The Met Office predicts 2025 will likely be the UK's hottest year recorded, due to climate change. Warmer temperatures have led to droughts and wildfires, affecting water levels and weather patterns. By 2025, the UK's ten warmest years since records began will be in the last twenty years.
Key Facts
The Met Office expects 2025 to be the UK's hottest year due to climate change.
Average temperature for 2025 is projected to be about 10.05°C, surpassing the record of 10.03°C set in 2022.
Persistent warm weather contributed to droughts and wildfires in the UK during spring and summer 2025.
This year also saw the UK's warmest spring and summer on record, with several heatwaves.
The UK's ten warmest years all occurred in the last two decades.
Low rainfall during spring 2025 led to drought declarations in parts of England, Wales, and eastern Scotland.
Recent rainfall has improved conditions, but some areas still have low water levels.
Human-caused climate change is identified as the main driver of the UK's warming trend and extreme weather.
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India has a programme that guarantees jobs for rural families, offering them paid work annually. Recent changes to this programme include increasing the number of workdays and adjusting how costs are shared between the federal and state governments. Critics say the changes could weaken the programme, which is important for many poor people in rural areas.
Key Facts
India has a programme called the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) that started in 2005.
The scheme offers rural households up to 100 days of paid work each year, which is now increased to 125 days.
The programme provides unskilled public work to support rural livelihoods.
Over half of the workers in the programme are women, and 40% are from disadvantaged groups.
The programme was crucial during the Covid pandemic, providing jobs for those returning to villages from cities.
A recent law changed the programme's name to G RAM G and altered funding arrangements.
The federal government now pays 60% of costs, with states expected to cover the remaining 40%.
Critics are concerned that shifting costs to states might weaken the job guarantee.
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A ferry on the Mekong River in Laos capsized, carrying over 140 people, mostly tourists. Three people are missing and presumed dead, while the rest were rescued from the scene.
Key Facts
The ferry was traveling from Huay Xay to Luang Prabang in Laos.
There were more than 140 passengers on board; 118 were tourists.
The ferry hit underwater rocks, which caused it to capsize.
Videos showed passengers in panic, with limited lifejackets available—only about 15 for over 140 people.
Three people, a local woman and her two children, remain missing; the woman's body has been found.
Rescuers from another boat helped passengers, though initially, it added to the panic by causing more imbalance.
Tens of thousands of tourists use this route on the Mekong River annually.
Some passengers like Mr. Cook and Mr. Baranovičius helped others during the rescue.
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Jenny Evans reported a sexual assault involving a celebrity but later found her confidential police report published in a national newspaper. This incident placed her in the midst of a scandal involving corruption in both the UK press and police. Evans used her experience as motivation to become a journalist and advocate for truth.
Key Facts
Jenny Evans reported a sexual assault involving a celebrity in the UK.
Her confidential police report was later published in a national newspaper.
The publication of the report was part of a larger corruption scandal.
This scandal involved the UK press and police authorities.
Evans initially feared betrayal by friends or surveillance due to the leak.
She later trained to become a journalist to uncover truths and share her story.
Her experience highlighted issues in how sexual assault cases are handled and reported.
Evans hopes to raise awareness about sexual violence and reporting challenges.
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A "60 Minutes" segment about deportations of Venezuelan immigrants from the U.S. to a prison in El Salvador was pulled by CBS News, possibly influenced by political reasons. The prison, CECOT, is part of El Salvador's efforts to address gang violence and has been criticized for human rights violations. The Trump administration deported over 280 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, to this facility.
Key Facts
The "60 Minutes" segment involved U.S. deportations to CECOT in El Salvador and was removed before airing.
Over 280 migrants, mainly Venezuelans, were deported to CECOT in March by the Trump administration.
CECOT is a large prison in El Salvador that can hold up to 40,000 people and is part of a crime crackdown strategy.
Human rights groups have reported abuses at CECOT, including arbitrary arrests and mistreatment.
The Trump administration paid $6 million to the Salvadoran government to hold migrants at CECOT.
ProPublica found that most deported Venezuelans had no U.S. criminal convictions, with only a few having violent crime records.
El Salvador's prison population increased significantly during the gang crackdown, with reported deaths rising in these facilities.
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Mark Wiseman, a former BlackRock executive, has been named as Canada's new ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Wiseman takes on the role as Canada prepares for important trade discussions with the Trump administration. The current ambassador, Kirsten Hillman, will step down, and Wiseman will begin his role in mid-February.
Key Facts
Mark Wiseman, former BlackRock executive, will be Canada's ambassador to the US.
Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Wiseman to improve US-Canada relations.
Wiseman will handle key trade talks between Canada and the Trump administration.
The current ambassador, Kirsten Hillman, announced she will step down.
Wiseman is set to start his new role in mid-February.
He is currently a senior advisor at Lazard and a chairperson of Canada at Lazard.
Wiseman co-founded the Century Initiative, promoting increased immigration in Canada.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Wiseman's immigration policies.
