Armed conflicts and attacks
Israel–Hamas war
Israel announces that its troops have recovered the body of staff sergeant Oron Shaul, who was captured and killed by Hamas in 2014. (The Times of Israel)
Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis
The Gaza ceasefire agreement formally goes into effect, with the first hostages and prisoners freed as part of the deal. (CNN)
Colombian conflict
The National Liberation Army (ELN) launches a series of attacks across Colombia, killing at least 80 people and injuring hundreds of others, with an unknown number of people also reportedly being kidnapped. Thousands of people have fled their homes due to the fighting. The Colombian Army says it has rescued dozens of people, while the Colombian government calls on the ELN to cease all attacks immediately. (CBS News)
Disasters and accidents
Around 60 people are evacuated after the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that a fire broke out in a residential building in Bishkek. (Akipress)
2025 California wildfires
January 2025 Southern California wildfires
The Cal Fire reports that the Palisades Fire is over 50% contained, while the Eaton Fire is over 80% contained. (Forbes)
Law and crime
An Iranian court sentence Amir Tataloo to death on appeal after he was convicted of insulting Muhammad. (Al Arabiya)
2024 South Korean martial law crisis
President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol becomes the first sitting president in South Korea's constitutional history to be formally arrested, following his declaration of martial law in December 2024. (Yonhap)
Following his arrest, multiple pro-Yoon protesters raid the Seoul Western District Court, resulting in 41 injuries and property damage. (Yonhap)
Politics and elections
Israel–Hamas war
Four ministers of the Government of Israel resign in protest of the approved Gaza ceasefire agreement. (The Times of Israel)
Science and technology
Restrictions on TikTok in the United States
Social media platform TikTok shuts down in the United States after its owner ByteDance fails to sell its U.S. operations to an American buyer. (Investor's Business Daily)
TikTok says on X (formerly Twitter) that they are looking to restore service despite the ban 24 hours after users experienced a blackout due to a deal with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. (People.com)