Israeli policies are leading to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Human Rights Watch reported that 32,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes in refugee camps this year. Israeli operations and settlement expansions in the area are contributing to this situation.
Key Facts
Human Rights Watch reported the displacement of 32,000 Palestinians from refugee camps in the West Bank in 2023.
The Israeli operations affected the Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem camps, marking the largest displacement since 1967.
Over 1,000 Palestinians have died due to violence in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
Israeli demolitions displaced more than 1,000 people in Area C of the West Bank, citing permit issues.
Building permits are difficult for Palestinians to obtain, leading to demolitions given the lack of permits.
Israeli government officials express intentions to annex the West Bank, extending Israeli sovereignty.
Over 700,000 Israelis live in settlements considered illegal on Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for new settlements, aiming to hinder the creation of a Palestinian state.
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President Trump announced progress in U.S. efforts to help end the war in Ukraine. He is sending two envoys to continue discussions. Meanwhile, Israel received human remains from Gaza, and the FBI wants to interview Democratic lawmakers about a video.
Key Facts
President Trump stated there is progress in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
The U.S. is sending two envoys for further talks about Ukraine.
Israel received more human remains from Gaza.
The FBI seeks interviews with Democratic lawmakers.
The lawmakers appeared in a video that advised troops to ignore unlawful orders.
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President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met to discuss Saudi Arabia potentially normalizing relations with Israel via the Abraham Accords. The meeting became tense as MBS explained that Saudi public opinion is currently against such a move following the Gaza war. Both leaders remained civil, but MBS insisted on specific conditions for any future peace deal.
Key Facts
The meeting was about Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, which normalize ties with Israel.
President Trump hoped for progress on this issue, especially after the end of the Gaza war.
MBS resisted immediate normalization, citing Saudi public opinion against Israel.
MBS wants a path to a Palestinian state as part of any peace arrangement with Israel.
President Trump offered to supply Saudi Arabia with advanced F-35 fighter jets.
Israel's government was assured by the U.S. that Saudi Arabia would get a less advanced version to maintain Israel's military advantage.
The terrorism lawsuit against Saudi Arabia related to 9/11 attacks was not discussed in the meeting.
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French police arrested four more people linked to a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where robbers stole royal jewels worth $102 million. The suspects, two men and two women from the Paris area, were involved in a heist where eight items, including a historic necklace, were taken. This brings the total number of arrests to eight, with the stolen items still missing.
Key Facts
Four new suspects, two men and two women, were arrested by French authorities.
These arrests are related to the theft of $102 million worth of jewels from the Louvre Museum.
The robbery included an emerald and diamond necklace given by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise.
Prior to these arrests, four other individuals had been detained and investigated.
The theft was executed by four people using a lift to access the museum's upper floor.
Thieves used angle grinders to break display cases and escaped on scooters.
A jewel-encrusted crown was dropped during the getaway, but other items remain missing.
Authorities are enhancing museum security after this incident.
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Taiwan's deputy foreign minister discussed China's stance with a U.S. news correspondent, emphasizing China's position on Taiwan. President Trump recently talked to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where Xi explained China's viewpoint. China views Taiwan as a province that should be part of its territory, while Taiwan is a self-governing area.
Key Facts
Taiwan is a self-governing democracy with a population of 23 million.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and part of its territory.
President Trump recently spoke with China's leader, Xi Jinping.
Xi Jinping outlined China's "principled" position on Taiwan during this conversation.
Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister discussed the situation in an interview with U.S. media.
Despite Chinese claims, Taiwan has never been part of Communist China.
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A comment about President Donald Trump was taken out of a lecture by historian Rutger Bregman, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. The BBC said it removed the line based on legal advice, and this decision has upset Bregman. The BBC recently faced issues with another program involving Trump, leading to legal threats and resignations within the organization.
Key Facts
Rutger Bregman, a historian, was this year's speaker for BBC Radio 4's Reith Lectures.
A line about President Donald Trump was removed from Bregman's lecture before it aired.
The removal was based on legal advice, according to the BBC.
President Trump had previously threatened to sue the BBC for $5 billion over another edited program.
The BBC apologized for editing a program about Trump that allegedly misrepresented him.
BBC's Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness resigned following the controversy.
Bregman expressed concern that fear of legal action led to self-censorship.
BBC ensures its programs meet editorial guidelines, which was a reason for the line's removal.
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Sir Richard Branson announced that his wife of 50 years, Joan, has died at the age of 80. Joan and Sir Richard married in 1989 and had three children and five grandchildren.
Key Facts
Joan Branson, wife of Sir Richard Branson, passed away at age 80.
They were married for 50 years, since 1989.
They had three children, one of whom died shortly after birth, and five grandchildren.
Sir Richard Branson described his wife as his "best friend" and "guiding light" in an Instagram post.
