A food charity called The Bread and Butter Thing has delivered almost 100,000 meals in Kirklees over the past year, saving families about £740,000. The charity operates 10 food hubs that provide affordable, nutritious food and are run by local volunteers.
Key Facts
The Bread and Butter Thing delivered nearly 100,000 meals in Kirklees in the last year.
The charity helped over 8,500 members by making essential items more affordable.
Their food hubs are located in schools, community centers, and church halls.
Each food pack is 80% fresh fruit, vegetables, and chilled goods.
Local volunteers contributed nearly 18,000 hours in 2025 to run the food hubs.
There are no referrals needed to join, meaning anyone can access the services.
The hubs are located in various areas like Berry Brow, Crosland Moor, and others.
The initiative saved Kirklees residents more than £741,000 during a cost-of-living crisis.
Several beaches on Australia's east coast have closed due to four shark attacks since the weekend. Authorities report these incidents led to beach closures around Port Macquarie and other parts of Sydney for safety. Experts suggest avoiding swimming after heavy rains due to increased shark activity.
Key Facts
Four shark attacks have occurred along New South Wales' coast since the weekend.
A surfer was bitten by a shark at Point Plomer near Port Macquarie, about 400km from Sydney.
Beaches around Port Macquarie were closed after the attack.
Sydney's Northern Beaches also closed beaches after a man was critically injured in a shark attack.
Heavy rains have increased shark activity by attracting baitfish to coastal areas.
Experts advise against swimming in the ocean shortly after heavy rain due to poor visibility and the presence of baitfish.
A retired silversmith named Mark Stevens from Ludlow, Shropshire, has been turning used candles into temporary stoves for people in Ukraine affected by power and heating shortages. Over 18 months, he has collected over 1,000 kilograms of candle wax from places like churches and shops to support both civilians and the military in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Mark Stevens has collected more than 1,000 kilograms of used candles.
He uses the candle wax to make temporary stoves for Ukraine.
These stoves are important for areas in Ukraine without electricity and heating.
Stevens has traveled to Ukraine four times to deliver these stoves personally.
The candles and stoves are also sent through a charity organization.
Stevens collects the candles from places such as churches and charity shops.
In addition to stoves, Stevens supplies generators and vehicles to Ukrainians.
Many Ukrainian refugees live in Ludlow, where Stevens resides.
Vietnam's leader, To Lam, promised to fight corruption and increase the country's economic growth to over 10% by 2030. He addressed these goals during a meeting of Vietnam's Communist Party, where he also spoke about administrative reforms and reducing waste. The congress in Hanoi will choose a party leader and outline economic plans until 2030.
Key Facts
To Lam is Vietnam's top leader and Communist Party chief.
He aims for the country's economic growth to exceed 10% annually until 2030.
Lam has pushed for cutting bureaucratic procedures and expanding global trade.
The Communist Party congress in Hanoi is a major event held every five years.
Lam may take on both party chief and state president roles, similar to China's Xi Jinping.
Since taking office, Lam has removed several government layers and cut jobs.
The congress focuses on tackling corruption and the importance of the private sector.
Infrastructure development is a priority to handle climate change and enhance connectivity.
Lewis Relfe from Wales and Ameila Henderson from Virginia, USA, met while playing an online horror game in 2017. Despite a 3,500-mile distance and the Covid pandemic, they maintained their relationship and married online. Ameila moved to Wales in 2023, and now they live together with their daughter.
Key Facts
Lewis Relfe and Ameila Henderson met through the Friday the 13th online horror game in 2017.
Their relationship faced a 3,500-mile distance across the Atlantic Ocean.
They got married virtually on New Year's Day in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
Lewis proposed to Ameila dressed as the game's character Jason Voorhees on Aberystwyth Pier.
Ameila moved from Virginia to Wales in 2023.
They now live in Ceredigion, Wales, with their daughter Evelyn.
They acknowledge the humor in having met and married online.
Due to responsibilities with their daughter, they no longer play games together as often.
