Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter finds the Beagle 2 spacecraft that disappeared in 2003 intact on the surface of Mars. An error had stopped the spacecraft's solar panels from working and communicating back to Earth.
NASA NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers state that 2014 is the hottest year since record keeping began in 1880.
Obama administration The Obama Administration imposes restrictions on state and local police's ability to seize personal property under the guidelines of the Equitable Sharing federal program.
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh police arrest Ryan Williams for the October 18, 2014 McKeesport, Pennsylvania arson attack and charge him with arson, burglary, and six counts of criminal homicide. The victims include four children ages 2 through 7.
US Supreme Court The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to consolidate and hear four appellate rulings whether there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. It is currently allowed in Washington, D.C. and 36 states. Oral arguments will take place in April and a ruling may occur by June.
Police Mexican authorities arrest an alleged hitman for the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel, Felipe Rodriguez, in connection to the September 26, 2014 death of 43 college students.
Polk County, Florida Polk County, Florida police arrest four men who face charges in having allegedly robbed an Auburndale, Florida pawn shop, and then fatally shot two women in their central Florida home.
Panda Chinese officials impose an emergency ban on tourists approaching pandas subsequent to the death of two pandas from a canine distemper virus.
Flash flood Flash flooding continues since January 14 in the African nation of Malawi with at least 176 people killed and 110,000 displaced.
Hunga Tonga An explosion of the Hunga Tonga submerged volcano in the South Pacific Ocean, near Nuku'alofa, Tonga, disrupts air travel and creates a one-kilometer new island.
Obama administration The Obama Administration eases trade restrictions with Cuba, now permitting the sale of tools and equipment for private-sector use in Cuba.
BP U.S. federal magistrate Carl Barbier's ruling caps BP's fine under the Clean Water Act for its 2010 "Deepwater Horizon" oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico at $13.7 billion.
Colombes A hostage crisis at a post office in Colombes, Paris, ends with the attacker releasing the hostages and surrendering himself to the police.
Syrian civil war The United States Department of Defense announces that it will send 400 troops to train moderate Syrian rebels in the spring of 2015.