Portal:Current events/January 2013

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Fierce clashes erupt near the Aleppo International Airport in the battle of Aleppo in Syria, with unconfirmed reports it has been temporarily closed. (BBC)
War in North-West Pakistan:
- Gunmen kill five female teachers and two other people in an ambush on a van carrying workers home from their jobs at a community center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. (AP) (BBC)
Colombian conflict:
- 13 FARC members are killed in an airstrike by the Colombian military. (BBC)
Nigerian Sharia conflict:
- Nigeria's military kill 13 members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram and lose one soldier in a gun battle in Maiduguri. (Reuters) (AFP via The Voice of Russia)

Arts and culture

American 1950s pop singer Patti Page, best known for the Tennessee Waltz and (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window dies in Encinitas, California. (NBC San Diego)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Houphouët-Boigny stampede: At least 60 people are killed and more than 200 injured in a stampede during a New Year's fireworks celebration near the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (BBC) (CNN) (Reuters)
Royal Dutch Shell's drilling rig Kulluk drifts aground near Sitkalidak Island, Alaska, after breaking loose from the anchor handling tug Aiviq. (Anchorage Daily News) (Los Angeles Times)
A head-on collision between a bus and a minibus occurred in Thiès, Senegal, killing at least 18 people and leaving another 16 wounded. (AFP via NDTV)
Ten people are killed and 120 injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola, as they tried to enter an overcrowded Estádio da Cidadela for a New Year's Eve vigil. (BBC) (AFP via Google)

International relations

Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, Rwanda and South Korea join the UN Security Council. (News24)
United Kingdom assumes presidency of G8 group. Next G8 summit is to be held on the shores of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland in June 2013. (BBC)

Law and crime

Two people are killed and three wounded in a shooting in Sacramento during the New Year's Eve celebrations. (Fox News) (CNN) (AP via The Sacramento Bee)
Celebratory gunfire kills a four-year-old boy and more than 400 others are injured by powerful firecrackers in typically rowdy New Year celebrations in the Philippines. (AFP via Google)
Similar to numbers in previous years, 1193 empty parked cars are set on fire during New Year's Eve 'celebrations' across France. (AP via Yahoo!)

Politics and elections

United States "fiscal cliff" debate:
- The U.S. Senate bipartisanly approves a deal to avert general tax hikes and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff". (BBC) (Reuters) (Fox News)
- The U.S. House of Representatives approves the "fiscal cliff" deal, with Republican Speaker of the House John Bohener breaking with his party to vote "yes". Before the vote took place, congressional members were unsure whether or not the deal would be approved after House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced his opposition to the deal, and other House Republicans raised concerns about it. (CNN) (The Telegraph) (New York Post)
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un makes a rare New Year broadcast, calling for an improved economy and a reunified Korea. (BBC) (Reuters)
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as part of his military duties, pilots a Royal Air Force (RAF) Sea King helicopter which was sent out in the early morning hours to an as of yet unsuccessful search for a Blackpool, England man swept out to sea there. (NBC News)

Sport

Santos FC striker Neymar is named as 2012 South American Footballer of the Year, running ahead of Paolo Guerrero and Lucas Moura. (ESPN) (HDTV Sports) (Sambafoot)
In chess, the world number one Magnus Carlsen achieves the highest-ever FIDE official rating (2861) based on Elo rating system, breaking Garry Kasparov's 13-year record. (FIDE) (ChessBase) (ABC.es)
Srečko Katanec is appointed Slovenia national football team coach, replacing Slaviša Stojanovič. (UEFA) (HRsport.net)

Transportation

Cheng Lim LRT station opened along the West Loop of the Sengkang LRT line.

January 2, 2013 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- An airstrike on a petrol station outside the capital Damascus kills and injures dozens of people. (Al Jazeera)
- The United Nations says the death toll from the conflict could be more than 60,000 people. (UN)
2012 Central African Republic rebellion:
- Rebels halt their advance towards the capital Bangui and agree to peace talks. (Reuters)
- President François Bozizé fires both his army chief of staff and his son, Jean Francis Bozizé, as defense minister, taking the ministerial position for himself. (Deutsche Welle)
War in North-West Pakistan:
- An airstrike kills Maulvi Nazir, leader of the Pakistani Taliban along with five others in Angoor Ada near the capital of Wana, South Waziristan. (BBC)
Kachin conflict:
- Military aircraft in Burma target rebel held areas in Kachin State; the government later confirms the operation. (BBC)

International relations

Officials in South Korea note a significant decrease in the number of refugees from North Korea reaching the country. (Pakistan Daily Times)

Law and crime

British comedian Jim Davidson is arrested for alleged historic sexual assaults. (The Daily Telegraph)
Mauritania bans the use of plastic bags. (BBC)
An unnamed gunman, 33, kills 3 women and injures 2 men in the village of Daillon, Switzerland, opening fire from his apartment, and pursuing the attack in the street; he threatened police when they arrived and was shot and hospitalized (it is speculated this will renew debate about males retaining their arms after their mandated military service). (Chicago Tribune)^{[permanent dead link]}

Politics and elections

The Presidential Commission on Good Government, the agency tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth taken during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos has submitted plans to President Benigno Aquino III to end its operations after 27 years. (Business World) (Rappler)
The opposition in Venezuela urges the government to be more transparent about the health of president Hugo Chávez as his inauguration approaches on January 10 amid rumours of his deteriorating health. (RIA Novosti)
U.S. President Barack Obama signs the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, intended to prevent the "fiscal cliff". (The Huffington Post)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is discharged from the NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital after being treated for a blood clot. (CNN)

Sport

American football linebacker Ray Lewis announces he will retire at the end of the 2012 NFL season. (ESPN)

January 3, 2013 (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal):
- A suicide bombing in Mussayab kills 27 Shiite pilgrims and injures 60 others. (Reuters)
Mexican Drug War:
- Mexican troops kill 12 alleged drug traffickers who opened fire at a checkpoint in La Estación, Zacatecas. (BBC)
M23 rebellion:
- The March 23 Movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo announces that peace talks will only commence if President Joseph Kabila's government signs a ceasefire. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, grants Russian citizenship to Gérard Depardieu who has renounced his French citizenship due to high taxes. (AFP via ABC News)
Romanian film director, actor and politician Sergiu Nicolaescu dies at the age of 82 after complications from surgery which led to cardiac arrest. (AAP via News Limited)

Business and economy

News channel Al Jazeera acquires Current TV from Al Gore and Joel Hyatt. (AP)
Hormel is announced to be purchasing Skippy peanut butter from Unilever for $700 million. (MarketWatch)
Starbucks plans to open a coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, expanding its reach to 12 Asian nations. (The Globe and Mail)
Subaru issues a recall for nearly 634,000 vehicles in the United States due to a lighting problem. (The Detroit News)

International relations

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron say the future of the Falkland Islands is up to its inhabitants, not Argentina. His statement comes after the President of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner urged the prime minister to abide by a 1965 UN resolution to "negotiate a solution" to the dispute. (BBC)

Law and crime

Police in India charge five men with the murder of a 23-year-old woman who was gang-raped on a bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012. (BBC)

Politics and elections

United States Congress:
- The 113th United States Congress is sworn in, replacing the 112th Congress. (CNN)
- Republican Congressman John Boehner is re-elected Speaker of the House. (CNN)

Sport

A friendly game between A.C. Milan and Italian lower division Pro Patria is suspended after Kevin-Prince Boateng and several other A.C. Milan were the target of racists chants by Pro Patria crowd. (BBC Sport)

January 4, 2013 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Israeli–Palestinian conflict:
- Hundreds of thousands of people rally in Gaza in a show of unity between the governing Hamas, elected in 2006, and Fatah, in opposition since then. (BBC) (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
Syrian civil war:
- 9 people are killed by a car bomb at a petrol station in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The bomb reportedly hit the Barzeh al-Balad district, as large numbers of people were queuing for fuel. (BBC)
Belfast City Hall flag protests:
- Police clash with demonstrators in Belfast over when the Union Flag is to be flown over their city hall. (BBC)

Business and economy

Joblessness in the United States remains constant, with latest official figures showing a modest job creation total of 155,000. (Al Jazeera)
Swiss bank Wegelin & Co., the nation's oldest, will cease to operate after pleading guilty to a US tax evasion case and being fined $57.8 million. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

At least seven children are killed in a fire at an orphanage in Henan, China. (BBC) (South China Morning Post) (The Irish Times)
Three people are killed when a Beechcraft BE35 plane crashes into a home near Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. (CNN)
Six Russian tourists are killed and two tourists are seriously injured after a snowmobile towing a sled veers off a ski slope, crashes into a barrier, and flies into a ditch on Italy's Mount Cermis. (BBC)

Law and crime

A gunman kills eight people in a house-to-house rampage in Kawit, the Philippines. (CNN)
The Nigerian police announces that Hyundai has paid a ransom of £118,000 ($190,000) to free 6 kidnapped workers in the Niger Delta region. (BBC)
Former Nepalese Colonel Kumar Lama is charged with torture in the UK stemming from allegations of human rights abuses during the Nepalese Civil War. (BBC)
U.S. media report that celebrity Naomi Campbell has been assaulted in Paris. Reports say two men on a motorcycle tried to make off with her handbag during the attack. (BBC)
Pakistani schoolgirl blogger Malala Yousafzai, shot by the Taliban in October 2012, is discharged from hospital in the UK. (BBC)