A seven-year-old girl in the UK, named Amelia Kolpa, who is receiving palliative care for cancer, hopes to break a national record by receiving 8,000 birthday cards for her upcoming birthday. Amelia's family is asking people to send cards to make her wish come true, as it brings her joy and hope.
Key Facts
Amelia Kolpa is seven years old and lives in Rowley Regis, UK.
She has neuroblastoma, a type of cancer, and receives palliative care.
Amelia aims to break the UK record for the most birthday cards received by getting 8,000 cards.
Her family is asking the public to send cards to help her reach her goal.
Amelia's initial target was 5,000 cards, but she increased it to 8,000.
She has a bucket list that includes making "Build a Bears" with voice messages and having a birthday party.
Cards can be sent to specific locations in Rowley Regis to reach Amelia.
The NEPHRA Good Neighbours Repair Cafe in Manchester helps people fix broken household items instead of throwing them away. Volunteers with different skills, such as electrical repair and sewing, work to reduce waste and help the community save money.
Key Facts
The NEPHRA Repair Cafe aims to fix faulty goods to prevent them from being thrown away and ending up in landfills.
Volunteer James Wood has repaired around 50 appliances, focusing on electrical items like microwaves, kettles, and laptops.
The project includes more than 20 repair cafes across north-west England, run by the charity NEPHRA.
NEPHRA's mission includes reducing loneliness and offering education and training opportunities.
People benefit financially by repairing items instead of purchasing new ones.
The service relies on volunteers with specialized skills, such as electricians and sewing experts.
Retired electrician Bernard Crick and volunteer Angela Bourne-Griffiths are among those working at the cafe.
Emily Hilton, a community first responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service, was sexually assaulted by a patient while responding to a 999 emergency call in Cardiff, Wales. The man involved was arrested, found guilty of sexual assault, and received a community order and a requirement to remain on the sex offenders register.
Key Facts
Emily Hilton, a volunteer ambulance worker, was assaulted in March 2024 by a patient she was helping in Cardiff.
Hilton was assessing a man who had fallen when he grabbed her and attempted to kiss her.
The assailant, Craig Burgess, was arrested, found guilty, and received a community order in court.
Assaults against emergency workers in Wales totaled 3,000 between June 2023 and June 2024.
The With Us, Not Against Us campaign aims to reduce abuse against emergency workers in Wales.
Hilton's experience left her questioning whether to continue her volunteer work.
The law allows for increased penalties for assaulting emergency workers in the UK, with possible jail sentences up to two years.
Lily Allen reacted to Brooklyn Beckham’s public comments criticizing his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, highlighting a family dispute. Brooklyn accused his parents of trying to control him and his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, which he has now publicly addressed. Allen shared an image relating to this situation on her social media.
Key Facts
Brooklyn Beckham, 26, made public statements against his parents, David and Victoria Beckham.
He accused his parents of controlling family narratives and interfering in his marriage.
Brooklyn claimed his mother, Victoria, canceled plans to make his wife’s wedding dress.
He alleged his parents prioritized the "Brand Beckham" image over personal relationships.
Brooklyn stated his family rejected reconciliation unless it benefited their public image.
Lily Allen shared a modified album cover image including Brooklyn Beckham on Instagram.
The family dispute escalated after Brooklyn's marriage to Nicola Peltz in 2022.
Bill Trotter, a 73-year-old man from Carlisle, died in a hospital after a series of medical treatments. His children, Mike and Kelly, believe there were medical mistakes that contributed to his death and are keeping his body in a mortuary until they get answers. The hospital involved stated that their review found no failings in his care.
Key Facts
Bill Trotter was admitted to Cumberland Infirmary with a toe infection in May 2024 and died two months later.
The hospital performed a procedure called angioplasty to improve blood flow and later decided on an amputation due to gangrene.
Trotter's family claims there were medical mistakes, including misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.
They allege that necessary wound care was unavailable, and they had to purchase their own supplies.
The hospital's review stated there were no failings in Mr. Trotter's care.
His children want an inquest into his death, but the senior coroner has declined to investigate further.
