JANUARY
The Big Story
Drug kingpin ADOLFO “FITO” MACIAS VILLAMAR disappears from prison in Ecuador, triggering a manhunt that expands across countries in Central and South America.
Fito entered the Litoral Penitentiary, described as Ecuador’s biggest and highest-security detention complex, in 2013, after he escaped from a different facility. Even while imprisoned, he oversaw the Los Choneros gang syndicate since 2020. When investigators entered Fito’s cell, they discovered an apartment-like complex full of amenities and relative luxuries, demonstrating the deep corruption of prison guards and wardens enabling the (prison-standard) lavish lifestyle. Prosecutors charged two guards the following day.
Once Fito had gone missing, President of Ecuador DANIEL NABOA deployed thousands of police and military forces across the country and declared a state of emergency. Within days, Naboa issued a war declaration against gang organizations, which he labeled as domestic terrorists.
As news of the break spread, police had to quell prison riots at other facilities. Gangs kidnapped police officers and at least one squad of violent rebels stormed a TV news station to interrupt a live broadcast in protest of the crackdown.
Eventually, investigators discovered that Fito’s family had recently purchased a home with cash in nearby Argentina, just days before his disappearance. The government deported the family back to Ecuador, but they were soon released.
Fito remains at large.
Worth Remembering:
Barranquilla, Colombia, unveils a 20-foot tall statue of SHAKIRA.
A 13-year-old from Oklahoma becomes the first ever person to complete every level in the game of Tetris.
Olympian OSCAR PISTORIOUS exits prison after serving nine years of a murder sentence for fatally shooting his girlfriend in 2013.
SHIA LABEOUF converts to Catholicism.
An Alaska Airlines flight en route to Ontario from Portland makes an emergency landing shortly after takeoff when a door plug spontaneously blows out.
“Oppenheimer” wins Best Picture at the GOLDEN GLOBES. “The Bear” wins Best Comedy or Musical Series and “Succession” wins Best Drama Series.
TIGER WOODS and NIKE part ways after a decades-long partnership
TAYLOR SWIFT’s “Eras Tour” concert film becomes the highest-grossing of its kind in history.
The executive team managing the bankruptcy of crypto exchange FTX announces it will not pursue options to reopen and will work quickly to get creditors and customers repaid in full.
NASA suspends its Artemis manned mission until at least September 2025, further clearing the way for private space companies to achieve tremendous milestones over the course of the year.
COLDPLAY’s 2000 hit “Yellow” joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club, marking the band’s fifth music video to hit 1 BILLION views on the platform.
X announces an (eventually doomed) deal with DON LEMON, who was fired from CNN the year before.
JEREMY RENNER returns to work on the set of “Mayor of Kingstown,” a year after his near-fatal snow plow accident.
In Denmark, QUEEN MARGRETHE II formally signs the instrument of abdication, elevating FREDERIK X as the nation’s King.
As the German government considers a plan to end tax subsidies on diesel fuel, farmers bring their tractors into the capital city of Berlin in protest of the measure – a sign of things to come across Europe. French farmers protest similarly a few days later.
A copy of “The Amazing Spider-Man #1” sells for more than $1.3 MILLION at auction, setting a new sales record.
A judge stops the merger of JETBLUE and SPIRIT AIRLINES, citing antitrust concerns.
China ends its one-child policy.
Palace officials report both KING CHARLES and PRINCESS KATE will undergo surgery, but don’t disclose details.
Japan becomes the fifth nation to successfully put a lander on the moon.
NASA’s ingenuity helicopter ends its mission.
VINCE MCMAHON resigns as executive chairman of WWE’s parent companhy amid sexual assault allegations.
RIP: Shawn Barber (29); Ronald Powell (32); Adam Harrison (39); Dejan Milojevic (46); Alec Musser (50); David Gail (58); James Kottak (61); Dexter Scott King (62); Peter Crombie (71); Gary Graham (73); Vania Nonnenmacher (mother of Gisele Bunchden), 75; Amalia Knavs (mother of Melania Trump), 78; Lynne Marta (78); Ken Bowman (81); Norm Snead (84); Frank Ryan (87); Chita Rivera (91); Norman Jewison (97); Bill Hayes (98); Joyce Randolph (99); Glynis Johns (100)
HITCHED: Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford; Josh Radnor and Jordana Jacobs
BABY NEWS: Sienna Miller & Oli Green, (anounced); Jesse Palmer and Emely Farado, daughter (Ella Reine Palmer); Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari, son (Shepherd Lawrence); Michael and Nicole Phelps, son (Nico Michael)
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