Politics and elections

Demonstrations against sexual violence after Delhi gang rape spread across Asia and are now happening in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. (The Guardian)
Journalists in China call for the resignation of the propaganda chief in Guangdong province over "excessive censorship" amid the closure of a liberal website. (Financial Times)
The Venezuelan government announces that president Hugo Chávez is being treated for a "respiratory deficiency" after complications from a severe lung infection. (Al Jazeera)
The United States Congress officially declares President Barack Obama the winner of the 2012 presidential election. (CNN)
The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan, Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir Mayardit, respectively, will meet in Addis Ababa to convene for talks regarding escalating tensions is response to Sudan's recent seizure of Abyei. (BBC)
King of Spain Juan Carlos I gives a rare television interview to coincide with his 75th birthday. (BBC)

Religion

The Church of England drops its prohibition on gay clergy in civil partnerships becoming bishops, so long as they promise to be celibate. (BBC) (The Guardian)

January 5, 2013 (Saturday)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Tasmanian bushfires: Thousands of people are stranded by four major fires burning out of control in the Australian state of Tasmania. (AAP via TV New Zealand)

Law and crime

The male friend of the Delhi gang-rape victim – the only witness in the case – on Friday spoke for the first time in front of the nation and exclusively told Zee News that his friend was "positive" and wanted to live even after the horrific incident that took place on the night of December 16. (Zee News)
An armed standoff between a gunman and police leaves three hostages and the perpetrator dead in an Aurora, Colorado home. (CNN) (BBC) (Fox News)

Sport

In tennis, Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues from Spain win the 2013 Hopman Cup beating Serbia team in the final. (Hopman Cup)
In ice hockey, USA team wins the 2013 IIHF World U20 Championship after a 3–1 win over Sweden in the final in Ufa, Russia. (World Junior 2013)

January 6, 2013 (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- The President of Syria Bashar al-Assad delivers a rare television appearance addressing the Syrian crisis and denounces the Syrian rebels as "enemies of God and puppets of the West". It is his first television appearance since June 2012. (BBC)
Kashmir conflict:
- A cross-border raid conducted by Indian troops in the disputed Kashmir region results in the death of one Pakistani soldier and another critically wounded, according to Pakistani reports. (AP via The Washington Post)
War in North-West Pakistan:
- A drone attack conducted by the United States kills at least ten people (suspected militants) in South Waziristan, Pakistan. (BBC)
Kachin conflict:
- Kachin rebels claim the government has fired shells at the rebel de facto headquarters of Laiza. (Washington Post)
War in Afghanistan (2001–present):
- Suicide bombers kill four in an attack in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. (BBC)
2012–2013 Central African Republic rebellion:
- South Africa announces it will send 400 more soldiers to the Central African Republic in an effort to assist the current regime, which faces a potential attack by the Seleka rebel coalition on the capital. (BBC)

Politics and elections

Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, orders that the words "State of Palestine" be used on official documents. (BBC)
In the Netherlands, Gerard Helders who served as Minister of Colonial Affairs from the 1957 until 1959, the oldest known former politician in the world dies at the age of 107. (NOS)

Science and technology

At Apple, applications developers say they gave Apple plenty of warning about issues with its iOS maps issues. (CNET)

Sport

In ice hockey, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association reach an agreement that ends the 2012–13 NHL lockout and averts the cancellation of the 2012–13 NHL season. (Think Progress)

Television

El Chavo Animado en Univision
Sequels: Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995), The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999), Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000), The New Batman/Superman Adventures (1997-2000), Sabrina: The Animated Series (1999-2000), Batman Beyond (1999-2001), Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (2002-2004), Sabrina's Secret Life (2003-2004) and The Batman (2004-2008)

January 7, 2013 (Monday)

Business and economy

For $8.5 billion, ten banks settle to stop mortgage foreclosure process audits. The United States government regulators had been engaged in a loan-by-loan review of home loan practices during the Great Recession. Bank of America, Citigroup Inc, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Wells Fargo & Co, MetLife Bank, Aurora Bank FSB, PNC Financial Services Group Inc, Sovereign Bank NA, SunTrust Banks Inc, and U.S. Bancorp settle with regulators to pay out cash up to $125,000 to homeowners whose homes were being foreclosed when the paperwork problems emerged. Further, Bank of America agrees to pay $11.6 billion to government mortgage finance company Fannie Mae. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

An explosion in a coal mine in the Turkish province of Zonguldak kills eight mine workers. (Hürriyet Daily News)

International relations

Pope Benedict XVI addresses ambassadors and diplomats from nearly 180 countries gathered in the Apostolic Palace’s Sala Regia. They are present for the Pope’s traditional address to members of the diplomatic corps who are accredited to the Holy See. Pope Benedict urges an end to the “slaughter” in Syria and stresses the “grave responsibility” to work for peace around the world. (Catholic News Agency)

Law and crime

A court in Delhi, India, charges five men with the murder of a 23-year-old woman who was gang-raped on a bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012. (BBC)

Politics and elections

U.S. President Barack Obama nominates PIAB Chairman Chuck Hagel to be the next Secretary of Defense and HSC Advisor John O. Brennan to be the next Director of the CIA. (BBC) (AP) (The Washington Post)

Science and technology

Scientists from the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics estimate that there are at least 17 billion planets approximately the size of Earth in the Milky Way. (AP)

Sport

In association football, Lionel Messi of Argentina wins the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or as the best player for a third consecutive time. Abby Wambach of the United States wins the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award, the first time in ten years that an American has won the award. (FIFA) (BBC) (ABC News Australia)
Three cities, Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid, submit their official bid books to the International Olympic Committee as part of their efforts to secure the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics for their cities. (Olympic.org) (The Daily Telegraph)
In American football, the Alabama Crimson Tide defeats Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. (ESPN)

Television

TeleFutura is Changing to UniMás
The Hub Premiere of Animaniacs

January 8, 2013 (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in North-West Pakistan:
- Four are killed and a further four are wounded in a U.S. drone strike in North Waziristan, Pakistan. (AFP)
Belfast City Hall flag protests:
- In a fifth night of protests in Belfast, protestors throw rocks, "missiles", and petrol bombs at police, with law enforcement responding with water cannons and plastic bullets. (BBC)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- The Malian army used artillery on Islamist rebels in Gnimignama in the first skirmish between the two belligerents since April 2012, when Islamist and Tuareg rebels first assumed control of the region. (BBC)
Kashmir conflict:
- India claims two of its soldiers have been killed during a gunfight with Pakistani forces in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. This report comes two days after Pakistan made a similar claim of the death of one of its troops due to an Indian cross-border operation in the disputed region. (Reuters)
M23 rebellion:
- In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the March 23 Movement announce a unilateral ceasefire ahead of peace talks with the government. (BBC)

Business and economy

AIG, the insurance giant that has recently paid the U.S. treasury back funds it received on "too big to fail" grounds in 2008, says that it may join a lawsuit against the U.S. for the supposedly harsh nature of the bailout terms. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

More than 130 wildfires are burning on the east coast of Australia with thousands of people forced to leave their homes. (The Telegraph)

Law and crime

A new inquest begins into the death of British singer Amy Winehouse after it was discovered that the original coroner was not qualified to conduct the inquiry. A second inquiry into Winehouse's death concludes that the singer died of alcohol poisoning. (AFP via France 24) (CNN)
An Illinois man is killed by cyanide poisoning after winning the lottery. (CNN)

Politics and elections

The Venezuelan government announces that Hugo Chávez is in stable condition, and is still receiving medical treatment for a respiratory infection. (Huffington Post)
Roberto Maroni announces that an electoral pact signed between his Lega Nord party and Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom party explicitly rules out Berlusconi assuming the Prime Minister of Italy position again. (BBC)
Bob Brown, former leader of the Australian Greens, becomes the President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society leading the campaign against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean. (ABC News Australia)

Science and technology

The United States records its hottest year on record in 2012. (Associated Press)

Sport

In NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks and Scott Skiles mutually agree to part ways after starting the 2012–13 NBA season with a 16–16 record. The team promotes assistant Jim Boylan as interim head coach. (NBA) (ESPN)

January 9, 2013 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Forty-eight Iranians who were kidnapped by Free Syrian Army rebels in the capital Damascus in August 2012 are released in exchange for 2,130 prisoners held by the Syrian government. (BBC)

Business and economy

James M. Buchanan, who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1986 for his role in developing public choice theory, dies aged 93 in the American town of Blacksburg, Virginia. (AAP via News Limited)
AIG announces that it will not join a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the 2008 bailout. (CNN)

Disasters and accidents

A SeaStreak ferry travelling to Lower Manhattan, New York City, crashes into the dock, injuring 85 people. (CNN)

