This week, protesters in multiple US cities gathered to condemn the incident where officers from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, later identified as 37-year-old Renee Good. This event occurred less than 24 hours after the Trump administration announced a major immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement that US President Donald Trump discussed various options for acquiring Greenland, including the use of military force.
In Europe, several countries faced heavy snowfall and extremely cold weather.
This caused widespread travel disruptions across Europe, with hundreds of flights canceled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports in Paris and Amsterdam. Additionally, there were reports of six deaths related to the weather conditions on the continent.
In Asia, Harbin city in Heilongjiang province, northern China, hosted the 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, featuring various activities such as ice carving competitions, swimming contests, light shows, and cultural events.
Across several US cities, protesters assembled to denounce the shooting of a woman by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis, later identified as 37-year-old Renee Good. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after the Trump administration launched a major immigration crackdown in Minnesota. However, Trump administration officials claimed that Renee Good was a 'violent rioter' who attempted to run over ICE officers, prompting them to shoot in 'self-defense.'
Last week, the United States launched a military operation targeting Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to the US for prosecution. Shortly after, US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark, citing security and economic reasons. Recently, the White House stated that Trump has discussed various options for acquiring Greenland, including military force.
On 5 January 2026, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), a splinter group from the Karen National Union (KNU), announced the upgrade of the 'Karen State Government' to a fully independent state, citing the collapse of Myanmar's central government and the Karen people's right to self-determination. However, the KNU issued a statement denying involvement with the declaration of the Karen State Republic, describing the KNLA as a splinter faction exacerbating the complexity of Karen politics and undermining the unity of the minority resistance movement.
Heavy snow and severe cold disrupted travel across Europe, causing hundreds of flight cancellations and stranding thousands of passengers at airports in Paris and Amsterdam. Additionally, six deaths linked to weather-related incidents were reported on the continent (information as of 9 January 2026).
Kiyoshi Kimura, known as the 'Tuna King' and chairman of a famous sushi chain, made headlines again by winning the auction for a massive 243-kilogram bluefin tuna during the New Year's opening auction at Tokyo's main fish market. The winning price was 510.3 million yen, approximately 101.77 million baht, setting a record high since records began in 1999, breaking the previous record of 333.6 million yen set in 2019 following the market's move from the traditional Tsukiji district to a more modern location.
The 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival officially began on 5 January 2026 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, northern China, launching with fireworks and pyrotechnics over the snowy and icy city amid temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius. If weather permits, the festival is expected to run until mid-February 2026 and features activities such as ice carving competitions, swimming contests, light shows, and various cultural events.
References:BBC,BBC,BBC,FACEBOOK,The Guardian,Global Times