A large part of Texas is preparing for a severe winter storm this weekend, which could bring heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for various regions in Texas, warning of potential hazards such as dangerous travel conditions and power outages.
Key Facts
A major winter storm is expected to hit Texas starting Friday.
The storm will affect northern, central, western, and eastern parts of Texas.
Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are predicted across different regions.
Temperatures are expected to drop to dangerously low levels, worsening from Saturday.
Travel conditions could become hazardous, particularly affecting commutes.
Power outages are possible due to ice accumulation on power lines and trees.
The National Weather Service warns residents to stay indoors and dress warmly if they need to go outside.
Regions like the Texas Panhandle and East Texas could see significant snow and ice accumulation.
The article discusses tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and highlights China's response to President Donald Trump's interest in Greenland. China criticized Trump's Greenland ambitions, while it continues activities in disputed regions, including in the Arctic and South China Sea. The situation reflects ongoing international disputes involving territorial claims.
Key Facts
A Filipino captain had a confrontation with the Chinese coast guard at Scarborough Shoal in January 2024, which is in disputed waters claimed by China.
President Donald Trump has shown interest in controlling Greenland, raising concerns from China.
China's Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. for using "pretext" for its interests in Greenland.
In 2016, an international tribunal ruled that China's claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis, but China continued its activities there.
China has been involved in multiple territorial disputes, including over islands and land borders, with countries like the Philippines, Russia, and India.
In the past, China showed interest in Greenland through investment projects, including airport construction and mining ventures.
The article highlights China's pattern of asserting territorial claims while criticizing similar actions by others.
A second-hand school uniform shop in Peterborough, managed by the local council, is seeing a big increase in visitors and needs more donations. The store helps about 100 families per week by offering affordable school uniforms, supporting families struggling with the cost of new clothing.
Key Facts
The Second Chance Uniform Shop is located at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough.
The shop has welcomed around 1,000 visitors since opening in November.
Peterborough City Council runs the shop, with the busiest period recorded being the weeks before Christmas.
The initiative aims to provide affordable school clothing and reduce the stigma of buying second-hand items.
The shop stocks various school uniform items and is a joint effort with the Peterborough Youth Council and the Co-op.
The council is expanding donation points at Co-op stores and hopes to add more in local schools.
The initiative is part of a wider effort led by Youth MP Danielle Daboh to address the high costs of school essentials.
The article discusses the situation in Gaza during the second phase of a ceasefire. A new administrative committee called the National Committee for Gaza Management (NGAC) has been set up to oversee daily affairs. Despite this, Israel's actions continue to affect daily life in Gaza, raising doubts about the committee's effectiveness.
Key Facts
Khaled Abu Jarrar, from Gaza, is trying to get medical treatment for his wife outside the region.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza's main exit, has mostly been closed by Israel for two years.
A new committee, NGAC, was formed to manage Gaza instead of Hamas.
The NGAC met in Cairo and is backed by President Donald Trump's peace initiative.
Khaled hopes the NGAC will open the Rafah crossing, but is doubtful.
Since the ceasefire started, Israel has continued attacking Gaza, killing over 400 people.
Recent Israeli actions include closing down international aid groups in Gaza.
The NGAC is seen as politically neutral but faces challenges due to Israel's ongoing influence.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a national election will take place on November 7. Luxon, from the centre-right National Party, highlighted his government's achievements in reducing inflation and crime. However, the country's economy has faced challenges, with contractions in three out of the past six quarters.
Key Facts
New Zealand's national election is scheduled for November 7.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon leads the centre-right National Party.
Luxon claimed that inflation decreased from 7% to 3% under his government.
There are reportedly 38,000 fewer self-reported crime victims now.
Luxon's National Party is in a coalition with New Zealand First and ACT parties.
The economy contracted in three of the last six quarters.
Unemployment reached 5.3% in November, the highest in nearly 20 years.
New Zealand elections occur every three years, with coalition governments being typical due to the voting system.