Law and crime

Retired British businessman Christopher Tappin is sentenced to 33 months in prison by a U.S. court after pleading guilty to selling weapon parts to Iran. (BBC)
Despite international protest, Sri-Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek is executed in Saudi Arabia for killing an infant in her care. (BBC) (Daily Mirror)

Politics and elections

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announces her resignation from the position, and is expected to step down some time around the presidential inauguration in late January. (CNN)
The Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice rules that the latest inauguration of President Hugo Chávez can be deferred while his recovery continues from a cancer operation. (Reuters)

Sport

In baseball, no candidates were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time since 1996, with some candidates such as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens performing poorly due to allegations of steroid use. (The New York Times)
In ice hockey, the Board of Governors of the National Hockey League unanimously approves the new CBA between the league and the National Hockey League Players' Association. Pending approval of the CBA by the players' association, the league will play a shortened 48-game 2012–13 NHL season beginning January 19. (ESPN)

January 10, 2013 (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

January 2013 Pakistan bombings:
- Twin bombings at a billiard hall in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta kill at least 81 people and wound up to 120 others, hours after a bombing at a market area killed 11 people in the same city. (BBC) (CBC News) (The Guardian)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- Islamists capture the town of Konna, previously held by the Malian army. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Neuhausen am Rheinfall train collision: Two trains collide and derail in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, injuring 17 people. (Blick.ch)

Law and crime

Police in France discover the bodies of Sakine Cansız, one of the co-founders of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, and two other Kurdish activists who were all shot dead in a Kurdish information center in the capital, Paris. (BBC) (Channel4)
April Casburn, a senior detective with the Metropolitan Police is found guilty of trying to sell information on the investigation into phone hacking to the News of the World, the newspaper at the centre of the scandal. (BBC)
A gunman opened fire inside a classroom of Taft Union High School in Taft, California. A 16-year-old student was critically wounded, and another student was shot at but was not injured. The gunman surrendered after the classroom's teacher ordered him to drop his weapon. The teacher also suffered minor injuries after being struck by a shotgun pellet. A 16-year-old student, the suspected gunman, was arrested. (CNN)

Politics and elections

U.S. President Barack Obama nominates White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew to be the next Secretary of the Treasury. (ABC News)

Science and technology

Near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis passes close to the Earth with observations by European astronomers estimating that it is larger than previously thought. (CBS News)

Sport

Researchers confirm that deceased NFL linebacker Junior Seau's suicide was brought on by chronic traumatic encephalopathy. (ESPN)

January 11, 2013 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Rebel forces take over the strategic Taftanaz airbase in northern Syria. (AP via USA Today)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- France commits troops to aid government forces in the Northern Mali conflict. (Reuters) (The Guardian) (The New York Times) (The Washington Post)
2012–2013 Central African Republic conflict:
- In the Central African Republic, the government signs a ceasefire agreement with rebels, ending a month of conflict and establishing a new coalition government. (BBC)

Arts and culture

The first official portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge, painted by Paul Emsley, is unveiled to a mixed reception from critics. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

18 people die after a landslide buries a village in the Yunnan province of China, while 40 people are feared to be buried. (BBC)
29 people die and 12 people are injured after a bus veers off a mountain road in Doti, Nepal. (BBC)
A fire sweeps through a complex containing housing for foreign workers in Manama, Bahrain, leaving 13 foreign nationals dead. (BBC)

Law and crime

The Metropolitan Police and NSPCC have confirmed 214 separate sexual offences committed by Jimmy Savile over a period of fifty years. (BBC)
Three people are injured after a hostage situation takes place in a Nordstrom Rack chain in the neighborhood of Westchester in Los Angeles, California. (Los Angeles Times)
Aaron Swartz was found dead in his Brooklyn, New York apartment, where he had hanged himself. (BBC) (Time) (WSJ) (Business Insider)

Politics and elections

The Parliament of Sri Lanka passes an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. (BBC)

Science and technology

Huge-LQG, a large quasar group, the largest known structure in the Universe, is discovered by a team of astronomers using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. (Space.com) (FoxNews) (CNET) (New Scientist)

Television

Disney Junior Premiere of Sofia the First

January 12, 2013 (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- A French pilot is killed in a helicopter raid in northern Mali, according to French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian. (CNN)
Somali Civil War (2009–present):
- One French soldier and 17 militants are killed in a failed attempt to free a French hostage in Bulo Marer, Somalia. (France 24)
Belfast City Hall flag protests:
- Violent protests occur in Northern Ireland over flying the Union Jack at Belfast City Hall, twenty-nine police officers are injured. (BBC)

Arts and culture

The funeral of Ian McKeever, who was killed by a lightning strike on Mount Kilimanjaro, occurs in County Wicklow, Ireland. (RTÉ News)

Disasters and accidents

The death toll in landslides in the province of Yunnan, China rises to 46, according to state media. (BBC)

Politics and elections

Voters in Czech Republic go to the polls for a presidential election. Two candidates, Miloš Zeman and Karel Schwarzenberg, will face in second round on 25–26 January. (BBC)
Thousands of people gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the People's Uprising Rally, a protest over many government policies and decisions. (News Straits Times)

Science and technology

Beijing's air pollution reaches levels judged as hazardous to human health. (BBC)

Sport

In ice hockey, the National Hockey League Players' Association overwhelmingly votes to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement reached with the league. NHL training camps are scheduled to open on January 13, with a shortened 48-game regular season to begin on January 19. (ESPN)

January 13, 2013 (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Kachin conflict:
- President of Burma Thein Sein defends the army’s response to the ethnic Kachin rebellion, despite a recent escalation of violence that has further dimmed peace prospects. (The News International)

Arts and culture

Time Warner Inc. film Argo wins awards for best drama and best director at the 70th Golden Globe Awards. (Fox News) (BBC) (Bloomberg)

Business and economy

Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, said in an interview with the Financial Times of London that the European Union is planning regulatory moves later in the year that will facilitate consolidation of the telecommunications market across national borders. (Financial Times)

Politics and elections

Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake is removed from office by President Mahinda Rajapaksa after being impeached. (BBC)

Science and technology

NASA announces new data effectively rules out a 2036 Earth impact for the near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis. (NASA)

Sport

In ice hockey, Ukrainian club HC Donbass wins the 2012–13 IIHF Continental Cup in Donetsk, Ukraine. (IIHF)
2013 Kontinental Hockey League All-Star Game is held at the Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia. (KHL All-Star)^{[permanent dead link]}
In tennis, David Ferrer wins the 2013 Heineken Open for the third straight year and fourth time overall, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber in the final with a 7–6, 6–1 score in Auckland, New Zealand, as part of the 2013 ATP World Tour. (AP) (ESPN)

January 14, 2013 (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Government forces conduct air raids against rebels south of Damascus, as well as in Aleppo, with local observers reporting dozens of deaths, including children. (Al Jazeera)
- At least 57 countries submit a petition to the UN Security Council, calling on it to refer the conflict to the International Criminal Court for a pending war crimes investigation. (Al Jazeera)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- Islamists rebels capture the Malian town of Diabaly after fierce fighting with government troops, as French airplanes strike targets in Gao. (Reuters)
Kachin conflict:
- Myanmar government forces shell the rebel stronghold of Laiza for the first time since the resumption of hostilities in 2011, killing 3 civilians and injuring 6 others. (Al Jazeera)
2011–present Libyan factional fighting:
- A police officer is wounded after a grenade attack in Benghazi, as Italy announces the temporary withdrawal of the country's consulate in the city after an unsuccessful attack against the consul two days earlier. (Reuters)

Business and economy

British music retailer HMV goes into administration after 90 years of trading, becoming the UK's latest large employer to experience financial hardship. (BBC) (The Guardian)

Politics and elections

Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush is released from The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, after more than seven weeks of treatment for bronchitis. (Reuters)

Sport

Spanish football club Sevilla fires coach Míchel due to a poor run in the 2012–13 La Liga season and replaces him with Unai Emery. (Goal.com)
In tennis, 2013 Australian Open begins today in Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (AFP via The Express Tribune) (AP via USA Today)

January 15, 2013 (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Aleppo University bombings: 83 people are killed and more than 150 injured in a rocket barrage aimed at Aleppo University, as government forces and rebels continue fighting in the suburbs of Damascus. Both sides accused each other of launching the missiles. (Times of India) (Reuters) (Antiwar.com)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- African troops are to be deployed in Mali to fight alongside French and Malian soldiers within a week. (Al Jazeera)
Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal):
- A suicide bomber kills a Sunni MP and six others in Fallujah, two days after Finance Minister Rafi al-Issawi survived an assassination attempt in the same city. The parliamentarian, Ifan Saadoun al-Issawi, was an important member of the Sahwa^{[disambiguation needed]} committee in Fallujah and part of the opposition to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. (AP) (Al Jazeera)
Kashmir conflict:
- Pakistan claims another of its soldiers is killed from gunfire by Indian troops near the Line of Control. This is the fifth such fatality reported in the past two weeks from either of the neighboring countries who each claim the disputed territory. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