The couple got married on Necker Island, a Caribbean island owned by Sir Richard.
Joan Branson grew up in Glasgow and later worked in London, where she met Richard Branson.
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U.S. car batteries often use recycled lead from overseas. A new investigation reveals that this recycled lead is connected to lead poisoning in Africa.
Key Facts
Lead is an important part of car batteries.
Producing lead in the U.S. is costly, so it's often recycled abroad.
U.S. automakers use this recycled lead in their batteries.
This process has been seen as good for the environment.
A recent investigation reveals links between this practice and lead poisoning in Africa.
The report suggests the recycled lead might not be safe.
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President Donald Trump's senior Africa envoy, Massad Boulos, has denied accusations of bias in the U.S. peace proposal aimed at ending the civil war in Sudan. The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE are mediating between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Disagreements remain, with Sudan's army rejecting the proposed ceasefire.
Key Facts
President Trump’s envoy, Massad Boulos, is working on a peace plan for Sudan's ongoing conflict.
Sudan's army and the RSF have been in conflict for over two years.
The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE — called "the Quad" — are trying to mediate peace talks.
Sudan’s army leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, criticized the latest peace proposal and cited issues with UAE's involvement.
The RSF announced a three-month ceasefire, but the army reported continued attacks.
The conflict has displaced 12 million people, leading the UN to call it a severe humanitarian crisis.
Reports of mass killings and other atrocities by the RSF in Sudan's Darfur region have caused international alarm.
The UAE has denied any military support to the RSF, despite accusations from Sudan’s army.
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Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine is close to reaching its fourth year. PBS's Frontline, in partnership with the Associated Press, will broadcast a documentary called "2000 Meters to Andriivka" that depicts the experiences of Ukrainians during the conflict.
Key Facts
Russia's invasion of Ukraine started nearly four years ago.
PBS's Frontline and the Associated Press collaborated on a documentary.
The documentary is titled "2000 Meters to Andriivka."
It shows the realities of life and death for people affected by the war.
Nick Schifrin had a conversation with the filmmaker, Mstyslav Chernov.
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Refugees from el-Fasher in Sudan have reported serious abuses by the Rapid Support Forces, which Amnesty International now calls war crimes. Despite a temporary ceasefire, many survivors are struggling with limited mental health support.
Key Facts
Refugees from Sudan's el-Fasher are reporting abuses like torture and rape.
Amnesty International has labeled the actions of the Rapid Support Forces as war crimes.
The Rapid Support Forces are a paramilitary group in Sudan.
A three-month truce has been announced in the region.
Survivors have limited access to mental health support.
Many refugees support each other to deal with their trauma.
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has warned that Serbia's only oil refinery might shut down due to U.S. sanctions linked to its Russian ownership amid the Ukraine conflict. Serbia has given Russian companies a deadline to sell their stake in the refinery or face state intervention. The sanctions have already reduced oil refinery operations, affecting Serbia's energy supply.
Key Facts
Serbia's only oil refinery risks closure because of U.S. sanctions.
The refinery is mostly owned by Russian companies Gazprom and Gazprom Neft.
President Vucic warned the refinery might shut down in four days without sanction relief.
Serbia has given a 50-day deadline for the Russian owners to sell their stake.
The refinery's operations are reduced due to halted crude supply.
U.S. sanctions on Russia's oil sector came into full effect in October.
The Balkan country has existing fuel reserves to manage in the short term.
The U.S. demands full Russian divestment from the Serbian oil company by February 13.
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A newlywed couple returned from their wedding to find their cat, Josephine, limping. After two vet visits revealed no injury, they suspected she might be pretending for attention. They shared their story on TikTok, which quickly gained over 1.2 million views.
Key Facts
Sydney and her husband were away for a week-long wedding trip, leaving behind Josephine, their cat.
Josephine appeared to limp, leading them to take her to the vet twice.
Both veterinary visits showed no signs of injury or pain in Josephine.
The couple suspected Josephine was faking her limp for attention.
Josephine, known for dramatic behavior, switched which paw she limped with and acted normal when unnoticed.
A TikTok video of the story garnered over 1.2 million views and sparked laughs online.
Research from Ohio State University indicates that healthy cats may display sick behavior when their routines are interrupted.
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The U.S. government has increased its reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This high bounty is intended to help remove Maduro due to his government's alleged human rights abuses. However, experts caution that this approach might cause more instability in Venezuela.
Key Facts
The U.S. raised its reward to $50 million for information on Nicolas Maduro.
Maria, a former Venezuelan prosecutor now in Houston, sees the reward as a step towards change in Venezuela.
The bounty aims to address human rights abuses, including detention and torture, by Maduro's government.
Maria left Venezuela in 2017 and fears retaliation, using a pseudonym for safety.
