Iranian state television reported that around 3,117 people died in recent antigovernment protests. These demonstrations began due to economic issues and expanded into a broader antigovernment movement. The Iranian government's response to the protests has been widely condemned, while tensions between the U.S. and Iran have increased.
Key Facts
Iranian state media reported that 3,117 people died during antigovernment protests.
The demonstrations started in late December over economic problems.
The protests grew into a broader antigovernment movement.
Iran condemned the protests as "terrorist" incidents.
Human Rights Activists News Agency claimed more people died than reported by state media.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to intervene on behalf of the protesters.
Rights groups reported that security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators.
Iranian authorities linked the protests to U.S. and Israeli involvement.
President Donald Trump has decided not to impose tariffs on European countries opposing the U.S.'s interest in acquiring Greenland. This decision came after a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump stated ongoing discussions might involve deals linked to mineral rights and a missile defense system.
Key Facts
President Trump will not put tariffs on European countries opposing the U.S.'s interest in Greenland.
The decision followed a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump hinted that a future agreement could involve mineral rights and a missile defense system.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social and mentioned ongoing negotiations.
Greenland has large reserves of rare earth minerals, important for tech products like phones and electric vehicles.
Previously, Trump proposed tariffs on goods from several European countries until a deal for Greenland was reached.
Trump stated he would not use force to acquire Greenland.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Trump's tariff threats at the World Economic Forum.
Israeli forces tore down three houses that belonged to Palestinians in the village of Shuqba, located in the occupied West Bank. This event has led to strong reactions from local residents.
Key Facts
Israeli forces have removed three Palestinian homes.
The homes were located in Shuqba village.
Shuqba is in the occupied West Bank area.
Local residents have expressed strong disapproval of the demolition.
One resident described the event as a significant destruction.
Ecuador will impose a 30% security tariff on imports from Colombia. President Daniel Noboa stated this is due to Colombia's lack of action against illegal mining and drug trafficking. The tariff will begin on February 1 and aims to encourage Colombia to work collaboratively with Ecuador to address border issues.
Key Facts
Ecuador will introduce a 30% tariff on Colombian imports starting February 1.
The reason for the tariff is Colombia's insufficient efforts to combat illegal mining and cocaine trafficking.
President Daniel Noboa is aligning his policies with U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to dealing with drug trafficking.
Noboa has expressed strong support for Trump's policies, particularly in expanding U.S. influence in Latin America.
Noboa previously supported a failed referendum that would have permitted the construction of U.S. military bases in Ecuador.
Ecuador hopes the tariff will prompt Colombia to collaborate more in addressing the shared border's drug-related challenges.
Ecuador's trade deficit with Colombia exceeds $1 billion annually.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has visited Ecuador twice in relation to this cooperation.
A rare octopus was seen on a beach in Tenby, Wales by a photographer named Gareth Davies. This sighting is part of a larger trend of increased octopus sightings in UK waters, thought to be linked to warmer winters from climate change. The rise in octopus numbers may affect the shellfish populations and the wildlife charity has highlighted these changes.
Key Facts
An octopus was spotted on North Beach in Tenby, Wales by photographer Gareth Davies.
The octopus showed its ability to camouflage by changing color and burying itself in the sand.
There has been an increase in octopus sightings in the UK, with a notable rise since last year.
Warmer winters, which are linked to climate change, are believed to contribute to the increase in octopus populations.
The Wildlife Trusts report that 2025 has been declared "the Year of the Blooming Octopus" due to the increase in sightings.
Higher numbers of octopuses can impact local wildlife, particularly shellfish like lobsters and crabs.
The common octopus, despite its name, is not usually frequent in UK waters.
Two octopuses were previously found on Welsh beaches in 2022, highlighting a trend in sightings.
Ancient Khmer temples near the Thailand-Cambodia border have suffered damage due to ongoing conflicts between the two countries. The fighting is related to long-standing disputes over territory.
Key Facts
Ancient Khmer temples have been damaged or destroyed along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
The conflict is based on territorial claims that go back centuries.
The area is heavily militarized and mostly restricted to the public.
Journalists, including Al Jazeera's Tony Cheng, have visited the site with the Thai military.
Recent fighting is the cause of the temple damage.
President Donald Trump stated that the United States will not use military force to acquire Greenland, which is an autonomous region of Denmark. Greenlanders had mixed feelings about his comments, with some feeling relieved and others feeling skeptical or insulted.
Key Facts
President Trump said the U.S. will not use military action to take over Greenland.
Greenland is a self-governing territory that belongs to Denmark.