Badrashin railway accident: A train carrying Egyptian Army recruits derails near Giza, Greater Cairo, killing 19 and injuring 120 others. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera) (AP via ABC News)
2013 Saltsjöbanan train crash: A Saltsjöbanan commuter train crashes into a residential building in the upscale Stockholm suburb of Saltsjöbaden seriously injuring one person. (BBC) (Dagens Nyheter) (The Local)

Health and environment

2013 horse meat contamination in burgers scandal: The Republic of Ireland's Food Safety Authority says that horse DNA has been found in some beefburgers on sale in UK and Irish supermarkets. (BBC) (The Guardian)

Law and crime

Egyptian human rights lawyer Ahmed al-Gizawi is sentenced to five years imprisonment and 300 lashes in Saudi Arabia. (BBC)
Two people are shot dead and another person was wounded at Hazard Community and Technical College in Hazard, Kentucky, United States. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Pakistani Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Prime Minister of Pakistan Raja Pervez Ashraf in relation to a bribery case within 24 hours. (AP via ABC News) (The Washington Post) (The New York Times)

Science and technology

Russia launches three Kosmos series military-purpose satellites using Rokot launch vehicle. (RIA Novosti)

Sport

Paul McGinley is chosen to lead Europe in their defence of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland. (RTÉ Sport)
The Associated Press reports that the U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong has admitted to doping in his career during his interview with Oprah Winfrey, yet to be aired. (The Washington Post)

January 16, 2013 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Three car bombs explode near military checkpoints and government buildings in Idlib Governorate, Syria, leaving 24 people dead. Two other bombs were defused by government forces. (Reuters)
In Aménas hostage crisis:
- Suspected Islamic militants take over a BP facility in In Aménas, Algeria, killing at least 2 workers and taking up to 40 others hostage, including 13 Norwegians, a number of Americans, as well as nationals from Ireland, Japan, France and the United Kingdom. A previously unknown group allied to al-Qaeda's regional branch says the attack is in revenge for Algeria's support of the French operation against Islamic rebels in Mali. (Fox News) (BBC) (Reuters)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- Battle of Diabaly: French troops are reported to be fighting rebels in the Malian town of Diabaly alongside Malian troops. (BBC)
War in Afghanistan (2001–present):
- The Afghan National Directorate of Security headquarters in Kabul are attacked by a team of suicide bombers, leaving a security guard dead and 17 others injured. (BBC)

Business and economy

Boeing 787 aircraft are grounded worldwide over concerns about the safety of their lithium-ion batteries. (BBC) (Reuters) (Time) (NBC) (The New York Times)
Canadian Cirque du Soleil cuts 400 jobs as strong loonie and surging costs bite. (Financial Post) (The Globe and Mail) (The Guardian)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Vauxhall helicopter crash: A helicopter crashes into a crane atop a building in central London, killing two people and injuring 13 others. (BBC) (Sky News)
An apartment block collapses in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, killing at least 25 people. (The Daily Star) (RIA Novosti)^{[permanent dead link]}

Law and crime

Russian mafia boss Aslan Usoyan is killed in Moscow. (RIA Novosti) (The Washington Post)
Carlos Castillo Medrano, the mayor of Jutiapa, Guatemala, is shot and killed by unidentified assailants. (BBC)

Politics and elections

US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announces that he is to leave the office in March. (CNN)

Sport

Bayern Munich confirms Pep Guardiola will become the club's new manager in the summer 2013. (ESPN) (BBC) (AP via USA Today)
Saudi Arabia sacks Frank Rijkaard as coach of the national football team after 18 months in charge due to bad results in the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations. (ESPN) (Goal.com) (Saudi Gazette)^{[permanent dead link]}
In basketball, Miami Heat forward LeBron James becomes the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points. (USA Today)

January 17, 2013 (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

In Aménas hostage crisis:
- An Algerian official reports that a group of hostages has escaped from the natural gas complex that was taken over by Islamist militants. It is reported as many as 20 escaped, including Americans. (BBC) (Los Angeles Times) (Fox News)
- The Algerian Army assaults the complex with helicopter gunships, reportedly killing 15 kidnappers and as many as 34 hostages. According to local sources, at least 7 hostages remain alive and in captivity. (Al Jazeera)
- Algerian news agency ANP reports that during the Algerian Army assault 600 hostages were freed. Terrorists claim that they killed 35 hostages during the battle and that 15 terrorists were killed. (USA Today)
Syrian civil war:
- 106 people are massacred in the Basatin al-Hasawiya district of Homs, Syria, including children. People were shot, stabbed, and burned to death by forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad known as the Shabiha. (Reuters) (BBC) (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- The number of French forces in the country rises to 1,400, more than half of the planned 2,500 strong force, as its troops continue to fight insurgents in Konna and Diabaly. Chad prepares to send the first 200 troops of a 2000-strong force to assist in the military operations as part of a regional mission. The European Union votes to send 450 to 500 "non-combat" troops to Mali, half of them are trainers. (Al Jazeera)
- The first West African troops enter Mali. 100 soldiers from the Togolese military enter the country with Nigerian military due to enter shortly afterward. (Reuters)
Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal):
- Two car bombs explode in the city of Dujail, Iraq, leaving at least 7 dead and 25 wounded. (Xinhua)
- A bomb detonated on a bus carrying pilgrims in Iraq. In a separate incident a roadside bomb detonated and injures two pilgrims walking to Hussein ibn Ali. Another bomb detonated at a bus stop killing 7 people and wounding 28. Also a civilian vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb leaving 2 dead. In total 33 people were killed in one of the most violent days this month. (AP via USA Today)
Somali Civil War (2009–present):
- Militants belonging to Somali group al-Shabaab announce they have executed the French intelligence agent who was the target of the unsuccessful French rescue attempt on January 11. French officials believe the hostage was killed during the mission itself, and the group is using the incident to manipulate the media. (Al Jazeera)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Jakarta flood: A massive flood hits Jakarta, Indonesia, with the Indonesian Army deploying rubber boats in the financial district to rescue people trapped in this flood. Four people were killed and over 2,000 evacuated. (BBC) (Reuters) (AP via USA Today)
A fire in the undercarriage of a Gatwick Express train prompts the evacuation of London Victoria station in England. (BBC) (The Guardian)
Eight people, three of them children, are killed when a small plane crashed in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. (Latin American Herald Tribune)

Law and crime

Russian dissident Alexandre Dolmatov commits suicide in Rotterdam.(Wall Street Journal)

Politics and elections

Tens of thousands of Kurds pour into the streets of Diyarbakir, Turkey, for the funeral of Sakine Cansız, the co-founder of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, who was killed in Paris, France, on January 9. (Reuters)

Science and technology

Japan decides to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm near the site of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima Prefecture. (New Scientist) (EcoSeed)
The European Space Agency officially joins a project to build a Service Module based on their Automated Transfer Vehicle for NASA’s Orion, a spacecraft to carry astronauts into deep space. (NASA) (ESA) (RIA Novosti)^{[permanent dead link]}

Sport

U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong is stripped of his bronze medal from the 2000 Summer Olympics by the IOC because of his involvement in doping. (BBC) (AP via Los Angeles Times) (Olympic.org)
In association football, the Uruguay and Liverpool player Luis Suárez faces sanctions as a result of his latest diving controversy. (The Guardian)
In Serie A, two-point penalty for S.S.C. Napoli is annulled on appeal in the match-fixing scandal with Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava also cleared. (AFP via Yahoo!) (Goal.com) (ESPN)

January 18, 2013 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Kachin conflict:
- President Thein Sein of Myanmar orders the Myanmar Armed Forces to observe a ceasefire with Kachin rebels. (Reuters) (CNN) (BBC)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- Battle of Konna:
  - The Military of Mali recaptures the town of Konna three days after French jets drove out Islamist militants. (BBC) (Bloomberg) (The Telegraph)
In Aménas hostage crisis:
- About 60 foreign hostages are unaccounted for in the standoff with Islamist militants now entering its third day. (BBC) (AP via WPSD)^{[permanent dead link]}
- The terrorists demand that the United States government release Omar Abdel-Rahman and Aafia Siddiqui in exchange for releasing American hostages. (USA Today) (New York Daily News) (The Telegraph)
Syrian civil war:
- Two suicide car bombs explode south of Damascus, Syria, near a mosque killing many people. (AP via USA Today)
- A large explosion rocks Aleppo, Syria, causing several casualties. Syria TV says that it was a rocket launched by "terrorists". Syrian rebels state that it was a Syrian Air Force jet causing havoc in the city. (Reuters) (The Hindu)
- French journalist Yves Debay is killed by a Syrian sniper while he was covering clashed between Syrian forces and rebels. In a separate incident, Al Jazeera reporter Mohamed al-Horani is killed by a Syrian sniper while covering clashes in Busra al-Harir. (CNN)

Disasters and accidents

January 2013 Great Britain and Ireland snowfall:
- Heavy snowfall causes extensive disruption in the United Kingdom. (BBC)
- London’s Heathrow airport, the busiest in Europe, cancels 395 flights or 30 percent of the total scheduled. (Bloomberg) (BBC)
At least 4 people are killed and 16 injured when a bus and a truck collided in Lviv Oblast, Ukraine. (Xinhua)

