LIGO Scientific Collaboration The LIGO Scientific Collaboration experiment announces the first direct observation of gravitational waves.
2016 Democratic Party presidential debates and forums Protesters demanding a $15 minimum wage stormed the venue in front of local and national media prior to the start of the sixth debate, this one between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
François Hollande The French president François Hollande reshuffles his cabinet, bringing in three ministers from two green parties, Europe Ecology – The Greens and Écologistes !; former Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault is named as the new Foreign Minister replacing Laurent Fabius who resigned earlier in the week.
Warren Truss Warren Truss, the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, announces his resignation as the leader of the National Party of Australia. Barnaby Joyce is elected as the new leader with Fiona Nash elected as the new deputy leader.
Charlot Salwai Charlot Salwai is elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu following the January snap election. Salwai takes office the same day.
Topo Chico prison riot At least 52 inmates are killed in a riot and fire at Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, Mexico.
Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge All four remaining occupiers leave the refuge and surrender.
North Korea–South Korea relations South Korea shuts off the supply of electricity and water to the Kaesong Industrial Region.
North Korea says it will freeze all South Korean assets and equipment at the jointly run Kaesong Industrial Park.
South Korea starts withdrawing its nationals from the Kaesong Industrial Region in protest to recent actions by North Korea.
Hellenic Navy A Hellenic Navy helicopter crashes while taking part in a military exercise in the Aegean Sea, near the Greek island of Kinaros, three Greek naval airmen are feared dead.
Aliso Canyon gas leak Southern California Gas Company caps, at least temporarily, the natural gas leak that started last October and has forced thousands to flee their homes.
Uber Uber, in San Francisco, California (U.S.), federal court, says it will pay $28.5 million to settle two lawsuits over misleading background check information. Prosecutors settled a similar lawsuit with competitor Lyft in 2014.
Terrorism in Saudi Arabia A man shoots six people dead at an education centre in Jizan Province, Saudi Arabia.
Northern Mali conflict Suspected Islamist militants attack a customs post in the town of Mopti, central Mali, killing two civilians and a customs officer.