The UK government has announced a £15 billion plan to help households install solar panels and other green technologies to reduce energy bills. The Warm Homes Plan aims to triple the number of homes with solar installations and lift one million people out of fuel poverty. The plan includes grants, loans, and new rights for renters, although some critics worry about the costs and reliance on foreign-made technology.
Key Facts
The UK government will provide £15 billion over five years to support solar panels and green technologies for homes.
The plan aims to increase solar installations and reduce fuel poverty for one million people.
Households can receive low-interest loans and grants to help with the costs of green technology.
An extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and extra funding for low-income households are included.
The plan could create up to 180,000 new jobs in the clean heating sector.
Critics argue that the scheme may depend too much on foreign-manufactured components, potentially impacting British industry.
The plan does not fully address home insulation, due to past issues with related schemes.
The government says more discussion with the finance sector is needed for new funding distribution.
A train derailed near Barcelona, Spain, resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to at least 14 passengers. The derailment happened when the train hit a wall that had fallen onto the tracks due to bad weather.
Key Facts
A train derailed near Barcelona, Spain.
The train driver died in the accident.
At least 14 passengers suffered injuries.
The train hit a retaining wall that fell onto the tracks.
Severe weather, including heavy storms, affected the region.
Emergency services, including 11 ambulances and 35 fire crews, responded to the scene.
Another major train crash happened days earlier in Andalusia, Spain, with many fatalities.
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham has made public statements criticizing his parents, Sir David and Lady Beckham, saying they put their brand above family. The comments could harm the Beckham family image, which they have maintained as a global celebrity power couple.
Key Facts
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham is the son of Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham.
He accused his parents of prioritizing their public brand image over family.
The Beckhams have a significant global presence and business empire.
David Beckham was knighted by the King last year.
Brooklyn claims his family values public appearances and promotions too highly.
David and Victoria have not publicly responded to Brooklyn's comments.
The Beckham brand is estimated to be worth about £500 million.
The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to a four-day ceasefire that began on Tuesday evening. Despite the agreed ceasefire, there have been reports of continued attacks, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the ceasefire. The agreement also involves the integration of SDF forces into the Syrian government.
Key Facts
The ceasefire between the Syrian government and SDF began at 8pm (17:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
The ceasefire deal involves integrating Kurdish forces into the Syrian state's framework.
The SDF confirmed its acceptance of the ceasefire, stating it would only act defensively.
Reports surfaced that government-allied groups attacked the village of Tal Baroud despite the ceasefire.
SDF representatives stated that Zarkan faced artillery attacks and an attack on al-Aqtan Prison occurred.
The Syrian government made rapid territorial gains, taking control of regions previously held by the SDF.
Syria's Ministry of Interior noted the army's control over the al-Hol camp, housing ISIL fighters' families.
The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, recognized the Syrian government as the U.S.'s main partner against ISIL.
President Donald Trump is considering taking control of Greenland as a way to block influence from China and Russia. Greenland's 57,000 residents, mainly Inuit, do not support his plan, seeing it as disrespectful and controlling.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump wants to take control of Greenland.
He sees it as a way to keep China and Russia away from the region.
Greenland is a self-governing part of Denmark.
The island has strategic importance because climate change is changing sea routes and revealing valuable minerals.
Greenlanders, mostly Inuit, oppose Trump's plans, calling them insulting and colonial.
Jason Statham spoke about the risks he takes doing his own stunts, admitting he's sometimes pushed them too far. At the premiere of his new film "Shelter," he discussed the film's thriller elements and his continued commitment to performing demanding physical scenes.
Key Facts
Jason Statham has built a career on doing his own stunts in action films.
He admitted to hurting himself multiple times by pushing stunts too far.
Statham has two young children with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
He stars in the new film "Shelter," which is more of a thriller.
A challenging scene in "Shelter" involved a difficult open-sea rescue.
Director Ric Waugh emphasized the film's authentic and real action scenes.
Statham joked about starring in multiple films by 2026, including sequels and a project with Guy Ritchie.
Emergency teams in Spain are looking for victims after a train crash that killed at least 41 people. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and have promised to be open about the findings.
Key Facts
A train crash occurred in a mountain area in Spain.
At least 41 people died in the accident.
Emergency teams are actively searching for victims.
Officials are investigating why the crash happened.
Authorities have promised to share information about the investigation openly.
