A high-speed train accident in southern Spain on Sunday resulted in at least 10 deaths. The train derailed and collided with another train on an adjacent track.
Key Facts
A high-speed train derailed in southern Spain, causing a collision.
At least 10 people died in the accident.
The train accident involved trains traveling between Malaga, Madrid, and Huelva.
The Spanish rail operator, Adif, confirmed details of the accident.
Two officials from the Guardia Civil confirmed the death toll to the Associated Press.
Emergency services reported five deaths initially with 25 severe injuries.
The accident occurred in the Andalucia province of Spain.
Syria has reached a ceasefire agreement with Kurdish-led forces, ending two weeks of conflict. The agreement includes integrating these forces into Syria's military and state institutions while allowing the government to take control of key territories. The deal also includes recognizing Kurdish cultural rights for the first time since Syria's independence.
Key Facts
Syria and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to a nationwide ceasefire.
The ceasefire ends nearly two weeks of fighting between the Syrian government and SDF.
The agreement involves integrating the SDF into Syria's military and state systems.
Syrian government will take control of areas such as al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa.
The deal includes recognizing Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights officially.
Syria will manage civilian institutions, border crossings, and oil and gas fields previously under Kurdish control.
The SDF fought against ISIS with support from the United States during the Syrian civil war.
The agreement was signed after a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US special envoy Tom Barrack.
Wildfires in central and southern Chile have resulted in at least 18 deaths and the destruction of thousands of homes. Chile's President, Gabriel Boric, has declared a state of catastrophe to help control the fires and coordinate with the military. The fires, fueled by a heat wave, have caused thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
Key Facts
Wildfires in Chile have killed at least 18 people.
Thousands of homes have been destroyed due to the fires.
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobio and Ñuble regions.
Over 8,500 hectares (about 21,000 acres) have burned in more than 24 active wildfires.
The state of catastrophe allows greater coordination with the military to manage the fires.
Around 50,000 people have had to evacuate their homes.
Temperatures have reached 38°C (100°F), contributing to the blazes.
Fires have burned vehicles, buildings, and other infrastructure in several communities.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries unless the U.S. can purchase Greenland. This has led to strong reactions from Europe and threatens a potential U.S.–EU trade agreement. Some European leaders have suggested using a new EU tool to restrict U.S. companies' access to the European market in response.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened 10% tariffs starting February 1 on several European countries related to buying Greenland.
If no deal is reached, the tariffs would increase to 25% in June.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have suggested using the EU's anti-coercion instrument.
The EU–U.S. trade deal is at risk, as European leaders say approval is now unlikely.
Key European officials have called the tariff threat "unbelievable" and "unacceptable."
An emergency meeting among European leaders took place to discuss the situation.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen warned of the negative effects new tariffs could have on transatlantic relations.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed concern over the impact of tariffs on ties with the U.S. and potential benefits for China and Russia.
Israel expressed concerns about President Donald Trump's newly proposed "Board of Peace" for Gaza, which was set up without consulting Israel. The board aims to manage Gaza's reconstruction and includes notable figures from various countries, but lacks significant Israeli or Palestinian representation. The board's creation is part of Trump's larger plan to end the conflict in the region.
Key Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting to discuss the "Board of Peace" for Gaza.
The board was created as part of President Trump's plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israel was not involved in the discussions about forming the board.
Members include the Turkish foreign minister, a Qatari official, Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner.
Yakir Gabay is the only Israeli member on one of the board's executive groups.
The board lacks Palestinian representatives.
The plan involves managing Gaza's reconstruction and temporary governance.
Countries are invited to join the board, with an option to contribute financially.
President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on European countries opposing his interest in acquiring Greenland. These tariffs will start at 10% in February and increase to 25% in June unless a deal for Greenland is made. European Union members are planning an emergency meeting to discuss this issue.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to increase tariffs on European countries to press for Greenland's purchase.
The tariffs will start at 10% on February 1 and go up to 25% on June 1.
President Trump believes acquiring Greenland is crucial for U.S. national security and world peace.
Denmark, which controls Greenland, has consistently said Greenland is not for sale.
Greenland is strategically located and rich in minerals, making it important for military and resource reasons.
Past U.S. administrations have also shown interest in acquiring Greenland.
A recent poll showed that most Americans do not support the idea of buying Greenland.
The European Union plans to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the tariff threats.
President Donald Trump announced the creation of a "Board of Peace" to implement a plan for Gaza. The board, mainly composed of billionaires and key figures supportive of Israel, will oversee a transition to a Palestinian administration. The structure gives limited decision-making power to Palestinians.
Key Facts
President Trump outlined a "Board of Peace" to help with his 20-point plan for Gaza.
The board is led by billionaires and prominent Israel supporters.
Nickolay Mladenov will oversee the transition from Hamas to a technocratic Palestinian administration.
A "Gaza Executive Board" will collaborate with the High Representative and a Palestinian administrative group.