International relations

The United States will officially recognize Somalia's new government and officially open diplomatic relations with Somalia for the first time since the Battle of Mogadishu. (BBC) (Reuters) (Voice of America)
Benjamin Netanyahu says in an interview that he will not destroy any more Israeli settlements during his second term. (The Hindu)

Law and crime

Lottery winner Urooj Kahn's body is exhumed after investigators concluded he was poisoned by cyanide. (Chicago Tribune)
An unknown assailant throws acid in the face of Sergei Filin, who is the artistic director of the Bolshoi Theatre, leaving him partially blind. The attack is attributed to the current power struggle for the famed Russian opera house. (BBC) (AP) (Reuters)
Ray Nagin, the former Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, is indicted on 21 different counts including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion. (BBC) (AP) (NPR)
A cleaning woman accused of stealing an empty commuter train in Saltsjöbaden, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, was not to blame for the crash. (BBC) (Dagens Nyheter)

Politics and elections

Sufi cleric Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri reaches an agreement with the government of Pakistan following his Long March. (Dawn.com)
Cardinal Antonios Naguib resigns as Patriarch of Alexandria and head of the Coptic Catholic Church, at the age of 77. The Coptic Synod, with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, elects Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak to replace him. (Vatican Information Service), (Catholic News Agency)

Science and technology

NASA scientists beam a picture of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, to Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a spacecraft orbiting the Moon, marking a first in laser communication. (NASA) (Space.com)
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft observations show that the craters on Saturn’s moon Titan are disappearing. (NASA)

Sport

American cyclist Lance Armstrong admits to doping in all of his seven Tour de France victories in his interview given to Oprah Winfrey. (BBC) (AP) (Reuters)
In football, the United Arab Emirates wins the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations defeating Iraq in the final with a 2–1 score after extra time. (AFP via Google) (Soccerway)
In NBA, the Phoenix Suns fires coach Alvin Gentry, calling it a mutual agreement, ending his five-year run. (USA Today) (ESPN)

January 19, 2013 (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- The children death toll of the Syrian civil war reaches 3,538, with over 60,000 people killed overall. (Al Jazeera)
In Aménas hostage crisis:
- The Algerian army stages a final assault on a gas facility near the town of In Aménas, where militants took an unknown number of foreign workers hostage on January 16. Totally at least 23 hostages and 32 terrorists were killed for the four days of crisis. (BBC) (CNN) (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

January 2013 Great Britain and Ireland snowfall:
- Heavy snowfall across the British Isles enters its second day. (BBC)
- Another 100 flights are cancelled at Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, with some passengers forced to spend the night sleeping on the terminal floor. (BBC)
- Four climbers are killed by an avalanche in Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands while descending the south side of Bidean nam Bian. A fifth member of the party is airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, while a sixth escapes unharmed. (BBC)

Law and crime

In Bulgaria, an assailant identified as Oktai Enimehmedov attempts to assassinate opposition leader Ahmed Dogan at a party congress of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. (BTV News)

Science and technology

NASA’s Curiosity rover finds calcium deposits on Mars similar to those seen on Earth when water circulates in cracks and rock fractures. (NASA) (Universe Today)

Sport

In ice hockey, a shortened 48-game (per team) 2012–13 NHL season begins today with 13 Saturday games after the end of the 119-day lockout. (NHL) (USA Today)
In association football, FC Shakhtar Donetsk wins the 2013 Match World Cup, played this week at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Match World Cup)
Olympiacos F.C. sacks coach Leonardo Jardim, despite the club sitting 10 points clear at the top of the 2012–13 Superleague Greece. (UEFA) (FIFA) (Goal.com)
FC Barcelona loses its first match in the 2012–13 La Liga, squandering a two-goal lead in a 2–3 defeat at Real Sociedad, breaking their 23 game unbeaten run. (ESPN) (UEFA)
Sébastien Loeb wins the 2013 Monte Carlo Rally, the first stage of the 2013 World Rally Championship season. (Reuters) (Autosport)
The 2013 Dakar Rally ends today in Santiago, Chile. Stéphane Peterhansel wins a record 11th overall Dakar Rally, while French compatriot Cyril Despres captures a fifth motorcycling crown. (Autosport) (AFP via Google)

January 20, 2013 (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Syrian refugees fleeing the violence from the Syrian civil war are gunned down by the Syrian Army while trying to cross the Jordanian border. (Al Arabiya)
Northern Mali conflict:
- Islamists flee the town of Diabaly, Mali, after repeated French airstrikes. The government of Mali now says that they control the city. (AP via CBS)
Kachin conflict:
- Burmese troops launch an attack on a strategic hilltop held by rebel Kachin forces in the north of the country, breaking a government ceasefire. (BBC)
In Aménas hostage crisis:
- The death toll has risen to at least 48 hostages killed during a four-day siege at a gas plant, raising the number of militants and their captives killed to at least 80. Algerian troops had found the bodies of 25 hostages at the complex on Sunday. (Reuters) (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

At least four miners are killed and four others trapped after a fire at a mine in Prokopyevsky District, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. (Voice Of Russia) (RIA Novosti)
A French sailor who had spent three days adrift in a life raft in the Southern Ocean off the coast of Tasmania in Australia is rescued by the cruise ship MV Orion. (BBC)

International relations

The United States Department of State issues a travel warning to United States citizens for the country of Algeria in response to the In Aménas hostage crisis. (Fox News)

Law and crime

A 15-year-old male shoots and kills a family, with three children, at a house near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. A suspect is later apprehended. (BBC)
A drug lord named Mario Smith Pomare, who had long been wanted by the police in Colombia, is arrested at his villa on the Atlantic coast of Honduras. (El Heraldo) (Voice of Russia)

Politics and elections

The second inauguration of Barack Obama as the President of the United States takes place in the Blue Room of the White House. (BBC) (Reuters) (USA Today)
Rahul Gandhi is appointed as the vice president of the Indian National Congress. (The Times of India) (NDTV)
Indian Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on Thursday decided to raise the cap on subsidised liquefied petroleum gas to nine cylinders per household in a year from existing six. (The Hindu)
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-left opponents win a narrow victory in Lower Saxony state election. (BBC)
Austrian conscription referendum, 2013:
- Austria holds a national referendum, choosing between keeping the current system of a conscripted army and optional social service for young men, or introducing a professional army and a voluntary community service. (Channel New Asia) (Business Ghana)
- Preliminary results show Austrians have voted by a wide margin to retain compulsory military service. (BBC) (VB2013)

Science and technology

A NASA spacecraft, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, is providing new evidence of a wet underground environment on Mars that adds to an increasingly complex picture of the Red Planet's early evolution. (NASA)

Sport

In mixed martial arts, Vitor Belfort defeats Michael Bisping via TKO at 1:27 in the 2nd round in the main event of UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping. (Fox Sports)
In snooker, Mark Selby wins 2013 Masters defeating Neil Robertson in the final with a 10–6 score. (BBC) (Snooker.org)
In Serie A, Genoa C.F.C. makes its second coaching change of the season, sacking Luigi Delneri and reportedly rehiring Davide Ballardini. (FIFA) (ESPN)
In American football, the NFL's San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens win the NFC and AFC championship games, respectively, to advance to Super Bowl XLVII. The game will be the first time in NFL history that two brothers – Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Ravens – have been opposing head coaches in the Super Bowl. (ESPN)
In basketball, the owners of the NBA's Sacramento Kings reportedly reach an agreement to sell a controlling stake in the team to a Seattle-based group, fueling speculation that the team will move to Seattle. (ESPN)

January 21, 2013 (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Russian authorities announce a plan to evacuate 100 Russian citizens from Syria by sending in two passenger planes to Beirut. (BBC) (AP via Yahoo!)
- A car bombing in Salamiyeh kills over 30 people. (Al Jazeera)
History of Eritrea:
- Dissident soldiers seize the ministry of information in Asmara, Eritrea, forcing state media to call for the release of political prisoners. Other buildings are also surrounded while television and radio later went off air. The apparent coup attempt against President Isaias Afewerki reportedly fails. (BBC) (Al Jazeera) (New York Times)
Northern Mali conflict:
- French and Malian troops retake Diabaly and Douentza as Islamist forces retreat. (BBC) (France 24)
Piracy in the 21st century:
- Gunmen seize a Nigerian-owned, Panama-flagged tanker with crew off the coast of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. (Reuters)
In Aménas hostage crisis:
- Algeria confirms that 37 foreign hostages were killed in the hostage crisis, and names the nationalities of the militants. (Reuters) (AP via Yahoo!) (Algeria Press Service)

Arts and culture

Film director and newspaper columnist Michael Winner dies aged 77 in Kensington, London, England. (BBC) (The Guardian) (The Telegraph)

Business and economy

The finance ministers of the European Union are ready to give their needed approval to those countries within the EU that want to establish a Tobin tax, that is, a tax in financial transactions. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

