Three shark attacks happened near Sydney's beaches in just over 24 hours. Two people are critically injured, prompting beach closures and safety warnings. Authorities are investigating whether environmental factors contributed to the increased shark activity.
Key Facts
Three shark attacks occurred near Sydney within a day.
Two victims are in critical condition.
Beaches in the Northern area of Sydney are closed for safety checks.
Experts are looking into if weather conditions like heavy rain affected shark behavior.
Bull sharks are suspected in all three incidents.
An 11-year-old boy's surfboard was bitten, but he was not hurt.
Beach safety protocols are getting a closer review.
At least 39 people died, and many others were hurt after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain near Córdoba. The crash happened on a Sunday evening when a train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and hit another headed from Madrid to Huelva. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.
Key Facts
The train crash occurred near the city of Córdoba in southern Spain.
At least 39 people were killed, and over 112 received medical help.
The crash happened when a train derailed and hit another train coming from the opposite direction.
The trains involved were operated by Iryo and Alvia.
Most victims were in the front of the train going to Huelva.
The cause of the derailment is still unknown, and an investigation could take a month.
Rescuers faced challenges due to twisted metal in the wreckage.
At least 48 people injured are still in the hospital, with several in intensive care.
A woman named Tay Frisco shared a TikTok video where her dog watched her instead of moving as instructed while she was filming herself in a new outfit. The video received over 2.3 million views and resonated with viewers due to the dog's endearing behavior.
Key Facts
Tay Frisco posted a video on TikTok that went viral with over 2.3 million views.
In the video, Frisco wore a blue velvet dress and asked her dog to move.
Instead of moving, her dog stayed still and kept watching her.
Frisco reacted with a smile, calling her dog "sweet baby."
The video gained over 705,000 likes and around 550 comments on TikTok.
Dog trainers Joe Nutkins and Susan Nilson explained behaviors that show a dog considers you their favorite person, including staring.
Many viewers commented on the dog's affectionate behavior, relating it to their own pets.
A woman on vacation in the Maldives experienced a startling event when a large group of fish suddenly swarmed towards her at the beach. She captured the moment on video, which she shared on TikTok, where it quickly gained millions of views and comments. Despite her initial fright, the fish changed direction, leaving her unharmed and amused.
Key Facts
The incident happened in the Maldives, a group of islands known for their clear, beautiful waters.
A TikTok user named @lili_ilheme posted a video of the encounter on January 13.
The video went viral, with over 80.9 million views and 14.5 million likes.
In the clip, the fish appeared to rush at the woman but then veered off, causing no harm.
Viewers commented with both humor and speculation about what might have caused the fish to behave that way.
The event took place on Dhigurah island, as indicated by the video’s geotag.
Some speculated that the fish might have been fleeing a predator like a barracuda.
The article discusses recent actions by President Donald Trump that may be challenging international rules established to maintain global order. It highlights past and recent events where countries, including the United States, have acted against these rules, such as in military or diplomatic contexts.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump is involved in actions perceived as challenging international agreements meant to keep peace.
The United Nations Charter, signed in 1945, aims to prevent the use of force against sovereign states unless for self-defense or with UN Security Council approval.
The Bretton Woods system created the IMF and World Bank to tackle financial crises and was signed in 1944.
The Nuremberg Charter and Geneva Conventions establish guidelines for humanitarian law and identifying war crimes.
In the 1980s, the U.S. violated international law by supporting the Contras in Nicaragua.
The U.S. led an invasion of Iraq in 2003 without UN approval.
Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine is seen as breaking global conflict-avoidance rules.
The Trump administration's actions, such as the alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Maduro, have been widely criticized.
A cocker spaniel named Herbie and his owner, Tanya, experienced an attack by another dog during a walk. The incident led Tanya to change their walking habits to prioritize safety. The attack has had a lasting emotional effect on both Herbie and Tanya.
Key Facts
Herbie, a cocker spaniel, was attacked by a large Labrador retriever while walking.
Tonya, Herbie's owner, is now more cautious during walks, avoiding areas with limited visibility.
Herbie gets picked up more often when other dogs are near, and they try to walk in open fields for safety.
The attack caused emotional distress to both Herbie and Tanya, with Tanya saying her emotional scars take longer to heal.
Tanya advises planning walking routes carefully and avoiding overstimulating environments for dogs.
The viral video about their experience received over 70,200 views on Instagram.
Viewers on social media expressed sympathy and support for Tanya and Herbie.
A hotel carpet design, shared by a social media user whose father is colorblind, gained significant attention online. The post highlighted how intense color patterns, like the vivid red patches in the carpet, can affect how colorblind individuals see their surroundings. The image sparked numerous comments, with some users likening the carpet to a crime scene.
Key Facts
A social media post showed a hotel carpet with vivid red patterns.
The user's colorblind father was unsettled by the carpet's design.
The post received over 78,100 likes and 4,000 comments.
