The Actual News

Key Facts

• Indonesia experienced four earthquakes in the past day.
• The earthquakes ranged from a 4.7 to a 5.9 magnitude.
• A 5.9 magnitude quake occurred near Gorontalo.
• It struck about 40 miles (65 km) from Gorontalo at a nearly 70-mile (110 km) depth.
• Two smaller quakes with a 4.7 magnitude hit the coastline on Wednesday.
• A 5.0 magnitude earthquake occurred earlier in Papua Province.
• The United States Geological Survey reported these events.

Key Facts

• 13 European search and rescue organizations have formed a new alliance called the Justice Fleet.
• The alliance aims to protect human rights and follow international maritime law.
• European groups stopped communicating with Libya's Rescue Coordination Centre over human rights concerns.
• Libya's coastguard has been reported to have committed at least 60 violent incidents since 2016.
• Over 2,452 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean Sea last year.
• Libya is a main transit point for refugees heading to Europe, especially after Gaddafi's overthrow in 2011.
• The European Union has supported the Libyan coastguard with resources, despite accusations of its involvement in abuses.
• Rights groups have documented harsh treatment of refugees in Libya, including torture and extortion.

Key Facts

• Prince Harry traveled to Canada for remembrance events and to honor the armed forces.
• Prince William is hosting the Earthshot Prize event in Brazil at the same time.
• The media has noted the scheduling conflict between the two brothers.
• Harry's spokesperson mentioned that the Canada trip was planned nearly a year in advance.
• Harry will participate in events with the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans.
• William's Earthshot Prize ceremony takes place at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.
• Harry shared his pride in serving in the British Army and his connection to the UK in a written essay.

Key Facts

• Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza.
• This is part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross helped transport 285 bodies back to Gaza.
• Health officials in Gaza face challenges identifying the remains due to a lack of DNA testing kits.
• The exchange follows Hamas returning the remains of an Israeli soldier.
• Accusations of violation of the deal have been made by both Israel and Hamas.
• The ceasefire agreement involves returning all hostage remains and may lead to an international stabilization force.
• The conflict began after a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel.

Key Facts

• The EU aims to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2040.
• Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland opposed the new emissions target agreement.
• Member states can buy carbon credits internationally to meet goals.
• The plan allows delaying a new carbon trading system for transport and heating.
• Critics argue that using carbon credits can weaken the EU’s true emission reductions.
• The European Parliament and European Council need to approve the agreement.
• Climate-related pressures, like wildfires and floods, are increasing in Europe.
• Economic and geopolitical issues are influencing climate policy decisions.

Key Facts

• Pope Leo XIV called for reflection on how detained migrants are treated in the U.S.
• He stressed that detained migrants should have their spiritual needs considered.
• The Pope advocated for allowing pastoral workers access to detained migrants.
• He criticized U.S. military actions off Venezuela for increasing tensions.
• Leo commented on the fragile peace between Israel and Hamas.
• The Pope highlighted the complexity of the Israeli settlement issue in the West Bank.
• Pope Leo will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican.
• His upcoming trips include visits to Turkey and Lebanon.

Key Facts

Key Facts

• Kristen Stewart gave a speech about the challenges faced by female filmmakers.
• She expressed anger over the declining number of female-directed major films.
• In 2024, only 11 out of the top 100 grossing films were directed by women.
• This is a decrease from 16 films directed by women in 2020.
• The MeToo movement initially improved female representation in film.
• Stewart mentioned the difficulties women face when creating certain types of content.
• Notable guests at the event included several famous actresses.
• Stewart criticized Hollywood's male-dominated business practices.

Key Facts

• An Iranian man returned to the UK after being removed to France.
• He was sent back to France under a "one-in, one-out" migration scheme.
• The UK Home Office detected him using biometric checks.
• The man claimed he suffered abuse from smugglers in France.
• The Home Secretary stated the government intends to enforce migration policy strictly.
• So far, 94 migrants have been removed from the UK under this agreement.
• The agreement involves the UK and France exchanging migrants based on asylum cases and illegal crossing attempts.
• 57 people have entered the UK from France under this scheme.

Key Facts

• Dick Cheney died at the age of 84.
• He was Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 during George W. Bush's presidency.
• Cheney was a leading advocate for the "global war on terror" launched after the 9/11 attacks.
• He supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, claiming Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
• Cheney was previously CEO of Halliburton, a company that received significant contracts in Iraq.
• Despite criticism, Cheney defended his actions during and after his vice presidency.
• He was involved in the 1989 U.S. military operation in Panama as Secretary of Defense.
• Cheney remained firm on the use of controversial interrogation methods reported by the CIA.

Key Facts

• Prince Harry loves British "banter" and humor, which he sees as key parts of British culture.
• Although living in the US, Prince Harry stated Britain is a country he deeply respects and served in the military.
• He wrote an essay before Remembrance events and will visit military veterans in Canada.
• Prince Harry served in Afghanistan and highlighted the needs of veterans after their service.
• He drew parallels between the resilience observed in Ukrainians and Britons.
• Prince Harry runs the Invictus Games, supporting injured service personnel.
• Annual Remembrance events take place this week, including a ceremony in Whitehall.
• Prince Harry has been living in the US for over five years and recently discussed cultural differences on a podcast.