2013 Vienna train collision: Two trains packed with morning commuters collide in Vienna suburb, Austria, leaving 41 people injured, five of them seriously. (BBC) (Reuters) (AFP via The Telegraph)
In Brazil, a helicopter crashes in São Paulo's north zone, leaving one pilot dead and four more people injured. (IG News)
Five people are killed in an explosion at a healer's home in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, causing hundreds to flee and nearby building damage. (Reuters via IOL)
A passenger bus veers off the Yungas Road and plunges from a height of 300 meters into a ravine in the Yungas region of Bolivia, killing 18 people and injuring 24 others. (Bernama) (RIA Novosti) (Voice of Russia)
A 14-year-old girl is killed and 15 people are injured in a 5.9-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia. (CNN) (AFP via ABC)

Law and crime

An Irishman, who pleads guilty in court to repeatedly raping his daughter as a child, is released on bail with a suspended sentence. His daughter, who says she was raped "as frequently as having dinner", is said to be devastated. (Irish Independent) (Irish Examiner)
A war crimes tribunal trying those accused of crimes during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War sentences Abul Kalam Azad (Bachchu Razakar) to death. (The Hindu)

Politics and elections

The public portion of Barack Obama's second inauguration takes place at nation's capital in Washington, D.C., a day after he was officially sworn into office in the White House for his second term as President of the United States. (BBC) (Reuters) (AP)
Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Minister of Finance of the Netherlands, succeeds Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, as the President of the Euro Group. (Presseurop)
The inaugural Orwell Day gets underway, to be followed by a month-long Orwell season on BBC Radio 4, while "Politics and the English Language" is to be given away en masse. (The Guardian)

Science and technology

NASA's Kepler space telescope is placed in a precautionary 10-day safe mode after engineers noticed a problem with the instrument's orientation mechanism. (Space.com) (Discovery News)

Sport

Sampdoria President Riccardo Garrone dies at the age of 76 after a long illness. (ESPN) (Forza) (Football Italia)

January 22, 2013 (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- The government of Jordan says that more than 12,000 Syrians have fled to Jordan in the past six days. (AFP via IOL)
- The Russian government organizes an evacuation for some of its citizens by transporting them to Lebanon and then flying them to Russia. (AP via Google News)
Iraqi insurgency:
- Car bombings in Baghdad kill at least 17 people and injure dozens of others. (BBC) (Reuters)
Colombian conflict:
- In Colombia, FARC rebels dynamite two southern oil pipelines and planted a bomb on the top coal exporter's northern railway after the end of a rebel ceasefire. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

The James Bond film Skyfall opens in China with censored scenes, prompting criticism from fans. (Bangkok Post)^{[permanent dead link]}

International relations

The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 2087, condemning North Korea's December 2012 rocket launch and expanding economic sanctions against the country. (BBC) (Reuters)
The government of the Philippines announces that it will file a complaint against China before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea seeking arbitration for the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. (BBC)

Law and crime

Irish politicians respond to High Court Judge Paul Carney's order that a man who plead guilty in court to repeatedly raping his daughter as a child be granted bail and provisional released. Taoiseach Enda Kenny comments on a nation "filled with revulsion" at the outcome of the case, while opposition politician Gerry Adams refers to abuse his father inflicted on others. (BBC) (Irish Independent)
A Canadian man shoots dead two people in a court in Cebu, Philippines, and seriously injures another. (BBC) (CNN) (Philippine Star)
A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford is sentenced to death by a court in Indonesia following a conviction for drug trafficking. (BBC) (CNN) (Sky News)
At least three people are injured after a gunman opens fire at the campus of Lone Star College–North Harris in Houston, Texas. (CNN)

Politics and elections

The Elections for the 19th Knesset are held in Israel. The incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's electoral alliance, Likud Yisrael Beiteinu, wins a plurality with 31 seats. (BBC) (Reuters)
The government of Eritrea says the capital Asmara is "calm" a day after dissident soldiers seized the information ministry and state media. (Al Jazeera) (BBC) (Reuters)

Science and technology

An ancient human fossil in China is found to be closely related to both Asian and Native American peoples. (BBC)

Sport

In association football, Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder completes his move from Inter Milan to Galatasaray. (ESPN) (Fox Sports)
Shakhtar Donetsk wins 2013 Super Cup of Champions defeating Zenit St. Petersburg in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (FC Shakhtar) (FC Zenit)

January 23, 2013 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Iraqi insurgency:
- A suicide bombing at a mosque in the Iraqi town of Tuz Khormato kills at least 23 people. (BBC)
Nigerian Sharia conflict:
- Gunmen from the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram open fire at a market in Damboa, Nigeria, killing 18 people. (AFP via Google News) (Reuters) (BBC)
- Five people are hacked to death in Maiduguri, Nigeria, by members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram. (Reuters) (AFP via Google News) (AP via Yahoo! News)

Business and economy

The 2013 World Economic Forum begins in Davos, Switzerland. (USA Today) (WEF)
Three of the largest managers of U.S.-based money market funds announce a change of policy toward greater transparency – they will give daily rather than monthly data on fund assets. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

The offensive smell - caused by mercaptans - from a leak at a chemical plant in northern France is reported in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. (BBC)
Singer Alex Sparrow is seriously injured and in intensive care in Los Angeles, United States, after a high speed car crash. (All Voices)
Rescuers from New Zealand and McMurdo Station looking for three Canadians aboard an airplane presumed to have gone down in Antarctica were grappling with bad weather conditions. (Canadian Press)^{[permanent dead link]} (Radio Australia)

Law and crime

A court in Thailand sentences a magazine editor to ten years' imprisonment for publishing articles that were deemed to have insulted the monarchy. (BBC)

Politics and elections

In a speech in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron outlines his intention to renegotiate the terms of the UK's membership of the European Union then offer a referendum on United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union if a new deal is agreed. (BBC) (AP) (The Guardian)
The United States Armed Forces overturns its ban on women serving in combat, reversing a 1994 rule, and potentially clearing the way for women to serve in front-line units and elite commando forces. (BBC) (USA Today)
A parliamentary election is held in Jordan with boycotting by the opposition, which alleges fraud. (BBC) (Reuters)

Sport

Bradford City are scheduled to play Swansea City in the 2012–13 Football League Cup Final after their respective defeats of Aston Villa and Chelsea in the semifinals. (BBC Sport) (ESPN)
European champions Chelsea are defeated by Swansea City after a 0–0 draw in the second semifinal match; the game is marred by an incident involving Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, who is sent off after violently kicking a ball boy in the midriff during the game. (The Guardian) (BBC Sport) (Sky News)
Ferencvárosi TC, football club from Hungary, wins 2013 Football Impact Cup in Marbella, Spain. (Fradi.hu) (Sport.ro)

January 24, 2013 (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Insurgency in the North Caucasus:
- Russian police announces that 13 rebels, including Khuseyn Gakayev and his brother, are killed in fighting in the Vedeno District, Chechnya. (Reuters)
Senkaku Islands dispute:
- A Japan Coast Guard ship engages a Taiwanese ship carrying activists bound for the Senkaku Islands. (CNN) (China Daily) (The Asahi Shimbun)
Northern Mali conflict:
- The Malian army says it is investigating allegations that soldiers have carried out summary executions in the Islamist-controlled north of Mali. (BBC)
Libyan factional fighting:
- The Foreign and Commonwealth Office urges British nationals to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi immediately due to a "specific and imminent" threat to Westerners. (BBC) (Sky News)

Business and economy

The government of Ukraine signs a major $10 billion shale gas deal with Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its dependency on Russian gas imports. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

Seventeen people are killed and 34 others are injured in a bus crash near the town of Taperas, Bolivia, along a newly built highway to Brazil. (AP via Washington Post) (EFE via La Prensa)

Law and crime

David Headley is sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. (BBC) (AP via ABC News) (NDTV) (Chicago Tribune)

Politics and elections

North Korea authorities announce a new nuclear weapon and long range missile test, threatening their publicly manifested arch-enemy, the United States, as their primary target. (BBC) (The New York Times) (AP via CBS News)
Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk is hospitalized with an acute infection of the respiratory tract. (AP via Washington Post)

Science and technology

Scientists from the European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton, England, successfully use DNA as a means of data storage. (Nature) (The Wall Street Journal)

Sport

French football is reported to be stunned at yesterday evening's red card for Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, who violently kicked a ball boy in the midriff during the 2012–13 Football League Cup game in Wales. The Belgian midfielder, who previously played in Ligue 1, was thought to have had an exemplary disciplinary record before the assault. (The Guardian)
El Clásico: Barcelona are to play Real Madrid in the 2012–13 Copa del Rey semifinal after the Catalan club defeated Málaga CF 4–2. (CNN) (ESPN)
In tennis, Li Na will face Victoria Azarenka in the women's final at the 2013 Australian Open after her straight-set victory over Maria Sharapova in the semifinal. (BBC) (ESPN)
NBA team New Orleans Hornets announce it will change its name to the Pelicans after the current season, the new team logo is officially released. (USA Today) (ESPN) (Bleacher Report)