Palestinians are not included in the top decision-making positions.
President Trump chairs the "Founding Executive Council," which makes strategic decisions.
Key members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
The board invites leaders from Egypt, Turkiye, and Jordan to help with Gaza's transition.
The BBC is requesting stricter background checks for contestants of "The Apprentice" after a candidate, Levi Hodgetts-Hague, was found to have posted offensive comments on social media. These posts included racist and sexist language, leading the BBC to demand a review of the vetting process carried out by the show's production company, Naked. Hodgetts-Hague has apologized for his past remarks, which have now been deleted.
Key Facts
The BBC wants stricter background checks for "The Apprentice" contestants.
Candidate Levi Hodgetts-Hague posted racist and sexist comments on social media.
The offensive posts were not detected during initial social media checks.
BBC's spokesperson said these views are "totally unacceptable."
The production company Naked uses third-party providers for background checks.
Hodgetts-Hague has apologized for the posts, which he said do not reflect his current values.
A separate former contestant, Dr. Asif Munaf, was removed from the medical register for offensive social media posts.
"The Apprentice" will start its 20th series on January 29, with 20 candidates competing.
Chile's President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions due to deadly wildfires. The fires have caused at least 16 deaths, destroyed 250 homes, and led to the evacuation of 20,000 people.
Key Facts
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two regions in Chile.
At least 16 people have died in the Ñuble and Biobío regions.
Over 20,000 people have been evacuated due to the wildfires.
Approximately 250 homes have been destroyed.
The most dangerous fire is near the coastal city of Concepción.
Chile's forestry agency said there are 24 active fires nationwide.
The fires have affected around 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of land.
Strong winds and high temperatures are making firefighting difficult.
Provisional results show President Patrice Talon's parties won control of all seats in Benin's National Assembly. The opposition party, The Democrats, did not meet the required vote percentage to win any seats. The results may affect the upcoming presidential election, where Talon cannot run again due to term limits.
Key Facts
Patrice Talon's ruling alliance won full control in Benin's National Assembly.
Only Talon-aligned parties, Progressive Union for Renewal and Republican Bloc, won seats.
The Democrats, the main opposition party, got 16% of the votes, below the required 20%.
The new electoral code requires at least 20% of votes nationally and district-wise for seat allocation.
Talon cannot run in the next presidential election due to term limits.
Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is expected to be Talon's successor.
The Democrats cannot run in the presidential election due to insufficient registration signatures.
Election turnout was 36.7%, similar to the previous legislative polls.
The European Union (EU) is considering imposing tariffs worth up to 93 billion euros in response to President Donald Trump's threat to tax nations opposing his efforts to acquire Greenland. This situation has created tension between the U.S. and European countries, who are exploring ways to manage the disagreement without escalating further.
Key Facts
President Trump wants the United States to acquire Greenland, citing national security reasons.
European countries disagree with Trump's stance and are planning tariffs worth up to 93 billion euros in response.
The EU and the U.S. had a trade and tax deal agreed last summer, which has yet to be ratified.
European leaders plan to discuss the issue with President Trump at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos.
Both parties are seeking a compromise to prevent long-term damage to their alliance.
There are discussions about limiting American companies' access to the EU market as part of the retaliation measures.
Sweden's Prime Minister stated on social media that only Denmark and Greenland should decide on matters concerning themselves.
The U.S. announced new plans for Gaza, forming a committee and peace board led by Palestinian technocrats, excluding Hamas and Fatah. Israel supports this approach but faces rejection from Palestinian society, which continues to oppose external control and any integration into Israeli rule. Efforts by Israel to create local leaders aligned with its interests have not succeeded.
Key Facts
The U.S. envoy announced a second stage of the Gaza ceasefire.
President Trump's administration proposed a foreign committee to manage Gaza.
The plan excludes Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, demanding reforms from the latter.
Israel wants neither Hamas nor Fatah involved in future Gaza governance.
Palestinian society consistently rejects external control or integration into Israeli systems.
Attempts by Israel to empower proxy leaders in Gaza have faced resistance.
Well-known families and clans have publicly condemned collaboration with Israel.
The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to a ceasefire. As part of the deal, SDF forces will leave areas west of the Euphrates River and become part of the Syrian military. This agreement follows recent intense fighting in the region.
Key Facts
The Syrian government and SDF agreed on a ceasefire.
SDF forces will withdraw from areas west of the Euphrates River.
SDF will join the Syrian military under this agreement.
The agreement follows recent fighting in northeastern Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the agreement.
Syrian state institutions will move into al-Hasakah, Deir Az Zor, and Raqqa.
The Syrian government will take control of border crossings and oil and gas fields.
A previous similar agreement in March was not implemented.
A dog walker in New York City went viral after sharing a video on Instagram about her daily routine with multiple dogs. The video highlights her nine-hour workday, showing her care for several dogs and sharing personal insights into the job. The dog walking industry in the U.S. is a billion-dollar sector, providing employment opportunities with varying wages.
