January 26, 2012 (Thursday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Tuareg Rebellion (2011–present): Tuareg rebels capture the fourth Malian town in a week. (Al Jazeera)
- Papua New Guinea constitutional crisis: Soldiers supporting former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare stage a mutiny in Port Moresby. PNG Brigadier General Francis Agwi is said to be under house arrest. (ABC News)
- The United Nations says detainees from Libya's civil war are being tortured. (Al Jazeera)
- 2011–2012 Syrian uprising: The Arab League calls on the United Nations Security Council to back its plan to end the violence in Syria. (BBC)
Business and economy
- Illumina a U.S. based gene sequencing company, adopts a poison pill strategy to defend its independence against a hostile bid by Roche Holding. (Reuters)
Disasters and accidents
- Three people are killed and 16 missing after three office buildings collapse in Cinelândia square in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (IOL)(Washington Post)(USA Today)(BBC)(Wall Street Journal)
Politics and elections
- Security escort Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott from a restaurant in Canberra after indigenous protesters surrounded the building on Australia Day in response to comments made by Abbott. (CNN) (Sydney Morning Herald)