Color blindness can make it hard to differentiate between some colors.
The U.S. National Eye Institute lists red-green color blindness as the most common type.
Comments on the post compared the carpet to crime scenes and hospital floors.
Some people questioned the hotel's design choice due to the unsettling effect.
The post underscored the challenges colorblind individuals face with certain color patterns.
Syrian government forces have taken control of key oil and gas fields in Deir Az Zor and Raqqa governorates. This move aims to unify the country and aid economic recovery by integrating previously controlled areas by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state structures.
Key Facts
Syrian government forces seized the al-Omar oilfield, Conoco gas complex, and the Tabqa Dam.
These areas were previously controlled by the Kurdish-led SDF.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a deal with the SDF to allow state control in the regions.
Oil and gas once contributed nearly 20% of Syria's GDP before the conflict began in 2011.
Reclaiming these resources is crucial for Syria's economic recovery and unification.
A March 2025 agreement between SDF's Mazloum Abdi and President al-Sharaa aimed to integrate the group into state structures.
In November, President al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump to strengthen Syria's role against ISIL.
A social media post has brought back the popularity of Obama-Biden memes, originally popular in 2016. The post sparked a trend where users share these nostalgic memes on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Key Facts
The viral post was shared on January 15 by a user named @probablepotato.
The post has received over 5,600 likes.
Obama-Biden memes were a significant part of 2016 internet culture.
2016 is remembered for its lighthearted social-media humor, especially by Generation Z.
The viral post included classic meme images of Obama and Biden with humorous captions.
These memes often featured imagined funny dialogues between Obama and Biden.
Threads users responded by sharing their favorite archived Obama-Biden memes from 2016.
China's birth rate has reached its lowest point since 1949, according to recent data. The country's fertility rate is projected to be one of the lowest globally by 2025, presenting challenges for the economy and society.
Key Facts
China's birth rate has fallen to the lowest level since official records began in 1949.
In 2025, China's fertility rate is projected to be 1.02, among the lowest in the world.
The National Bureau of Statistics reported a birth rate of 5.63 per 1,000 people for 2025.
China's population decreased by 3.39 million from the previous year, now standing at 1.404 billion.
Experts highlight the impact of China's One-Child Policy on its current demographic challenges.
Despite efforts to increase birth rates, Chinese families show limited response to government incentives.
China's declining birth rate could affect global economics and demographics, given its role in the world economy.
CBS aired a "60 Minutes" report about deportations during President Trump's administration. The report was initially removed from the schedule, which led to disagreements within the network regarding possible political influences.
Key Facts
"60 Minutes" is a news program on CBS.
The report focused on deportations under President Trump's administration.
The story was originally scheduled to air one month ago.
The decision to pull the report originally led to internal disagreements at CBS.
Concerns were raised about political pressure impacting the network's decision-making.
At least 39 people died in a train collision in southern Spain. Two trains collided near the town of Adamuz, causing injuries to 152 people. Rescue operations are ongoing, and officials are investigating the cause of the crash.
Key Facts
At least 39 people have died in a train collision in Spain.
The crash happened on Sunday near Adamuz, Cordoba.
A train from Malaga to Madrid derailed and hit another train from Madrid to Huelva.
152 people were injured; five are in critical condition.
A sports centre in Adamuz was converted to a temporary hospital.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident.
Spain has a large high-speed rail network, popular and known for its safety.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered condolences to the victims’ families.
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Season 1, Episode 2 will air on HBO and be available on HBO Max on January 25, 2026, at 10 pm ET/PT. The show releases new episodes weekly every Sunday until February 22, 2026. Viewers need an HBO Max subscription to watch the series.
Key Facts
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Episode 2 airs on January 25, 2026, at 10 pm ET/PT.
The show is available on HBO and can be streamed on HBO Max.
Viewers need a subscription to HBO Max to watch the series.
A basic HBO Max subscription costs $10.99 per month with ads; no-ads version costs $18.99 per month.
New episodes are released every Sunday until February 22, 2026.
Series set a century before "Game of Thrones," featuring characters Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg.
Episode times vary by region, for example, 3:00 am BRT, 6:00 am GMT on January 26, 2026.
Norway's prime minister received a message from President Donald Trump concerning tensions over Greenland. Trump mentioned feeling less obligated to focus on peace after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. This situation is part of a larger conflict involving Trump's threats to take control of Greenland and new import taxes on certain European countries.
Key Facts
President Trump sent a message to Norway's prime minister about Greenland-related tensions.
Trump reportedly connected not winning the Nobel Peace Prize to his stance on peace.
Trump announced a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight countries, including Norway.
These countries, which support Denmark and Greenland, opposed the tax.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to reduce tensions, doubting military action.
The conflict concerns Trump's interest in Greenland, a self-governing area of Denmark.
