American journalist Dylan Collins was wounded in a 2023 strike by Israel in south Lebanon, which killed another journalist, Issam Abdallah. Collins and U.S. lawmakers are calling for answers about why Israeli forces targeted the journalists and why there has been no accountability. Despite U.S. pressure, Israel claims the shooting was unintentional but has not conducted a thorough investigation.
Key Facts
Dylan Collins and Issam Abdallah were reporters in south Lebanon when they were hit by an Israeli strike.
The attack hurt Collins and killed Abdallah in 2023.
Lawmakers and press freedom groups in the U.S. are asking for explanations from Israel.
Israel claimed the attack was unintentional but did not provide evidence of a real investigation.
Reports indicate that journalists were clearly marked and visible with press gear.
Israeli drones flew over the journalists before the attack occurred.
Collins and others injured in the attack were not questioned in the investigation by Israel.
The U.S. provided over $21 billion in military aid to Israel during this period.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned about the threat of increased aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He expressed concerns that Russia could attack NATO countries within five years, emphasizing the need for NATO to be prepared. Rutte also highlighted the role of President Trump in potential peace negotiations with Russia.
Key Facts
Mark Rutte is the NATO Secretary General.
Rutte warned about the threat of Russia possibly attacking NATO countries soon.
Recent Russian actions include drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace.
Russian jets entered Estonian airspace, raising tensions.
President Trump is considered key to bringing Putin to peace talks.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is under pressure regarding a peace plan from the Trump administration.
There is an upcoming meeting involving Ukraine, France, Germany, and the U.K. to discuss the situation.
The article features a discussion with Iran's former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, about Iran's political and military actions in the Middle East. Zarif talks about Iran's support for groups in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon and why Iran continues to pursue nuclear goals despite opposition from the US and Israel.
Key Facts
Mohammad Javad Zarif is Iran’s former foreign minister.
The discussion involves Iran's political and military actions in the Middle East.
Zarif talks about Iran’s connections with resistance groups in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon.
Iran's ongoing pursuit of nuclear development is a topic of conversation.
The United States and Israel oppose Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The discussion was part of Al Jazeera’s "On the Record" series.
The focus is on Iran’s influence and ambition in the region.
President Trump has imposed sanctions on three nephews of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, a businessman, and six oil shipping companies. The action is part of a strategy to pressure Maduro, who the U.S. accuses of running a drug-trafficking group. These sanctions follow the U.S. seizing a ship carrying Venezuelan oil.
Key Facts
Sanctions target three nephews of Nicolas Maduro and a businessman.
Six companies involved in shipping Venezuelan oil are also sanctioned.
The U.S. claims Maduro's associates are sending drugs to the U.S.
One of the sanctioned nephews was previously pardoned in a 2022 prisoner swap.
The U.S. recently seized an oil vessel linked to Maduro.
The vessels involved carry large amounts of oil to Cuba.
Many ships from Venezuela are under existing U.S. sanctions.
President Trump's administration is pressuring Maduro to change his leadership approach.
Bangladesh will hold a parliamentary election on February 12, 2024, after a year of political changes following a student-led uprising. The election will also include a referendum on political reforms, with nearly 128 million people eligible to vote. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, aims to stabilize the political situation as major parties prepare for the election.
Key Facts
Bangladesh will have a parliamentary election on February 12, 2024.
A referendum on political reforms will be held on the same day.
Nearly 128 million people can vote in the election.
The interim government is led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party is banned from participating.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is leading the election race.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin plans to resign after the election.
The "July Charter" reform plan includes changes to reduce executive power and increase judicial independence.
The Senate voted against both Democratic and Republican plans to address rising out-of-pocket costs for Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees, leaving enhanced tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats and Republicans remain divided on how to handle this issue, impacting health care conversations before the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Senate rejected both parties' proposals related to ACA subsidies.
Democrats proposed a three-year extension of enhanced tax credits, which failed with a 51-48 vote.
Four Republicans voted for the Democratic plan; it needed 13 for passage.
The Republican plan proposed payments to health savings accounts instead of extending subsidies and also failed 51-48.
There is ongoing skepticism about reaching a bipartisan agreement on healthcare.
Most Republicans oppose extending subsidies, considering it as wasteful spending.
A poll found 74% of the public supports extending the ACA subsidies.
Some House lawmakers are pushing for compromise plans, but it remains uncertain if these will pass.
Women supported actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she faced negative comments about her appearance at a recent event. Many people defended her against age-related criticisms online. The discussion highlighted differences in how aging women and men are treated.
Key Facts
Catherine Zeta-Jones faced criticism about her looks at a Netflix event in November.
A TikTok interview about her role was overshadowed by comments on her age and appearance.
