A new animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson's story, "The Scarecrows' Wedding," will come out this Christmas. The story follows two scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, as they plan their wedding, focusing on the importance of togetherness.
Key Facts
"The Scarecrows' Wedding" is a book by Julia Donaldson.
A new animated version will release this Christmas.
The main characters are scarecrows named Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay.
The story highlights the theme of being together rather than making big displays.
A recent report examines if British intelligence has learned from the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK. The report looks into whether security for former spies has improved and how Russian intelligence activities have adjusted since then. It notes continued challenges in managing threats and adapting to new tactics by Russian operatives.
Key Facts
Sergei Skripal, a former Russian agent, was poisoned in the UK in 2018.
Skripal had been working for British intelligence and was part of a spy swap in 2010.
A report suggests there were no regular updates on the risks Skripal faced, which has been identified as a mistake.
The attack used a nerve agent called Novichok, attributed to the Russian military intelligence agency, GRU.
Following the attack, UK intelligence increased protection for defectors and high-risk individuals.
Russia has changed its tactics, using proxies for intelligence activities in the UK and Europe.
Increased expulsions of Russian diplomats and better information-sharing have occurred across Europe since the incident.
A group of Bulgarians in the UK, hired by Moscow, were convicted for conducting surveillance operations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia disagrees with parts of a U.S. plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Talks with U.S. representatives did not lead to an agreement, with major differences remaining over Ukrainian territories controlled by Russian forces and security assurances for Ukraine.
Key Facts
President Vladimir Putin said Russia disagrees with parts of the U.S. plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Disagreements include the fate of Ukrainian territories taken by Russia and security guarantees for Ukraine.
President Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, led talks in Moscow and will meet with Ukraine's negotiators in Florida.
Putin noted the need for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the eastern Donbas region.
No compromise was reached during the Kremlin talks, according to Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Ukrainian leaders demand firm security guarantees and refuse to cede territory.
The U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators reported creating a new peace framework but gave no details.
European leaders expressed concerns about the U.S. plan potentially betraying Ukraine.
The article focuses on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal troubles and his request for a pardon to halt his ongoing trial. The call for a pardon has sparked political debate in Israel, with some supporters arguing it is necessary for national unity and others viewing it as a personal vendetta by the legal system. Netanyahu's supporters are divided on how to approach the situation, with some advocating for a deal that would see him leave politics.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial but has not yet been convicted.
He has requested a pardon from Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, to stop the trial.
The pardon request aims to preserve "national unity" and respond to "important developments" in the Middle East.
Netanyahu's supporters argue the trial is unfair and part of a vendetta against him.
There is historical precedent for pardoning individuals before conviction, such as in the Bus 300 affair of 1984.
Netanyahu's request has spurred political debate, with some advocating for a compromise or deal.
Some of his backers have suggested intervention by notable figures like President Trump if the trial isn't halted.
The ongoing conflict and political dynamics in Israel are central to the arguments both for and against the pardon.
A U.S. Navy admiral is briefing lawmakers about a controversial military strike on a boat in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking. The incident involved two attacks on the boat, with questions arising about the legality of using such force. President Trump and other officials maintain that the actions were legal, but the situation has sparked debate among lawmakers.
Key Facts
U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley is briefing Congress about a double-strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean.
The incident involved two separate strikes, which raised questions about the legal use of military force on the boat.
Officials said the boat still contained drugs, making it a valid target for the second strike, according to a U.S. official.
President Trump supports releasing the video of the second strike to the public; the first strike video is already available.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initially said reports of the second strike were false but later confirmed by the White House.
There is debate over rules of conflict that prohibit attacking wounded combatants.
The incident is part of a wider U.S. campaign in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, reportedly killing over 80 people.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concern over the strikes and the broader military campaign in the region.
Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi was blocked from Instagram after using the platform to organize protests against the government. Instagram, owned by Meta, stated her accounts were removed due to policy violations. The U.S. is reviewing its relationship with Tanzania over concerns about democratic practices and human rights issues.
Key Facts
Mange Kimambi, a Tanzanian activist, was blocked from Instagram for violating Meta's policies.
The Tanzanian government accused her of inciting protests against President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Instagram said her accounts were removed due to repeat violations of their rules.
Deadly protests followed the Tanzanian elections on October 29, which were disputed.
The U.S. Department of State criticized Tanzania for restricting free speech and is reviewing relations.
President Samia defended the use of force during protests, which has drawn international criticism.
Kimambi had nearly three million followers on Instagram before her accounts were removed.
The issue highlights broader concerns about democratic backsliding in Tanzania.