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Israeli forces recently killed two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as violations of a ceasefire with Hamas continue. The ceasefire, which started on October 10, has seen numerous breaches, including Israeli military actions and restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain difficult, with shortages of food, medicine, and shelter due to restricted aid access.
Key Facts
Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in eastern Gaza City, as reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
A total of 12 Palestinians were killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to reports.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on October 10, but has been violated multiple times.
The Gaza Government Media Office reported 875 ceasefire violations by Israel, including air strikes and demolitions.
411 Palestinians have died and 1,112 have been wounded in Gaza since the ceasefire started.
Only 17,819 aid trucks have entered Gaza, compared to the 43,800 agreed upon since the ceasefire.
Winter storms have further worsened living conditions for displaced Palestinian families in Gaza.
The United Nations has called for lifting restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza.
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Former President Bill Clinton and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are asking the Justice Department to fully release the Epstein files, which are important for understanding Epstein's crimes and his connections with influential figures. The Justice Department's initial release included many documents with information covered or missing. Some files were also temporarily removed due to concerns about privacy.
Key Facts
Former President Clinton and Epstein survivors want all Epstein files released for better transparency.
The Justice Department released an initial set of documents with many sections blacked out.
Epstein survivors argue that the documents have unusual levels of redaction without explanations.
Thousands of Epstein-related files have been made public by both lawmakers and the Justice Department.
There are photos in the documents that show Bill Clinton and other well-known individuals.
A photo of President Donald Trump was removed from the files for privacy concerns but later restored.
The files give details about Epstein's private island and other assets.
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The US Coast Guard is actively pursuing an oil tanker called Bella 1 in international waters near Venezuela. The US has already seized two oil tankers this month as part of increased actions against Venezuela, which the US accuses of using oil revenues for illegal activities. Venezuela denies these claims and describes the seizures as piracy.
Key Facts
The US Coast Guard is currently following the oil tanker Bella 1 off the coast of Venezuela.
Bella 1 sent out distress signals while moving from the Caribbean towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The US has seized two oil tankers this month, one as recently as Saturday.
The US Government, under President Trump, has focused more on Venezuela recently.
They accuse Venezuela of stealing oil and funding illegal activities with the money.
Venezuela calls these US actions illegal and accuses the US of being pirates.
The BBC's Ros Atkins is reporting on this situation.
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A small town in northwest Spain called La Bañeza won 468 million euros in the country's Christmas lottery. This win came after the area experienced severe wildfires earlier in the year. The lottery brought hope to the town, which had faced hardships including job losses and a tragic wildfire.
Key Facts
La Bañeza, a town in Spain with about 11,000 people, won a significant part of the Christmas lottery jackpot.
The town shared 468 million euros from the lottery known as El Gordo.
The lottery win followed devastating wildfires in the area that burned a large amount of land and resulted in one death.
The lottery prize was seen as positive news after the closure of a local factory that cost the town jobs.
Villablino, another town affected by wildfires, also received a substantial share of the lottery, 200 million euros.
Five men from a nearby area died in mining accidents earlier in the year.
The lottery winnings were distributed among various people and groups, including a local football club and an Alzheimer's association.
Villablino and other towns like La Pola de Gordón and a district in Madrid also received portions of the lottery winnings.
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Thailand and Cambodia are planning a meeting between defense officials to discuss stopping fighting along their shared border. The agreement to meet comes as both sides exchange fire, and regional leaders, including ASEAN and President Donald Trump, encourage a ceasefire. The meeting aims to talk about carrying out and verifying a ceasefire.
Key Facts
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to meet to discuss a ceasefire after recent border fighting.
The announcement of talks followed a special ASEAN meeting aimed at ending the violence.
President Donald Trump and ASEAN chair Malaysia had previously helped set up a ceasefire in July.
Fighting continued with exchanges of rockets and air strikes from both sides.
Thailand and Cambodia are focusing on their 817 km land border where the clashes are occurring.
ASEAN called for restraint and urged both countries to work on rebuilding trust and ending hostilities.
The planned meeting will discuss in detail how to implement and check on the ceasefire.
Despite continued skirmishes, Cambodia remains hopeful for sincere efforts towards peace.
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Canada has appointed Mark Wiseman as its new ambassador to the United States, ahead of important trade talks. The relationship between the two countries has been tense due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Wiseman will work on improving trade and investment ties between Canada and the US.
Key Facts
Mark Wiseman, a former BlackRock executive, is the new Canadian ambassador to the US.
Trade and tariff negotiations are a key focus of Wiseman's new role.
Canada and the US have experienced tension due to tariffs imposed by President Trump.
These tariffs included a 25 percent tax on certain Canadian imports like automobiles, steel, and aluminum.
Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned Wiseman would focus on secure borders and a stronger trade relationship.
Trump and Carney previously reached agreements to reduce some trade measures.
Discussions to renegotiate the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are set to start in mid-January.