Laura White, winner of Miss Great Britain Classic, called the backlash "complete nonsense."
Beauty journalist Sali Hughes noted women face unfair judgment for aging compared to men.
Zeta-Jones appeared in a TikTok video discussing her enjoyment of playing Morticia Addams.
The video had over 2.5 million views, with many comments focusing on Zeta-Jones' age.
Supporters argued that women should not face criticism for aging naturally or with cosmetic help.
There is an ongoing conversation about the differing beauty standards for aging men and women.
The University of Michigan fired its head football coach, Sherrone Moore, for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Following his dismissal, Moore was detained by police for an alleged assault incident. The university's athletic director stated that such behavior clearly breaks school rules, leading to Moore's termination.
Key Facts
The University of Michigan fired Sherrone Moore, the head football coach, for cause.
An investigation found Moore was in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Moore was detained by police for alleged assault soon after his firing.
The incident happened just before key college football games, including the Citrus Bowl.
Biff Poggi, the team's associate head coach, will replace Moore.
Moore joined the university's football team in 2018 and became head coach in 2023.
Moore remains in police custody while charges are reviewed.
Disney has made a deal with OpenAI to use its software called Sora for creating content with Disney's characters. Under this agreement, users can generate videos and images featuring Disney characters, but there are limits, such as not using the actors' voices and likenesses. Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI as part of this partnership.
Key Facts
Disney and OpenAI have a new agreement allowing users to create content with Disney's characters on the Sora platform.
Disney will invest $1 billion in OpenAI and has options to buy more shares.
Sora can generate videos and images using over 200 Disney characters and related items.
Disney and OpenAI have rules to prevent misuse, like improper use of voices or likenesses.
A committee will oversee content to ensure it aligns with Disney's brand standards.
Notable characters available include Mickey Mouse, Disney princesses, and Marvel and Star Wars heroes.
The partnership is set to begin early next year, giving fans access to create such content.
Disney has taken previous legal action to protect its characters from unauthorized AI use.
OpenAI announced a new version of its chatbot technology, GPT-5.2. This update aims to improve the model's performance for everyday professional use. It is said to handle complex tasks better and be more reliable in understanding long-context queries.
Key Facts
OpenAI released GPT-5.2 a month after its last update.
The update is part of a competitive market with companies like Google.
OpenAI has been working on GPT-5.2 for many months.
GPT-5.2 is designed to be a major upgrade for professional use.
It improves on past versions in coding, math, science, and reasoning.
OpenAI faces criticism over safety risks and lawsuits.
OpenAI plans to introduce an "adult mode" early next year.
GPT-5.2 can handle tasks like creating spreadsheets and writing code at a human expert level.
Ethiopian police have arrested six TikTok creators for wearing clothing deemed "indecent" at a public event. The arrests have sparked debates between supporters of free expression and those defending cultural norms. The government has not commented, but police say these actions could affect public morality.
Key Facts
Six TikTok influencers were arrested in Ethiopia for wearing "indecent attire" at an event.
Adonay Berhane, a lifestyle creator with nearly 4 million followers, was named "TikToker of the Year" at the award ceremony.
The influencers are under investigation for potentially harming public morality.
Supporters of the influencers argue the arrests restrict freedom of expression and creativity.
Opponents believe public figures should respect cultural norms.
The Ethiopian government has not publicly commented on the situation yet.
The police have warned of more actions against those violating cultural values.
Ethiopia has over eight million social media users, leading to a clash between digital culture and traditional values.
The article discusses the performance pressure on Jamie Smith, a wicketkeeper for England's cricket team. Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior emphasizes Smith's crucial role in motivating the team, especially as England aims to recover in the Ashes series. Smith has struggled recently with low scores and errors in matches, contributing to England's current series deficit.
Key Facts
Jamie Smith is an England wicketkeeper who has struggled in recent Test matches.
Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior stresses the importance of Smith being the "heartbeat" of the team.
England is currently down 2-0 in the Ashes series against Australia.
Smith has had trouble scoring, with single-figure scores in six of the last eight innings.
Smith made a key error by dropping a catch of Australia's Travis Head during a match.
England needs to win the next match to stay competitive in the Ashes series.
Matt Prior suggests Smith needs to balance personal performance with team communication and strategy.
Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy highlights the tactical role Smith needs to play.
French marine archaeologists have found a large undersea wall off the coast of Brittany, France, dating back to 5,000 BC. They believe it was built by a stone age society as a fish-trap or a barrier against rising sea levels. This wall, now submerged, is linked to local myths of a sunken city.
Key Facts
The undersea wall is located off the coast of Brittany, France.
It dates back to around 5,000 BC.
The wall is 120 meters long and was likely used as a fish-trap or a dyke.
Today, the wall lies nine meters underwater due to changes in the coastline over time.
