The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a military operation called Operation Southern Spear, aimed at targeting drug traffickers and protecting the U.S. from illegal drugs. The U.S. is increasing its military presence near Venezuela, and President Trump is considering more operations on land. Democrats are questioning the legality of the operations.
Key Facts
Operation Southern Spear was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The operation targets drug traffickers and aims to stop illegal drug flow into the U.S.
The U.S. is placing warships, including a large aircraft carrier, near Venezuela.
At least 80 people have died from strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
President Trump is considering land attacks in Venezuela.
Military officials updated President Trump on attacking Venezuela but made no decisions.
Southern Command is partly in charge of the operation, led by Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey.
There are concerns about the legality of the boat attacks, raised by Democrats.
Puffins have been seen on the Isle of Muck in Northern Ireland for the first time in 25 years due to efforts to remove invasive brown rats. This project, led by Ulster Wildlife, aims to help seabirds return safely to the island. The recent sightings are a sign that these conservation efforts are working.
Key Facts
Puffins were seen on the Isle of Muck after 25 years.
Ulster Wildlife manages the seabird sanctuary on the island.
A rat eradication program began in 2017 to protect seabirds.
Five puffins were spotted in 2024, with signs of possible breeding.
Worldwide, 24 out of 25 seabird species face risk of extinction.
Puffins are red-listed in the UK due to various threats.
The Isle of Muck is not accessible to the public to protect the birds.
Similar conservation projects have been carried out on Rathlin Island.
At the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil, over 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists are present, making them more numerous than most national delegations. A coalition of environmental groups has raised concerns about the influence these lobbyists may have on climate change discussions.
Key Facts
More than 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists are registered for COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
These lobbyists outnumber most country delegations, except for Brazil's.
One in every 25 participants at the talks is linked to the fossil fuel industry.
The coalition conducting the analysis seeks to protect UN climate policies from corporate influence.
Similar high numbers were seen at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.
The International Chamber of Commerce disputes claims about their delegation's composition, stating only three members are from fossil fuel companies.
The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists has been a contentious issue in past COP meetings.
The BBC apologized to President Donald Trump for editing a speech in a documentary to make it seem like he promoted violence but disagreed with his basis for a defamation claim. The broadcaster explained that they did not plan to rebroadcast the documentary and emphasized disagreement with the accusation in a statement. Legal experts noted challenges for Trump if he pursues a lawsuit in either the US or the UK.
Key Facts
The BBC apologized for editing Trump's speech in a way that appeared misleading.
The BBC rejected President Trump's defamation claim related to this editing.
A letter of apology was sent to the White House by BBC's chairman.
The documentary was broadcast before the 2024 US presidential election, which Trump won.
The documentary edited parts of a speech from January 6, 2021, combining quotes from different sections.
There is controversy over the documentary potentially influencing people's views of Trump.
Legal experts say Trump might face difficulties pursuing a lawsuit because the program did not air in the US and the deadline for court cases in the UK has passed.
The BBC is facing criticism and internal issues, including leadership resignations amid controversy.
Kirsty Grandison shares the story of her son Kobi, who has severe health issues, on TikTok to help other parents in similar situations. Kobi has been in the hospital for most of his life due to severe brain damage and other complications, and his mother documents their experience to provide advice and support to others.
Key Facts
Kobi Crolla was born prematurely in July 2024 and suffers from severe brain damage.
He has had 17 surgeries and spent almost all of his life in the hospital.
Kirsty Grandison, Kobi's mother, shares their experiences on TikTok to support other parents.
Her TikTok page, "Kobi The Brave," has 34,000 followers and receives up to 40 messages daily.
Kobi was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition causing fluid buildup on the brain, requiring multiple surgeries.
Both parents left their jobs to provide full-time care for Kobi.
Kirsty’s videos show practical tips for caring for a child in the hospital, like using feeding tubes and managing medication.
She receives positive feedback from parents who feel supported by seeing Kobi's progress.
Starting May 1, 2026, England will ban no-fault evictions, which allow landlords to evict tenants without a reason. Under the new rules, leases will switch to rolling agreements, and landlords can't evict tenants for reporting poor housing conditions. More than 11 million renters will be affected by these changes, which aim to improve tenant rights.
Key Facts
England will ban no-fault evictions starting May 1, 2026.
Fixed-term tenancies will end, moving to rolling agreements instead.
Landlords cannot evict tenants for complaining about poor property conditions.
Over 11 million renters in England will be affected by the new rules.
The changes are part of the Renters' Rights Act, approved in October.
The National Residential Landlords Association says landlords need more time to prepare.
More than 11,000 households faced no-fault evictions in the year to June.
The rule changes aim to protect tenants and address concerns about poor property conditions.
The BBC apologized to President Trump after editing his January 6 speech in a documentary, but they don't plan to rebroadcast the program. They acknowledged that the edit gave a wrong impression, but disagreed with President Trump's defamation claim.
Key Facts
The BBC apologized to President Trump for how they edited his January 6 speech in a documentary.
