Computer program A computer program called AlphaGo, powered by DeepMind, beats the European Go champion Fan Hui, 5-0. This is the first time artificial intelligence has defeated a professional player in this ancient Chinese abstract strategy board game.
Vietnam Vietnam reelects conservative Nguyễn Phú Trọng as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, a member of the Politburo, is expected to replace Nguyễn Tấn Dũng as prime minister. Dũng is not eligible for another term.
Paris attacks in 2015 Christiane Taubira, differing with President François Hollande concerning pending terrorist-citizenship legislation, resigns as the Minister of Justice in France.
Hilda Heine Hilda Heine is elected President of the Marshall Islands by Parliament, becoming the country's first female president, as well as the first woman to serve as president of any Micronesian country. She succeeds outgoing President Casten Nemra, who lost a vote of no confidence on January 26.
Human rights Amnesty International reports that at least 160 young Iranians are currently awaiting execution and 73 others have been put to death between 2005 and 2015, which including sentencing girls as young as 9 and boys as young as 15 to death.
China–United States relations U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agree, on principle, that a strong United Nations Security Council resolution is needed regarding North Korea's nuclear test earlier this month.
Zika virus outbreak Several Zika virus cases have been reported in Denmark, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
January 2016 United States blizzard The death toll from the blizzard that hit the Eastern United States rises to 50.
Shell Shareholders of Royal Dutch Shell approve that company's acquisition of BG Group, a deal expected to close on February 15.
Suicide bombers blow themselves up in the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok, killing at least 13 and injuring at least 30 others.