Canada is a major export market for the US, involving goods and services worth nearly $2.7 billion daily.
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Fighting in Aleppo, Syria, resulted in at least two deaths, involving Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Syrian government plans to integrate the SDF into state institutions by the end of the year.
Key Facts
Clashes occurred in Aleppo, Syria.
At least two people died in the fighting.
The conflict involved Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF.
The SDF controls parts of northeastern Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed an agreement with the SDF in March.
The agreement aims to integrate the SDF into Syrian state institutions by the end of the year.
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Security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds at campaign events for Ugandan presidential candidate Bobi Wine in Kampala. Bobi Wine is preparing for Uganda’s elections set for January 2026. This action follows official warnings about interference in the election process.
Key Facts
Bobi Wine is a presidential candidate in Uganda.
He is also a pop star who has turned to politics.
The elections in Uganda are scheduled for January 2026.
Police used tear gas to break up crowds at Wine’s rallies.
These events took place in Kampala, Uganda's capital.
Officials in Uganda have warned against election interference.
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Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse are criticizing the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) for not fully releasing all files related to its investigation, as required by law. They sent a letter to Congress, asking them to hold the DOJ accountable for the delays and lack of communication about the files. Some members of Congress are considering legal action to ensure the files are released completely.
Key Facts
Over a dozen Epstein survivors wrote to Congress, urging them to ensure the DOJ releases all files related to Epstein's case.
The DOJ missed the deadline to release these files and heavily redacted documents, leaving out many details.
A grand jury document of 119 pages was released but fully redacted, revealing no new information.
Survivors find the files difficult to navigate and say they were not informed about what was withheld from them.
Congress members Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia are looking into legal actions against the DOJ for not meeting the requirements.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution for the Senate to take legal action regarding the file releases.
The files included images of Epstein with prominent figures like former President Clinton and President Trump.
A photo of President Trump initially removed from the files was later restored, raising concerns about selective information withholding.
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Two men were sentenced to a total of eight-and-a-half years in prison for targeting and stealing from men they met through the Grindr app in London. Over six months, they committed 35 burglaries and 20 frauds, taking £68,000 in total. They tricked victims into giving access to their homes and belongings, using this to commit further theft and fraud.
Key Facts
The two men carried out their crimes in London using the Grindr dating app.
They stole phones, passports, and wallets, committing 35 burglaries and 20 frauds.
The total value of the stolen goods and frauds was £68,000.
One victim was hospitalized due to stress from financial damages.
They used tactics like asking to play music on victims' phones or inviting them to take a shower.
The court noted the crimes were opportunistic but didn't label them explicitly as hate crimes.
Mohammadi received a five-year prison sentence, while Hotak got three-and-a-half years.
The men made multiple profiles on the app to repeatedly target new victims.
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A group of 130 Nigerian schoolchildren has been released after being kidnapped last month. These children were part of a larger group of over 300 taken from a school in Niger state, highlighting issues with security and ransom kidnappings in Nigeria.
Key Facts
130 Nigerian schoolchildren were freed after being abducted last month.
They were taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state.
Over 300 children were kidnapped in this incident.
The kidnapping brought global attention to security problems in Nigeria.
Ransom kidnappings of schoolchildren are a growing concern in the country.
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Qesser Zuhrah, a supporter of the Palestine Action group and one of eight detainees on hunger strike, has ended her protest after 48 days. The hunger strike aims to challenge the imprisonment conditions and the ban on Palestine Action. Some detainees are still participating, and their lawyers are urging government talks, threatening legal action if no response is received.
Key Facts
Qesser Zuhrah stopped her hunger strike after 48 days; she was initially part of a group of eight.
The hunger strike began on November 2, with protesters objecting to their treatment and the ban on Palestine Action.
Three out of the eight hunger strikers have halted their protest, while others continue.
Lawyers for the group have warned they may go to court if ministers do not agree to talks.
Hunger strikers are being monitored by prison and NHS clinicians, who can only provide care with consent.
The group's representatives claim this is the largest coordinated hunger strike in the UK since 1981.
Cases related to these protests are pending trial in 2026 and 2027 and are under legal reporting restrictions.
The Care Quality Commission is investigating the conditions in prisons where the protests occur.
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A legal case about cat waste has reached a high court. A homeowner in Bedwas is concerned about health risks from cats using his garden as a toilet. The court asked the local council to reconsider if this situation is a public nuisance.
Key Facts
A homeowner in Bedwas, Richard Williamson, raised a complaint about cats using his garden as a toilet.
Williamson is worried about health risks to his newborn, who will soon play in the garden.
Caerphilly Council investigated and found that current laws do not control where cats can roam like they do for dogs.
The council visited the cat owner and confirmed there were litter trays at the property.
A judge ordered the council to reassess the complaint to determine if the situation is a "statutory nuisance" under environmental laws.
The complaint was originally emailed to the council in October 2024.
The court did not decide the final outcome but focused on whether the issue needs re-evaluation as a health risk.
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