Key Facts

• Venezuela has asked Iran for drones with a range of 600 miles as tensions with the U.S. escalate.
• U.S. military forces in the Caribbean could be within the range of these drones.
• President Trump has labeled U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats as efforts to curb smuggling, which some view as a move against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
• Criticism exists regarding the legality of these strikes under international law.
• Venezuela’s military is supported by Russian, Chinese, and Iranian equipment but is not suited for foreign operations.
• Maduro has communicated with Russian and Chinese leaders for military cooperation amidst tensions with the U.S.
• The U.S. has several military bases in Puerto Rico and is upgrading facilities in the region.
• F-35 fighter jets were seen at an upgraded U.S. base in Puerto Rico.

Key Facts

• School dinner prices for primary and special school pupils will rise from £2.50 to £3.00.
• Post-primary pupils will see a 19% increase in their cafeteria food prices.
• The price changes will start in January 2026 and will not affect students on free school meals.
• The Education Authority faces a funding gap of £300 million and does not expect extra funding this year.
• Each school meal currently costs an average of £4.28 to produce, but prices have not increased since 2017/18.
• The Education Authority plans to make savings by increasing charges for music services and reducing school transport costs.
• The authority's taxi costs have grown from under £20 million in 2020/2021 to almost £40 million in 2024/2025.
• A separate report indicated that repairing schools in Northern Ireland may require up to £800 million.

Key Facts

• A storm is approaching the Eastern and Central U.S., possibly bringing the first snowfall of the season.
• 17 states could experience snow or travel issues due to the storm.
• The Midwest is likely to see snow first, affecting cities like Marquette, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit.
• The storm may move eastward, bringing rain and possibly snow to the Northeast, with snow in higher areas.
• Cold air moving over the Great Lakes could produce lake-effect snow, leading to several inches of accumulation.
• States affected include North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
• The weather shift will make temperatures feel like mid-December, with single-digit to 20s Fahrenheit wind chills.
• AccuWeather advises preparation due to possible hazardous travel and cold conditions.

Key Facts

• Some trees' leaves turn red in autumn, but scientists do not know exactly why.
• All trees lose green chlorophyll as leaves die, revealing yellow colors that were already present.
• Red pigments are newly made just before the leaves fall.
• One theory suggests red pigments protect leaves from too much light as chlorophyll fades, called the photoprotection hypothesis.
• More red trees are found in the northeastern United States than in Europe, which has less sunlight.
• Trees working with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which supply plenty of nitrogen, often do not turn red.
• There is no consensus among scientists about the reason for red leaf colors.

Key Facts

• A suspect in the Louvre heist had a trial postponed in a separate matter due to media coverage.
• The trial will now take place in April and concerns damage to public property.
• The suspect, identified as Abdoulaye N., was arrested six days after the alleged robbery.
• He is accused of stealing Crown Jewels worth $102 million from the Louvre.
• Four people are in custody related to the Louvre investigation.
• The suspect's DNA was found at the scene of the Louvre robbery.
• A prosecutor stated that the suspect gave only basic statements and partly admitted to the Louvre theft.
• The suspect has been involved in social media as "Doudou Cross Bitume," known for motocross stunts.

Key Facts

• Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky.
• A UPS plane crashed in Louisville on Tuesday night.
• The crash resulted in nine deaths and at least 15 injuries.
• Sixteen people are still missing after the crash.
• The plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
• The accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. after the plane took off.
• The crash impacted two businesses: Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts.
• The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash.

Key Facts

• Typhoon Kalmaegi killed at least 85 people in the Philippines.
• 75 people are reported missing after the typhoon.
• Many casualties and damage occurred in the province of Cebu due to heavy flooding.
• A Philippine air force helicopter crashed, killing six crew members; it was headed to help areas affected by the typhoon.
• Floods forced residents in Cebu to seek refuge on their roofs.
• 62 people are missing in the nearby provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
• There are concerns about previous quarrying and substandard flood control projects worsening the impact.
• Cebu province declared a state of calamity to speed up access to emergency funds.

Key Facts

• Helen Mirren will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes.
• The award will be presented during the "Golden Eve" event on January 8, 2026.
• "Golden Eve" will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
• The main Golden Globes ceremony will take place on January 11, 2026.
• Helen Mirren has won multiple awards, including an Oscar, three Golden Globes, an Emmy, a SAG award, a BAFTA, and a Tony.
• She was named a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.
• Past recipients of the DeMille Award include Sidney Poitier, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks.

Key Facts

• Russia says the Burevestnik missile can fly anywhere and dodge advanced defense systems.
• The missile is said to have a nuclear reactor allowing it to stay airborne indefinitely.
• President Putin awarded the developers of Burevestnik and an underwater nuclear-powered torpedo called Poseidon.
• Russia claims Poseidon can carry nuclear weapons and create destructive tsunamis.
• Experts are skeptical about the missile's effectiveness, seeing it as more propaganda than a breakthrough.
• Russia developed Burevestnik in response to perceived NATO threats.
• There is limited information publicly available about the missile's capabilities.
• The development and testing of such weapons occur against the backdrop of Russia's conflict with Ukraine.