A farmer in County Tyrone is calling for tougher actions after continuous dog attacks on his livestock, with a llama recently injured. The farmer has suffered numerous dog attacks over the years, resulting in significant financial losses. Local authorities and officials recognize the issue and are considering measures to address livestock worrying.
Key Facts
A llama, bought to protect sheep, was injured by two dogs on Nigel McMullan's farm.
The farm has experienced 14 or 15 dog attacks over the past five years.
McMullan has lost between 10 and 12 sheep due to these attacks.
The financial impact includes thousands of pounds in veterinary care and loss of livestock.
The cost of dog attacks on livestock in Northern Ireland rose almost 50% last year to an estimated £218,000.
Livestock worrying is a criminal offense, with penalties up to £1,000.
Northern Ireland's local councils manage dog control issues and can take actions like seizing dogs.
Local officials emphasize the need to prioritize and address the issue to support farmers.
Former Ibiza DJs Sally Rodgers and Steve Jones are working in Teesside, UK, to support local arts and inspire young people. They collaborate with organizations like Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art and Teesside University to promote creativity in the area.
Key Facts
Sally Rodgers performed alongside famous artists in Ibiza during the 80s and 90s.
She returned to Middlesbrough to promote local arts and culture.
Rodgers is part of the electronic music duo "A Man Called Adam."
She earned a PhD from the University of St Andrews.
The duo's recent music incorporates sounds from Teesside's industrial history.
Steve Jones teaches music production at Teesside University.
They are involved in local events like Wintertide in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Arts Week.
Douglas Daniel and his wife Barbara were found guilty of abusing children in their care from 1986 to 1991. Before becoming foster carers, Douglas had 26 convictions for crimes including theft and housebreaking. The case has raised questions about the foster care approval process and how such individuals were allowed to care for children.
Key Facts
Douglas Daniel had 26 convictions before he became a foster carer.
The Daniels started fostering children in 1986 despite Douglas's criminal history.
They were found guilty of abusing six children between 1986 and 1991.
The abuse included locking children in rooms and putting them in animal pens.
The couple claimed to have fostered a total of 100 children.
A victim, whose name was changed to Lynn, described the abuse she suffered, including being put in a makeshift cell.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said they are investigating how the approval process allowed this situation.
Douglas Daniel used the alias Douglas Duncan and had convictions for various crimes, including theft and handling stolen goods, before fostering.
A study by WalletHub found that Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Vermont have the highest average credit scores in the U.S., while Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have the lowest. Credit scores are important for getting loans and credit, with higher scores indicating better creditworthiness.
Key Facts
WalletHub used TransUnion data to compare credit scores across U.S. states.
Minnesota has the highest average credit score at 723.
New Hampshire and Vermont follow with average scores of 721 and 720, respectively.
Mississippi has the lowest average credit score at 669.
Louisiana and Alabama have average scores of 673 and 677, respectively.
Credit scores help lenders decide on loan approvals, with scores ranging from 300 to 850.
The national average credit score dropped from 718 in 2023 to 715 in 2024.
Economic factors like income and employment rates influence credit scores.
Sarah Daniels from Reading, England, went into debt after losing her job due to illness in 2024. She sought help from the charity Christians Against Poverty to manage her £5,000 debt. Citizens Advice East Berkshire and Christians Against Poverty reported an increase in people seeking help for debt, often due to essential bills.
Key Facts
Sarah Daniels lost her job because of health issues, leading to a debt of £5,000.
Her debts mainly came from being unable to pay necessary bills like utilities and rent.
Daniels received help from the charity Christians Against Poverty to manage her debts.
Citizens Advice East Berkshire reported a 54% increase in clients with debt issues in 2024-25.
Many are going into debt due to essential living costs rather than luxury spending.
The average debt for new clients in the south east of England is over £12,500.
Citizens Advice noticed around 400,000 people nationwide with debt problems, a 45% increase in two years.
80% of debt clients can't cover their basic living expenses.
Phil Taylor, a retiring rail worker from Newcastle, has visited Walt Disney World in Florida 80 times and plans to keep visiting as long as he can. He loves roller coasters and often travels to the park with his wife, having started these trips 27 years ago. Despite his frequent visits, he has managed to keep costs down through annual passes and by not drinking or smoking.
Key Facts
Phil Taylor is a 65-year-old from Newcastle who is retiring after working on the Tyne and Wear Metro for 49 years.
Taylor has visited Walt Disney World in Florida 80 times and plans more visits.
He started visiting the theme park 27 years ago with his family and now goes mainly with his wife.
Taylor was the youngest train driver on the Metro at age 19, a record that stood due to a change in age limits.
He prefers roller coasters to trains, with his favorite being the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando Resort.
Taylor economizes his trips by using annual passes and avoiding expenses like drinking and smoking.
46 new trains are being rolled out on the Tyne and Wear Metro, costing £362 million to replace older trains.
