China has discovered a large gold deposit in the Hunan province, with reserves estimated at over 1,000 tons, valued at approximately $85.9 billion. This discovery is among several recent findings in China, which are significantly increasing the country's gold reserves.
Key Facts
China found a “superlarge” gold deposit in Pingjiang County, Hunan province, with estimated reserves of over 1,000 tons.
The gold vein reserves are approximately 6,562 feet below the Wangu gold field.
The value of the discovered gold is about $85.9 billion.
Another major discovery in Laizhou, Shandong province, increased its gold reserves to over 3,900 tons.
In 2024, the U.S. produced 160 tons of gold, valued at around $12 billion.
Historical mining has produced around 216,265 tons of gold worldwide.
China is ramping up its gold reserves with recent finds in multiple provinces, including Liaoning and the Kunlun Mountains.
Two fatal train crashes occurred in Spain, one near Barcelona and the other in southern Spain. The crash near Barcelona killed one person and injured 37, while the southern crash involved two high-speed trains, raising the death toll to 43. Both incidents prompted a national mourning period and ongoing investigations to determine the causes.
Key Facts
A Barcelona commuter train derailed after hitting a fallen retaining wall, leaving 1 dead and 37 injured.
The southern Spain crash was a high-speed train collision, causing 43 fatalities and many injuries.
Rescue efforts in both regions continued, with search teams looking for victims amid wreckage.
Rainfall may have caused the retaining wall collapse in Catalonia.
Spain's Prime Minister expressed condolences to the victims' families.
Spain has declared three days of national mourning following the accidents.
Disruptions in train services led to traffic jams in Barcelona, prompting calls for remote work.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities exploring different reasons for these accidents.
The World Economic Forum in Davos featured important discussions about AI and global politics. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned about job loss due to AI and criticized President Trump for selling AI chips to China. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed distrust in America's global leadership under President Trump.
Key Facts
The World Economic Forum took place in Davos, Switzerland.
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warned that AI could lead to job losses and wealth concentration.
Amodei criticized President Trump for allowing AI chip sales to China, saying it poses national security risks.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the U.S.-led global order and expressed a lack of trust in America's leadership.
Carney's speech marked Canada's public distancing from U.S. policies.
President Trump planned to discuss Greenland's strategic importance and threatened tariffs against countries opposing his views.
Discussions at Davos focused on AI innovations and geopolitical tensions involving President Trump.
Demis Hassabis from Google DeepMind noted progress towards developing human-like AI.
A pit bull named Luna is waiting for her family at a California shelter after being left there, hoping they will return for her. A TikTok video showing Luna waiting has touched many online. Luna, who struggles with the shelter environment, is available for adoption.
Key Facts
Luna is a black pit bull, around 9 years old, left at the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California.
She waits by the kennel door, hoping her family will come back for her.
Luna struggles in the shelter and feels stressed and confused.
Luna does well with small dogs but not with larger ones.
Her adoption fees are waived and are donation-based.
Black dogs like Luna often face challenges in being adopted due to biases known as Black Dog Syndrome.
A TikTok video of Luna has received over 2,482 views and 653 likes.
Luna loves being outdoors, going on hikes, and feeling the sun.
Israeli forces destroyed the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees' headquarters in East Jerusalem, leading to complaints from the UN and Palestinian officials. The UN describes the act as a violation of international law, while Israel claims it follows a 2024 law banning the agency. This action raises concerns about UN operations worldwide and the treatment of Palestinian refugees.
Key Facts
Israeli forces dismantled the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah area.
The destruction was led by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The UNRWA commissioner general criticized the move as an attack on a UN agency.
Israel justified the demolition by citing a 2024 law that bans UNRWA operations.
Palestinians see the demolition as an attempt to erase refugees' political rights.
The UNRWA was established in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees with basic services.
The incident has led to renewed calls for international sanctions against Israel.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked a Trump administration lawyer about possible economic problems if they block Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from serving. Economists warned that this action might lead to a recession. The court is considering how this decision would affect the public interest.
Key Facts
Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned the Trump administration about potential economic impacts.
The administration aims to block Lisa Cook from serving as a Federal Reserve Governor.
Economists have warned that this could lead to a recession.
Amicus briefs are legal documents filed in court cases by people who are not directly involved but who have a strong interest in the case.
The court is determining how to balance legal decisions with public interest considerations.
The case is ongoing, and updates are expected as new information becomes available.
People are reacting on social media to the 20th anniversary of the Disney Channel movie "High School Musical," which aired on January 20, 2006. The anniversary has sparked nostalgia and reflection among fans, including cast members, about the movie's impact on their lives and childhoods.
Key Facts
"High School Musical" first aired on the Disney Channel on January 20, 2006.
The 20th anniversary of the film has caused reactions on social media, especially among millennials and Gen Z.
Many fans are expressing nostalgia and surprise at how quickly time has passed since the movie's release.
Some social media users are sharing personal memories and feelings about growing older.
