Pakistan's military reported that it killed 92 militants in the Balochistan province. The attacks led to the deaths of 15 security personnel and 18 civilians. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attacks, while Pakistan accused India of supporting the militants, which India has denied.
Key Facts
Pakistan's military says 92 militants were killed in Balochistan.
The attacks resulted in the deaths of 15 security personnel and 18 civilians.
The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for these attacks.
Pakistan accused India of aiding the militants; India denied these claims.
Quetta and other cities experienced multiple coordinated attacks.
Mobile phone services and regional train services were temporarily suspended in Balochistan.
The region has a long history of ethnic insurgency since 1948.
Balochistan is rich in natural resources, but locals say they don't benefit from them.
The UK's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy, may close after 99 years due to a dispute over its lease with the Crown Estate. Supporters are petitioning King Charles III to help save the restaurant, which they regard as a significant cultural landmark. The Crown Estate argues the building needs renovation, which isn't possible with the restaurant staying.
Key Facts
Veeraswamy is a historic Indian restaurant in London, established in 1926.
The restaurant is facing closure because its lease might not be renewed by the Crown Estate.
Supporters gathered over 18,000 signatures in a petition to keep Veeraswamy open.
The petition, intended for King Charles III, aims to highlight the restaurant's cultural importance.
The Crown Estate says the building requires refurbishment that doesn't allow the restaurant to remain.
Veeraswamy's history includes notable visitors like Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill.
Celebrity chefs and the Soho Society support efforts to preserve the restaurant as part of London’s heritage.
The restaurant first introduced the popular combination of curry and beer to the UK.
President Donald Trump instructed the Department of Homeland Security not to get involved in protests in Democrat-led cities unless local officials request federal help. This decision comes after federal agents were heavily deployed to Minneapolis, where clashes occurred and two citizens were killed. Trump emphasized protecting federal buildings and agents while stating the need for cautious engagement in Democrat-run areas.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered DHS to avoid protests in Democrat-run cities unless asked for help.
The announcement follows the deployment of 3,000 agents in Minneapolis.
Federal agents were linked to the deaths of two citizens in Minneapolis.
Protests happened in Minneapolis against the federal presence.
Local Minnesota officials are challenging the federal enforcement operations.
A federal judge decided not to stop the operations while a lawsuit is ongoing.
The Trump administration plans to shift from broad enforcement to targeted operations.
Changes in leadership occurred with Tom Homan replacing Greg Bovino in Minneapolis DHS leadership.
Asda, one of the UK's largest supermarkets, has been losing customers to its competitors. Sales decreased by 4.2% over a 12-week period at the end of 2025, and the company faces challenges due to a high level of debt and market changes.
Key Facts
Asda is the UK's third-largest supermarket chain.
Sales at Asda fell by 4.2% during a 12-week period ending December 28, 2025.
Other major UK supermarkets reported sales increases during the same period.
The Issa brothers and TDR Capital bought Asda in 2021 using a debt-financed deal.
Rising inflation and interest rates have increased the cost of Asda's debts.
Management turnover and store staffing cuts have led to operational issues.
Asda faces competition from budget chains like Aldi and Lidl.
Four women, previously abused and manipulated by a man named Aaron Swan, banded together to finally bring him to justice. Swan, a registered sex offender, was involved in a series of abusive relationships over two decades, affecting the lives of several women. Their collective efforts led to his conviction for domestic violence and other crimes.
Key Facts
Aaron Swan was a registered sex offender living in the Scottish Borders.
He engaged in abusive relationships with multiple women over more than 20 years.
The women involved included Jenni, Natalie, Robyn, and Shannon.
Swan was convicted of domestic violence and rape.
Jenni met Swan at 16 and moved in with him despite her family’s objections.
Natalie met Swan at 17 and their relationship quickly became intense.
Robyn met Swan at work when she was 18 and became obsessed with him.
The women worked together to report Swan's actions, leading to his conviction.
The NBA has announced that Cooper Flagg, a 19-year-old rookie for the Dallas Mavericks, has become the youngest player in league history to record back-to-back 30-point double-doubles. Despite the Mavericks losing recent games, Flagg's performances have been outstanding, marking him as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year.
Key Facts
The Dallas Mavericks recently lost 111–107 to the Houston Rockets.
Rookie Cooper Flagg scored 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets, a record for a teenager in one NBA game.
Flagg followed this with a performance of 34 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists against the Rockets.
Flagg is the youngest NBA player to achieve back-to-back 30-point double-doubles.
He is among the top candidates for the Rookie of the Year award.
Flagg's average stats are 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
This article discusses the story of a mother and daughter who fell out and stopped speaking for almost three years. They eventually found a way to reconcile through therapy and difficult conversations. The article also highlights the broader topic of family estrangement, which is becoming more common and can sometimes be necessary for individuals' wellbeing.
Key Facts
Jordan Lux stopped communicating with her mother, Danni Ackerman, for nearly three years.
They worked through their issues over about six years with therapy and conversations.
Family estrangement, where family members no longer speak, is more common than many might think.
About 27% of American adults are estranged from at least one family member, according to a study.