A major winter storm hit parts of North America, resulting in heavy snowfall. While many people stayed indoors, dog owners shared videos of their pets joyfully playing in the snow. However, experts warn of the dangers of severe cold for pets.
Key Facts
A powerful winter storm affected large areas of North America, causing heavy snowfalls.
Dog owners shared viral videos of their pets playing in the snow, with one video of a golden retriever named Flapjack gaining over 8,000 views.
In Toronto, border collies named Everest and Bali were also seen enjoying the snow, with their video receiving over 250,000 views on Instagram.
A corgi in Toronto faced challenges due to his short legs, requiring a path to be shoveled for him, yet his video was viewed more than 150,000 times.
The American Veterinary Medical Association advises that extreme cold can be dangerous for dogs, warning against frostbite and hypothermia.
Certain dog breeds can handle cold weather better, but all dogs, especially puppies and older dogs, should not be left outside for long during freezing conditions.
President Donald Trump announced that Belarus has joined his new international group called the Board of Peace. The Board aims to gather countries for a focus on world peace, but some nations have opted not to join. The group's future actions will depend on how many countries participate and clarify its goals and role in global matters.
Key Facts
Belarus joined President Trump's Board of Peace.
The Board of Peace is part of Trump’s strategy for global peace and includes plans for Gaza.
Trump is the chairman of the Board and aims to involve many world leaders.
The initiative has seen mixed reactions, with some countries interested and others declining.
Invitations were sent to countries on several continents, including the European Commission.
France, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, and the U.K. have declined to join.
The White House will continue its broader peace strategy regardless of these rejections.
An organization for the administration of Gaza and additional boards are also part of the peace plan.
A runner named Harry Oates died after touching a low-hanging live power cable in Cumbria. An inquest found that this accident happened due to a complex set of circumstances, and there was no direct responsibility assigned to the electricity company. However, calls were made for the industry to take action to prevent similar future incidents.
Key Facts
Harry Oates died from electrocution after coming into contact with a live power cable while jogging.
The incident occurred on a public footpath in Cumbria.
An inquest determined the death was caused by a "rare and complex" set of events.
The coroner did not hold Electricity North West (ENWL), which manages the line, responsible.
ENWL plans to continue working with industry groups to reduce future risks.
Tests showed 73% of insulators in the network contained voids, leading to changes in materials.
Another similar incident occurred in Essex in 2012, where a man also died from electrocution.
The family's legal team is considering further action in light of the case.
Gerber Products Company has recalled certain batches of its Arrowroot biscuits for babies due to concerns they might contain soft plastic or paper pieces. These items may pose a choking risk, and no injuries or illnesses have been reported so far.
Key Facts
Gerber recalled a limited batch of Arrowroot biscuits.
The recall happened because the biscuits might contain soft plastic or paper.
These foreign materials were discovered after a supplier of arrowroot flour recalled their product.
Gerber has stopped working with the implicated supplier.
The batches were made between July and September 2025.
Affected products have "Best Before" dates from October 16, 2026, to December 16, 2026.
No other Gerber products are affected.
Consumers are advised to return the product for a refund and can contact Gerber for questions.
Households often see higher energy bills in winter due to "vampire power," where devices continue to use electricity even when turned off. Smart home technologies like smart plugs and thermostats can help reduce this extra energy use and save money. These devices allow homeowners to control and track their energy consumption more effectively.
Key Facts
"Vampire power" is when devices use electricity even when they appear to be off, and it can increase energy bills by up to 20%.
Smart plugs can remotely shut off power to devices or work on a schedule to save energy.
Power strips with smart features can control multiple devices at once, helpful for setups with many electronics.
Programmable and smart thermostats adjust home temperatures to save on heating costs.
LED light bulbs use less energy and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs; smart versions offer extra features like scheduling.
Simple insulating products can help keep heat in the home, reducing the need to crank up the thermostat.
Smart humidifiers can maintain comfortable humidity levels, decreasing the need for extra heating.
Newsweek contributors debated whether the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency should be abolished following incidents involving ICE agents in Minneapolis. Some argue ICE needs dismantling due to its controversial actions, while others emphasize the need for proper investigation and reform rather than abolition.
Key Facts
A Border Patrol agent shot an ICU nurse named Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
This incident follows the shooting of Renée Good by an ICE agent in the same city.
Protests against ICE practices are happening in Minneapolis and across the U.S.
The debate involves considering if ICE actions require reform or complete abolition.
Arguments center on ICE’s role and tactics, with calls for investigation into recent shootings.
ICE was established in 2003 after not existing as a standalone agency before that year.
Some people argue deportations of violent criminals are still viewed positively by the public.
London has various lesser-known local rules called by-laws, created by local councils to address specific issues. These rules cover activities like spitting, feeding pigeons, and carrying ladders on pavements, and they can result in fines if broken. Transport for London (TfL) also has by-laws for passenger behavior, such as prohibiting activities that might be dangerous or disturbing to others.
Key Facts
By-laws are local laws made by councils to address local issues in London.
