President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro met at the White House for discussions. They talked about exporting Venezuelan gas via Colombia and tackling drug trafficking. Despite past arguments, the meeting ended on a positive note, with Trump praising Petro.
Key Facts
President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro had a meeting at the White House.
They discussed exporting Venezuelan gas through Colombia.
The leaders talked about working together to fight drug trafficking, especially the ELN rebel group.
Trump praised Petro, calling him "terrific," and the meeting lasted about two hours.
There have been previous tensions, with Trump sanctioning Petro last year over alleged drug trade links.
Trump and Petro agreed to combat drug trafficking and discussed catching high-level drug traffickers worldwide.
Petro proposed working together with Venezuela to export oil and gas.
Trump might mediate in Colombia’s trade dispute with Ecuador.
Chelsea attempted a new strategy to counter Arsenal's strong set-piece plays during a Carabao Cup match. Despite their efforts, Arsenal won the game 1-0 and advanced to the EFL Cup final. Chelsea's approach involved sending players forward quickly to disrupt Arsenal's usual setup.
Key Facts
Arsenal is known for being very successful with set-piece plays.
Chelsea used a new tactic in a Carabao Cup match to try to stop Arsenal’s set-piece strategy.
The tactic involved Chelsea players moving from defense to attack when Arsenal took corners.
Arsenal won the match 1-0 and progressed to the EFL Cup final.
Arsenal has scored 53 goals from set-pieces since the start of last season.
The strategy did prevent Arsenal from scoring via a set-piece in this particular game.
Jamie Redknapp, a former footballer, noted potential flaws in Chelsea's approach.
Shay Given previously suggested on "Match of the Day" that teams try something different against Arsenal's set-piece strategy.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has moved from his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. This relocation is temporary while his new permanent residence on the estate is being prepared. His move follows the removal of his title and ongoing legal pressures.
Key Facts
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor moved from Royal Lodge in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
His move is temporary while his new home undergoes renovations.
Buckingham Palace announced the move and removal of his prince title in October.
There is ongoing pressure for him to give evidence in the U.S. regarding a legal matter.
Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing related to these pressures.
His new permanent home will be at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate.
He plans to return to Windsor shortly to collect his belongings.
The King owns Sandringham Estate and will cover the costs of his brother's new home.
Fourteen migrants died when their speedboat crashed into a Greek coastguard boat near the island of Chios. The collision happened while Greek authorities were chasing the speedboat, and there is an ongoing search and rescue mission to find those still missing.
Key Facts
Fourteen migrants died in a collision with a Greek coastguard boat.
The accident happened near the island of Chios in Greece.
The speedboat was being chased by Greek authorities.
Twenty-four people were rescued; some are seriously injured.
Among the injured are seven children, a pregnant woman, and two coastguard officers.
A search and rescue operation is still ongoing.
The exact details of how the collision happened are not fully clear.
A migrant boat collided with a Greek Coast Guard vessel near the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea, resulting in at least 14 deaths. The Coast Guard rescued 26 people, including two officers, and a search is ongoing. This incident highlights Greece's ongoing challenges as a transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe.
Key Facts
A migrant boat collided with a Greek Coast Guard ship near Chios in the Aegean Sea.
At least 14 people died in the collision.
The accident happened around 9 pm local time on Tuesday.
The Coast Guard rescued 26 individuals, including 24 migrants and 2 officers.
Among those injured were seven children and a pregnant woman.
A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing with patrol boats, a helicopter, and divers.
Greece is a key transit route for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The country has faced scrutiny for its treatment of migrants and refugees at sea.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion spending package to end a partial government shutdown. The bill, which now awaits President Trump’s approval, funds key government programs and temporarily extends funding for the Department of Homeland Security. There are ongoing discussions regarding immigration reforms tied to this bill.
Key Facts
The U.S. House approved a $1.2 trillion spending package.
The vote was 217 in favor and 214 against.
The package restores funding for federal programs in Labor and Education departments.
The Department of Homeland Security is funded only for two weeks, until February 13.
The bill is now headed to President Trump for signature.
Immigration and enforcement reforms are under discussion.
Twenty-one Republicans and 21 Democrats crossed party lines in their votes.
The last government shutdown lasted 43 days, affecting the economy significantly.
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, expressed his concerns about global conflicts, particularly regarding the impact on children. He mentioned the situations in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and incidents involving U.S. immigration enforcement. Guardiola wants to use his platform to bring attention to these issues.