The structure was built by a possibly settled, structured community.
The wall is made from large granite standing stones and smaller stones.
Local geologist Yves Fouquet discovered the wall using undersea depth charts.
This discovery may explain Breton legends of a submerged city.
Austria's parliament has approved a law banning Muslim headscarves for girls under 14 in schools. The law, which takes effect in February, has faced criticism from rights groups and was supported by most political parties except the Greens. Parents will face fines if their children continue to wear headscarves at school.
Key Facts
Austria's lower house passed a ban on headscarves for girls under 14 in schools.
The new law passed with significant support and will start in February.
Violators of the ban, mainly parents, could be fined between 150 and 800 euros.
A similar law in 2019 was struck down for being discriminatory.
The current government argues this version will withstand legal challenges.
Rights groups, like Amnesty International, criticize the ban as increasing discrimination against Muslims.
The Austrian government says about 12,000 girls will be impacted by the law.
The Greens are the only party that opposed the legislation.
Denmark is planning to ban social media access for children under 15 years old. However, parents can allow their children to use social media starting at age 13 in certain situations.
Key Facts
Denmark will ban social media for kids under 15.
Parents can sometimes allow kids to start at age 13.
The plan is due to worries about harmful digital content.
The government seeks to protect children from online harm.
The announcement is part of a broader digital safety effort.
Chris Sutton and England gaming star Daniel 'Stingray' Ray are sharing predictions for upcoming Premier League games. Ray is competing in the UEFA eEuro 2025 finals as part of England's esports team. The tournament will take place at Twickenham Stadium with eight nations competing for a $100,000 prize.
Key Facts
Chris Sutton is predicting the outcomes of this season's Premier League games against AI, readers, and various guests.
Daniel 'Stingray' Ray is representing England in the UEFA eEuro 2025 finals.
The esports tournament takes place at Twickenham Stadium.
Eight nations are competing in a knockout format for a $100,000 prize and a chance at the FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins.
Ray has beaten the defending champion, Denmark's Anders Vejrgang, during qualifying.
The FIFA esports tournament can be watched on various streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Ray feels honored to represent England and compares his gaming style to soccer star Lionel Messi.
The Royal Navy tracked a Russian submarine passing through the English Channel to ensure UK waters remained secure. This is part of the UK's response to increased Russian naval activity near its waters. The submarine was observed until it reached near France, where NATO allies continued tracking.
Key Facts
The Royal Navy followed a Russian submarine named Krasnodar through the English Channel.
The submarine was sailing from the North Sea and was accompanied by a tugboat.
A Royal Navy tanker, RFA Tidesurge, with a Merlin helicopter, tracked the submarine for three days.
UK government reports a 30% rise in Russian vessels near UK waters over the last two years.
The Russian embassy claims they are not interested in the UK's underwater communications.
Once near northwest France, NATO allies took over tracking the submarine.
The UK has launched the Atlantic Bastion program to protect undersea cables and pipelines from potential Russian threats.
An eight-month-old baby in Gaza died due to cold weather in Khan Younis. This happened because essential supplies are not reaching the area due to restrictions.
Key Facts
An eight-month-old baby in Gaza died from cold weather and rain.
The incident occurred in the family's tent in Khan Younis.
Israel is restricting the entry of needed supplies into Gaza.
The restrictions are said to violate ceasefire agreements.
Many others in Gaza face similar risks due to lack of supplies.
A large increase in flu cases is filling hospitals in England, and experts say the spread has not yet peaked. The dominant flu strain, H3N2, has mutated, leading to more infections and hospitalizations, particularly among the elderly and young children. The situation is compounded by rising cases of another virus, norovirus, and an upcoming doctors' strike.
Key Facts
The number of flu patients in England's hospitals rose by over 50% in the past week.
NHS England reports approximately 2,660 hospital flu cases daily, equaling three full hospitals.
Flu hospital admission rates are highest among people over 75 and children under five.
The dominant flu strain, H3N2, has genetic changes causing more infections.
More than 350 hospital beds are occupied by patients with the norovirus.
A doctors' strike is planned for next week, but there is a possibility it could be called off.
People eligible for a free flu vaccine are encouraged to get vaccinated soon.
A hiker named Austin Dirks was trapped in quicksand while hiking in Utah's Arches National Park. He used a GPS device to send his location to rescuers and was stuck for two hours before being rescued by a drone.
Key Facts
Austin Dirks got stuck in quicksand in Arches National Park in Utah.
He used a GPS satellite messenger to contact rescuers.
Dirks was trapped for two hours before help arrived.
The temperature was around 20 degrees Fahrenheit while he was trapped.
A rescue drone was used to locate him.
The rescue operation was reported by CBS News, a partner of the BBC.
