Portal:Current events/2023 February 2

Disasters and accidents

• Eight construction workers are killed near Sevastopol, Crimea, in an overnight fire at a barracks. (Reuters)

Health and environment

• 2020–2023 H5N8 outbreak
  • The UK Health Security Agency confirms that avian influenza has crossed over to several wild mammals, including foxes, otters and seals. The agency says that the risk to humans remains very low, however, there will now be more "targeted surveillance" and testing of animals. (BBC News)

International relations

• Israel–Sudan relations
  • Israel–Sudan normalization agreement
    • Israel and Sudan announce the finalisation of a deal to normalize relations between the two countries. (Reuters)
• High-altitude object events in 2023
  • 2023 Chinese balloon incident
    • The United States Department of Defense monitors a high-altitude balloon from China flying over Montana. The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry says the balloon is used for civilian meteorological research and had drifted off-course due to unexpected weather. (AFP via NDTV) (The Guardian)
• Philippines–United States relations
  • The
    U.S. Armed Forces access to an additional four military bases, thereby expediting the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. (AFP via France 24)

• War on terror
  • The United States releases Majid Khan from the Guantanamo Bay prison and transfers him to Belize. Khan had been captured in 2003 in Pakistan and was being held on accusations of helping al-Qaeda. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

• Qatar corruption scandal at the European Parliament
  • Two MEPs, Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, have their legal immunity revoked by European Union lawmakers amid an investigation into money laundering and bribery. (BBC News)