Cast members like Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale acknowledged the anniversary on Instagram.
The film was a cultural milestone, leading to sequels, a hit soundtrack, and a global fanbase.
"High School Musical" was significant in Disney Channel's lineup and influenced many viewers' childhoods.
Divisions have appeared among Western European countries over President Trump's plan called the Board of Peace for Gaza. Some countries do not want to join, while others have not decided yet.
Key Facts
President Trump has a plan called the Board of Peace for Gaza.
Some Western European countries do not want to join the board.
Other Western European countries have not yet decided if they will join.
The Board of Peace aims to mediate global conflicts, which is usually the United Nations' role.
President Trump talked about this plan at a meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
A U.S. official said about 30 countries are expected to join the board.
Around 50 countries were invited to be part of the Board of Peace.
An Australian family living in Lombok, Indonesia, experienced a surprising event when their toddler brought home a stray kitten. The family, new to the area, had to decide what to do with the kitten, eventually choosing to return it to its original location. The video of the incident went viral online.
Key Facts
A 2-year-old boy named Nalu found a kitten in the plants outside his family's apartment in Lombok, Indonesia.
The family, originally from Australia, had relocated to Lombok for a slower lifestyle and to be closer to nature.
The video of Nalu bringing the kitten home was posted on Instagram and received over 2.1 million views.
The family had already adopted a stray puppy after moving to Lombok.
There are no formal animal shelters in Lombok, and there is a large stray animal population.
The family decided to keep the kitten safe for one night before returning it to its original area.
Many people online found the event relatable, while others critiqued the family's decision not to keep the kitten.
The news article discusses a legal conflict involving Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Taylor Swift. Lively sued Baldoni for various allegations relating to their film production, while Baldoni countered with claims against Lively and others. Unsealed court documents reveal a text exchange between Swift and Lively, with one message mentioning Baldoni.
Key Facts
Blake Lively has sued Justin Baldoni for issues like sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
Justin Baldoni has filed a countersuit accusing Lively and others of defamation and related claims.
Court documents revealed a text allegedly from Taylor Swift calling Baldoni a derogatory term.
The text exchange involves Swift and Lively discussing a People article about Baldoni.
Lively allegedly referred to Baldoni using dismissive terms in communications about their movie project.
President Donald Trump is the current U.S. President.
Swift reportedly agreed to read and endorse a revised movie script, a matter disputed in court.
Lively is involved in a legal battle expected to continue into 2026.
The European Union is preparing steps to counter threats from President Donald Trump over Greenland. One possible action is the use of an Anti-Coercion Instrument, nicknamed the "trade bazooka," which could impose restrictions or block trade with countries that exert pressure on EU members.
Key Facts
The EU is considering countermeasures against the U.S. due to threats regarding Greenland.
The EU mainly uses financial instruments like tariffs to respond to such threats.
The "trade bazooka" refers to the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument.
This tool can block or restrict trade and investment.
Most EU countries are hesitant about using this instrument.
French President Emmanuel Macron has mentioned the "trade bazooka."
The EU is a trading bloc with 27 member countries.
A viral TikTok video shows a border collie named Floss helping her owner with a DIY project by holding a measuring tape in a barn. The video has gained significant attention, highlighting the intelligence and work ethic typical of border collies.
Key Facts
Floss is a border collie that went viral for helping with a DIY project.
The TikTok video of Floss has 1 million views.
Floss assists by holding a measuring tape while her owner measures wooden panels.
Border collies are known for their intelligence and high energy.
The breed is often described as "workaholics" who excel at understanding commands and solving problems.
Studies show border collies can understand and use up to 250 words.
Viewers of the video reacted positively, with many praising Floss’s skills and demeanor.
A viral social media post by a woman in Nigeria asked why some girls choose not to get manicures or pedicures. The post received over 76,000 likes and 51,000 comments, with various responses provided, including reasons related to jobs, pets, and personal preferences. While some choose to focus on other priorities, interest in nail beauty continues to grow, with the industry expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
Key Facts
A woman in Nigeria made a viral post asking why some girls don't get their nails done.
The post got more than 76,000 likes and 51,000 comments.
Responses cited reasons like job demands and expenses related to pet care.
The nail salon industry is expected to grow by $9.48 billion from 2024 to 2029.
Growth is driven by interest in creative nail art and natural, organic nail care.
The industry must address health issues from harsh chemicals in many products.
North America is projected to account for about 30% of global market growth.
Current trends include a mix of soft, neutral colors and bold, dark shades.
The reality TV show "Love Is Blind" will return for its tenth season on February 11. The show's concept involves singles forming connections without seeing each other, potentially leading to engagements and marriages. Although the filming location for Season 10 has not been officially confirmed, there is speculation that it took place in Boston, Massachusetts.
Key Facts
"Love Is Blind" Season 10 will start streaming on Netflix on February 11.
The show is a dating experiment where participants date without seeing each other and decide whether to get engaged.
Previous seasons typically released episodes weekly over several weeks.
