A review in Jersey found that the parental leave system does not equally benefit all families, particularly single-parent families. The system currently grants parental leave based on individual parents rather than families, causing disadvantages for single parents. The review recommended changes to the system to better support all families.
Key Facts
Jersey's parental leave system grants leave individually to parents, not to families as a whole.
The review found that single-parent families receive less total leave time compared to two-parent families.
Single-parent families and low to middle-income families face difficulties in taking full parental leave.
The report suggests extending leave benefits to grandparents or other family caregivers.
Financial challenges, like high childcare costs, make it hard for families in Jersey to afford more children.
Some families struggle to meet basic needs like food and housing due to high living costs in Jersey.
Smaller businesses in Jersey face difficulties managing parental leave due to their limited number of employees.
A viral TikTok video shows a German shorthaired pointer, a type of hunting dog, reacting fearfully to a small cat in a household setting. Despite the breed's reputation for bravery and skill, the video's humor comes from the dog hiding behind its owner and refusing to go near the cat. The video has gained significant attention online, drawing many comments.
Key Facts
A TikTok video shows a German shorthaired pointer afraid of a small cat.
The dog is seen hiding behind its owner's legs and avoiding the cat.
The video has over 428,300 views and more than 55,000 likes.
The incident involved a 30 kg hunting dog and a 0.5 kg cat.
The TikTok video was shared by a user named @why.is.the.gundog.
The dog was so nervous around the cat that it had to be picked up again in a follow-up video.
Internet users found the dog's reaction amusing, with over 170 comments on the video.
Some commenters humorously defended the dog's behavior.
Bangladeshi workers traveled to Russia under promises of civilian jobs but were instead forced into military roles in the Russia-Ukraine war. They reported being coerced into combat roles and threatened with violence if they did not comply. Similar situations have been reported by citizens from other countries.
Key Facts
Bangladeshi workers were recruited with promises of civilian jobs in Russia.
Once in Russia, they were coerced into signing military contracts.
Workers received training in combat and were sent to the front lines in Ukraine.
They faced threats of violence and imprisonment if they resisted.
Some Bangladeshi families reported their relatives are missing after experiencing forced conscription.
Workers' stories were supported by documents, such as visas and military contracts.
Similar cases have been reported involving workers from South Asia and other regions.
Recruits were sometimes promised non-combat roles but were still forced into military duties.
Princess Beatrice went horse riding with her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, which some say could affect her reputation due to his past controversies. Andrew settled a lawsuit with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, and he has stepped back from royal duties amid these allegations. Royal commentator Afua Hagan noted that being seen publicly with Andrew might pose a risk to Beatrice's reputation.
Key Facts
Princess Beatrice joined her father, Andrew, for a horse ride in Windsor, despite his controversial past.
Photos in The Sun showed Beatrice with her daughter on horseback, alongside Andrew.
Andrew was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, which he denies; he settled the lawsuit out of court.
Andrew lost his royal titles and stepped back from public life due to these allegations.
Princess Eugenie, Beatrice’s sister, may have cut ties with Andrew, though this is not confirmed.
Royal commentator Afua Hagan mentioned that staying associated with Andrew could harm Beatrice’s reputation.
Both sisters spent Christmas with the royal family, while Andrew was not invited to join them.
Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood announced she is leaving the BBC after more than 25 years. She shared the news on BBC Breakfast, saying she wants to spend more time with her husband, Steve.
Key Facts
Carol Kirkwood is leaving the BBC after over 25 years.
She joined the BBC in 1998.
Kirkwood was named best TV weather presenter nine times at the Television and Radio Industries Club Awards.
These awards were given every year from 2012 to 2017.
She announced her departure on the BBC Breakfast show.
Kirkwood said she is leaving to spend more time with her husband Steve.
Three French tourists drowned when a boat carrying 25 tourists capsized near Muscat, Oman. The incident occurred 2.5 nautical miles from Sultan Qaboos Port in the Gulf of Oman.
Key Facts
A boat carrying 25 French tourists capsized near Muscat, Oman.
The boat capsized 2.5 nautical miles from Sultan Qaboos Port.
Three tourists drowned in the incident.
Two tourists suffered minor injuries.
The Royal Oman Police are investigating the incident.
The boat also had a tour guide and a captain on board.
France’s foreign ministry has not made a statement yet.
India has introduced its first hypersonic missile, a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), joining a few countries with similar technology. The missile can travel very fast and perform sharp maneuvers, making it hard for current defense systems to detect or intercept. This development aims to strengthen India's defense capabilities amid tensions with China and Pakistan.
Key Facts
India unveiled its first hypersonic missile called the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) on Monday.
Hypersonic missiles can travel at least five times the speed of sound and are hard to detect or stop once launched.
The new missile has a range of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) and can travel up to Mach 10.
It uses a two-stage boost-glide system to achieve high speeds and maneuverability.
The missile aims to improve India's defense capabilities against strategic rivals like China and Pakistan.
India displayed this missile at its Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
China's weapon development, including hypersonic missiles, has significantly boosted its military reach in the Asia-Pacific region.