A video shows an Israeli military attack on a building in southern Lebanon. This occurred shortly after Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in decades. The village of al-Majadel was among several areas affected by this attack.
Key Facts
A video recorded an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon.
The strike hit the village of al-Majadel.
This event happened after Israel and Lebanon had direct talks for the first time in many years.
At least four communities in Lebanon were targeted on the same day.
The talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials were held just one day before the strike.
Israel's military has carried out air strikes on towns in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement that began last November. The attacks targeted areas believed to be used by Hezbollah, leading to evacuations and significant damage. These actions violate the truce between Israel and Hezbollah, which has witnessed repeated breaches since its inception.
Key Facts
Israel hit at least three towns in southern Lebanon: Mahrouna, Jbaa, and al-Majadel.
The air strikes violated a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah from November 2024.
The attack on Jbaa caused major damage in a crowded residential area.
Israel warned residents to evacuate from targeted areas in al-Majadel, claiming Hezbollah used those sites.
The United Nations reported more than 300 people died in Lebanon due to Israel's nearly daily attacks since the ceasefire.
Israel justifies its actions by claiming it is targeting Hezbollah's military capabilities.
Lebanese and Israeli officials held direct peace talks for the first time in decades recently.
The UN has raised concerns about possible breaches of international humanitarian law by Israel.
Scientists suggest that a volcanic eruption around 1345 may have led to the Black Death, Europe's deadliest plague. The eruption possibly caused climate changes resulting in crop failures, prompting Italian cities to import grain from areas carrying plague-infected rodents and fleas. This chain of events potentially introduced the disease to Europe.
Key Facts
A volcanic eruption around 1345 may have caused climate changes leading to the Black Death.
Tree rings indicate unusually cold summers in 1345-1347.
The climate changes led to poor harvests in Europe.
Italian city-states imported grain from the Black Sea to prevent famine.
The grain imports brought fleas carrying the Black Death bacterium.
The disease spread across Europe in 1348-49, killing up to half the population.
Researchers used tree rings and ice cores to study climatic conditions of that time.
The Black Death was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, spread by rodents and fleas.
The European Union (EU) has a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine financially. Belgium is opposing the plan due to concerns about legal and financial risks. The EU aims to provide a total of 90 billion euros to Ukraine over 2026-27, mainly through loans backed by these frozen assets.
Key Facts
The EU plans to use billions from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.
Belgium is worried about legal and financial risks related to the plan.
The EU intends to provide 90 billion euros to Ukraine for 2026-27.
This support is part of Ukraine’s estimated budget needs of 137 billion euros, as assessed by the International Monetary Fund.
Most EU officials prefer using frozen Russian assets instead of other funding methods.
The plan involves using the frozen assets as collateral for loans to Ukraine.
Ukraine would repay these loans once it receives compensation from Russia.
Hungary may veto this plan, as it has opposed previous EU aid to Ukraine.
A baby seal entered a bar in Richmond, New Zealand, surprising the owner who initially thought it was a dog. The bar staff used salmon pizza topping to coax the seal out of hiding and kept it safe until wildlife rangers arrived and returned it to the wild.
Key Facts
A baby seal was found inside a bar in Richmond, New Zealand.
The bar owner initially thought the seal was a dog.
Salmon pizza topping was used to lure the seal out.
Bar staff ensured the seal stayed safe until help arrived.
Wildlife rangers returned the seal to its natural environment.
The incident was reported by the Department of Conservation.
In rural Nigeria, parents are waiting for news about 300 students and staff taken by kidnappers from St. Mary’s Catholic School. The kidnappers have not contacted the families or asked for money.
Key Facts
Around 300 students and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in rural Nigeria.
The kidnappers have not reached out to the families.
No ransom demand has been made by the kidnappers.
Parents are left without information about their children's whereabouts or condition.
The incident adds to a series of kidnappings in Nigeria targeting schoolchildren.
An Indonesian mother and her baby escaped from a landslide in North Tapanuli, Indonesia. Heavy rains caused landslides, destroyed villages, displaced many people, and isolated large areas.
Key Facts
Sri Yuni Pardede is an Indonesian mother who escaped a landslide with her baby.
The landslide happened in the North Tapanuli area of Indonesia.
Heavy rains led to the landslides.
Villages were destroyed due to the disaster.
Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes.
Large areas are cut off due to the damage from the landslides.
Workers in Gaza are clearing rubble from the historic Great Omari Mosque, which was damaged during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. A ceasefire has allowed recovery work to begin, but reconstruction is difficult because building supplies are blocked from entering Gaza. Conservation efforts are also underway to save ancient Islamic manuscripts that survived the destruction.