There is no trailer currently available for Season 10.
The filming location for Season 10 is rumored to be Boston, Massachusetts, though not officially confirmed.
"Love Is Blind" is exclusive to Netflix, requiring a subscription for streaming.
Season 9 concluded without any couples getting married, which was a first for the series.
Past seasons have filmed in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver.
A mother shared a video of a surprising moment when her autistic son, who had been nonverbal, unexpectedly used a phrase he had heard her use. This occurrence led to a mix of humor and learning for both mother and son, while also gaining significant attention online. The video sparked conversations among parents of children with similar challenges.
Key Facts
A mother, Nass, shared a video on TikTok of her autistic son, Kingston, reacting unexpectedly.
Kingston, who was nonverbal until he was four and a half, said the phrase "Good job, b****" during a baking session.
The mother explained that Kingston was mimicking words he had heard from her.
Nass experienced a mix of amusement and a teaching moment, emphasizing the importance of mindful language.
The video received over 252,000 likes and prompted discussions among parents of neurodiverse children.
Nonverbal language development is a common aspect of autism, and language progress can vary.
Nass appreciated positive feedback from others regarding her parenting in response to the video.
A U.S. warship and an oceanographic survey ship went through the Taiwan Strait, marking the fourth such U.S. Navy passage since President Donald Trump began his second term in 2025. The U.S. says these passages support freedom of navigation, while China, which claims Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait, opposes them.
Key Facts
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer and a survey ship went through the Taiwan Strait in 2026.
This passage is the fourth since President Donald Trump started his second term in January 2025.
China claims the Taiwan Strait as part of its territory but the U.S. considers it international waters.
The U.S. and its allies have increased their presence in the strait, calling these actions freedom of navigation operations.
China's military monitored the U.S. ships during their transit.
The U.S. insists on maintaining open sea routes for all countries and rejects claims limiting these rights.
There were nine U.S. transits in the strait during former President Joe Biden's last year in office (2024).
President Trump plans to visit China in April for talks with President Xi Jinping.
President Donald Trump stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Russia and Ukraine are close to ending their ongoing war. He mentioned the existing tension between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin but expressed optimism about reaching a peace agreement. Trump believes that both countries want to negotiate a deal to stop the conflict.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He claimed Russia and Ukraine are "reasonably close" to ending the conflict.
The war started with Russia invading Ukraine nearly four years ago.
Trump noted "tremendous" hatred between Presidents Zelensky of Ukraine and Putin of Russia.
He believes both countries now want to make a deal to stop the war.
Trump emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement to prevent further deaths.
He criticized both leaders for not finalizing a peace deal yet, calling the situation a "bloodbath".
Japan has restarted reactor no.6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, which is the largest in the world by installed capacity. This marks a step in Japan's efforts to bring back nuclear energy after the Fukushima disaster in 2011, but public concern and high operational costs remain challenges. Nuclear power provided just 8.5% of Japan's electricity in 2023, and the country aims to increase this to 20% by 2040.
Key Facts
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is the largest nuclear power plant in the world by capacity.
Reactor no.6 was restarted nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster.
The plant originally had seven reactors, but only reactor no.6 is currently operational.
Japan shut down all 54 nuclear reactors after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
As of 2023, nuclear power made up 8.5% of Japan's electricity supply.
Japan plans for nuclear energy to provide 20% of its electricity by 2040.
Safety checks and costs of operating reactors have increased significantly.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports nuclear power for energy self-sufficiency.
A viral TikTok video shows a golden retriever using a pet camera to watch its owner instead of the usual scenario where owners monitor their pets. The video received widespread attention with hundreds of thousands of views and likes, as people enjoyed the dog's inquisitive behavior.
Key Facts
The video shows a golden retriever peering directly at a pet cam, appearing to observe its owner.
The video was shared by an owner named Allie on TikTok and went viral with over 587,600 views.
The TikTok video received over 119,500 likes and generated around 90 comments.
The pet monitoring camera market was valued at about 54.3 million U.S. dollars in 2022.
This market is expected to grow to approximately 93.5 million dollars by 2033.
People in the comments joked about the dog's behavior, imagining what it might be thinking.
Pet cameras are popular tools for owners to keep an eye on their pets when they're not at home.
A TikTok video of a senior golden retriever named Willow meeting a new puppy, Captain, has gained widespread attention. The clip humorously shows Willow's unimpressed reaction to Captain's energy. The article also discusses tips for introducing new puppies to older dogs.
Key Facts
A TikTok video of Willow, a senior golden retriever, meeting a puppy has gone viral with nearly 1 million views.
The video humorously portrays Willow's reaction to the new puppy's playful antics.
Many pet owners related to the video, sharing their own experiences with new pets.
Data shows 62% of Americans have a pet, and 35% own more than one.
The American Kennel Club suggests strategies for introducing a new puppy to a senior dog, such as meeting on neutral ground.
Pet owners are advised to give both pets separate time and individual attention to prevent conflict.
