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Ukraine bolsters its defenses in the east as Russia sends waves of attacks, Thailand U-turns on its COVID vaccination rule for visitors, and Goldman Sachs will start cutting thousands of jobs

by Linda Noakes

World News

A demonstrator reacts next to members of security forces as supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro leave a camp outside the Army Headquarters, in Brasilia, January 9, 2023

Brazilian police deployed at a camp of supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro in the capital, a day after rioters launched the worst attack on Brazil's state institutions since its return to democracy in the 1980s. Here's why the United States has a Bolsonaro problem.
Ukraine is strengthening its forces in the eastern Donbas region and repelling constant attacks on Bakhmut and other towns there by Russian mercenary group Wagner, Ukrainian authorities said. Here's what you need to know about the conflict right now.
People joined long queues outside immigration offices in Beijing, eager to renew their passports after China dropped COVID border controls that had largely prevented its 1.4 billion residents from traveling for three years. Thailand rescinded a policy announced at the weekend requiring visitors to show proof of COVID vaccination, citing sufficient immunisation levels in China and globally.
Pope Francis condemned Iran for using the death penalty against demonstrators demanding greater respect for women. The pope's remarks were his strongest since the start of nationwide protests in Iran following the death last September of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Prince Harry has said he had made public his rifts with the British royal family and taken on the press to try to help the monarchy and change the media, the latter described by his father King Charles as a "suicide mission".

U.S. News

President Joe Biden speaks with border patrol officers during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, January 8, 2023

President Joe Biden visited the U.S.-Mexico border for the first time since taking office, tackling one of the most politically charged issues in the country. Accompanied by Border Patrol agents, Biden toured a section of the wall that divides the two countries, a signature priority of his predecessor Donald Trump. Here's why migrants are crossing the border in record numbers.
A prominent Republican whose phone was seized as part of the Justice Department's probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election said he may seek to participate on a new House of Representatives panel that will investigate those same federal investigators.
California braced for more severe weather after a week of torrential downpours and damaging winds killed at least 12 people in the past 10 days and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. This graphic explains the atmospheric river and bomb cyclone battering the state.
Seattle's public school district filed a lawsuit against Big Tech claiming that the companies were responsible for a worsening mental health crisis among students and directly affected the schools' ability to carry out their educational mission.
The NFL regular season reached an emotional climax as the Buffalo Bills, inspired by Damar Hamlin, who is recovering from a cardiac arrest suffered during a game last week, beat the New England Patriots 35-23. Hamlin spent most of the week on a ventilator in a Cincinnati hospital intensive care unit, his fight captivating the sporting world.

Business & Markets

A car passes by Industrial Park VGP Timisoara, in Giarmata-Vii, Timis county, western Romania, January 5, 2023

Romania's economy is set to outpace its stagnating neighbors this year, helped by European Union funding, currency stability and foreign investment driven in part by reshoring from Russia and Ukraine. The IMF expects a 3.1% expansion, while even the European Commission's 1.8% growth forecast would place it well ahead of Poland.
Britain has become less competitive and less attractive to foreign investors as a result of soaring energy costs and recent political turmoil, manufacturers said in an industry survey. The proportion of manufacturers who think Britain is a competitive location halved to 31% from 63% a year ago.
Goldman Sachs will start cutting thousands of jobs across the firm from Wednesday, sources familiar with the move said, as it prepares for a tough economic environment in the year ahead.
The Swiss National Bank posted an annual loss of $143 billion in 2022, the biggest in its 115-year history as falling stock and fixed-income markets hit the value of its share and bond portfolio.
Shares of listed Chinese companies that count Ant Group as a major shareholder rose after announcements that Ant founder Jack Ma is giving up control of the fintech giant following an overhaul.
Indonesia and Malaysia, the world's biggest producers of palm oil, agreed to work together to fight "discrimination" against the commodity after a meeting between leaders from the countries. The European Union plans to phase out palm-oil based fuels by 2030 because of perceived links to deforestation.

And Finally

Technicians work on Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket, attached to the wing of Cosmic Girl, a Boeing 747-400 aircraft, ahead of UK's First launch, at Spaceport Cornwall at Newquay Airport, January 8, 2023

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