Experts, including Professor Alex Downes, warn that removing Maduro might not solve all the country's issues.
Downes suggests that Venezuela has deep-rooted problems that could lead to instability even if Maduro is removed.
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Virginia State Police are searching for a missing high school football coach, Travis L. Turner, who is wanted on charges related to child pornography and solicitation. Turner's wife, Leslie, denies the allegations and has expressed her wish for him to return home. The police have been using resources like search teams, drones, and K9 units to locate him.
Key Facts
Travis L. Turner is a missing high school football coach from Virginia.
He faces five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Police are actively searching for him and consider him a fugitive.
His wife, Leslie, claims the charges are false and wants him home.
Virginia State Police have used search and rescue teams, drones, and K9 units in their search efforts.
Turner is described as a white male, 6-foot-3, weighing 260 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.
He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses.
Tips on his whereabouts can be reported to Virginia State Police anonymously.
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A former classmate of Nigel Farage, Peter Ettedgui, claims that Farage made antisemitic comments to him while they were at school. Ettedgui accuses Farage of being dishonest in denying these claims. Farage has denied directing racial abuse at anyone, suggesting political motives behind the allegations.
Key Facts
Peter Ettedgui claims that Nigel Farage made antisemitic remarks to him during their school years.
Ettedgui stated Farage would say "Hitler was right" and "gas them" when they were at Dulwich College.
Farage has publicly denied ever directly racially abusing anyone.
Farage argued that the claims against him hold a political element due to his influence and position.
Over a dozen former pupils from Dulwich College have alleged witnessing Farage's racist behavior.
Ettedgui remembers the verbal abuse distinctly, believing it has marked his life.
He responded to Farage's characterization of the incidents as childhood remarks, stressing the age and awareness they had as teenagers.
Ettedgui denies that his allegations are politically motivated, citing personal reasons for speaking out.
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Zeynab Javadli, the ex-wife of a Dubai royal, fears arrest amid a heated custody battle over their three daughters. She has been accused of kidnapping after a public confrontation where she livestreamed her plea for help. The conflict involves court orders and an alleged agreement with the Dubai ruler.
Key Facts
Zeynab Javadli divorced Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2019.
They are in a custody dispute over their three young daughters.
Javadli claims she had an agreement with Dubai's ruler for custody until the children turn 18.
Sheikh Saeed lodged a criminal complaint accusing her of kidnapping the children.
Javadli livestreamed a recent incident, breaking an agreement not to speak publicly.
She fears arrest due to the criminal complaint and livestreaming, considered an e-crime.
The children have not attended school recently due to the custody dispute.
The BBC sought comments from UAE officials but has not received responses.
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Turkish authorities arrested three executives from defense companies on suspicion of spying for foreign nations. The officials are accused of sharing personal information about employees with other countries.
Key Facts
Three defense company executives were arrested in Turkey for suspected spying.
Turkish authorities carried out the arrest operation on November 25, 2025.
A fourth person involved in the incident is currently abroad and has an arrest warrant.
The suspects are believed to have tried to share biographical info about employees with foreign countries.
Initially, it was suggested that the suspects worked for the UAE intelligence services, but this was later retracted.
Turkey's defense exports grew by 29% in 2024, driven by the military drone sector.
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Top U.S. military officials are visiting leaders in the Caribbean to discuss actions against drug trafficking in the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is traveling to the Dominican Republic to meet with their leaders, while General Dan Caine is engaging with officials in Trinidad and Tobago.
Key Facts
U.S. military officials are targeting drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the Dominican Republic.
He will meet with Dominican President Luis Abinader and defense officials.
The meeting with Dominican officials is scheduled for Wednesday.
General Dan Caine, a top military advisor, is visiting Trinidad and Tobago.
President Trump is considering next steps in the region.
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The United States has enforced visa restrictions on a Haitian government official, alleging connections with gangs, though the official, Fritz Alphonse Jean, denies these claims. The US aims to curb gang activities in Haiti, as gang violence remains a major issue in the country, affecting millions and delaying political stability. The US response includes labeling gangs as "foreign terrorist organizations" and offering rewards for gang leaders.
Key Facts
The US has imposed visa restrictions on an unnamed Haitian official, believed to be Fritz Alphonse Jean.
Jean claims that the US and Canada are pressuring Haiti's governing council as they evaluate election candidates.
The US State Department accuses the official of supporting gangs and hindering the Haitian government's fight against them.
President Trump's administration is focusing on cracking down on criminal organizations in Latin America, including Haiti.
Haitian gangs have been labeled as "foreign terrorist organizations" by the US.
Violence caused by gangs affects about 90% of Port-au-Prince, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
Political instability in Haiti has worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
Over 1.4 million Haitians have been displaced, and more than 5,600 people were killed in gang violence last year.
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