  • The United States releases Majid Khan from the Guantanamo Bay prison and transfers him to Belize . Khan had been captured in 2003 in Pakistan and was being held on accusations of helping al-Qaeda . (Reuters)

Politics and elections

• Qatar corruption scandal at the European Parliament
  • Two MEPs , Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella , have their legal immunity revoked by European Union lawmakers amid an investigation into money laundering and bribery . (BBC News)