Explanation

Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia were elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Their two-year terms will start from 1 January 2026 and last until 31 December 2027.

These new members will replace Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms end in December 2025.

Additional Information:

The Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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Explanation

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully conducted the flight test of the indigenously developed “Taimoor” weapon system.

Conducted on 3 January 2026.

Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile is capable of engaging enemy land and sea targets with high precision at a range of 600 kilometers (372.8 miles).

Additional Information:

The Taimoor was developed by the Air Weapons Complex of Pakistan.

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Explanation

On January 22, 2026, the Unites States officially complete its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).

An executive order was issued by US president Donald Trump in this regard.

Reason of withdrawal: WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic

The US had remained member of WHO for 78 years before withdrawal.

Additional Information:

The U.S. became the first country to withdraw from WHO since it was founded in 1948.

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Explanation

The first round of peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in 2026 held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dates: 23-24 Jan, 2026

With the focus to end Russo-Ukrainian war.

The United States acted as the mediator between Russia and Ukraine

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Explanation

On 22 January 2026, South Korea officially enforced its "Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust".

South Korea is considered the first to fully enforce such a comprehensive framework.

The law has been named AI Basic Act.

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Explanation

The first round of peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in 2026 held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dates: 23-24 Jan, 2026

With the focus to end Russo-Ukrainian war.

The United States acted as the mediator between Russia and Ukraine

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Explanation

On 22 January 2026, South Korea officially enforced its "Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust".

South Korea is considered the first to fully enforce such a comprehensive framework.

The law has been named AI Basic Act.

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Explanation

China launched world’s largest compressed-air energy storage (CAES) plant in January 2026.

Location: Jiangsu province of China.

Storage capacity: 2,400 MWh

Power generation capacity: 600 MW

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Explanation

China launched world’s largest compressed-air energy storage (CAES) plant in January 2026.

Location: Jiangsu province of China.

Storage capacity: 2,400 MWh

Power generation capacity: 600 MW

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Explanation

The first round of peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in 2026 held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dates: 23-24 Jan, 2026

With the focus to end Russo-Ukrainian war.

The United States acted as the mediator between Russia and Ukraine

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