Key Facts
A New York City dog walker shared a viral video about her typical nine-hour workday.
The video was posted on Instagram under the username @__sarahkerr and has over 2.4 million views.
The dog walker, named Sarah Kerr, starts her day at 6:30 a.m. and picks up dogs from different locations across the city.
Sarah Kerr began dog walking after college and enjoys working with animals.
The American dog walking industry is valued at around $1.3 billion.
Average hourly wages for dog walkers in the U.S. range from $13.79 to $33.99.
Dog walkers ensure the safety, exercise, and wellbeing of the dogs.
The job includes responsibilities like cleaning up after the dogs and managing logistics.
A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 40s was found dead in a street in Thorpe St Andrew, near Norwich, England. Police believe the man and woman knew each other. The area around Yarmouth Road is closed while police investigate.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Thorpe St Andrew, near Norwich, England.
A woman in her 40s was found dead at the scene late Saturday night.
A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday morning.
Police suspect that the man and woman were acquainted.
Yarmouth Road is cordoned off for investigation purposes.
Armed police arrested the man without much struggle.
Forensic teams are examining a house inside the police cordon.
Norfolk Police is leading the investigation and seeking public assistance.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, stated that the war in Sudan has caused significant suffering for its people, with many facing food shortages and being forced to leave their homes. The conflict involves foreign countries supplying weapons to both sides of the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UN has reported serious acts of violence, and there is a call for both sides to stop attacks on civilian areas.
Key Facts
The UN human rights chief visited Sudan to assess the situation caused by the ongoing war there.
Sudan's war began in April 2023 and has led to significant civilian suffering and displacement.
Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are getting weapons and support from foreign countries.
Allegations suggest the United Arab Emirates is supporting the RSF, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia back the SAF.
The conflict has included serious violence against civilians, and the UN calls these actions potential war crimes.
As of 2025, over 30 million Sudanese people need humanitarian help, with many facing food shortages.
Sudan struggles with one of the world's biggest displacement crises, affecting about 13.6 million people.
The UN urges an end to attacks on essential civilian areas, such as markets and health facilities.
A U.S.-based activist group reported at least 3,766 deaths in recent protests in Iran. The protests began over economic issues and faced a strong government response. Iranian officials and President Trump have exchanged accusations related to the unrest.
Key Facts
The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported 3,766 protester deaths in Iran.
This number is the highest recorded for protests in Iran in recent decades.
Iranian officials have not released an official death count but mentioned "several thousand" deaths.
The protests began on December 28 due to Iran's economic problems.
Over 24,000 protesters have been reportedly arrested.
Iranian leaders have accused the U.S. of causing the unrest.
President Trump has threatened military action if Iran uses deadly force against protesters.
Internet access in Iran has been severely restricted since January 8.
President Trump considered launching military strikes against Iran due to its crackdown on protesters but decided against it. Various factors including limited military presence, warnings from allies, and backchannel diplomacy influenced his decision not to proceed with the attack.
Key Facts
President Trump thought about attacking Iran after its violent actions against protesters.
The U.S. military was ready to carry out the strikes, but the order was not given.
Allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia advised caution regarding military action.
The U.S. had secret discussions with Iran to reduce the risk of escalation.
Trump received a detailed briefing on military options but did not make a final decision immediately.
High-level meetings took place to discuss possible U.S. responses to the situation in Iran.
The decision to hold off was made despite preparations being underway for a strike.
The global humanitarian system is facing serious challenges due to reduced funding and increasing conflicts. Jagan Chapagain from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies highlights the difficulties in meeting urgent needs in places like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.
Key Facts
Wars are getting more intense, making it harder to support people in need.
Funding from donors is decreasing, affecting important humanitarian efforts.
Jagan Chapagain is the secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
He mentions major needs in areas such as Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.
Climate-related disasters are also increasing the demand for humanitarian aid.
There have been cuts in aid from the United States and Europe.
Humanitarian workers are facing attacks and threats.
International laws protecting neutrality and aid workers are being questioned.
Newly unsealed court documents show claims of abuse involving the stepfather of two missing children, Jack and Lilly Sullivan, from Nova Scotia. Their mother accused the stepfather, Daniel Martell, of physical abuse before their disappearance in May 2025. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) continue to investigate, but the case is not yet classified as a crime.
Key Facts
Jack and Lilly Sullivan disappeared from Lansdowne, Nova Scotia, in May 2025.
Court documents reveal abuse allegations against their stepfather, Daniel Martell.
Their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, accused Martell of physically abusing her.
Martell denies these accusations and has not been charged.
Authorities have conducted extensive searches and interviewed many people without finding the children.
The case remains under the Missing Persons Act, not a criminal investigation.
The RCMP continues to investigate and has reviewed thousands of tips and video files.