The Crispin Community Centre in Somerset, UK, offers a warm, safe place for people in need. It participates in Warm Welcome Week, run by Spark Somerset, to help people facing tough choices between essentials like food and heating. The centre provides meals, exercise classes, and social activities to promote community engagement.
Key Facts
The Crispin Community Centre is located in Street, Somerset, UK.
The centre is part of Warm Welcome Week, an initiative by Spark Somerset.
The centre provides free tea, coffee, hot meals, and activity classes.
Volunteers help run the centre, offering classes and organizing events.
Sue Buckman and Wendy Devonish are regular visitors who find the centre helpful.
Chris Wood has led a "flexercise" class at the centre for nearly 20 years.
The centre hosts a monthly Sunday roast for about 60 people.
The centre supports people facing choices between essential needs like food and heating.
Mexico transferred 37 suspected drug cartel members to the U.S. This was done amid President Trump's threats to conduct ground attacks against drug cartels in Mexico. This transfer is part of ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico to address cartel activity.
Key Facts
Mexico sent 37 suspected cartel members to the U.S.
This is the third major transfer in the past year, totaling 92 suspects.
The transfer aims to reduce violence in Mexico by removing high-impact criminals.
Suspects were flown to several U.S. cities, including Washington and New York.
The U.S. has promised these suspects will not face the death penalty.
Mexico's Security Minister emphasized that the transfers respect national sovereignty.
Among those transferred was Pedro Inzunza Noriega, linked to a high-profile drug cartel.
President Trump has threatened to conduct ground attacks against Mexican cartels.
Large amounts of waste have been illegally dumped on Bwlch Mountain in Wales. The waste creates problems for local wildlife and landowners, and the clean-up is expected to be costly. Authorities are working to hold those responsible accountable and are taking steps to prevent further incidents.
Key Facts
Illegal waste dumping, known as fly-tipping, has occurred on Bwlch Mountain.
Katie Davies, a local farmer, says the waste threatens her land and sheep.
The waste is visible from a distance of three to five miles.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council and Natural Resources Wales consider fly-tipping a serious crime.
Cleaning up the waste could require specialized crews and cost thousands of pounds.
The council has placed covert cameras and signs to catch offenders.
Nathan Dixon, a travel blogger, filmed the waste with a drone, highlighting its impact on the scenery.
Many of the dumped items could have been disposed of at recycling centers.
Hundreds of photos of people killed during Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests have been leaked to BBC Verify. The images, taken at a mortuary in Tehran, show the faces of 326 victims, with many unidentified due to severe injuries. The protests erupted in late December, and the government has severely restricted internet access, making it difficult to document the unrest.
Key Facts
BBC Verify received hundreds of leaked photos of people killed in Iran's protest crackdown.
The images show 326 victims, including 18 women, with many faces swollen and bruised.
Some bodies were labeled as John or Jane Doe due to unknown identities.
More than 100 victims died on January 9, a particularly violent night of protests in Tehran.
Families used these photos to identify their loved ones at a mortuary in south Tehran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted thousands have died, blaming foreign influence and "seditionists."
Despite a government-imposed internet blackout, some information about the protests has been leaked out.
The mortuary slideshow helped families recognize deceased relatives, some as young as 12 or 13 years old.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte disagreed with President Donald Trump's concerns about whether NATO allies would defend the U.S. if needed under Article 5. Rutte assures that allies would support the U.S., referencing past cooperation. The discussion also touches on tensions over Greenland and Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Key Facts
NATO’s Article 5 states that an attack on one member is an attack on all members, ensuring joint defense.
President Trump expressed doubts about Europe’s commitment to Article 5 during a press conference.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte assured that allies would defend the U.S. if Article 5 is invoked, as they did after the 9/11 attacks.
President Trump is focusing on acquiring Greenland, citing its importance for U.S. national security.
The dispute over Greenland has raised questions about NATO's future.
Rutte emphasized that issues like Russia's war in Ukraine are key concerns for NATO.
President Trump claims credit for increasing NATO member countries’ defense spending.
