The cricket match between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup is affected by long-standing political tensions between the two countries. A recent conflict in May 2025 has worsened relations, influencing how the teams interact on and off the field.
Key Facts
India and Pakistan have a history of hostile political relations and wars.
In May 2025, a four-day conflict occurred between the two nations.
These tensions have impacted sports, especially cricket, leading to event boycotts and canceled matches.
During a September 14 match incident, Indian player Suryakumar Yadav chose not to shake hands with the Pakistani team.
Yadav linked the handshake refusal to an April 2025 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
On September 17, Pakistan refused to play against the UAE due to concerns over a referee involved in the India match.
Players exchanged heated words during a match on September 21, referencing past conflicts.
Seventeen-year-old Choi Ga-on from South Korea won the gold medal in the Winter Olympic halfpipe snowboarding event, preventing American snowboarder Chloe Kim from claiming a historic third consecutive gold. Despite falling early in the competition, Choi scored 90.25 points to win, while Kim finished with a silver medal.
Key Facts
Choi Ga-on is from South Korea and is 17 years old.
Choi won the Winter Olympic halfpipe gold medal in snowboarding.
Chloe Kim, from the United States, was aiming for her third consecutive Olympic gold in this event.
Kim scored 88.00 in her first run but could not surpass Choi's 90.25 in the final round.
Choi overcame a difficult fall earlier in her performance.
Despite past injuries, Kim participated in the event but ended up with the silver medal.
Japan's Mitsuki Ono won the bronze medal with a score of 85.00.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing criticism in Germany for selling T-shirts with designs from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. These Olympics were used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime for propaganda. The IOC describes the shirts as part of a collection to celebrate Olympic history, while acknowledging the controversial aspects.
Key Facts
The IOC's online shop sold T-shirts featuring designs from the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The 1936 Olympics were used by Nazi Germany for propaganda.
The T-shirt design includes symbols and images used during those Games.
German officials have called for the sale of these shirts to stop.
The IOC said the shirts are part of a collection celebrating 130 years of Olympic art.
The IOC acknowledged the historical propaganda used during the 1936 Olympics.
The IOC highlighted athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at these Games, challenging Nazi racial beliefs.
A limited number of the 1936 T-shirts were produced.
Norwegian police have searched properties owned by Thorbjorn Jagland, Norway's former Prime Minister, as part of a corruption investigation linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities are investigating whether Jagland received improper benefits from Epstein, which might be considered bribery.
Key Facts
Norwegian police searched Thorbjorn Jagland’s properties due to a corruption probe related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The investigation began after U.S. Department of Justice documents suggested Jagland or his family stayed at Epstein's residences from 2011 to 2018.
Jagland was Norway's prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and later held significant positions in Europe.
Investigators took several boxes from Jagland’s Oslo apartment during the search.
Jagland is suspected of "aggravated corruption" involving benefits received from Epstein.
His lawyer confirmed the searches were routine in such investigations and mentioned Jagland's willingness to cooperate.
The Council of Europe waived Jagland’s diplomatic immunity to allow the investigation.
It is alleged that Epstein covered travel expenses for Jagland and his family during certain vacations.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to visit Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, after a mass shooting where nine people died. Police say Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old, carried out the shooting before taking her own life. The town is holding memorials, and Canada is observing an official day of mourning to honor the victims.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Tumbler Ridge after the shooting incident.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of nine people, including young students.
The suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, was 18 years old and identified as a woman.
She had a history of mental health issues and died by suicide after the shooting.
Canadian flags will be flown at half-staff for seven days to honor the victims.
The town is setting up unofficial memorials with flowers and stuffed animals.
Police had interacted with Van Rootselaar for mental health concerns before the incident.
On Thursday, British Columbia observed an official day of mourning for the victims.
The United States is preparing to send another aircraft carrier to the Middle East. This action is happening while President Trump mentions the possibility of a diplomatic deal with Iran, despite ongoing tensions. Diplomatic talks between the US and Iran continue, with no new meetings planned yet.
Key Facts
President Trump shared an article stating the US plans to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
The aircraft carrier will join the USS Abraham Lincoln, already in the region.
President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed preferring diplomatic talks with Iran.
US-Iran indirect talks resumed in Oman, but no new talks are scheduled.
Iran's security chief noted that negotiations are only with the US, not Israel.
Iran has refused to negotiate over its missile program, calling it a defense matter.
Israel had a military offensive against Iran last year, leading to US involvement in airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
President Trump has emphasized that Iran should not have nuclear weapons or missiles.
