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
- The funeral of Ian McKeever, who was killed by a lightning strike on Mount Kilimanjaro, occurs in County Wicklow, Ireland. (RTÉ News)
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)