The family claims errors in managing Mr. Trotter's insulin and other aspects of his care were not addressed by the hospital.
The family’s call for an investigation is supported by their local MP.
Russia is worried about the presence of the U.S. Typhon missile system in Japan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concerns that these missile systems, though said to be temporary, might remain in Japan longer than expected. The deployment of these systems is part of the U.S. military exercises with Japan.
Key Facts
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced concerns over U.S. missile systems in Japan.
The U.S. deployed its Typhon missile system to Japan in August for the first time.
The Typhon system is capable of launching Standard Missile-6s and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The missiles were deployed at a U.S. Marine Corps base in Iwakuni, Japan.
The deployment was reportedly for temporary military exercises.
Lavrov suggested these systems might not have been withdrawn from Japan, causing concern.
Lavrov mentioned that other NATO allies are also involved in military activities near Russia's borders.
President Donald Trump has stated a desire for the U.S. to take complete control of Greenland, even though the U.S. already has considerable rights there under existing agreements with Denmark. This includes the right to build and operate military bases, such as the Pituffik Space Base, which currently requires runway repairs.
Key Facts
President Trump wants the U.S. to have full control over Greenland.
The U.S. already has rights to build and operate bases in Greenland based on a 1951 defense treaty with Denmark.
The Pentagon plans to repair the runway at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, with a budget of tens of millions of dollars.
President Trump linked his demand to control Greenland with grievances about the Nobel Peace Prize and hinted at imposing tariffs on European countries that disagree.
European leaders are preparing for potential retaliatory actions due to Trump's tariff threats.
The U.S. has existing agreements that allow for infrastructure development in Greenland without needing to purchase the territory.
President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on NATO allies if they don't agree to sell Greenland to the U.S. European countries have responded by sending troops to Greenland for military exercises. Denmark, the current owner of Greenland, insists that the island is not for sale.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to buy Greenland and is threatening tariffs on NATO allies to secure the deal.
Tariffs would start at 10% and could rise to 25% by June if an agreement isn't reached.
European countries have sent troops to Greenland for exercises, responding to the U.S. pressure.
In Nuuk, Greenland's capital, locals protested Trump's actions, holding signs telling Americans to leave.
Denmark, which owns Greenland, has refused the sale and emphasized its military limitations against the U.S.
Trump appointed a special envoy to negotiate the purchase, but Denmark remains firm that Greenland is not for sale.
Germany's far-right leader criticized Trump's approach as violating international law.
Trump nominated Ken Howery as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark to aid in the Greenland acquisition efforts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Tri-Union Seafoods expanded its recall of Genova Yellowfin Tuna because a distributor mistakenly shipped quarantined products. This recall warns people about potential contamination with a bacterium that can cause serious food poisoning. Consumers are advised to seek medical attention if they feel unwell after consuming the product.
Key Facts
Tri-Union Seafoods expanded its recall of Genova Yellowfin Tuna.
The recall is due to quarantined products being mistakenly shipped by a distributor.
The recalled tuna could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism.
Botulism is a serious form of food poisoning that can be fatal.
The FDA reported no illnesses from the initial recall linked to defective packaging.
The recalled products were distributed to several retailers in certain U.S. states.
Consumers should not eat the recalled tuna and can return it for a refund or disposal.
Customers can contact Tri-Union Seafoods for questions or retrieval of recalled products.
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham shared details online about family issues with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. He claims they interfered in his marriage and pressured him regarding the rights to his name. He says he doesn't want to reconcile and wants to reveal what he calls the truth about their family dynamics.
Key Facts
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham posted on Instagram about conflicts with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham.
He stated his parents have tried to disrupt his relationship since before his 2022 wedding.
Brooklyn claimed Victoria Beckham canceled Nicola's wedding dress last minute.
He said his parents pressured him to sign over the rights to his name before marrying.
His refusal to sign affected the relationship and led to a significant change in how they treated him.
Victoria reportedly called him "evil" over a seating plan arrangement at the wedding.
