Portal:Current events/2023 January 13

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Russo-Ukrainian War
  • 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
    • Battle of Soledar
      • Russia's defence ministry says that its forces have taken full control of Soledar in Donetsk Oblast. However, Ukraine denies the fall of the city and its salt mines, claiming that the battle was still ongoing. (BBC News)

Disasters and accidents

• 2023 Lithuania–Latvia pipeline explosion
  • A large explosion occurs on the Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection natural gas pipeline in Pasvalys District Municipality, Lithuania. Latvian Defence Minster Artis Pabriks says that the cause of the explosion would be investigated and that sabotage "could not be ruled out". (BBC News) (Reuters)

Law and crime

• Aftermath of the assassination of Shinzo Abe
  • Prosecutors in Japan charge the 42-year-old accused killer of former prime minister Shinzo Abe with murder. Additional charges are expected after the man was found competent by psychiatrists earlier this week. (The Asahi Shimbun) (Reuters)
• New York investigations of The Trump Organization
  • The New York County Courthouse issues the maximum allowable $1.6 million fine on the Trump Organization, former president Donald Trump's conglomerate, for tax fraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records. (AFP via France 24)
• The British government announces a ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, polystyrene cups, bowls, and balloon sticks in England beginning in October as part of an effort to reduce plastic pollution. The ban will apply to all retailers, takeaways, and food vendors. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

• 2023 Czech presidential election
  • Czechs head to the polls to elect their president. Incumbent Miloš Zeman is not eligible to run for re-election, as he is term limited. (Euronews)