An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Tsunami warnings after an earthquake hits Japan; what 2023 meant for the climate; Mickey Mouse enters the public domain; and more

By Hannah Jewell
with John Taylor

Good morning. It's Monday, Jan. 1. Happy New Year! Let us help you with your resolutions — take this quiz to get started. Now let's catch up.

What to know: An estimated 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's western coast today. Authorities urged those in vulnerable areas to evacuate or run to higher ground.
Zooming out: The warnings have stoked fears across Japan, where a 2011 earthquake led to towering waves and a nuclear disaster, killing at least 18,000 people.

What happened? U.S. helicopters exchanged fire with militants from Yemen yesterday, sinking three boats and killing their crews, the U.S. said.
Why? American vessels are in the region to protect one of the world's busiest shipping routes, which Iran-backed Houthis have threatened since the Israel-Gaza war began.
In Israel: The Israeli military said it was preparing for "prolonged fighting" in the Gaza Strip in 2024.

What to know: Trump's leading Republican primary challengers said in recent days that they would pardon him of any felony convictions if they were elected president.
Why it matters: The former president is facing 91 charges across four criminal cases. He has a wide lead in the polls ahead of the first primary contests this month.

It was a surprise: Queen Margrethe II, 83, said yesterday that she would step down this month after more than half a century on the throne, citing her age and health concerns.
Who's next in line? Her eldest son, 55-year-old Crown Prince Frederik. Margrethe, a popular and eloquent queen, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe.

The records: 2023 saw the hottest single day on record, as well as the hottest ever June, July, August, September, October, November and probably December, too.
What it means: Humanity has entered the age of "global boiling," as the U.N. Secretary General called it, marked by drought, fires, extreme weather and extended heat waves.

The semifinals: No. 1 Michigan faces Alabama — led by Jalen Milroe — at 5 p.m. in the Rose Bowl. No. 2 Washington takes on Texas at 8:45 p.m. in the Sugar Bowl. (Watch on ESPN.)
Then what? The winners of those two games advance to play in the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Houston.
But that's not all: Three other bowl games — all part of a messy postseason — kick off the day, starting with No. 13 LSU and Wisconsin at noon.

Which Mickey? The earliest version of Disney's iconic rodent, from the 1928 film "Steamboat Willie." Its copyright protection expired today after decades of legal battles.
What that means: Anyone can now adapt this version of Mickey — but can't include still-copyrighted elements from later versions of the character, like his high, squeaky voice.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword.

The New Year Reset: We're giving you a month's worth of ways to switch things up in 2024. Start here.

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow.