Portal:Current events/2009 January 31
January 31, 2009 (Saturday)
- Former Cuban President Fidel Castro criticizes United States President Barack Obama for supporting "Israeli genocide" against the Palestinian people. (Al Jazeera)
- An armed mob desecrates a Sephardic synagogue in Caracas, Venezuela. (BBC)
- Seven people are killed and 18 are missing after a nursing home burns in Russia's Komi Republic. (CNN)
- At least 111 people are killed and 200 injured in Molo, Kenya, after an oil spill ignites. (The Irish Times)
- Thousands of Russians protest in response to the government's handling of the current economic crisis. (BBC)
- Serena Williams of the United States defeats Dinara Safina of Russia to win the 2009 Australian Open women's singles. (BBC)
- More than 5,000 Royal Police are deployed to Bangkok, Thailand, as supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra protest. (AFP via Google News)
- A heat wave affects southeastern Australia, killing 20 people as temperatures reach above 45 °C (113 °F) in Adelaide and Melbourne. (Bloomberg) (BBC)
- Movement for Democratic Change President Morgan Tsvangirai agrees to become Zimbabwe's Prime Minister on February 11 in a deal with President Robert Mugabe. (The Guardian)
- Sharif Ahmed is elected President of Somalia. (AFP via Google News)
- Iraq's provincial elections begin. (Sky News Australia)
- Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina declares himself "in charge" of Madagascar. (BBC)