President Donald Trump is pursuing bold international actions during his second term, including a desire to acquire Greenland. This move has stirred global tensions and concerns about changes in the established world order.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump's second term anniversary marks one year since his inauguration.
During his inauguration speech, he referred to the idea of "manifest destiny," suggesting the U.S. is destined to expand.
Trump expressed a strong interest in acquiring Greenland, aiming to assert control over the territory.
This action raises concerns about international norms and long-standing alliances.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned about a shift towards a rule-by-force world order at the World Economic Forum.
Talks of a potential trade war and risks to NATO have emerged alongside Trump's actions.
A Republican congressman introduced a bill for the annexation and statehood of Greenland.
European countries are reconsidering their diplomatic strategies in response to Trump's policies.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, America's allies expressed strong concerns about President Trump's approach to international relations, marking a shift in global dynamics. European leaders criticized Trump's use of economic pressure, such as tariffs, and questioned the traditional U.S-led world order. Leaders are considering actions to increase independence from the U.S. as tensions grow.
Key Facts
U.S. allies expressed concerns about President Trump's influence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized Trump's threats of tariffs related to Greenland.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged for Europe to become less dependent on the U.S.
French President Emmanuel Macron opposed Trump's use of tariffs for political leverage.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the situation as a major break from normal relations.
The European Union is considering a package of retaliatory tariffs in response.
Only Hungary has joined Trump's "Board of Peace," signifying decline in European support.
Key leaders, including those from Germany and the UK, were absent from a scheduled meeting with Trump about Greenland.
Iran warned President Donald Trump not to interfere with its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This warning came after President Trump criticized Khamenei in an interview and suggested Iran should look for new leadership. Meanwhile, tensions remain high following protests in Iran, with significant loss of life reported and fears of further unrest.
Key Facts
Iran told President Trump not to take action against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
President Trump had called for an end to Khamenei's leadership and criticized him in an interview.
The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is moving toward the Middle East amid these tensions.
More than 4,484 people have died in recent protests in Iran, according to a U.S.-based human rights agency.
Over 26,000 people have been arrested during the protests in Iran.
Iran has had an internet shutdown since January 8 to control information flow.
Iranian officials claim those who surrender might face less severe punishment.
Iran is one of the countries with the highest number of executions in the world.
Winter weather is worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over one million Palestinians need emergency shelter. Many people live in temporary tents that can't withstand the rain and cold, and they face problems getting aid and materials due to blockades.
Key Facts
Over one million Palestinians in Gaza are displaced and need shelter.
Many displaced people live in tents that are damaged by heavy rain and cold.
Blockades at the border often delay the delivery of aid and construction materials.
The risk of hypothermia and disease is increasing due to harsh weather.
The situation adds to an already severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israeli forces demolished United Nations-owned facilities used by the UNRWA, an agency that provides services to Palestinian refugees. The actions took place in east Jerusalem and involved tearing down offices and using tear gas at another site. Israel accuses the agency of ties with Hamas, which the UNRWA denies.
Key Facts
Israeli forces demolished United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facilities in east Jerusalem.
The UNRWA provides aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and other regions.
Israeli authorities accuse UNRWA of having connections with Hamas, which UNRWA denies.
The UN Secretary-General condemned the demolition and requested the return of the facility to UN control.
Israeli law banning UNRWA's operations led to the enforcement of these actions.
The demolition impacted a vocational school serving over 300 young refugees.
Israel's Foreign Ministry claims ownership of the site and rejects UNRWA's international law violation claims.
This action is part of a broader campaign against UNRWA amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
A former prison officer, Isabelle Dale, was sentenced to three and a half years in jail for having inappropriate relationships with inmates and planning to smuggle drugs into a prison. Dale engaged in romantic relationships with two prisoners and conspired with them to bring drug-soaked envelopes into the prison. The court cited her misconduct in a public office and her intention to engage in criminal activities with inmates.
Key Facts
Isabelle Dale worked at HMP Coldingley in Surrey and was involved with prisoners Shahid Sharif and Connor Money.
Dale was convicted of having sexual relations with Sharif in the prison's chapel area.
She plotted with Sharif and his associate, Lilea Sallis, to smuggle a synthetic drug called spice into HMP Swaleside.
Dale received a three and a half year prison sentence for misconduct and drug smuggling conspiracy.
Shahid Sharif and Lilea Sallis were also jailed, receiving sentences of 27 months and two and a half years, respectively.
