Armed conflicts and attacks

Two people are killed and ten others are injured during Israeli airstrikes in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. (Al Jazeera)

• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/31/israel-attacks-lebanons-bekaa-valley-in-violation-of-ceasefire-deal

Armed conflicts and attacks

The Congolese military launches a counterattack against M23 rebels in South Kivu province with the assistance of the Burundian military. (Reuters)

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/congos-army-burundian-allies-slow-122615740.html

Armed conflicts and attacks

Russian forces launch ballistic missiles at the centre of Odesa and its port, severely damaging numerous civilian buildings, including the historic Bristol Hotel. At least two people are reportedly injured. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-launch-missile-attack-historic-centre-ukraines-odesa-2025-01-31/

Armed conflicts and attacks

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre escape after security guards shoot down one of two drones hovering over Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, Somalia. The drones are believed to be used by ISIL and Al-Shabaab. This comes after previous Somali Civil Aviation Authority warnings. (Idil News) (Horn Observer)

• https://www.idilnews.com/mogadishu-hassan-sheikh-mohamud-and-hamza-abdi-barre-rush-out-immediately-after-downing-a-drone-over-villa-somalia/
• https://hornobserver.com/articles/3162/Somalias-Presidential-guards-reportedly-fired-at-several-drones-hovering-over-the-Presidents-office

Armed conflicts and attacks

An improvised device left by cartel members blasts in Ejido Santa Rita, San Fernando, Tamaulipas, left two peasants dead and a woman injured. (El Sol de Tampico)

• https://oem.com.mx/elsoldetampico/policiaca/vehiculo-se-incendia-por-activacion-de-artefacto-explosivo-y-deja-dos-muertos-en-tamaulipas-21475612

Business and economy

Following boycotts in Croatia on January 24, and in conjunction with a follow-up boycott in the country, residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia start a boycott of retail stores in response to rising prices. (Intellinews)

• https://www.intellinews.com/shopping-boycotts-launched-across-the-balkans-364355/

International relations

Philippine President Bongbong Marcos states that he is careful of possible surveillance of the country's air and naval bases as well as the movement of vessels supplying Philippine garrisons in the South China Sea following a series of arrests of suspected Chinese spies in the Philippines. (CNA)

• https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-president-disturbed-chinese-spy-claims-china-military-4908661

Law and crime

Venezuela frees six American hostages after U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell meets with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (The Hill)

• https://thehill.com/policy/international/5120173-venezuela-hostages-trump-administration/

Law and crime

Myanmar's ruling military junta extends the country's state of emergency for another six months. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-extends-state-emergency-six-months-2025-01-31/

Politics and elections

The Hellenic Parliament fails to elect the new President of Greece in the second round, calling for a third round of voting on February 6. (Greek City Times)

• https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/01/31/president-election-greece/