Members of Congress are concerned about the Justice Department (DOJ) tracking their search history related to the Epstein files, leading to discussions of potential legal action. Lawmakers accuse Attorney General Pam Bondi of improper actions by logging searches conducted during their review of sensitive documents. Both Democrats and some Republicans criticize the DOJ's procedures, while legal and policy changes are being considered.
Key Facts
Congress members allege the DOJ logged their search history when reviewing unredacted Epstein files.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is criticized for her management of the situation.
Some Democrats are considering legal action against the DOJ's practices.
Republicans also express concern, calling for transparency about the DOJ's actions.
DOJ states search logs are kept to protect sensitive victim information from being released.
Lawmakers demand a change in DOJ policy to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Both Democratic and Republican leaders are seeking more information about DOJ's activities.
A federal judge has stopped the U.S. military from demoting Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, because he opposed certain Trump administration actions in a video. The judge said the military's actions infringed on Kelly's free speech rights. This decision is part of ongoing legal disputes involving Kelly and other lawmakers.
Key Facts
A judge blocked the military from lowering Senator Mark Kelly's rank.
The judge said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's actions were unconstitutional.
President Trump criticized Kelly and lawmakers for a video urging troops to refuse illegal orders.
A grand jury did not approve charges of seditious conspiracy against Kelly and others.
Reducing Kelly's rank would have cut his retirement pay.
Mark Kelly sued the government, claiming retaliation for his criticisms.
The judge ruled that retired service members' free speech rights are protected.
The video in question featured Kelly and other legislators, arguing against illegal military orders.
CCTV footage showed a large sinkhole opening up on a busy road in Shanghai, China. Authorities stated that the sinkhole happened because of a leak at a nearby subway construction site.
Key Facts
A sinkhole appeared on a busy road in Shanghai, China.
The sinkhole was caught on CCTV video.
The incident occurred on a Wednesday.
Authorities linked the cause of the sinkhole to a leak.
Unofficial results from the Bangladesh election indicate that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is currently in the lead. Votes are still being counted.
Key Facts
The Bangladesh election results are not yet final.
Early and unofficial results show the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is leading.
The vote tallying process is still ongoing.
Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury is reporting from Dhaka.
The outcome of the election is not officially confirmed yet.
President Donald Trump criticized Israel's President Isaac Herzog for not pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces bribery charges. Trump said Herzog should feel ashamed and encouraged Israelis to pressure him for a pardon. Trump has strong ties with Netanyahu and has previously commented on the matter.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump criticized Israel's President Herzog for not pardoning Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is facing bribery charges in Israel and an international arrest warrant for war crimes in Gaza.
Trump praised Netanyahu as a strong leader during wartime.
Herzog's role is mostly ceremonial, but he has the power to grant pardons.
Trump and Netanyahu have a strong political relationship.
Herzog emphasized that pardoning must follow Israel's legal procedures.
Trump and Netanyahu recently met at the White House.
Herzog has made controversial remarks about Palestinians related to the conflict with Hamas.
A video from 2009 shows Jeffrey Epstein's butler attempting to sell a list of victims and clients. This was part of an FBI operation to gather evidence on Epstein's activities.
Key Facts
The video involves Jeffrey Epstein's butler in a 2009 FBI operation.
The butler tried to sell a list that allegedly included victims and clients.
This event occurred before Epstein's criminal activities became widely known.
The video was released recently to the public.
Epstein was a billionaire involved in criminal actions, including exploitation.
President Donald Trump has withdrawn a significant scientific rule from the Obama era that identified greenhouse gases as a danger to public health. This rule, known as the "endangerment finding," was essential for federal policies aimed at reducing emissions, but its reversal is expected to lead to legal challenges. The White House argues that this change will decrease car costs, but environmental groups warn it could increase pollution and negatively impact public health.
Key Facts
President Trump canceled a 2009 decision that said greenhouse gases harm public health.
This decision was important for creating U.S. rules to reduce emissions.
The White House claims the reversal will reduce car prices by $2,400 each.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) originally made this finding based on the risks from gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
Environmental groups plan to challenge the reversal in court.
The move may save automakers money but could raise consumer fuel costs by $1.4 trillion.
Experts say it might lead to more health problems, like asthma and premature deaths.
Some believe this change might put U.S. car manufacturers at a disadvantage globally.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has canceled a key scientific finding from 2009 that recognized greenhouse gases as harmful to human health. This finding supported regulations to control these emissions under U.S. laws, but its removal is likely to prompt legal challenges. The move aligns with President Trump's agenda to ease environmental rules that he considers costly.
