Global Geneva: NuseReal: weekly news monitor

— Beer has become more affordable in 11 EU countries since 2022, and less affordable in six, a WHO report revealed. There was a similar but even more dramatic trend for spirits, which became more affordable in 17 EU countries and less affordable in two. And for wine, 14 EU countries do not tax it at all, including big producers Italy and Spain, the report found.

Monday 12 January 2026

Ukraine-Russia war latest: UK announces Project Nightfall to provide Kyiv with new missiles (LINK) 12 January 2026

— Later on Monday the UN Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting to discuss Russia's use of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile just 60 miles from the border of Nato member Poland. Russia has claimed the Oreshnik strike was retaliation for an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on one of Putin's residences, an allegation Kyiv denies.

Australia: bushfire in Central Victoria destroys 47 homes and cooperative near artistic hub of Castlemaine: residents testify (LINK) 12 January 2026

— Fire ignited north of the apple-growing region of Harcourt in central Victoria on Friday afternoon. By that evening flames, fanned by fierce winds, were running down hills into the Harcourt Valley and the township, razing three local businesses and 47 homes.

Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Musk's Grok over sexualized AI images (LINK) 12 January 2026

Minnesota and Illinois are suing the Trump administration over immigration operations (LINK) 12 January 2026

FIFA to refund 16,000 2026 world cup tickets amid Trump USA boycott (LINK) 12 January 2026

Sen. Mark Kelly sues Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over efforts to reduce his military retirement rank (LINK) 12 January 2026

Paul Krugman: The ignominious death of drill, baby, drill (LINK) 12 January 2026

— 'Darren Woods, the CEO of ExxonMobil, blurted out the awkward truth — namely that Venezuela is "uninvestable" under current conditions. On Sunday evening Trump responded by saying that he was "inclined" to block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela. "I didn't like their response." The Bureau of Land Management auctioned off more than 20,000 acres of public land in Colorado for oil and gas drilling. Or I should say, tried to auction the land off — because there were no bids, despite the fact that the land was offered at very low prices.'

NuseReal

Headlines: 12-18 January 2026

Wednesday 14 January 2026

Trump says 'anything less' than US control of Greenland is 'unacceptable': Vice President JD Vance is set to host a meeting Wednesday morning with the Danish foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio (LINK) 14 January 2026

At least 32 killed after crane collapses on moving train in north-east Thailand (LINK) 14 January 2026

Tuesday 13 January 2026

At least 1,850 protesters reported killed in Iran as Trump says 'help is on its way': cancelled meetings with Iranian officials (LINK) 13 January 2026

US tariff revenue dropped by almost $3 billion from November to December: the second straight monthly decline after Trump dialed back key tariffs last November, and a more than 10% drop from the October high (LINK) 13 January 2026

Trump threatens to halt federal money next month to sanctuary cities, states (LINK) 13 January 2026

Israel cuts ties with three global bodies after US withdrawal, foreign ministry says: UN Energy, the UN Alliance of Civilisations and the Global Forum on Migration and Development (LINK) 13 January 2026

Saks Global files for bankruptcy amid luxury market strains (LINK) 13 January 2026

U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in blockbuster cases challenging transgender sports bans (LINK) 13 January 2026

Clintons refuse to testify in congressional Epstein probe despite contempt of court threat (LINK) 13 January 2026

Alcohol too cheap in Europe as health impact mounts, WHO warns: official says "More affordable alcohol drives violence, injuries and disease" (LINK) 13 January 2026