Violating a by-law can lead to fines, which are enforced through a magistrates' court.
In Enfield and Waltham Forest, spitting in public is banned and can result in fines of £80 to £500.
Harrow Council fines people £100 for feeding pigeons in town centers.
Tower Hamlets and Westminster have bans that prevent wildlife-feeding and entering Parliament in armor.
The Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 bans activities like carrying planks on pavements and flying kites if they are a nuisance.
Transport for London bans hot drinks that could spill and other behaviors like fare evasion and playing loud music.
In 2024-25, TfL recorded a high number of fare evasion prosecutions, with 13,118 penalty fare notices issued.
David Beckham congratulated his friend Marc Anthony on expecting his eighth child with Nadia Ferreira. This announcement came amid a public family disagreement involving Beckham's son Brooklyn, who shared grievances about his parents, David and Victoria.
Key Facts
Marc Anthony and his wife Nadia Ferreira are expecting their second child together.
David Beckham publicly congratulated Marc Anthony on social media.
Brooklyn Beckham has a public dispute with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham.
Brooklyn claims his mother, Victoria, took over his planned first dance at his wedding.
Marc Anthony performed at Brooklyn's wedding in 2022.
The family disagreement involves allegations of controlling behavior from Brooklyn's parents.
Bangladesh is approaching a national election on February 12, with the military playing a significant role in maintaining public order but not seeking electoral power. The army is seen as a key player in the political environment due to its size, influence, and past involvement in political transitions.
Key Facts
Bangladesh is holding a national election on February 12.
The military is not trying to gain electoral power but is maintaining public order.
Up to 100,000 troops are expected to be deployed during the election.
The military has been a stabilizing force since the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leads the interim administration.
Bangladesh has a history of military influence in political transitions.
The military is involved in UN peacekeeping missions, providing financial benefits.
Analysts suggest the army prefers a return to a civilian government and constitutional order.
President Donald Trump deployed troops to six major U.S. cities in 2025, costing about $500 million according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The troops were sent to deter crime and support federal immigration enforcement. The ongoing deployments continue in some cities and may cost $93 million monthly in 2026.
Key Facts
President Trump sent over 10,000 National Guard and marines to several cities in 2025.
The total estimated cost of the deployments in 2025 was approximately $496 million.
The cities involved included Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Memphis, Portland, Chicago, and New Orleans.
As of December 2025, about 5,000 troops remained in the affected cities due to legal challenges.
Washington, DC, had the costliest deployment, costing $232 million, with nearly 3,000 troops involved.
Ongoing deployments in 2026 are estimated to cost $93 million monthly.
Suspended operations include those in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, while deployments continue in other cities.
The cost for deploying 1,000 National Guards to a city in 2026 is estimated between $18 million and $21 million per month.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued beach hazard warnings for parts of central California due to strong rip currents, sneaker waves, and coastal flooding risks. People are advised to stay out of the water and take precautions against high waves and flooding through the weekend.
Key Facts
The warnings affect beaches along the Pacific Coast, San Francisco, and Monterey Bay.
Sneaker waves and rip currents can be dangerous and are expected until Friday morning.
Coastal flooding may occur in areas like San Pablo Bay, with up to 1.4 feet of seawater expected in low-lying areas.
Sneaker waves are unpredictable and can pull people into the ocean unexpectedly.
People are advised to stay off jetties, rocks, and piers to avoid getting swept away.
Residents in flood-risk areas should prepare to secure property and know evacuation routes.
If stranded due to flooding, staying indoors on the highest floor with supplies is advised.
Drivers should not bypass road barricades and avoid driving through unclear water depths.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani are communicating and interested in collaborating on issues affecting their cities, like the cost of living and housing crises. Both mayors see President Trump as a challenge they must deal with as they work on these matters. Khan emphasized the importance of cooperation between cities in the face of national political tensions.
Key Facts
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have exchanged messages.
Both mayors face challenges due to President Trump's policies.
They aim to work together on common issues such as rising living costs and housing problems.
Khan mentioned cooperation is crucial despite national political tensions.
No meeting between the two mayors has been scheduled yet.
Khan previously criticized Trump, referring to comments Trump made about him and London.
First Lady Melania Trump discussed her son, Barron Trump's contribution to President Donald Trump's recent presidential campaign. Barron, who is studying at New York University, has become more involved in his father's political activities. Melania's film showcasing her experiences leading up to the 2025 inauguration is also set to premiere soon.
Key Facts
Melania Trump shared how her son, Barron, helped President Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign.
Barron Trump is now a sophomore at New York University's Stern School of Business.
At 19 years old, Barron is more engaged with White House activities than during his father's first term.
Melania promoted her new film that documents her life before President Trump's 2025 inauguration.
Barron made news by helping U.K. police during an assault incident he observed over a video call.
The attacker in the U.K. incident was convicted for assaulting a woman, with possible jealousy motives regarding Barron's friendship.
The film will premiere at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
