Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. The attack followed weeks of dramatic escalations, including the evacuation of the US embassy from Kyiv and multiple nations warning against travel to Ukraine. The war’s immediate impact was devastating, with nearly half a million people fleeing the country in the first days and fighting erupting across multiple cities.
Global COVID-19 Developments Continue
The Omicron variant continued to spread, with South Korea and Russia reporting record daily case numbers. In contrast, several European countries, including France, Italy, and England, began easing or completely scrapping COVID restrictions, signaling a major shift in pandemic strategy. Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for the virus, highlighting the variant's high transmissibility.
Political Upheavals Across Africa
In Burkina Faso, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was formally declared president following the January military coup. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi reported a failed coup attempt. French forces launched a major airstrike on a jihadist camp in southern Burkina Faso in retaliation for an earlier massacre.
Canada Convoy Protests Escalate
Canada experienced significant civil unrest as Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency over protest-related blockades in Ottawa and at the Ambassador Bridge. The "Canada convoy protest" became a major challenge to government authority over COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.
Environmental and Conservation Developments
Deforestation in the Amazon accelerated alarmingly, with satellite imagery showing five times more rainforest cleared in January than the previous year. In a more positive development, Australia officially listed the koala as an endangered species to increase protections against drought, bushfires, and habitat loss.