A Bernese Mountain dog mix named Dave was returned to a U.K. animal shelter less than a day after being adopted. The adopter cited Dave's behavior, which had been previously discussed, as the reason for returning him. The shelter and a charity are working to find a suitable, long-term home for Dave.
Key Facts
Dave, a Bernese Mountain dog mix, was returned to the Animals in Need rescue in the U.K. within 24 hours of being adopted.
Dave was initially given up by his original owner due to the owner's health issues.
The adopter returned Dave because of issues with his behavior, which included chasing the adopter's adult son.
Dave has experienced multiple homes and shows some behavioral challenges that require a committed and understanding family.
The Furever Home Project is sharing Dave’s story on social media to help find him a suitable home.
The charity suggests Dave would do best in a home without children and with someone around most of the time.
Despite his challenges, Dave is loving and playful and would thrive with proper training and attention.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather warnings and advisories for several U.S. states, forecasting up to 24 inches of snow in some areas. Alaska, New York, Michigan, and Indiana are expected to experience significant snowfall and high winds. The weather could make travel difficult due to snow-covered roads and low visibility.
Key Facts
The NWS issued winter storm warnings for parts of Alaska, predicting up to 24 inches of snow and strong winds.
In Alaska, specific areas like the Dalton Highway Summits could face blizzard conditions with wind gusts up to 60 mph.
New York's Niagara Frontier is under a warning for lake-effect snow, with expected snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.
Northern Indiana expects lake-effect snow, with up to 1 inch of accumulation and poor visibility in open areas.
Michigan has various areas under advisories, expecting snowfall between 1 to 6 inches and possible lake-effect conditions.
Weather advisories across these states caution that travel could be challenging due to slippery, snow-covered roads.
A woman from Dublin posted a video of her mini dachshund, Cinna, reacting sadly when she realized her owner was leaving the house without her. The video touched many people online, showing the close bond between the dog and her owner.
Key Facts
Cinna is a mini dachshund owned by Mai-Christine Hoang from Dublin, Ireland.
Cinna's owner shared a TikTok video showing Cinna sitting in her bag, looking sad when she realized her owner was leaving.
Cinna and her owner have a close relationship, often staying together, except when shopping because many shops are not dog-friendly.
The woman usually takes Cinna in a bag when the dog is tired of walking.
A 2013 study found dogs show attachment to their owners, similar to how children bond with parents.
On the day of the video, Cinna sat in her bag by the door, hoping to be taken along.
The video gained attention on social media, highlighting the emotional bond between the pet and owner.
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing to discuss strengthening economic cooperation and trust between China and Finland. They talked about several topics, including supporting international systems and future business collaboration. Finland is one of China's significant trading partners in Europe.
Key Facts
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo met in Beijing.
They discussed strengthening mutual trust and economic cooperation between the two countries.
They agreed to deepen cooperation in areas like energy, agriculture, and forestry.
President Xi welcomed Finnish businesses to invest in the Chinese market.
Orpo met China's Commerce Minister, who urged Finland to advise the EU on trade policies.
China and Finland planned to sign a deal on business cooperation.
Finland is a key trading partner for China, the largest in Asia for Finland.
Orpo brought over 20 Finnish business leaders to discuss collaboration in various sectors.
The European Union and India have agreed to a significant trade deal that will allow free trade between the two partners. This agreement arrives during global trade tensions involving President Trump. The pact aims to boost economic ties by removing many tariffs and increasing market access between them.
Key Facts
The European Union and India have agreed on a trade deal that enables free trade between them.
The agreement allows for reduced tariffs on most exports, including chemicals, machinery, and vehicles.
Talks for this deal started in 2007, stalled in 2013, and restarted in 2022.
President Trump has engaged in global trade disputes, influencing the timing of the EU-India deal.
President Trump announced increased tariffs on South Korean imports to 25 percent.
The European Union and India combined represent 25 percent of the global GDP and a market of 2 billion people.
The agreement still needs formal approval by the European Parliament and European Council.
Indian duties on motor vehicles will drop significantly, aiming to improve trade flow.
Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood will leave the BBC after more than 25 years. She has been a main weather presenter, especially known for her work with BBC Breakfast since 2010. Kirkwood announced her departure will be in April and expressed gratitude for her time at the corporation.
Key Facts
Carol Kirkwood is leaving the BBC after more than 25 years.
She joined the BBC in 1998 and trained in meteorology with The Weather Channel, the Met Office, and the BBC.
Kirkwood has been the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast since 2010.
She presented weather from various locations including events like Wimbledon.
In 2015, she was a contestant on the show "Strictly Come Dancing."
Kirkwood has won several awards, including best TV weather presenter at the TRIC Awards.
Jonathan Munro, interim CEO of BBC News, praised her contribution and wished her well.
An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India's West Bengal state has caused concern in Asia, prompting countries like Thailand and Nepal to start screening travelers from the area. The virus can spread from animals like pigs and fruit bats to humans and has a high death rate, with no current vaccine or treatment available.
