January 25, 2006 (Wednesday)
- Lucia Pinochet, daughter of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, asks for political asylum in the United States following her arrest at Washington Dulles International Airport on a Chilean arrest warrant for tax evasion. (Tampa Bay Times)
- A study in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that Trasylol, a drug marketed by Bayer, designed to prevent excessive blood loss during heart surgery, doubles the risk of kidney failure and stroke. (Reuters)
- An international team of astronomers discovers the most earth-like exoplanet found thus far. The planet, OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb, is about 25,000 light years away, close to the centre of the Milky Way. (Nature).
- Microsoft, in an effort to resolve a controversy with the antitrust authorities of the European Community, announced that it will license some of its source code to rivals. (CNET)
- Google's launch of a new, self-censored search engine in China is a "black day" for freedom of expression, says leading international media watchdog Reporters without Borders. (BBC)
- Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, and the world's most profitable airline, announces that it intends to charge up to €7 per bag checked in by customers. In return, the airline fares will drop by 9%. (RTÉ.ie)
- Uzbekistan joins the Eurasian Economic Community. (Interfax)
- Deus caritas est (Latin: God is love), the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, is published. (BBC)
- 2006 Palestinian elections: Palestinians prepare for the first elections to the PLC in ten years. (BBC)