A winter storm warning has been issued for parts of New York and Michigan, with up to 22 inches of snow and winds reaching 35 mph expected from Wednesday to Friday. This storm includes lake-effect snow, which happens when cold air moves across a warmer lake, causing intense snowfall in specific areas.
Key Facts
A winter storm warning is in effect for parts of New York and Michigan.
Up to 22 inches of snow is expected in some areas from Wednesday to Friday.
Wind speeds could reach up to 35 mph during the storm.
Lake-effect snow occurs when cold air flows over a warmer lake surface, leading to heavy, localized snow.
In New York, areas near eastern Lake Ontario could see up to 22 inches of snow.
Michigan areas such as Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana Counties may experience up to 8 inches of snow.
The National Weather Service warns that road visibility could be low and conditions could change quickly.
Motorists are advised to check forecasts and drive carefully during the storm.
Prince Harry is preparing to testify in a legal case against Associated Newspapers Ltd, the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday. He accuses the tabloids of using illegal methods to gather stories about his private life, which he claims contributed to stress leading to Meghan Markle's miscarriage. The case involves complex legal battles with a focus on privacy and media practices.
Key Facts
Prince Harry is testifying in a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd.
He claims the tabloids used illegal tactics to obtain private information.
Harry believes these actions caused significant stress during Meghan Markle's pregnancy.
Meghan Markle previously sued the Mail on Sunday for publishing a private letter.
The lawyer representing the Mail is the same one from the prior case involving Meghan.
Harry states his wife's miscarriage was due to the stress caused by these media actions.
Harry is one of seven individuals involved in the lawsuit against the tabloids.
The lawsuit alleges that the newspapers engaged in "dirty tricks" during the legal process.
The United States trade deficit decreased in 2025, but tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump did not reduce trade dependency on Southeast and East Asia. Instead of reducing trade, the tariffs shifted how and where trade occurred, resulting in more trade with Southeast Asia even though some goods faced higher tariffs.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed "reciprocal tariffs" on trade partners to decrease the U.S. trade deficit.
The U.S. trade deficit for goods fell from $245.5 billion in 2024 to $175.4 billion in 2025.
The value of Chinese exports to the U.S. decreased by 20% in 2025.
Average U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods were 47.5% as of November 2025.
Tariffs on Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia and Vietnam were between 19% and 20%.
Despite tariffs, U.S. trade with countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines increased in 2025.
The U.S. trade deficit with Vietnam increased by more than $20 billion, from $123.4 billion in 2024 to $145.7 billion in 2025.
Police in Kaduna State, Nigeria, confirmed that armed bandits abducted dozens of villagers, reversing their previous denial of the event. The police are working to safely rescue the victims and calm the area, though they haven't confirmed the exact number of those taken. Reports suggest a significant number of villagers are still missing after the attacks.
Key Facts
Armed bandits abducted villagers in Kaduna State, Nigeria, over the weekend.
Nigeria's police initially denied the incident but later confirmed it.
Security operations have begun to find and rescue the abducted villagers.
Estimates of those missing vary; reports suggest between 163 and 172 remain missing.
The kidnappers demand the return of missing motorcycles for the release of captives.
Attacks like these are part of a pattern of mass kidnappings and looting by gangs referred to as "bandits" in Nigeria.
These incidents often impact both Christian and Muslim communities in the region.
The abductions are part of ongoing conflicts in Nigeria, which have drawn international attention.
Newsweek published a debate about whether the U.S. should send military troops to Iran. Iran has experienced significant unrest due to protests against its government, with reports of many deaths. Two contributors provide opposite views on whether President Trump should intervene military in Iran.
Key Facts
Protests in Iran are ongoing, with many reported deaths due to government action.
There is a debate on whether the U.S. should intervene in Iran's situation.
One view argues against military intervention, suggesting it could strengthen hardliners.
Historical examples provided include past U.S. interventions in Iran, Iraq, and Libya.
The opposing view suggests military action could help establish democracy in Iran.
Examples of past U.S. interventions, such as in Grenada and Panama, are cited as successful.
Iran's leadership has reportedly acknowledged the killing of many protesters.
