Portal:Current events/2013 January 12

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

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. (New 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)