Trump referred to Greenland as "a piece of ice."
Greenlanders had different reactions, including relief, skepticism, and feeling insulted.
The issue relates to international discussions at the Davos conference.
President Donald Trump gave a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, focusing on the U.S. economy and sharing strong opinions about other world leaders, including Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump remarked on the economic relationship with Canada and made personal comments about France's President Emmanuel Macron. Prime Minister Carney had criticized economic power imbalances, indirectly referring to the U.S.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He emphasized the strength of the American economy.
Trump commented on Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, saying Canada owes much to the U.S.
Carney had spoken about global power imbalances without naming Trump.
Trump remarked on President Macron's sunglasses during his Davos speech.
Macron has an ongoing eye condition, explaining the sunglasses.
Canada is concerned about U.S. tariffs and the USMCA trade agreement.
Trump expressed doubts about Macron's political future.
President Donald Trump decided not to impose tariffs on European countries after a discussion with NATO chief Mark Rutte. The tariffs were initially planned over opposition to Trump's attempt to take control of Greenland. Trump mentioned they agreed on a framework for a future deal concerning Greenland and the Arctic.
Key Facts
President Trump planned to impose 10% tariffs on certain European countries starting February 1.
These tariffs were linked to opposition against Trump's moves to take over Greenland.
Trump had discussions with NATO chief Mark Rutte and decided to not proceed with the tariffs.
Trump expressed the desire for negotiations regarding the acquisition of Greenland.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, opposed Trump's tariff threats.
Protests occurred under the banner, "Hands off Greenland."
Trump assured world leaders he would not use force regarding Greenland.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard noted the joint response to counteract Trump's initial plans.
After a deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14 that killed 15 people, a makeshift memorial with various items was created. The Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Jewish Historical Society are working to preserve these items for a permanent memorial.
Key Facts
The attack took place at Bondi Beach on December 14 and resulted in 15 deaths.
A makeshift memorial was set up with items like toys, messages, and candles.
The Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Jewish Historical Society stepped in to preserve the memorial items.
Items from the memorial include knitted and cuddly toys, stones, and balloons.
The youngest victim was a 10-year-old named Matilda Bee, represented by bee-themed items.
The massacre is noted as Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years.
A national day of remembrance is planned, including lighting up landmarks and observing a minute's silence.
The local community focuses on creating a permanent memorial and promoting unity.
President Trump decided not to impose tariffs on eight European countries over the Greenland issue. He mentioned finding a "solution" during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This decision helped calm financial markets, which had been worried about the potential tariffs.
Key Facts
President Trump planned tariffs on European allies due to issues over Greenland.
He canceled the tariff plan after discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The meeting resulted in what Trump described as a framework for a future deal involving Greenland and the Arctic Region.
No tariffs will take effect on February 1st as initially planned.
Financial markets reacted positively, with the S&P 500 increasing by nearly 1.5%.
Denmark welcomed the news but stated it would not negotiate Greenland's sovereignty.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others will handle negotiations related to this issue.
The UK rail regulator, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), admitted it did not have all the necessary information when it decided that a Manchester to London train should run without passengers. The decision was initially made to use the train as a "firebreak" in the timetable, but was reversed after criticism and realization of key missing facts.
Key Facts
The ORR initially decided that a Manchester-London train should run without passengers, effectively making it a "ghost train."
The decision aimed to use the train slot as a "firebreak," intended to manage delays.
The train was meant to run from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston as a regular service, contrary to ORR's initial belief that it would start at a depot.
Missing information included that the train would be "fully crewed" and required for another service from London to Glasgow.
The decision received backlash, leading the ORR to reverse it in response to criticism from the public and officials.
The ORR admitted that its team did not ask for further information from the train company, Avanti, which could have influenced the decision.
ORR's chief executive stated they were handling 82 complex track access applications at the time.
The regulator has acknowledged the incident as a learning experience and is strengthening its processes based on lessons learned.
President Donald Trump gave a speech at the Davos conference in Switzerland, where he proposed negotiations for the United States to acquire Greenland. His remarks received mixed reactions from the audience, with some surprised by his statements about Greenland and comments on European economies. There was high security at the event, and the room had a tense atmosphere.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the Davos conference, a global event held in Switzerland.
Trump proposed that the U.S. should negotiate to acquire Greenland, a territory currently part of Denmark.
There was high security, and many people wanted to attend his speech, but some were turned away.
Trump mentioned that acquiring Greenland wouldn't involve force but rather negotiations.
The reaction to his speech was mixed, with some applauding and others surprised by his comments.