The documentary showed parts of the speech as if they were continuous, though they were actually from different times.
President Trump threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion over the edited speech unless they retracted, apologized, and compensated him.
Two top BBC leaders resigned after the editing controversy in the documentary titled "Trump: A Second Chance?"
A BBC correction note stated that the edit mistakenly made it seem like Trump called for violence.
BBC Chairman Samir Shah sent a personal apology letter to the White House.
The BBC does not agree that the situation warrants a defamation lawsuit and does not plan to pay compensation.
The High Court in the UK is examining a legal challenge against guidelines from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about which toilets transgender people can use. The guidelines suggested that single-sex toilets should be used based on biological sex, leading to disputes about the rights of transgender people. The EHRC has since withdrawn these guidelines.
Key Facts
The UK High Court is reviewing a challenge to EHRC's toilet use guidelines for transgender people.
The guidelines stated that biological sex should determine toilet use, meaning, for example, a trans woman should use men's or gender-neutral toilets.
The guidelines were issued after a Supreme Court ruling specifying "woman" and "sex" as biological terms under the Equality Act.
The guidelines have been withdrawn from the EHRC's website as of last month.
The challenge is brought by the Good Law Project and three anonymous individuals.
The EHRC and a government representative argue the guidance should be dismissed and was proportionate at the time.
A judgment by the High Court will be given in writing at a future date.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating multiple group-based child sexual abuse cases in London. An initial review found about 1,200 of these cases might involve grooming gangs, though many types of abuse exist within different contexts. The Met commissioner emphasized the complexity of these cases and the misuse of the term "grooming gangs."
Key Facts
The Metropolitan Police are investigating "tens" of group-based child sexual abuse cases that might involve grooming gangs.
An initial search found around 9,000 historic cases, but only 1,200 remained under investigation after further review.
The term "grooming gangs" can be misleading as it includes a wide range of abuse types, not just the groups typically perceived by the public.
The offenders' ethnic backgrounds reflected London's diverse population.
Around 2,000 sexual offences are recorded monthly by the Met, with about half involving child sexual abuse.
Managing both current and historic cases will need extra funding and specialist officers.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley discussed the complexity of these issues at a London Assembly meeting.
An Israeli settler set fire to a mosque in the West Bank, leading to strong international condemnation. The attack happened during a period of rising violence against Palestinians, with many incidents linked to the ongoing conflict and olive harvest season. The United Nations and other international bodies have criticized the attacks and urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and religious sites.
Key Facts
An Israeli settler set fire to the Hajja Hamida Mosque in Deir Istiya, West Bank.
The attack included anti-Palestinian graffiti and burned copies of the Quran.
There is a reported increase in Israeli settler and military attacks on Palestinians in 2025.
Over 167 attacks have been related to the olive harvest, injuring more than 150 Palestinians and damaging over 5,700 trees.
The UN has warned of settler violence occurring with the support of Israeli security forces.
The UN and Jordan have called the attacks on religious sites unacceptable and demanded accountability.
The violence is linked to broader Israeli-Palestinian tensions and the context of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Swiss ministers visited Washington to discuss reducing President Donald Trump’s 39% tariffs on Swiss exports. Swiss business leaders presented gifts to President Trump, which appeared to positively influence the tariff talks. As a result, there is optimism that the tariffs might be lowered, with Swiss industries considering investments in the US.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss exports to the US, the highest rate in Europe.
Initial negotiations by Swiss President Karin Keller Sutter did not succeed in changing Trump's stance.
Swiss business leaders visited Trump in November, bringing gifts, including a Rolex watch and a gold bar.
President Trump indicated that a deal is in progress to reduce the tariff rate.
Swiss business representatives said they acted in a unified effort between private and public sectors.
Swiss leaders, including economy minister Guy Parmelin, are hopeful about reducing the tariff to 15%.
Swiss pharmaceutical companies have promised to build more production facilities in the US.
Swiss International Airlines may consider shifting its fleet preference towards Boeing.
Pat Butcher, also known as Pat Evans, will return to the BBC soap "EastEnders" for a special Christmas episode. The episode will focus on Nigel's dementia, and Pat will appear as part of his memories from the 1990s.
Key Facts
Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, is returning to "EastEnders" for a one-off episode.
The episode will air over the Christmas period and is centered around a dementia storyline.
Pat Butcher was a beloved character on the show for over 25 years.
She originally died in the show in 2012 but has appeared again as a vision in 2016.
In the new episode, she will appear in Nigel's memories, as he struggles with dementia.
The episode features actor Paul Bradley, who plays Nigel.
This return will see Pat helping Nigel when his dementia symptoms worsen.
Other classic characters have also returned to "EastEnders" recently, like Angie Watts for the 40th anniversary episode.
The UN reports that violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has reached a record high. Incidents include attacks on mosques, farms, and other facilities, causing widespread fear and disruption.
Key Facts
The UN states that settler violence in the West Bank is higher than ever before.
Israeli settlers have set fire to mosques and damaged dairy facilities.
Olive farmers in the area are facing attacks.