The debate highlights different opinions on how U.S. foreign policy should be conducted in Iran.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued "Extreme Cold Warnings" and "Extreme Cold Watches" for parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, predicting wind chills as low as -55°F from Wednesday to Saturday. These cold conditions pose serious risks, such as frostbite occurring on exposed skin in just 10 minutes. The NWS advises people in affected areas to stay indoors, dress warmly if they must go outside, and ensure pets are kept safe.
Key Facts
"Extreme Cold Warnings" and "Extreme Cold Watches" are in effect for parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Wind chills could drop to -55°F between Wednesday and Saturday.
Parts of Minnesota, including Koochiching and north St. Louis, may face wind chills as low as -50°F.
Northeast North Dakota might see temperatures drop to -55°F due to wind chills.
The cold conditions can cause frostbite on exposed skin within 10 minutes.
The NWS advises staying indoors, wearing layers if outside, and keeping pets warm and safe.
More cold weather might affect these states from Sunday to Monday.
China has sent a naval hospital ship to Uruguay as part of its Harmony 2025 mission. This move is part of a larger Chinese presence in Latin America, a region that the U.S. considers strategically important. The ship is expected to provide medical services and conduct friendly activities during its stop.
Key Facts
A Chinese naval hospital ship arrived in Uruguay's port of Montevideo for a four-day visit.
The ship's stop in Uruguay is part of the Harmony 2025 mission, which began in September.
China’s Defense Ministry highlighted that the ship will replenish supplies and engage in friendly activities like a football match.
This mission has already made stops in Brazil and is expected to visit Peru and Chile next.
China's navy is the largest in the world by hull count, with three large hospital ships used for these missions.
The U.S. views the Western Hemisphere as a key strategic area and aims to limit foreign influence.
The Silk Road Ark's travels align with China's broader strategy to enhance relations with Latin America.
Uruguay and China have a strong partnership, with Uruguay being part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
A Japanese court has sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami to life in prison for the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Yamagami admitted to shooting Abe in 2022, and prosecutors argued it was an unprecedented crime with serious societal impact.
Key Facts
Tetsuya Yamagami, aged 45, was sentenced for killing Shinzo Abe.
The murder took place in 2022.
Prosecutors sought a life sentence, arguing the crime had major effects on society.
Yamagami's lawyers wanted a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The case had significant public and media attention in Japan.
A viral TikTok video from a Texas mom shows the chaos caused by a new puppy after escaping its kennel. The incident raises awareness about parvo, a contagious disease affecting dogs, which might be responsible for the puppy's severe symptoms.
Key Facts
A Texas mom posted a viral TikTok video showing her house covered in mess after a puppy escaped its kennel.
The video has over 15.6 million views and 986,900 likes.
Viewers commented that the mess could be due to parvo, a serious disease in dogs.
Parvo leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, mainly attacking the dog's intestines.
The disease spreads through contact with contaminated poop and can live for months in the environment.
There is no cure, but treatment includes IV fluids and medications to help the dog recover.
Vaccination starting from six weeks old is the best way to prevent parvo.
With quick treatment, 85–95% of dogs survive parvo.
French President Emmanuel Macron wore blue reflective sunglasses during his speech at the Davos summit, drawing attention and sparking curiosity. Macron's spokespersons attributed his choice to a harmless eye condition, and Macron himself explained it was for aesthetic and personal reasons. The French leader also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against European countries and discussed global political concerns.
Key Facts
French President Macron wore reflective sunglasses at the Davos summit.
He wore the sunglasses due to a harmless eye condition called a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage.
This eye condition can happen when a person sneezes, coughs, or rubs their eye and is not painful or harmful.
Macron called his eye condition "l'oeil du tigre", referring to a song that symbolizes determination.
The sunglasses choice led to social media discussions, with some jokingly calling him a "show-off" or comparing him to a "cyborg."
In his speech, Macron criticized President Trump’s tariff threats towards certain European countries.
Macron also warned about the dangers of autocracy and the misuse of tariffs to challenge international rules and sovereignty.