Some teachers in Scotland are unable to find permanent jobs and either stay on the supply list for years or move abroad for work. Many new teachers, especially in primary schools, struggle to get stable employment despite government efforts to increase teacher numbers and reduce workload. Some teachers are facing financial and personal difficulties due to the lack of job security.
Key Facts
Many new teachers in Scotland can't find permanent teaching jobs.
Some teachers have spent years on the supply list without stable positions.
A teacher moved to Dubai for job security and now fears returning to Scotland due to job shortages.
Another teacher has been on the supply list for over nine years and struggled financially.
The Scottish government promised to hire more teachers to reduce workload but did not meet targets.
Statistics show only 25% of newly qualified teachers secured permanent jobs.
About 89% of primary school teachers are in temporary or supply roles.
Teachers expressed concern about the high cost of hiring due to increased pay rates.
A dog experienced distress after being left at a shelter, leading to a self-inflicted injury. The shelter staff found the dog's kennel smeared with blood, assumed to be from broken nails. The dog was later adopted, and a video about her experience went viral online.
Key Facts
A pit bull mix was surrendered to a shelter because her family couldn't care for her.
The dog's first night at the shelter resulted in an injury due to anxiety and stress.
Staff found the kennel smeared with the dog's blood; she appeared scared.
The dog was temporarily moved to the office area of the shelter following the incident.
The dog was adopted shortly after with the new owner working with a trainer for adjustment.
A TikTok video depicting the situation received over 786,000 views and 104,000 likes.
The video aims to raise awareness about the challenges some dogs face in shelters.
The enrichment coordinator urges exploring rehoming options before choosing shelter surrender.
A woman in Los Angeles bought a coat online and found what appeared to be a diamond ring in its pocket. She recorded a video of herself discovering the ring, which was later confirmed to be costume jewelry, not real diamonds. The video went viral on TikTok with many sharing their own thrift store find stories.
Key Facts
A woman named Jaymie Rubin bought a black faux-fur coat for $30 from an online resale site called Poshmark.
While filming herself wearing the coat, she found a ring in the pocket that looked like a diamond ring.
Rubin was unsure of the ring's authenticity, so she went to a jeweler who confirmed it was costume jewelry.
Rubin shared her discovery in a video on TikTok, which was viewed over 860,000 times.
Many people commented on her video, offering advice and sharing their own thrift store finds.
Some viewers suggested looking for markings on the ring to determine if it was real.
Other TikTok users shared stories of finding money or valuable items in thrift store purchases.
Rubin expressed relief that the ring was not real, avoiding the hassle of returning an authentic, possibly lost item.
Three shark attacks occurred in Sydney over two days, leading to serious injuries for a boy and a man. The boy was swimming at a popular beach when a shark attacked, and his friends helped him until rescuers arrived. The man, attacked later, was taken to the hospital with serious leg injuries.
Key Facts
Sydney saw three shark attacks in just over 24 hours.
A 12-year-old boy was attacked at Shark Beach and is in critical condition.
The boy's friends helped him out of the water, which may have saved his life.
The attack on the boy was believed to be by a bull shark, known for being aggressive.
A man was seriously injured in a separate attack at Manly Beach.
Rainfall might have contributed to conditions that attracted sharks closer to shore.
Local authorities closed all beaches in Sydney's Northern Beaches after the attacks.
Australia is known for having many shark attacks, with five fatalities recorded last year.
Scientists have discovered that people over 80 who stay mentally sharp, called "super agers," have genetic differences that help protect against Alzheimer's disease. These individuals are less likely to have a gene that increases Alzheimer's risk and more likely to have one that offers protection.
Key Facts
Super agers maintain strong memory and thinking skills well into their 80s and beyond.
Researchers found that super agers are less likely to have a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's called APOE-ε4.
These individuals are more likely to carry a protective gene variant known as APOE-ε2.
Super agers are 68% less likely to have APOE-ε4 than people over 80 with Alzheimer's.
They are 19% less likely to have the high-risk gene compared to cognitively normal people the same age.
This study involved 18,080 participants from eight national aging studies and included over 1,600 super agers.
The research suggests that understanding super agers may help develop prevention and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's.
A new storm is expected to hit Gaza, affecting many Palestinians living in temporary tents. The harsh winter weather is worsening conditions for those already displaced by ongoing conflict. Aid deliveries to the area have been limited, despite agreements meant to increase support.
Key Facts
An upcoming storm is forecast to hit Gaza, where many people live in temporary shelters.
These shelters are not suitable for winter weather and have been damaged by previous storms.
Nearly all of Gaza's two million residents have been displaced due to conflict.
An average of 145 aid trucks per day are entering Gaza, much less than the expected 600 trucks under a ceasefire agreement.
Winter weather has caused buildings to collapse, resulting in at least 25 deaths since mid-December.
The cold has led to 24 deaths, including 21 children, from exposure.
Hospitals in Gaza are reporting many patients, especially children, with cold-related illnesses.
Gazans are using plastic sheets and burning scraps to stay warm, due to a lack of fuel.
