HAWAII - More than 220 earthquakes have rocked Hawaii in the last 24 hours; the increase in seismic activity and other signals at the Kilauea Volcano have prompted USGS scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to increase the volcano alert level there. While the volcano is not erupting yet as of press time, USGS warns that an “eruption can occur in the future with little warning.” There have been 502 earthquakes on the Big Island of Hawaii over the last 7 days; 228 of those have happened in the last 24 hours.

USA - At least three people have died in the historic flooding battering California, as multi-million-dollar mansions are trashed by rivers of flowing mud and boulders - while forecasters predict more rain is still to come. The Pineapple Express, a weather system lingering over much of the Golden State, is causing chaos over several regions including the star-studded Beverly Hills, Malibu and Montecito neighborhoods. The severe weather system has killed three Californians so far and 38 million people remain under flood alerts, as the National Weather Service forecasts additional rainfall of up to six inches into Tuesday. Forecasters estimate a slow-moving and narrow axis of anomalous moisture will continue to focus across Southern California over the next 12 to 24 hours, maintaining a significant threat for life-threatening flash flooding.

CHILE - At least 112 people have been killed by forest fires in Chile's Valparaíso region, local authorities have said. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency and said he would make "all necessary resources" available to tackle the situation. It is believed to be Chile's deadliest forest fire on record. Many of those affected were visiting the coastal region during the summer holidays. A health alert was put in place in Valparaíso by the health ministry. Rescue services have struggled to reach the most badly affected areas and Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said the death toll would "reach much higher figures" in the coming hours.

RUSSIA - The share of national currencies in mutual settlements among the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has reached 90% and is still growing, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin revealed on Friday. The EAEU, which is based on the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, was established in 2015, and was later joined by Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. In 2016, Vietnam became a free trade partner of the EAEU. The union is designed to ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital and workers among member countries.

USA - 'Irrational' policies drive coal plant shutdowns, incentivize overbuilding wind farms. Despite ongoing warnings that the electricity grid of the United States is becoming increasingly unstable, a major utility is moving forward with the elimination of two major coal-fired power plants in the upper Midwest. Energy analysts say the instability is a byproduct of the shutdown of reliable generation sources. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy closed one of three coal units at Sherburne County Generating Plant, in December, as part of its plans to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity. It will shut the other two stations down, according to the Star Tribune, by 2030. The utility will also shutter its Allen S King coal plant by 2028.

USA - Catholic schools that teach life begins at birth aren’t just anti-christian, they’re anti-science. It’s National Catholic Schools Week, and this year’s theme, “United in Faith and Community,” highlights the value of the Catholic school as an educational community model for students, families, communities, the church, and our nation. Indeed, there are many reasons to celebrate Catholic education in the United States, from positive enrolment trends to superior academic achievement and advancement.

VATICAN - The Vatican’s doctrinal office, historically known as the Inquisition, was once known as the guardian of orthodoxy, defining Catholic teaching and disciplining theologians who dissented from it. But under its current head, the office has been accused of deviating from tradition and even embracing heresy. Since taking over the office last year, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández has become a lightning rod for conservatives unsettled by Pope Francis’ conciliatory approach to homosexuality, a signature issue of his progressive reign and possibly the most polarizing topic currently being debated in the global Catholic Church. Fernández’s guidelines for the blessing of same-sex couples, issued in December, set off an extraordinary controversy among the church’s hierarchy around the world.

VATICAN - A group of 90 Catholic clergymen, scholars and authors have published a joint letter to "all Cardinals and Bishops of the Catholic Church," urging them to oppose a Vatican document approved by Pope Francis that allows priests to bless same-sex unions for the first time. In the letter, the Catholic conservatives say that Fiducia Supplicans, a Vatican doctrine released on December 18 and signed by the Pope, would lead to the blessing of "objectively sinful" relationships. They add that the cardinals and bishops should "forbid immediately the application of this document in your diocese" and "ask directly the Pope to urgently withdraw this unfortunate document, which is in contradiction with both Scripture and the universal and uninterrupted Tradition of the Church."

GERMANY - German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, injecting some humor at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, stated that Germany is not the “sick man” of Europe but rather “a tired man,” following the recent years of crisis, in need of a “good cup of coffee.” However, the economic indicators point to something more than fatigue. Although Germany could be described as merely being in a mild recession – the GDP readings, after all, can hardly be called awful – in reality the economy finds itself in the uneasy place of having no clear prospects for an imminent recovery.

CHINA - The United States worries that China will use its power in global supply chains as an additional weapon to advance its political and military might, a report released Wednesday showed. The "Annual Threat Assessment" issued by the Director of National Intelligence said China is already using its supply chain dominance to force foreign companies and countries to transfer technologies and intellectual property to it.

USA - The US used last year’s largest-ever joint drills with Australia to create new stockpiles of equipment in the country, in preparation for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources. According to US officials interviewed by the agency, the war materiel was stashed during the Talisman Sabre exercises last July and August. The drills, which were held in and around Australia, involved more than 34,000 troops from 13 nations and focused on boosting combat readiness and logistical capabilities. The equipment from the exercises included 330 vehicles and trailers and 130 containers stored in the southeastern part of Australia, Reuters reported. It added that in the event of a conflict, this would be enough to supply about three logistics companies with a combined strength of 500 or more soldiers. Alternatively, the equipment could be used during future drills or to deal with a potential natural disaster.

USA - Washington has bombed Iranian-backed militias following a drone strike that killed three American soldiers. US forces have begun a new bombing campaign in the Middle East to punish Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups in response to a series of drone and missile attacks on American military bases in the region. Washington’s latest airstrikes began around midnight Baghdad time on Saturday and hit more than 85 targets in Syria and Iraq, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. The operation involved “numerous aircraft,” including long-range bombers flown from the US, which dropped over 125 precision munitions on their targets. Those targets included command and control centers, intelligence sites, weapons caches, and supply-chain facilities of Iranian-backed militias, as well as “their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and coalition forces,” CENTCOM said.

USA - Scientists have warned residents in Idaho to prepare for a potential 7.0 earthquake capable of destroying buildings and killing people. Dr David Pearson, an Idaho State University geologist, warns that people should be prepared for the worst following the recent earthquake swarm in Southeast Idaho on Saturday. Idahostatejournal.com reports: “There is most likely not going to be a larger earthquake but there is the possibility of a larger one,” Pearson said. “I don’t want to say everything is fine here because there’s the possibility it won’t be.”

USA - Prague is about 57 miles (92 kilometers) east of Oklahoma City, where residents reported feeling the shaking. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook an area near Oklahoma City late Friday night, the US Geological Survey reported. The earthquake hit at 11:24 pm and was centered 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) northwest of Prague, Oklahoma, the agency said. Shawnee, Stillwater and Tecumseh residents also felt the earthquake, NBC affiliate KFOR-TV reported. The earthquake was shallow — just 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) deep, according to the USGS — and temblors that hit close to the surface can make the shaking more intense.

USA - A dangerous, intense storm will move into Southern California this weekend, bringing the potential for widespread flooding, mudslides and debris flows. Officials are urging caution during the most treacherous periods of the storm Sunday and Monday. The National Weather Service says flooding from the atmospheric river could be “life-threatening.”