Key Facts
The EPA overturned a 2009 scientific finding about greenhouse gases being harmful.
This finding was used to regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act.
The change is expected to lead to immediate legal challenges.
The EPA also repealed rules on CO2 emissions for cars and trucks.
President Trump stated that this repeal aims to reduce consumer costs.
The EPA's decision goes against some mainstream climate science views.
Different Supreme Court decisions in 2022 and 2024 affected the EPA's regulatory powers.
Some industries worry that removing the finding could lead to inconsistent state regulations and lawsuits.
Israeli settlers have bulldozed Palestinian homes in the West Bank. Normally, the Israeli military conducts such demolitions. This event is seen as a new trend in the ongoing removal of Palestinians from these territories.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers demolished Palestinian homes in the West Bank.
The West Bank is a region where these events occurred.
Typically, the Israeli military performs home demolitions.
This action by settlers is a new development.
The event is part of ongoing tensions over land and property in the region.
A Swiss bar fire killed 41 people and injured over 115 others on New Year's Eve. The bar owners, Jessica and Jacques Moretti, face legal charges in Switzerland, including involuntary manslaughter and negligence. Families of the victims expressed their grief in court.
Key Facts
The fire occurred at a Swiss bar on New Year's Eve.
41 people died due to the fire.
At least 115 people suffered injuries.
Bar owners Jessica and Jacques Moretti are being investigated.
The charges include involuntary manslaughter and negligence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for banning athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Milan Cortina Games due to a helmet design honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. The IOC allowed Heraskevych to wear a black armband during the competition instead, but he was disqualified from racing with the helmet.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy condemned the IOC's decision to ban skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych over his helmet design.
The helmet depicted Ukrainian athletes who died in the conflict with Russia.
The IOC ruled that Heraskevych's helmet did not meet the rules for competition.
Heraskevych was offered the option to wear a black armband instead of the helmet.
Heraskevych received the Order of Freedom after the ban.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi called the decision unfair but affirmed the team would continue in the Olympics.
The IOC President Kirsty Coventry acknowledged the helmet's powerful message but emphasized regulations during competition.
660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have reportedly died since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
Two Mexican ships have arrived in Havana, Cuba, carrying humanitarian aid, despite a U.S. oil blockade on Cuba. The U.S. has been trying to stop Cuba from getting oil, which has led to a shortage in the country. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has promised more aid to Cuba and is encouraging dialogue between Cuba and the U.S.
Key Facts
Two Mexican ships docked in Havana, Cuba, bringing humanitarian aid.
The aid arrives as the U.S. continues to block oil supplies to Cuba.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that more help will be sent to Cuba.
The U.S. oil embargo on Cuba began in January under President Donald Trump.
Venezuela, previously a major oil supplier to Cuba, is now cut off due to U.S. actions.
Trump has suggested Cuba's government could collapse without Venezuelan support.
The U.S. has declared the situation a "national emergency" and implementing tariffs on countries trading oil with Cuba.
Mexico, a key trading partner with the U.S., opposes the oil blockade.
Tesco plans to let people under 18 use its Clubcard loyalty program this year. This change comes after discussions about making loyalty schemes more accessible to younger customers. The scheme allows shoppers to get discounts and collect points for vouchers, helping them save money on products.
Key Facts
Tesco aims to allow under-18s to access its Clubcard loyalty scheme in 2023.
The Clubcard offers discounts on products and points that can be turned into vouchers.
The decision follows calls for broader access to loyalty schemes for younger customers.
The UK's competition regulator stated that supermarkets should consider allowing younger people to benefit from their loyalty schemes.
Most UK supermarkets require customers to be 18 or over to join their loyalty programs.
Some supermarkets like Morrisons allow young customers to use a parent or guardian's account for discounts.
Tesco is reviewing its Clubcard to make it available to under-18s this year.
Which?, a consumer group, noted that access to these discounts can significantly help families save money.
Kenya will re-open its border with Somalia in April after being closed for almost 15 years. The closure was originally due to attacks by the militant group al-Shabab. President William Ruto stated that security will be a top priority when the border re-opens.
Key Facts
Kenya's border with Somalia has been closed for nearly 15 years.
The shutdown happened because of attacks from the militant group al-Shabab.
President William Ruto announced the re-opening, planned for April.
Security forces will heavily monitor the border to ensure safety.
President Ruto mentioned concerns about smuggling across the border.
The announcement was made during a visit to Mandera, a town in Kenya's northeast.
The re-opening aims to boost trade between Kenya and Somalia.
Al-Shabab has been responsible for several deadly attacks in Kenya in the past.
