The day

Thursday 20 February 2025

15 stories, biggest first.

1. 1

   Money2025 United States federal mass layoffs

   The United States Internal Revenue Service announces it will layoff over 6,000 jobs this week as part of department downsizing led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

2. 2

   NewsPuntland counter-terrorism operations

   Puntland security forces, with air support from the United Arab Emirates, launch a major offensive in the Cal Miskaad mountains, allegedly killing at least 44 IS–Somalia militants and seizing control of the areas of Dhasaq, Qurac, and Damdamle, in Bari Region, Puntland, Somalia.

3. 3

   News2025 Shabelle attacks

   Al-Shabaab launches a coordinated attack on four Somali military bases in Middle Shabelle, Somalia, killing and wounding dozens of soldiers. Somali authorities say they repelled the attack, killing at least 130 militant fighters.

4. 4

   News

   ATL Technologies CEO Bradford Brown is killed and one person is injured when a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter crashes into ice at the Ririe Reservoir near Ririe, Idaho. United States.

5. 5

   News2025 Gaza war ceasefire

   Hamas releases the bodies of Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, who were all kidnapped from their homes in Nir Oz kibbutz, Israel, on October 7, 2023.

6. 6

   Sport2025 4 Nations Face-Off

   Amidst heightened tensions between the two nations, the Canadian men's ice hockey team defeats the United States team 3–2 in overtime in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, with Connor McDavid scoring the winning goal.

7. 7

   News2025 Uvira offensive

   At least 22 people are killed when a boat carrying people attempting to escape Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo across Lake Edward towards Uganda capsizes. Eight survivors are found by the local civil society.

8. 8

   NewsM23 campaign

   The Congolese Army abandons their positions in Lubero, North Kivu, with reports that the deserting soldiers have looted a market and shops in town. The military has ordered the deserters to return to their posts within 12 hours or face criminal action.

9. 9

   News2025 Catatumbo clashes

   Four bombings and shooting attacks take place across different police facilities and toll areas in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander Department, Colombia, leaving one police officer injured. Authorities in Norte de Santander and Cúcuta declare a curfew across the city for the following day.

10. 10

    News2025 Bat Yam bus bombings

    Three empty buses explode in what is suspected as an attempted terrorist attack in Bat Yam, Israel. Devices planted on two other buses failed to detonate, according to police. No casualties are reported.

11. 11

    Politics2024 Indonesian local elections

    Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurates 961 regional heads, including governors, regents, and mayors, at the State Palace.

12. 12

    NewsFrench military withdrawal from West Africa

    The French military hands over control of their last military base in Ivory Coast to the country's military. French armed forces minister Sébastien Lecornu says that 80 French servicemembers will remain in the country to advise and train the Ivorian army.

13. 13

    News

    Seven people are injured in a gas explosion at The Whaler resort in Kaanapali, Hawaii, United States.

14. 14

    Crime

    Two women are killed in a stabbing attack at a shopping center in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. A 16-year-old boy is arrested.

15. 15

    Science

    The identity of Cleo is revealed to be Vladimir Reshetnikov, an Uzbek software developer, after a decade of mystery.

Stories adapted from Wikipedia’s Current events portal for 20 February 2025, by Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.