Dale's defense mentioned her mental health issues, including depression and PTSD, as factors affecting her judgment.
The drug-smuggling plan failed partly due to a postal strike that disrupted the delivery of drug-soaked envelopes.
The UK government approved China’s plan to build a new embassy in London, which would be the largest in Europe. This decision followed years of opposition due to security concerns. While the British government assures safety measures are in place, residents plan to challenge the decision in court.
Key Facts
The UK approved China's largest embassy in Europe, set to be built in London.
The site for the embassy is at the Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London.
Development faced delays due to opposition from residents and pro-democracy campaigners.
Concerns include potential spying and security threats.
UK intelligence helped design measures to manage these risks.
Residents plan to legally challenge the planning decision.
British intelligence warned about China's alleged efforts to recruit British lawmakers.
The embassy approval comes ahead of a planned visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China.
The Prime Minister of Qatar stated at the World Economic Forum that having Israel withdraw from Gaza is a main priority for President Trump's "Board of Peace". The Prime Minister also mentioned that Qatar got an invitation to join this initiative.
Key Facts
The Prime Minister of Qatar spoke at the World Economic Forum.
He emphasized that Israel leaving Gaza should be a top priority.
This is in relation to President Trump's "Board of Peace".
Qatar received an invitation to participate in this initiative.
The focus is on returning normal life to the residents of Gaza.
President Donald Trump revealed plans about Greenland that caused concern among NATO allies. This took place as European leaders were dealing with new tariff threats from the United States.
Key Facts
President Trump talked about taking over Greenland, which led to concerns among NATO countries.
He sent mixed messages online, hinting that a deal could be possible.
The situation unfolded during meetings with European leaders in Davos.
European leaders were also reacting to new tariff threats from the United States.
The conversation about these issues included a discussion between Amna Nawaz and Robin Niblett.
A train crash occurred in Barcelona when a wall fell onto the tracks, resulting in one death and 37 injuries. This incident happened shortly after another deadly train collision in southern Spain that killed 42 people and injured many more. Emergency services responded to both accidents, with investigations ongoing to determine the causes.
Key Facts
A wall fell onto train tracks in Barcelona, causing a commuter train crash.
This crash led to one death and injured 37 people, five of them seriously.
Emergency services sent 20 ambulances to the crash site near Gelida, close to Barcelona.
Days earlier, a separate train collision in southern Spain killed at least 42 people.
The southern crash involved two trains colliding near the route from Malaga to Madrid.
Heavy rainfall is suspected to have caused the wall collapse in Barcelona.
Spain's railway operator, ADIF, manages the commuter and high-speed rail networks.
Federal prosecutors sent legal requests, called subpoenas, to several officials in Minnesota as part of an immigration-focused investigation. In Ukraine, around one million homes in Kyiv are without electricity due to recent attacks from Russia. In Australia, lawmakers have introduced new laws to control hate speech and gun use after a recent shooting incident.
Key Facts
Federal prosecutors issued subpoenas to five Minnesota officials related to immigration enforcement.
These subpoenas are part of broader immigration enforcement efforts.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that one million homes in Kyiv lack power following Russian attacks.
The attacks in Ukraine have led to significant power outages affecting many residents.
Australia passed new laws targeting hate speech and gun control.
The new Australian laws are a response to a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration that resulted in 15 deaths.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe will not be scared by President Trump's threats of tariffs regarding Greenland. Macron made this statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aiming to protect European interests.
Key Facts
President Macron attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
He spoke about President Trump's threats to impose tariffs concerning Greenland.
Macron stated that Europe will not be intimidated by these threats.
Macron emphasized defending European Union (EU) interests.
He was wearing sunglasses indoors due to an eye injury.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the old world order will not return and urged middle powers to work together at the World Economic Forum. Carney criticized the economic tactics used by bigger countries and affirmed Canada's support for Greenland and NATO. He also mentioned how Canada needs to build new alliances and partnerships on shared values and interests.
Key Facts
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
He said the "old order is not coming back" and urged middle powers to unite.
Carney criticized powerful nations for using economic pressure to achieve their goals.
He confirmed Canada's support for Greenland, Denmark, and the NATO alliance.
Carney did not name President Trump, but some of his comments seemed directed at US policies.
Carney highlighted Canada's efforts to engage with other countries through new partnerships.
He mentioned recent trade and investment deals with China and Qatar.
Carney emphasized the importance of building alliances based on shared values and interests.