Key Facts
The Nipah virus outbreak is happening in West Bengal, India.
Thailand and Nepal are screening passengers from West Bengal at airports and land borders.
Five healthcare workers in West Bengal have been infected, with one in critical condition.
The virus can spread from animals to humans and has a death rate between 40% to 75%.
Symptoms range from fever and headaches to severe conditions like encephalitis.
The World Health Organization lists Nipah as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential.
Past outbreaks have occurred in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, and India.
Taiwan is considering classifying Nipah as a "Category 5 disease" for its public health risk.
A study finds that some Baby Boomers are retiring early to avoid working with Gen Z. The survey also shows Gen Z prefers jobs with minimal interaction with Boomers. Generational conflicts at work are affecting productivity and are partly driven by differing attitudes towards technology, like artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
About 19% of Baby Boomers plan to retire early to avoid working with Gen Z.
The study surveyed 2,000 U.S. sales professionals.
28% of Gen Z employees want jobs with less interaction with Boomers.
Generational conflict is estimated to cost companies $56 billion annually in lost productivity.
AI adoption creates tension, as younger workers can often meet targets better using AI tools.
39% of Gen Z sellers prefer being managed by AI, while 25% of Boomers prefer AI over Gen Z colleagues.
Work-life balance issues also contribute to conflicts, with Gen Z valuing balance more than hours worked.
The changing nature of work and lack of traditional job security influence these generational differences.
The article discusses President Trump’s foreign policy actions regarding Venezuela. It claims that Trump and his administration support Delcy Rodríguez, linked to issues like corruption and human rights abuses, instead of backing Venezuelan democratic reformers. The article criticizes this stance and mentions financial ties as a possible reason.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump is claimed to support Delcy Rodríguez, interim president of Venezuela, despite allegations against her.
Rodríguez is linked to corruption, drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and human rights abuses.
Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan president, was accused of election manipulation and repression.
Venezuelan democratic reformers, such as María Corina Machado, are suggested as rightful leaders.
Rodríguez's administration is closely tied to external influences like Russia and Cuba.
The article mentions that Trump has personal grievances with some Venezuelan political figures.
Japan is concerned about its security due to President Trump's capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and worries over China's reactions. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made a firm statement about viewing a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan as a threat to Japan, which led to tensions with China. There are discussions in Japan about whether the U.S. would help if a conflict arises in the region.
Key Facts
President Trump captured Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, which received significant attention in Japan.
Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, views a Chinese attack on Taiwan as a threat to Japan.
China reduced travel to Japan and threatened its access to important minerals.
Takaichi received a mild reprimand from President Trump but stood firm on her statements.
Takaichi plans to meet with South Korea's President to counter China's influence in East Asia.
There is debate in Japan about whether the U.S. would support Japan and Taiwan in a conflict with China.
Takaichi is Japan's first female prime minister, known for her unconventional background.
Japan faces internal debate over possibly changing its post-war constitution that limits military force.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to withdraw from key northeastern cities in Syria, leading to mixed reactions in the region. Arab-majority areas are celebrating the return of Syrian government control, while Kurdish-majority areas have concerns about potential government repression. An agreement was reached for SDF fighters to join the Syrian army as individuals.
Key Facts
The SDF decided to withdraw from the northeastern Syrian cities of Raqqa and Deir Az Zor on January 18.
In Arab-majority areas, people are celebrating the government's return, fearing the SDF's repression.
Kurdish-majority areas are worried about new government military actions and potential violence.
The Bashar al-Assad regime fell in December 2024, leading to new power dynamics in Syria.
A March 10 agreement said SDF fighters would join the Syrian government forces by the end of 2025.
A new deal on January 18 agreed that SDF fighters would be integrated individually into the Syrian army.
The U.S. has signaled a shift in support, indicating backing for the government's advances in Deir Az Zor.
Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander, may be offered a senior position in the Syrian government.
A homeowner discovered a cat left by the previous house owner and decided to keep it. The story became popular on Reddit, gathering many reactions and comments.
Key Facts
A new homeowner found a cat left by the previous owner of the house.
The homeowner did not initially like cats but decided to keep the cat, named "El Gato Blanco."
The story about the cat was shared on Reddit and received 50,000 upvotes.
The cat's behavior suggested it was a pet, according to the Humane World for Animals guidelines.
People on Reddit shared positive comments and jokes about the homeowner's new situation.
The post was widespread on Reddit, especially in the r/cats community.
Videos from Buffalo, New York, showcased thundersnow, a rare weather phenomenon where snow falls with lightning and thunder. This occurred during a major storm in the Northeast and is more common near the Great Lakes due to specific weather conditions.
Key Facts
Thundersnow includes snow, lightning, and thunder happening at the same time.
Videos of thundersnow were recorded in Buffalo, New York, during a storm.
The National Weather Service warns of more cold weather expected in the eastern U.S.
Thundersnow requires a mix of strong weather instability and moisture.
It often happens near the Great Lakes when cold air moves over warmer water.
A study found thundersnow is more usual than once thought but still rare compared to typical thunderstorms.