Certain family members told him that Nicola, his wife, was "not family."
He alleged his parents ordered attacks against him both publicly and privately.
Meghan Markle, known as the Duchess of Sussex, gave a thoughtful gift to Tan France during her Netflix show, which has gained significant attention online. The gift was a traditional Indian spice box called a masala dabba, and the clip of the moment went viral. Despite her declining popularity in the U.K., this moment shows she still has a strong fan base.
Key Facts
Meghan Markle gifted Tan France a masala dabba, a traditional Indian spice box.
The gift was given on Meghan's Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan.
A clip of the gift moment went viral, getting 1.4 million views and 206,000 likes.
Some people believe negative opinions about Meghan won't last, as seen in the clip's online comments.
Meghan's popularity dropped significantly in the U.K., with only 19% support according to a YouGov poll.
Individuals expressed appreciation for the thoughtful gift, with some describing their reactions in the clip's comments.
President Donald Trump criticized the United Kingdom's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He stated this move could harm U.S. national security due to the importance of the American military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island. The UK will transfer sovereignty in 2025 but lease back Diego Garcia for military use.
Key Facts
The Chagos Islands are located in the Indian Ocean, between Africa and Indonesia.
Diego Garcia, the largest island, hosts a major U.S. military base.
The UK separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before Mauritian independence in 1968.
Thousands of indigenous Chagossians were expelled by the UK in the 1960s and 1970s.
A deal was made for the UK to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius in 2025.
The agreement includes leasing Diego Garcia back to the UK and U.S. for 99 years.
President Trump voiced concerns that this move weakens U.S. strategic interests.
Despite U.S. consultation, Trump believes the decision shows weakness to global adversaries.
A new "Board of Peace" has been announced to oversee post-war governance in Gaza, named by the White House. Despite the official announcement of "phase two" of the ceasefire, people in Gaza remain skeptical and struggle with ongoing instability and destruction. The hope for peace is overshadowed by everyday challenges and the lack of tangible changes on the ground.
Key Facts
A "Board of Peace" was announced to manage post-war governance in Gaza.
The committee will be led by Dr. Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian official.
There is mistrust among Palestinians about the committee due to some members' previous support for Israel.
Many areas in Gaza remain destroyed, and residents lack confidence in the announced plans.
Life in Gaza is still marked by drone activity and the risk of Israeli air attacks.
People in Gaza feel that official announcements do not match their daily realities.
The term "phase two" is viewed by locals as disconnected from their continued experiences of insecurity and trouble.
President Donald Trump will give a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. His address will focus on economic reforms and the "Board of Peace" initiative. The speech will be livestreamed on January 21, with interpretation available in several languages.
Key Facts
President Trump will speak at the WEF in Davos on Wednesday, January 21.
The speech will be livestreamed with translations in multiple languages.
Trump will address housing-market reforms and launch the "Board of Peace."
A large U.S. delegation will attend, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Denmark will not send representatives due to a dispute over Greenland.
Trump has previously spoken at Davos in 2018, 2020, and virtually in 2025.
Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
In Bangladesh, a significant number of young voters are preparing to participate in the upcoming national election for the first time, since many have never voted in a credible election. This follows a large student-led protest that ended the long rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faced criticism over election fairness. Young voters now make up a crucial part of the electorate and could heavily influence the outcome of the election.
Key Facts
Rafiul Alam, a 27-year-old from Dhaka, recently became engaged in politics after years of feeling his vote had no impact.
The political mood among Bangladeshi youth shifted after protests in 2024 led to the end of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rule.
The United Nations reported that approximately 1,400 young people may have died during the protests before Hasina fled the country.
Bangladesh's national election is scheduled for February 12, 2026, marking the first election since the protests.
There are about 127 million registered voters in Bangladesh, with nearly 56 million aged 18 to 37.
The young demographic is seen as the main force behind Hasina's removal from power.
Previous elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 were criticized as lacking credibility and were plagued by boycotts and allegations of fraud.
The upcoming election is anticipated to be a significant democratic event.
