The edition of
Friday 24 January 2025
21 stories, section by section, the most important first.
International
At least thirteen Islamic State militants are allegedly killed in heavy fighting as Puntland forces claim they successfully took over the towns of Turmasaale and Janno-Jiifta in the Bari region, Puntland, Somalia.
A Ukrainian drone strike targets an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast, Russia, in one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia of the conflict to date. The Russian military says it shot down at least 121 drones over 13 regions overnight.
Ukraine finalizes military reforms aimed at recruiting 18- to 25-year-olds to the armed forces, penalizing draft dodgers, and lowering the minimum compulsory military service age to 25 from 27.
The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announces that, with assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross, the bodies of 757 Ukrainian soldiers have been returned to Ukraine.
Hamas confirms that an Israeli airstrike last summer killed Rawhi Mushtaha, who according to Israel was the "head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip", along with Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio in Hamas's political bureau, and Sami Odeh, the head of Hamas's "general security mechanism".
The Colombian National Army and National Police begin offensive operations across eleven municipios of the Catatumbo region.
A Russian drone strikes a ten-storey apartment building in Fastiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, killing at least three people.
Mexico denies a request from the United States to allow a military aircraft deporting migrants from the U.S. to land in Mexico.
The U.S. State Department freezes nearly all foreign aid except military aid to Israel and Egypt, as well as emergency food programs.
Politics
Pete Hegseth is confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Defense in a 51–50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Over 60,000 people demonstrate across Slovakia in protest of Prime Minister Robert Fico's anti-Ukrainian, pro-Russian, and Eurosceptic policies.
Mass protests and a general strike are held across Serbia in an escalation of months of anti-government protests.
Business
The Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department announces a limit of 437,000 study permits for 2025, a 10% reduction from 2024, as part of efforts to address pressures on housing, healthcare, and other public services caused by the country's rapid population growth.
Saudi Arabia announces that it will invest US$600 billion in the United States economy.
Spirit Airlines announces a ban on passengers who wear "lewd" clothing or have "offensive" tattoos.
The Law
The Cabinet of Hun Manet approves a bill that strengthens penalties for Cambodian genocide denial, proposing prison terms of one to five years and fines of US$2,500 to $125,000.
Environment
At least 140 dolphins are found stranded on the shores of Mareero Beach near Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia, with 60 confirmed dead and 30 returned to the sea.
A wind gust provisionally measured at 183 km/h (114 mph) was recorded in Connemara in County Galway, Ireland, and a mean wind speed measured at 135 km/h (84 mph), would surpass Ireland's previous records.
A man is killed in County Donegal, Ireland, after high winds cause a tree to fall on his car.
Nine people are killed in an explosion at an ordnance factory in Bhandara, Maharashtra, India.
Arts
I'm Still Here becomes the first Brazilian film to be nominated for Best Picture, while Karla Sofía Gascón becomes the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for Best Actress.
Stories adapted from Wikipedia’s Current events portal for 24 January 2025, by Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.