January 25, 2013 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- Two car bombs explode in the Syrian controlled part of Golan Heights killing 8 people. (AP via Fox News) (Voice of America) (AP via Washington Post)
Northern Mali conflict:
- The Malian army retakes the town of Hombori after driving Islamist forces out. (Xinhua) (AFP via Al Arabiya) (RFI) (BBC)
2012–2013 Egyptian protests:
- Massive protests against Mohamed Morsi develop all over Egypt on the second anniversary of the 2011 revolution, including in Tahrir Square, where thousands of protesters gathered. At least 6 civilians and 1 police officer are shot dead in the Egyptian city of Suez, while 456 others are injured nationwide. (CBS) (USA Today) (Reuters) (BBC)
2013 Uribana prison riot:
- A prison riot in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, kills at least 50 people and injures about 90 people. (BBC) (CNN) (Al Jazeera)
2011–2013 Iraqi protests:
- Ongoing protests by Sunni Muslims in Iraq against the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki turn deadly, as clashes leave 7 protesters and 2 soldiers dead in Fallujah. More than 60 others are injured, and at least 3 soldiers are kidnapped by unidentified gunmen. (Tampa Bay News)

Arts and culture

The U.S. writer Stephen King issues a 25-page essay calling for gun control after numerous mass shootings. (The Guardian)

Disasters and accidents

Tropical Cyclone Oswald makes landfall in Queensland, Australia, and causes widespread flooding. (The Australian) (Irish Times) (AFP via IOL)
Tennessee Highway Patrol officer Michael Slagle is killed after his car hit an ice patch and crashed and the responding fire truck hit the same ice patch and fell on top of his vehicle in northeast Knox County, Tennessee, United States. (Officer.com) (WATE)
At least 60 vehicles are involved in two chain-reaction crashes on Ontario Highway 401 about 80 kilometres east of Toronto, Canada, leaving at least five people injured, two critically. (CTV News) (National Post)
Turkish Airlines plane with 114 people aboard makes an emergency landing at Izmir, Turkey, after it was struck by lightning and one of its engines caught fire. (The Telegraph) (Daily Mail) (Voice of Russia)^{[permanent dead link]} (Ynet)

International relations

North Korea threatens to take "strong physical countermeasures" if South Korea co-operates with new United Nations Security Council resolutions against it. (BBC) (Al Jazeera) (Reuters) (Voice of America)

Law and crime

John Kiriakou, the former CIA agent, who publicly discussed the U.S. government agency's use of waterboarding interrogation techniques, is sentenced to 30 months in prison. An argument that he was a whistleblower was dismissed and he was instead convicted of violating an intelligence law, the first person to be successfully targeted under the statute in 27 years. (BBC)
A detective in the Irish police force is shot dead in an attempted robbery near Dundalk, County Louth. (BBC) (RTÉ)
Barry George loses his appeal for compensation after High Court of Justice judges decide that he is not a victim of miscarriage of justice. (BBC) (The Independent) (The Guardian)
Former NFL 1st round draft pick punter for the New Orleans Saints Russell Erxleben is arrested on charges of wire fraud in an alleged Ponzi scheme. (AP via CBS)
Following several antisemitic and racist posts, a French court orders Twitter to reveal personal information about its users. (The New York Times) (UPI) (ZDNet)

Politics and elections

Scuffles occur on the streets of Moscow as supporters and opponents clash over the Russian parliament's attempts to implement anti-gay legislation. If legalised it would result in fines for those who promote events with a gay theme. (AP via ABC) (BBC) (Reuters)

Sport

UEFA announces details of Euro 2020: it is to be held in 13 cities across Europe with no more than one venue per country permitted: the semi-finals and final are to be played in the same stadium and the venues are to be chosen in September next year. (The Guardian)
Chelsea and Belgian international midfielder Eden Hazard is charged with violent conduct after his controversial assault of a ball boy on the sideline during the 2012–13 Football League Cup semifinal match in Wales this week. (The Guardian)
Aston Villa's woes continue as they are sent crashing out of the 2012–13 FA Cup by Millwall. It is the second cup competition they have been knocked out of by lower league opposition this week. (The Guardian) (The Irish Times)
In tennis, Andy Murray will face Novak Djokovic in the men's final at the 2013 Australian Open after his five-set victory over Roger Federer in the semifinal. (BBC) (ESPN)
Gaelic football manager Kevin Heffernan dies at the age of 83. (BBC) (The Irish Times)

January 26, 2013 (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in North-West Pakistan:
- At least 24 militants are killed in clashes between the Tehrik-e-Taliban and Ansarul Islam in Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan. (AP via News Limited)
2012–2013 Egyptian protests:
- The Egyptian Army is dispatched to the town of Suez following the death of at least nine people in clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of President Mohamed Morsi. (CNN) (Reuters) (Jerusalem Post)
- At least 30 people die in violence that erupted in Port Said, Egypt, following the death sentences of 21 people for their roles in the Port Said Stadium disaster. (BBC) (Reuters) (Jerusalem Post)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- French-led troops in Mali take control of Gao International Airport in the northern town and Islamist stronghold of Gao. (BBC) (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan (2001–present):
- A suicide bombing at a market in the Afghan city of Kunduz kills at least ten people and wounds up to twenty others. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

Cyclone Oswald:
- Residents in the Australian town of Gladstone are being evacuated due to flooding of the Boyne River caused by heavy rains from Tropical Cyclone Oswald. (AAP via NZ Yahoo!)
- Up to 1600 homes in the Moreton Bay region near the state capital Brisbane are also threatened with flooding. (Courier Mail)
20 musicians from the band, Kombo Kolombia, who play Colombian vallenato music, are missing after playing a gig in Hidalgo, Mexico. (BBC)

Law and crime

An Egyptian court gives death sentences to 21 people convicted of involvement in a mass attack by fans of the Al-Masry Club against fans of the Al-Mahly Sports Club at Port Said Stadium on February 1, 2012. (BBC) (Reuters)
Hacktivist group Anonymous claims credit for the hacking of the website of the United States Sentencing Commission in response to the suicide of Aaron Swartz. (Chicago Tribune)

Politics and elections

Miloš Zeman wins Czech presidential election and becomes the next President of the Czech Republic running ahead of Karel Schwarzenberg. (BBC) (Reuters)
Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party wins Punggol East by-election in Singapore and becomes the next MP for Punggol East. This was the second Singaporean by-election after less than a year. (The Straits Times)
Kathleen Wynne is elected as the leader of the ruling Ontario Liberal Party and will become the first female Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario and the first openly gay premier in Canadian history. (Bloomberg)

Sport

In tennis, Victoria Azarenka wins the women's singles at the 2013 Australian Open after her three-set victory over Li Na in the final. (BBC) (ESPN)
2012–13 FA Cup fourth round:
- For the first time in 24 years, a non-league team knocks a top flight team out of the FA Cup. Conference outfit Luton Town eliminate Premier League Norwich City with 1–0 victory at Carrow Road. (BBC) (The Guardian)
- Lower league outfit Milton Keynes Dons eliminate Premier League Queens Park Rangers (unbeaten in 2013) at Loftus Road, QPR conceding before the fifth minute and finding themselves 0–4 down before the hour with a 2–4 final score. (BBC) (The Guardian)
- Theo Walcott fires in a late winner for Arsenal against Brighton; the match finishes 3–2. (BBC)
- Middlesbrough survive a late scare to progress at the expense of Aldershot Town; the match finishes 2–1, with all three goals occurring in the final ten minutes of the match. (BBC)

January 27, 2013 (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan (2001–present):
- At least twenty members of the Afghan National Police have been killed in bomb attacks over the past day with eight police officers killed in the latest attack in Kandahar. (Reuters)
Syrian civil war:
- Reports claim that elite Syrian military forces shell the town of Darayya just southwest of Damascus. (AAP via The Australian)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- French forces prepare an attack on Timbuktu to defeat Islamists, as more African troops are sent into Mali. (BBC)
2012–2013 Egyptian protests:
- Seven more people are killed and 630 injured during the funerals for 33 people killed the day before in Port Said. (Ahram Online) (BBC) (Al Jazeera)
- In a televised statement, President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi declares a 30-day state of emergency and a curfew from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am in the cities of Port Said, Suez and Ismaïlia. (Al Jazeera)

Disasters and accidents

Kiss nightclub fire: A fire at a nightclub in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria kills at least 235 people and injures at least 169 people. (BBC) (Reuters) (CNN) (AP)
At least seven workers die in the factory fire in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka. (The Wall Street Journal)
A landslide in the Indonesian island of Sumatra kills at least 4 people with 18 missing. (AFP via Malaysia Star)
Heavy rain caused by former Tropical Cyclone Oswald continues to cause significant flooding in the Australian state of Queensland with the capital Brisbane amongst those affected. (ABC News Australia)
A bus crashes and falls into a ravine near the eastern Portuguese town of Sertã, killing 11 people and injuring 32. (BBC) (Reuters) (UPI)
A retaining wall of a soccer field collapses during a match in the Ugur Sports Facility in Şırnak Province, Turkey, killing 7 people and injuring 3 others. (UPI) (Sanliurfa) (World Bulletin)

Politics and elections

Tens of thousands of people rally in Paris in support of the legalisation of gay marriage and adoption in France. (AP via Washington Post)
Voters in Bulgaria go to the polls to vote on a referendum on building a new nuclear power plant at Belene. (BBC)