Sociologist Dr. Karl Pillemer highlights that estrangement reasons can include emotional abuse or disrespect.
Younger generations are more vocal about their needs and setting boundaries with family.
Psychologist Dr. Joshua Coleman notes that estrangement is related to protecting mental health.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles, featuring high-profile nominees like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny. There are 95 awards to be given out, with the biggest prizes being highly contested. Key categories include Album of the Year, where Bad Bunny could make history with a win for a Spanish language album.
Key Facts
The 2026 Grammy Awards will occur in Los Angeles.
Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations for his album, GNX.
Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny are also top contenders, with seven and six nominations, respectively.
There are 95 categories, including Album of the Year and Best Artwork.
Bad Bunny could win Album of the Year, which would be the first for a Spanish language album.
Milli Vanilli's Fab Morvan might receive a Grammy for his memoir audiobook.
Olivia Dean is a strong favorite for Best New Artist, following her successful year.
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike scored two goals against Newcastle in a match at Anfield, helping his team win 4-1. Ekitike, who previously attracted interest from Newcastle, has quickly made an impact at Liverpool, earning comparisons to former star Fernando Torres.
Key Facts
Hugo Ekitike scored two goals for Liverpool against Newcastle in a 4-1 victory.
Newcastle initially took the lead with a goal by Anthony Gordon before Ekitike's equalizers.
Ekitike has scored 15 goals for Liverpool since joining the team.
Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike three times, but he eventually joined Liverpool.
Ekitike's playing style and recent goals have drawn comparisons to former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Ekitike and his teammate Florian Wirtz have combined for six goals in all competitions.
Ekitike became the youngest Liverpool player to reach double figures in a league season since Michael Owen in 2000-01.
Newspapers are reporting new photos of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor linked to Jeffrey Epstein's case. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggests Andrew should testify in the U.S. Congress about Epstein. There are ongoing discussions about political pressure on Andrew to share any information he has.
Key Facts
Photos of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor related to Jeffrey Epstein have been released.
The pictures are causing a media stir and discussions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer believes Andrew should testify in the U.S. Congress.
Andrew has openly denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
Media reports suggest increasing political pressure on Andrew to speak out.
Lawyer Spencer Kuvin claims more incriminating photos and videos might be released.
Andrew insists he was unaware of Epstein's criminal behavior during their association.
A major trial in Norway involves Marius Borg Høiby, a step-relative of the Norwegian royal family. He faces serious charges, including the alleged rape of four women and other crimes. The royal family is distancing itself from the trial, emphasizing that Høiby is not a public figure or a part of the royal family.
Key Facts
Marius Borg Høiby is on trial for 38 charges, including the alleged rape of four women.
The trial involves alleged incidents of physical abuse, property damage, drug charges, and driving offences.
Høiby is the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, but the royal family is not attending the trial.
The court has banned pictures of Høiby during the trial, but many media outlets are covering the event.
Høiby has admitted to some lesser offences but denies the majority of accusations, especially those regarding sexual abuse and violence.
One of his accusers, former girlfriend Nora Haukland, has publicly alleged physical abuse by Høiby.
The allegations include a charge of transporting 3.5kg of marijuana added recently to the case.
Testimonies from several women, including public figures, are expected to play a significant role in the trial.
Immigration raids in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood have led to a decrease in business activity. The operation aimed to target undocumented immigrants with criminal records, which has caused fear and uncertainty among local residents and business owners.
Key Facts
The ICE operation, called Operation Midway Blitz, started in September and targeted undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.
In Little Village, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood known for its local businesses, the fear of raids has led to a significant drop in economic activity.
Business owners report a decrease in sales, with some seeing drops up to 60%.
The Department of Homeland Security began the operation after a U.S. student was killed in a hit-and-run by an undocumented immigrant.
President Trump supports the raids, stating they are necessary to protect American citizens.
The raids are affecting Chicago's economy as Little Village is an important economic area for the city.
Local community leaders and residents express concern about the negative impact on businesses and the overall community atmosphere.
The Zulu king of South Africa, King Misuzulu, used an offensive term for foreigners and suggested that migrants should leave the country. His comments stirred concerns, as South Africa has a history of xenophobic attitudes and violence against migrants. The speech highlights ongoing tensions about migrants taking jobs and using resources.
Key Facts
Zulu King Misuzulu made a speech saying migrants should leave South Africa.
He used a derogatory term, "kwerekwere," to refer to African migrants.
The speech was delivered at Isandlwana, a historical Zulu victory site.
South Africa hosts about 2.4 million migrants, around 4% of its population.
Misuzulu's comments echo his late father's anti-migrant remarks from 2015.
South Africa has a high unemployment rate, approximately 33%.
Anti-migrant groups like Operation Dudula have risen, demanding the removal of migrants.
Misinformation about migrant children in schools led to protests needing police intervention.
The Chicago Bulls are releasing player Jevon Carter after a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings. This move allows the Bulls to create space for acquiring Dario Saric from the Kings. Carter joined the Bulls in 2023 on a three-year, $19.5 million contract.