Key Facts
Pep Guardiola is the manager of the Manchester City football team.
He missed media duties after speaking at a charity concert about Palestinian children.
Guardiola discussed conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and shootings by U.S. agents.
He emphasized the emotional impact of seeing children affected by these conflicts.
Guardiola wants to raise awareness using his public role and believes in standing up for victims.
Guardiola's comments came ahead of a football match between Manchester City and Newcastle.
He has spoken out on these issues, unprompted, during a news conference.
The trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's crown princess, is underway in Oslo. He faces multiple charges, including rape, but has pleaded not guilty. The case has drawn attention due to his family's connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
Marius Borg Høiby is accused of raping four women and faces 38 charges.
He has admitted to breaking a restraining order, transporting marijuana, and speeding.
The reported incidents occurred in 2018, with accusations arising after his 2024 arrest.
The trial has strict photo bans to protect the identities of those involved.
Marius Borg Høiby is not considered part of the Norwegian royal family.
His mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, faced criticism for past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein.
Proceedings in the trial are ongoing, with court restrictions limiting public access.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed in Zintan, Libya. He was known for his role in Libyan politics and faced various allegations related to his father's regime. Saif had been imprisoned in Libya but was released in 2017 and later attempted to enter politics again.
Key Facts
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was the son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He was killed in the western city of Zintan, Libya.
He was imprisoned in 2011 and released in 2017.
Saif was on a United Nations sanctions list by 2011.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in June 2011.
He tried to run for the Libyan presidency in 2021.
Saif faced allegations of torture and violence during his father's rule.
Libya has had a turbulent political situation with multiple administrations vying for power.
Several sections of a border wall are delayed because they need approval from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The hold-up affects around 200 miles of the wall, part of a larger effort to build nearly 2,000 miles by 2029.
Key Facts
The wall construction needs final approval from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Only 30 miles of wall have been completed since President Trump's second term began.
Contracts for about 200 miles are awaiting Noem's sign-off.
The DHS confirmed that the contracts are still in the review process.
As of early 2026, 83 miles are under construction, and many miles are still in the planning stages.
Additional funding for the wall is available until the end of 2029.
The DHS faces challenges in acquiring land for construction.
Noem's office has previously been slow in contract approvals, according to some lawmakers.
The Sudanese military has announced that it has broken through a blockade by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around the city of Kadugli. This marks the military's second significant advance in the Kordofan region within a week.
Key Facts
Sudan's military claims they have broken a blockade in Kadugli.
The blockade was set by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group.
Kadugli is the capital city of the South Kordofan region.
This is the military's second major gain in the Kordofan area in under a week.
The RSF is known for its involvement in regional conflicts within Sudan.
Thames Valley Police are looking into a report that a second woman was allegedly brought to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 2010. The woman, who was in her 20s at the time and is not from Britain, claims the incident took place at Andrew's former residence, Royal Lodge. Andrew has not commented yet but has denied any previous allegations of wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Thames Valley Police are assessing information reported by the BBC.
The incident allegedly happened in 2010 at Royal Lodge, Andrew's former home.
The woman's lawyer claims she was sent by Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has not responded to these latest claims.
He has previously denied any wrongdoing related to similar accusations.
Thames Valley Police have not received a direct report from the woman or her lawyer.
An anti-monarchist group reported Andrew to the police over trafficking allegations.
Spain plans to ban social media use for children under 16. The aim is to protect them from harmful content online. The plan requires parliamentary approval to become law.
Key Facts
Spain wants to stop children under 16 from using social media.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calls the internet a "digital Wild West."
The plan includes holding company executives responsible for harmful online content.
Spain's proposal follows a similar action by Australia last year.
Other European countries like France and Denmark are considering similar bans.
Social media companies argue these bans might be hard to put into practice.
Spain's parliament needs to approve the plan before it becomes law.
The plan includes better age verification and investigating harmful use of algorithms.
Several former Iranian leaders have spoken out against the killing of thousands during protests. The Iranian government claims fewer deaths than reported by international groups. Calls for major reforms and a peaceful transition have emerged from ex-leaders, calling the current state unsustainable.
Key Facts
Ex-Iranian leaders, some under arrest, criticize the government's handling of protests.
The Iranian government reports 3,117 deaths during protests, but others claim much more.
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified 6,854 deaths.
Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former reformist candidate, calls for peaceful change without foreign intervention.
Mousavi suggests a constitutional referendum for democratic transition.
Mostafa Tajzadeh, from prison, calls for an independent investigation into the protest deaths.
Former President Hassan Rouhani urges for significant reforms and public votes on major issues.
Mohammad Khatami emphasizes non-violence and dialogue to improve Iran's situation.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating Lord Peter Mandelson for allegedly giving important government information to Jeffrey Epstein. He is accused of sending emails with sensitive details when he was business secretary. Lord Mandelson plans to resign from the House of Lords but will keep his life peerage.
Key Facts
The investigation focuses on allegations of misconduct in public office by Lord Mandelson.
Emails reportedly show Mandelson sharing government information with Epstein in 2009.
Mandelson served as business secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Scottish National Party and Reform UK reported Mandelson to the police.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized Mandelson's alleged actions.
Mandelson plans to resign from the House of Lords but will retain his life peerage.
The UK government is considering new legislation about removing Mandelson's peerage.
A bus driver in north-west London, named Mark Hehir, was fired after punching a thief who had stolen a woman's necklace on the bus. The woman, Katalin Kaszas, thanked Hehir for making her feel safe, although his employer, Metroline, dismissed him for not following company safety rules. An employment tribunal upheld his dismissal, despite public support for Hehir.
Key Facts
Mark Hehir, a bus driver, punched a thief who had stolen a woman's necklace in London.
Katalin Kaszas, the theft victim, said she was grateful to Hehir for protecting her.
Hehir was fired by his employer, Metroline, for gross misconduct after the incident.
An employment tribunal upheld the decision to dismiss Hehir.
Metroline stated that Hehir did not follow safety protocols for staff and passengers.
CCTV showed the thief threw a punch at Hehir before he retaliated.
A public petition supporting Hehir gathered over 125,000 signatures.
U.K. Justice Secretary David Lammy called Hehir a hero and is monitoring the case.
The U.S. government released millions of new files related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. The documents mention several well-known people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and President Donald Trump. It is important to note that being mentioned does not mean these individuals did anything illegal.
Key Facts
The latest release included three million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos.
Notable people mentioned in the files include Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and President Donald Trump.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the release of all Epstein-related documents.
There are claims that the Trump administration has not fully complied with the Act.
The documents feature emails and allegations but do not confirm any illegal activities.
Elon Musk's emails with Epstein were about travel plans, though Musk denies visiting Epstein's island.
Bill Gates' alleged emails include unverified claims about personal and health matters.
President Trump is mentioned in allegations based on unverified tips, which he denies.
The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit is on trial for several charges, including four counts of rape, in Oslo. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, which also include other counts like assault and domestic violence.
Key Facts
The trial is taking place in Oslo, Norway.
The accused is Marius Borg Hoiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Hoiby faces a total of 38 charges.
The charges include four counts of rape.
Additional charges involve assault and domestic violence.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has urged Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened, but only a small number of people are being allowed to cross for medical treatment. Many Palestinians are still waiting for help as the area struggles with limited medical access.
Key Facts
UN chief Antonio Guterres called on Israel to allow aid into Gaza.
More than 100 sick and injured Palestinians are trying to leave Gaza for medical treatment abroad.
Only 16 Palestinians crossed into Egypt via the Rafah crossing on a recent day.
The Rafah crossing had been mostly closed for nearly two years.
Up to 20,000 people in Gaza need urgent medical care outside the area.
A 19-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces despite a "ceasefire" agreement in October.
Since the "ceasefire" began, 529 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza according to local health reports.
Gaza's hospitals are severely damaged, making it hard to treat seriously ill patients.
Three teenage junior ice hockey players died in a vehicle crash in Alberta, Canada. They were on their way to practice when their car collided with a semi-truck, and they were all pronounced dead at the scene.
Key Facts
Three teenage ice hockey players died in a crash in Alberta, Canada.
The players were 18-year-olds JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso from British Columbia, and 17-year-old Caden Fine from Alabama, USA.
The crash happened at an intersection when their vehicle collided with a semi-truck.
It occurred while they were traveling to practice in the town of Stavely.
The semi-truck driver, a 40-year-old man, had minor injuries.
Police are investigating what caused the crash.
The hockey players lived with local host families in Nanton, Alberta.
Their team, the Mustangs, plays in a league aimed at developing players for college-level sports.