Science and technology

Using H-IIA rocket, Japan launches two spy satellites to collect sharp imagery for the government's defence and intelligence agency. (Space.com) (China Daily)

Sport

In tennis, Novak Djokovic wins the men's singles at the 2013 Australian Open after his four-set victory over Andy Murray in the final. The Serbian player becomes the first male player in the Open Era to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles. (BBC) (Reuters)
In chess, Magnus Carlsen, the world number one from Norway, wins the 2013 Tata Steel Chess Tournament ahead of Levon Aronian and Viswanathan Anand. (Tata Steel Chess) (ChessNews) (ChessBase)
In team handball, Spain wins 2013 World Men's Handball Championship defeating Denmark with a 35–19 score in the final. (IHF)
In boxing, 17-year-old Indonesian boxer Tubagus Sakti dies of a brain haemorrhage after losing a fight to Ical Tobida in Jakarta. (Boxing Scene) (Delfi Sport) (Bangkok Post)^{[permanent dead link]}
In auto racing, Charlie Kimball, Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas from Chip Ganassi Racing team win 2013 24 Hours of Daytona. (Autosport) (Motorsport)
2012–13 FA Cup fourth round:
- European champions Chelsea twice come from behind to secure a replay against third-tier club Brentford in the first meeting between the teams since 1950. (BBC) (The Guardian)
- Third-tier club Oldham Athletic eliminate Liverpool. (BBC) (The Guardian)
- Second-tier club Leeds United eliminate Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. (BBC) (The Guardian)
- The draw for the fifth round pairs Oldham Athletic with Everton and Leeds United with Manchester City, while non-league club Luton Town are paired with Millwall and Milton Keynes Dons are paired with Barnsley. (Mirror)

January 28, 2013 (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- French troops take over Timbuktu Airport as they enter the city without any resistance from the Islamists. Residents report that the French now control all access to the city. (BBC)
- The fleeing Islamists set on fire the Timbuktu library containing the Timbuktu Manuscripts. The extent of the damage is still unknown. (Sky News) (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)

Arts and culture

Swedish comedian and television host Petra Mede is announced as presenter for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö. (Eurovision) (The Local) (ESC Daily)
The Boomtown Rats reform for Isle of Wight festival, their first show since 1986. (The Guardian)

Business and economy

Anonymous sources say U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett bid to acquire NYSE Euronext in November 2012, but lost the auction to IntercontinentalExchange. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

A freight train collides with a bus at a level crossing in Heihe City, Heilongjiang province, China, killing at least 10 people and injuring 11 others. (AP via Washington Post) (UPI) (NDTV)
American fighter aircraft F-16 flying out of Aviano Air Base loses radio contact and crashes in the Adriatic Sea. (Reuters) (Business Insider) (MSN News)^{[permanent dead link]}

Law and crime

A bouncer is critically injured and a woman is also wounded after a gunman opens fire in a bar in the Central District of Seattle, Washington, United States. The perpetrator was killed by authorities. (Fox News)
A Manila court finds Philippine social activist, artist and tour guide Carlos Celdran guilty of offending religious feeling and is sentenced with an indeterminate sentence of 2 months and 21 days of imprisonment to a maximum of one year, 1 month and 11 days of imprisonment. Celdran will file an appeal. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) (Manila Bulletin) (Rappler)

Politics and elections

According to a story by Haaretz, Israel admits it has been giving Ethiopian Jewish immigrants birth-control injections, often without clearly explaining the effects of the drugs. (The Belfast Telegraph)
Beatrix the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands announces her abdication in favour of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, on April 30, 2013. (BBC) (The Telegraph) (AP via ABC News)

Science and technology

Iran's state news agency announces that a monkey was sent successfully into space by the Iranian Space Agency and returned safely aboard the Pishgam rocket. (BBC) (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)

Sport

Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba is signed for Turkish champions Galatasaray on an 18-month deal from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. (ESPN) (Fox News) (AP via USA Today)
In boxing, WBO Super bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire is named as 2012 Sugar Ray Robinson Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. (ESPN) (GMA News)

January 29, 2013 (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Somali Civil War (2009–present):
- A suicide attack against the Somali government offices kills at least two people and injures dozens in Mogadishu. (BBC) (Reuters)
Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- The UK announces it will deploy 330 military personnel to Mali and other West African countries in support of French forces operating in the area. (BBC)
- French troops take Timbuktu while Tuareg forces of MNLA claim they control the city of Kidal in the north of Mali. (CNN) (France 24)
Syrian civil war:
- At least 65 corpses are discovered in the Queiq River near Aleppo. All of them appear to have been executed with gunshots. (BBC)

Business and economy

Vittorio Grilli, Italy's Economy Minister, contends before a committee of parliament that the central bank's handling of the supervision of Monte dei Paschi has been "attentive and appropriate". (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

A Bombardier CRJ200 airliner operated by SCAT Air crashes near the Kazakh city of Almaty, killing all 15 passengers and 5 crew people on board. (Reuters) (BBC)

Law and crime

A Ukrainian court sentences a former police chief Olexiy Pukach to life imprisonment for murdering journalist Georgiy Gongadze in 2000. (BBC) (Reuters) (AFP via Yahoo!)

Politics and elections

The United States Senate confirms John Kerry to become United States Secretary of State by a vote of 94–3. Kerry succeeds outgoing Secretary Hillary Clinton on February 1. (Washington Post)
UK government plans to redraw constituency boundaries before the next general election are defeated in the House of Commons by 334 to 292. (BBC)

Science and technology

Google expands its Google Maps map data coverage of North Korea for what has been blank on most of that country satellite images on its search engine. (BBC)

Sport

The 15-page article published by French football magazine France Football and titled The Qatargate reveals evidence pointing towards Qatar buying the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. (RT) (AFP via Google) (Football.co.uk)
A.C. Milan says it has reached an agreement with Manchester City F.C. to sign Italian striker Mario Balotelli. (ESPN) (Goal.com) (The Guardian)
The Miami New Times reports that Biogenesis, a Miami anti-aging clinic that closed in December 2012, sold a wide array of performance-enhancing drugs to several prominent Major League Baseball players, among them Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, and Gio Gonzalez. (Miami New Times) (ESPN)
According to a report in Sports Illustrated, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis used the supplement deer-antler spray (containing a dilute solution of IGF-1 which has been banned by the NFL) to aid his recovery from a torn triceps. Lewis has denied using the substance. The report also alleges that members of the Alabama Crimson Tide used the substance before the 2012 BCS National Championship Game against the LSU Tigers. (Sports Illustrated)

January 30, 2013 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Northern Mali conflict (2012–present):
- French forces enter the city of Kidal in northern Mali after seizing its airport overnight. (BBC) (Reuters) (France 24)
Syrian civil war:
- Israeli forces attack an arms convoy on the Lebanon–Syria border overnight destined from Syria to Hezbollah. (Reuters)
- Syrian sources claim that the true objective of the raid was a weapon research center northwest of Damascus and that two people were killed in the action. (BBC)
2012–2013 Egyptian protests:
- Two people are killed in clashes between protesters and police on the edge of Cairo's Tahrir Square. (BBC)

Business and economy

Canadian wireless device manufacturer Research In Motion officially unveils BlackBerry 10, the newest version of the operating system for its BlackBerry devices, and announces the first two phones that will run on the new platform. The company also announces it will begin doing business as BlackBerry effective immediately. (Fox News)

Disasters and accidents

Tornado outbreak of January 29–30, 2013: Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes affect the Midwestern and southern United States with damage reported in several states, from Missouri to Georgia, and at least two people killed. (Reuters) (CNN) (USA Today)

Law and crime

Three people are dead, including the shooter, one person is wounded after a shooting at an office building in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. (Fox News) (MyFox Phoenix)
A gunman kills a school bus driver and holds a 6-year-old boy hostage in an underground bunker in Midland City, Alabama, United States. (CNN) (CBS) (USA Today)
A Dutch court rules that Royal Dutch Shell can be held partially responsible for pollution in the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria. (Reuters) (BBC)
Tony McCluskie is sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his sister EastEnders-actress Gemma McCluskie in the UK. (Sky News)

Politics and elections

The Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard announces that the next federal election will be held on September 14. (BBC) (Reuters) (ABC News Australia)
The Scottish Government agrees to change the wording of the question on the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum after concerns were expressed that it could lead people to vote yes. (BBC)

Science and technology

South Korea launches its first civilian rocket called Naro-1 carrying a scientific satellite STSAT-2C amidst tension with North Korea. (Reuters) (BBC) (CNN)

Sport

El Clásico: Real Madrid and Barcelona play a 1–1 draw in the first leg of their 2012–13 Copa del Rey semifinal at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Lionel Messi's streak of scoring in 16 straight matches ends. (ESPN) (BBC) (AP via Yahoo!)
Former Executive Director of the NHLPA Paul Kelly reveals that the NHL wants to expand the league to 32 teams in the next 2–3 years, most likely to Quebec City and Toronto. (CBC)
Spanish football club Granada fires Juan Antonio Anquela and replaces him with Lucas Alcaraz after a poor run in the 2012–13 La Liga. (ESPN) (UEFA) (FIFA)

January 31, 2013 (Thursday)