Key Facts
The Great Omari Mosque in Gaza, a historic site, was damaged by Israeli military actions during the conflict with Hamas.
Palestinian workers are clearing rubble, but they can't start rebuilding due to a lack of materials.
Israel is not allowing building supplies into Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Hosni al-Mazloum, an engineer, says they must use basic tools to carefully sift through stones that are over 1,200 years old.
Hanin al-Amsi is working to save ancient Islamic manuscripts stored at the mosque's library.
Of 228 manuscripts, about 148 survived, thanks to pre-war preservation efforts with the British Library.
UNESCO has confirmed 145 cultural sites in Gaza were damaged in the recent conflict through satellite images.
Accusations exist regarding intentional targeting of heritage sites, which both sides deny.
The United States led discussions with Russia about finding peace in Ukraine. Both sides blame each other for the lack of progress. The meetings did not result in any agreement, and disagreements persist about NATO and territorial issues.
Key Facts
The U.S. delegation, including President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, met with Russian officials for high-level talks.
Russia sees Ukraine's refusal to accept its terms as a barrier to peace.
Ukraine and its allies blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for not agreeing to a truce.
Russian aide Yuri Ushakov described the meeting as useful but acknowledged more work is needed.
Differences remain on Ukraine's potential NATO membership and territorial issues.
Some Russian analysts accuse Ukraine of not upholding previous agreements.
Meetings between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 have not led to peace.
Kremlin claims to have taken the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, though Kyiv disputes this.
Cyclone Ditwah has caused severe damage in Sri Lanka, especially affecting children. Many children are now without homes to return to after the flooding.
Key Facts
Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka, causing extensive flooding.
The cyclone heavily impacted communities in the country.
Many children have been left homeless due to the floods.
UNICEF is involved, with Emma Brigham speaking out about the situation.
The situation is critical for affected families and communities.
A man named Mohammad Asim Bashir has been charged with terrorist-related offences following an investigation into an attack on a synagogue in Manchester. He is accused of preparing for terrorist acts and sharing terrorist materials with others.
Key Facts
Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, charged with terrorism-related offences.
The charges relate to the investigation into a synagogue attack in Manchester.
The attack happened at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Yom Kippur.
Bashir is accused of preparing for acts of terrorism and sharing terrorist publications.
He allegedly drove the attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, to a UK defence site for reconnaissance.
Bashir is set to appear in court at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Greater Manchester Police identified Bashir as British Pakistani.
Officials state there is enough evidence to charge Bashir with preparation and dissemination offences.
PC Pamela Pritchard, a police officer in North Wales, was dismissed for inappropriate conduct at a party where she groped two colleagues. A disciplinary panel found she breached police behavior standards. Despite her apology and expression of remorse, the panel considered her actions serious enough for dismissal.
Key Facts
The incident took place at a party in March 2024 at Caernarfon Rugby Club, Gwynedd.
PC Pritchard inappropriately touched a male and a female colleague.
CCTV footage showed PC Pritchard engaging in suggestive dancing before the incidents.
The disciplinary panel concluded that her actions were serious misconduct.
PC Pritchard apologized and expressed she was ashamed of her behavior.
She denied the situation constituted gross misconduct but accepted it was inappropriate.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop stated that the proven breaches justified dismissal.
PC Pritchard was a trainee officer who joined North Wales Police in 2023.
Tunisian police have arrested Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, a prominent opposition leader, amid a series of arrests of critics of President Kais Saied. Chebbi recently received a 12-year sentence for alleged crimes against the state, which human rights groups criticize as politically motivated. The crackdown has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns about political freedoms in Tunisia.
Key Facts
Ahmed Nejib Chebbi is a major opposition leader in Tunisia and was arrested by the police.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for allegedly plotting against the state.
Human rights groups label the trial and sentence as politically motivated and unfair.
President Kais Saied's government has been criticized for limiting political freedoms since 2021.
Various opposition figures have been arrested, with some receiving long sentences.
The European Parliament and Amnesty International have condemned these actions and called for releasing political prisoners.
President Saied dismissed international criticism as interference in Tunisia's affairs.
The National Salvation Front, which Chebbi helped found, accused the government of targeting its opponents.
The article discusses the distribution of land between Israelis and Palestinians after a ceasefire. It points out that much of the fertile land is controlled by Israel, while Palestinians have land that is not good for farming.
Key Facts
There was a ceasefire agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.
After the ceasefire, the land left for Palestinians is mostly not suitable for farming.
Israel controls most of the fertile land in the region.
The imbalance in land quality affects agricultural opportunities for Palestinians.
Land control remains a significant issue between Israelis and Palestinians.