Key Facts
The Bulls participated in a three-team trade with the Cavaliers and Kings.
Jevon Carter, a guard for the Bulls, is being released as a result.
Carter's release helps the Bulls make room for Dario Saric.
Carter signed with the Bulls in 2023 for $19.5 million over three years.
Carter played 130 games for the Bulls, averaging 4.8 points per game.
Dario Saric, now joining the Bulls, previously played for multiple NBA teams.
Saric started his career with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016.
Luke Humphries won a tight match against Luke Woodhouse in the World Masters darts tournament, with a standout moment being his nine-dart finish. Several other players, including world champion Luke Littler and Danny Noppert, also advanced to the quarter-finals. Humphries will face Danny Noppert next, while Littler will play against Josh Rock.
Key Facts
Luke Humphries achieved a nine-dart finish during his match against Luke Woodhouse.
Humphries won the match 4-3 to progress to the next round.
Luke Littler advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Ross Smith 4-1.
Littler's next opponent will be Josh Rock.
Danny Noppert, a Dutch player, defeated Stephen Bunting 4-0 and will play Humphries next.
Gian van Veen beat Nathan Aspinall 4-2 to move forward in the tournament.
Gerwyn Price came from two sets down to win against Jonny Clayton 4-3.
Chris Dobey also reached the quarter-finals after defeating Damon Heta 4-3.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a trade with the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls involving three teams. The Cavaliers are getting Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder from the Kings, while the Bulls receive Dario Saric and two future draft picks. De’Andre Hunter, who played for the Cavaliers, will join the Kings as part of this trade.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Cavaliers traded for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder from the Sacramento Kings.
The Chicago Bulls acquired Dario Saric and two second-round draft picks as part of the three-team trade.
De’Andre Hunter will move from the Cavaliers to the Kings in the exchange.
This season, Keon Ellis played in 43 games, mainly from the bench, with an average of 5.6 points.
Dennis Schroder moved to the Cavaliers after playing for the Kings in 40 games this year.
Schroder is a veteran NBA player who has been with 11 different teams since 2013.
De’Andre Hunter averaged 14.0 points per game in 43 appearances for the Cavaliers this season.
The U.S. has shown interest in Venezuela's large oil reserves. Venezuela's interim president enacted a law to reduce state control over the oil industry and invite private companies, including U.S. firms, to invest.
Key Facts
President Trump expressed interest in Venezuela's oil reserves.
Venezuela announced changes to its oil sector policies.
The new law reduces state control over the oil industry.
Private companies can now invest in Venezuela's oil sector.
This change may allow U.S. oil companies to return to Venezuela.
There is debate about whether the changes benefit Venezuela, the U.S., or both.
Josh Kelly won his first world title by defeating Bakhram Murtazaliev and becoming the IBF light-middleweight champion in Newcastle. The judges scored the match in Kelly's favor, and he celebrated with his trainer and the crowd. Kelly joins five other male world champions from the UK.
Key Facts
Josh Kelly defeated Bakhram Murtazaliev to win the IBF light-middleweight title in Newcastle.
Kelly won by a majority decision, with two judges having him ahead and one scoring it a draw.
During the fight, both Kelly and Murtazaliev were knocked down, but some falls by Kelly were ruled as slips.
This victory makes Kelly Sunderland's first world champion and extends his win streak to eight.
Kelly's victory adds him to the list of six reigning male world boxing champions from the UK.
Elif Nur Turhan successfully defended her IBF lightweight title earlier the same night.
A strong winter storm called a "bomb cyclone" hit the Carolinas, bringing heavy snow and cold temperatures to the area and much of the East Coast. This storm left thousands without electricity, especially in regions not used to such weather. The storm affected travel with hundreds of flight cancellations and numerous traffic accidents reported.
Key Facts
The storm caused blizzard-like conditions in the Carolinas with around a foot of snow in some areas.
More than 197,000 people were without power mainly in Mississippi and Tennessee due to earlier ice storms.
Over 100 deaths related to the storm were reported from Texas to New Jersey.
In North Carolina, heavy snow led to at least 750 traffic accidents, but no fatalities were reported.
Temperatures dropped significantly, with some areas like West Virginia reaching minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit.
The power outages in parts of Tennessee and Mississippi have lasted over a week for some residents.
Many flights at airports in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh were canceled or delayed.
Authorities closed a road in the Outer Banks of North Carolina because of dangerous conditions.
Maxim Naumov, an American figure skater, is set to compete in the Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. He aims to honor his late parents, who were also his coaches and passed away in an incident last year. Naumov seeks to achieve a medal in their memory.
Key Facts
Maxim Naumov is an American figure skater competing in the Winter Olympics in Milan.
His primary reason for competing is to honor his parents, who died last year.
His parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were professional figure skaters.
Both parents were part of a world championship pairs team in the 1990s.
The tragic incident that led to their deaths involved an American Airlines flight, which resulted in 67 fatalities.
Naumov wants people to remember the hard work and legacy of his parents.
His goal is to win a medal, fulfilling his parents' dream of seeing him compete on a global stage.