Trump's remarks included criticizing parts of Europe, claiming they owed their freedom to the U.S.
A Republican senator indicated that Congress would not support acquiring Greenland.
Trump mentioned wanting to build a "Golden Dome" on Greenland and called it a "small ask" to acquire the land.
President Donald Trump gave a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he made several statements about topics like Greenland, NATO, wind energy, and more. BBC Verify checked these statements and found some to be inaccurate. Trump's claims about NATO funding, US benefits from NATO, and wind farms in China were all disputed based on available facts.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed the US "gave Greenland back" to Denmark after World War Two, which is incorrect as Greenland has belonged to Denmark since an international court ruling in 1933.
Trump said the US pays "virtually 100%" of NATO's defense costs, but US defense spending accounted for about 62-70% of total NATO spending, not 100%.
He claimed NATO countries now pay 5% of their GDP on defense, but no country currently reaches that level.
The US has benefited from NATO, invoking Article 5 after the 9/11 attacks, which led to NATO allies supporting the US-led military efforts in Afghanistan.
Trump stated that China has no wind farms, but China generates more wind energy than any other country and hosts some of the largest wind farms in the world.
The specific claim about the UK and North Sea oil revenue was cut off and not detailed in the article.
The article discusses predictions for the 2026 Oscar nominations, listing potential nominees in major categories such as Best Picture and Best Actor. It also highlights unexpected choices that might surprise followers of the event.
Key Facts
The 98th Academy Awards nominations are set to be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Predicted Best Picture nominees include films like "Bugonia" and "Sinners."
Expected nominees for Best Director include Paul Thomas Anderson and Chloé Zhao.
Best Actor predictions feature actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan.
Jessie Buckley and Renate Reinsve are predicted nominees for Best Actress.
The article forecasts possible surprises in the nominations, including performances and films not widely expected to be recognized.
The article is linked to a podcast episode discussing these predictions in further detail.
Parts of Russia's Far East are experiencing the heaviest snowfall in 60 years, with some areas seeing snow as deep as 10 feet. This unusual weather event has impacted local transportation and prompted rescue operations to help those stranded.
Key Facts
Heavy snowfall has hit Russia's Far East, with some areas facing the most snow in 60 years.
The Kamchatka Peninsula is one of the affected regions.
Public transportation in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was partially halted due to the snow.
Snow in some places reached approximately 10 feet high.
Scientists suggest the snowstorm may be linked to climate change affecting Arctic air patterns.
Local residents and rescuers are working to clear the snow and assist those trapped.
Israel continued to bomb southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. Lebanon's military criticized the strikes, saying they violate the country's sovereignty.
Key Facts
Israel conducted bombing operations in southern Lebanon.
The attacks focused on Hezbollah personnel and infrastructure.
Lebanon's military described the strikes as violations of its sovereignty.
The bombings continued into Wednesday evening.
The conflict involves Israel and Hezbollah, a group in Lebanon.
President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where he made remarks that many European leaders found insulting. He discussed Europe's path and the idea of acquiring Greenland, which is currently a territory of Denmark. Trump also criticized NATO allies, particularly Denmark, and made comments about French President Emmanuel Macron.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
He mentioned the idea of acquiring Greenland, a territory of Denmark, but ruled out military action.
Trump criticized European countries, especially Denmark, for not contributing enough to NATO.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, not part of the United States.
EU leaders reacted strongly to Trump's comments and plan to hold an emergency summit.
Trump made personal remarks about French President Emmanuel Macron during the forum.
Greenlandic officials prepared a brochure on crisis management in response to the situation.
A roof collapsed at a shopping mall in Novosibirsk, Russia, killing at least one person and injuring two others. Heavy snowfall is thought to have caused the accident. Rescue teams are working to find any survivors in the debris.
Key Facts
A shopping mall in Novosibirsk, Russia, had its roof collapse.
At least one person died because of this incident.
Two other people were injured in the collapse.
Heavy snowfall is the assumed reason for the roof failing.
Rescue teams are actively searching for more survivors in the debris.
President Trump announced a potential deal concerning Greenland that involves building missile bases and mining minerals. While he seems to have stepped back from earlier takeover threats, some European and Canadian leaders feel the situation has already caused harm.
Key Facts
President Trump discussed a potential deal about Greenland.
The deal includes plans for U.S. missile defense bases and mineral mining.
Details of the deal are not fully known yet.
President Trump previously made threats to take over Greenland.
European and Canadian leaders believe the situation has harmed relations.
The report about the situation came from Nick Schifrin.