Hundreds of incidents have been reported, impacting the daily lives of Palestinians.
The violence is causing fear among families living in the West Bank.
A Turkish military cargo plane crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, resulting in the deaths of 20 people. Officials have recovered the remains of all individuals who were killed in the crash.
Key Facts
A Turkish C-130 cargo plane crashed.
The crash happened near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border.
A total of 20 people died in the accident.
Officials have recovered all the remains of the deceased.
The BBC apologized to President Donald Trump for editing his speech in a Panorama episode but declined to pay compensation. The BBC will not air the episode again and has responded to President Trump's legal team's demands. The controversy resulted in the resignation of two top BBC executives.
Key Facts
The BBC apologized to President Trump for the editing of his speech in a Panorama episode.
The BBC rejected Trump's demand for $1 billion in compensation.
The episode in question will not be broadcast again.
President Trump's lawyers demanded a retraction, apology, and compensation from the BBC.
The controversy came after a second edited clip was revealed, involving a 2022 broadcast.
BBC officials, including the chair, expressed regret but disputed the grounds for a defamation claim.
The fallout led to the resignations of BBC director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness.
The BBC admitted the editing may have misrepresented Trump's speech as a continuous section when it was not.
Netflix has confirmed that the romantic drama "Nobody Wants This" will return for a third season, set to release in 2026. The show's creator, Erin Foster, and showrunners express excitement about continuing the series. While the specific release date and full cast details are not yet available, it is expected that main actors Kristen Bell and Adam Brody will return.
Key Facts
Netflix will release "Nobody Wants This Season 3" in 2026.
The show follows a relationship between an agnostic podcaster and a rabbi.
Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are expected to return as main characters Joanne and Noah.
The second season of the show was released on October 23, 2025.
Season 2 received a 79% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The series was highly viewed on Netflix, achieving 18 million views in 11 days.
Main cast of Season 2 included Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, and others.
A survey found that two-thirds of women serving in the UK's armed forces experienced sexualized behavior in the past year. This includes inappropriate comments, harassment, and groping. The Ministry of Defence called the findings unacceptable and is working on prevention programs.
Key Facts
Two-thirds of women in the UK's armed forces reported experiencing sexualized behavior.
The survey covers both full-time military personnel and part-time reservists.
Examples of behavior include inappropriate jokes, comments on appearance, and unwelcome touching.
The Ministry of Defence is working on educational programs about consent and online influences.
Women are twice as likely to face these behaviors compared to men in the military.
The survey involved more than 90,000 military personnel.
The issue is most common in open workplace settings within the military.
The survey follows a similar investigation in the Royal Navy regarding misconduct.
Season 3 of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" ended with some unresolved issues among the women regarding Demi Engemann. Layla Taylor indicated in an interview that while they can be cordial, a friendship with Engemann is not possible right now. Meanwhile, Whitney Leavitt remains close to Engemann despite the previous tensions.
Key Facts
"Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" is a reality TV show that has just wrapped its third season.
Season 3 focused partly on rumors involving Demi Engemann and Marciano Burnette.
Layla Taylor stated she's not ready to resume a friendship with Engemann despite cordial interactions.
Taylor commends Engemann for admitting mistakes but prioritizes peace and supportive friends.
Whitney Leavitt maintains a strong friendship with Engemann and supports her in various activities.
Engemann apologized during the season for past behavior and expressed hope for mutual understanding with the group.
Germany plans to expand its military by introducing a plan that could include some form of conscription. The government aims to increase the army size and believes this could help make Germany's armed forces the strongest in Europe within five years. Many young Germans are against conscription, but the government argues it's necessary for security.
Key Facts
Germany's government plans to increase the army size to 260,000 soldiers by 2035.
Starting in 2027, all 18-year-old men must take a medical exam to assess their fitness for military duty.
Women can choose to participate in the military service plan, while it is mandatory for men to fill out a suitability questionnaire.
Germany currently has about 182,000 soldiers and aims to add 20,000 troops in the next year.
A form of compulsory military service might be considered if voluntary targets aren't met.
Germany's Defense Minister assured that increased military capabilities would deter conflicts.
Some young Germans, particularly those aged 18 to 29, express strong opposition to mandatory service.
The initiative follows concerns over potential security threats and aims to strengthen Germany's defense readiness.
UK billionaire Joe Lewis has received a pardon from President Donald Trump. Lewis pleaded guilty to insider trading in 2024, avoiding prison after paying a fine. The pardon allows Lewis to seek medical care and visit family in the U.S.
Key Facts
Joe Lewis, a UK billionaire, received a pardon from President Trump.
Lewis previously pleaded guilty to insider trading and paid a $5 million fine.
He admitted to sharing insider information, which led to millions in profits.
The pardon enables Lewis to visit the U.S. for medical treatment and family visits.
Lewis founded the Tavistock Group, investing in various industries.
In 2023, Lewis was ranked 39th in the Sunday Times Rich List, worth £5bn.
He had relinquished control over Tottenham Hotspur football club by 2022.
