The organizers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have unveiled the design of the Olympic cauldrons, dedicated to the creative legacy of Leonardo da Vinci. For the first time, two flames will be lit and extinguished simultaneously in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, Christopher Stewart, Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley of Kiss are the new inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on June 11 in New York City.
US President Donald Trump landed in Zurich almost two hours late due to a wiring problem on board Air Force One. He transferred to another plane and departed for Davos, where he will deliver a speech.
Donald Trump's average approval rating in January 2026 is 40%, and according to Gallup and Reuters/Ipsos, it is 36%. Most Americans are dissatisfied with his economic and immigration policies.
In South Africa, a collision between a school minibus and a truck resulted in the deaths of at least 13 children. The accident occurred in Gauteng province when the minibus attempted to overtake other vehicles.
Syrian government forces entered the city of Raqqa as part of an offensive on territories held by Kurdish forces. This happened after clashes between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
On January 17, two major road accidents in Pakistan claimed the lives of at least 24 people and injured 45. The causes were fog, speeding, and poor roads.
Delcy Rodriguez, who took over as Venezuela's leader after the detention of Nicolas Maduro, was a "priority target" for the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Her name appeared in investigations into drug trafficking, money laundering, and gold smuggling.
In Serbia, students protested against the Vučić government, demanding a fight against corruption. The reason was a railway station disaster that claimed 16 lives.
The state sports ski base in Chernihiv, despite destruction and air raid alerts, continues to operate. Approximately 350 children and teenagers train in wartime conditions, demonstrating resilience.
Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, have filed a motion to recuse prosecutors. The reason cited was a conflict of interest due to the testimony of a deputy district attorney's child.
Donald Trump thanked Iran for canceling the execution of hundreds of political prisoners, expressing respect for this decision. The real death toll during the protests in Iran could reach 20,000 people.
Wikipedia has signed contracts with Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Perplexity, and Mistral AI to provide data for AI. The Wikimedia Foundation is monetizing its content for AI developers, ensuring access to its knowledge base.
The NBA and FIBA are developing a new European basketball championship, which could start in October 2027. The league will have 16 teams, 12 of which will be permanent franchises, and 4 spots will be for qualification.
Actor Michael Keaton has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious "Man of the Year 2026" award by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals association. The traditional "Pudding Pot" ceremony will take place on February 6.
The winners of the 2026 North American Car of the Year Awards were announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The top awards went to the Dodge Charger, Ford Maverick Lobo, and Hyundai Palisade.
Marine Le Pen is appealing a conviction in a case concerning the embezzlement of European Parliament funds, which could bar her from running for president of France in 2027. The court of first instance found her guilty of fictitious employment of assistants, which carries a five-year ban from holding elected office.
Police found five severed human heads on the beach of the fishing port of Puerto López, Ecuador. This is linked to a criminal war for control of drug trafficking.
President Donald Trump's motorcade changed its route to Palm Beach Airport in Florida due to the discovery of a suspicious package. Security measures were heightened, and Trump himself stated that he knew nothing about the incident.
In Argentine Patagonia, forest fires have engulfed nearly 12,000 hectares, threatening settlements and infrastructure. The authorities of Chubut province have offered a reward for information regarding possible arson.
Rescuers began work in Aleppo after five days of fighting between government forces and the SDF. 23 people died, and 140,000 residents left their homes.
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will take place on January 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel amidst political tensions. The film "Battle by Battle" leads in nominations.
In the Philippines, rescuers detected signs of life at the site of a massive landfill collapse in the village of Binaliw, Cebu City. The tragedy, which occurred on January 8, 2026, claimed the lives of four workers, with over 30 people still missing.
Hollywood actors Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors have become citizens of Guinea after confirming their genetic heritage. The ceremony took place in Conakry, where the couple plans to visit tourist attractions.
Darick M. Moore is accused of killing four relatives and two adults in Mississippi. Among the victims is a 7-year-old child, whom he threatened with a gun.
President Trump appeared in public with a "Happy Trump" pin, a gift with a cartoon image. He explained that he is never happy until America is great again.
US forces boarded a Venezuelan-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic after a week-long pursuit. The US had been pursuing the tanker since last month after it attempted to circumvent a blockade around Venezuela.
The National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela reported the detention of 14 media representatives in Caracas while covering a march. 11 of them worked for international media, 3 for national publications.
IDF forces carried out a series of strikes on southern and eastern areas of Lebanon on January 6, 2026, including the city of Sidon. Attacks also occurred in the Bekaa Valley, where the home of a Hamas commander and a car with Hezbollah members were hit.
A man was arrested after he broke windows at the home of US Vice President J. D. Vance in Ohio and damaged a Secret Service vehicle. Vance and his family were not home at the time of the incident.
