Robert Jenrick, a known Conservative figure, has left the UK Conservative Party to join Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Some Conservatives accuse him of dishonesty, while Jenrick asserts he made his decision to switch parties based on current political beliefs. This move highlights tensions between the Conservative Party and Reform UK.
Key Facts
Robert Jenrick, a known figure in the UK Conservative Party, has left to join Reform UK.
He was dismissed from the Conservative Party before announcing his defection.
Jenrick claims he decided to leave the Conservative Party after Christmas.
Some Conservatives feel betrayed, accusing Jenrick of lying about his intentions.
Jenrick appeared publicly with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, confirming his switch.
The move has caused significant discussions about trust and political strategy.
Jenrick has expressed the need for clearer positions on policies within Reform UK.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, disagrees with Robert Jenrick's claim that Britain is broken. After being dismissed from his position, Jenrick joined the Reform UK party, criticizing the Conservative government for its handling of immigration. Badenoch argues the Conservative Party is stronger without Jenrick and claims that Reform UK will not succeed.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch is the leader of the UK's Conservative Party.
Robert Jenrick was dismissed from his ministerial position and then joined Reform UK.
Jenrick criticized the Conservative government for not effectively handling rising immigration.
Badenoch insisted that Britain is not broken and that the country still holds global influence.
She believes the Conservatives are best suited to solve the UK's problems.
Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, praised Jenrick for resigning on principle.
Badenoch claims Jenrick's criticisms stem from ambition, not principles.
A toddler named Cecilia, who lives in Louisiana, has a rare genetic condition called CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), which causes her to have developmental delays and experience extreme sleeping patterns, including sleeping for 24 hours straight. Her adoptive mother, Melinda Collier, explains how the condition affects Cecilia’s daily life, development, and the family's coping strategies.
Key Facts
Cecilia has a condition called CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) that affects development and sleep.
CDD can cause seizures, developmental delays, and sleep disturbances.
The disorder affects about 1 in 40,000 to 60,000 live births.
Cecilia sleeps for 24 hours straight, about four times a month, and then stays awake for 24 hours.
She has been seizure-free since May 2025 but still faces other challenges.
During her 24-hour naps, she might wake briefly but needs to be fed and changed.
Cecilia’s development is similar to that of a 7-month-old, even though she is 22 months old.
Her family supports her needs with patience, adapting to her unique sleep and activity patterns.
Justice Secretary David Lammy stopped Jake Fahri, the person convicted of killing Jimmy Mizen, from moving to an open prison. Fahri made music under a pseudonym, referencing the murder, which led to concerns about public safety. Lammy's decision was about ensuring protection for the public.
Key Facts
Jake Fahri was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 for killing Jimmy Mizen.
Fahri was released on licence in 2023 but was recalled to prison after making music that referenced the murder.
Justice Secretary David Lammy blocked Fahri's transfer to an open prison for public safety reasons.
Fahri admitted to being the artist known as TEN, who released the music.
The Parole Board had recommended this transfer, saying he could reflect on his actions in an open prison.
Myanmar's military-supported party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), is leading in the ongoing general election, having secured a significant number of seats in the first two rounds of voting. The election takes place amid conflicts and allegations of unfairness. The final voting round is scheduled for January 25, with the announcement of final results expected by late January.
Key Facts
The USDP is on track to win 182 seats, which is more than half of the 330-seat lower house.
The election is happening in three phases due to conflicts in Myanmar, with the first two phases completed.
The USDP won 86 out of 100 seats available in the second phase of voting.
The final voting phase is set for January 25, and some areas are not participating because of ongoing fighting.
Critics argue the election is not free or fair, claiming it seeks to legitimize military power after it seized control in 2021.
More than 4,800 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the election.
The election occurs as Myanmar faces accusations of genocide against the Rohingya people at the International Court of Justice.
A new law imposes penalties for public criticism of the election, resulting in charges against over 330 people.
The White House announced the members of the new "Board of Peace" for Gaza, chaired by President Trump. This board will oversee a committee responsible for Gaza's temporary governance and reconstruction. Members include Tony Blair, Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel.
Key Facts
The "Board of Peace" for Gaza has been announced by the White House.
President Trump will chair the board.
Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, is the only non-US member and has experience as the Middle East envoy.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, is involved in foreign policy and recently supported the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Steve Witkoff, a real estate executive and US Special Envoy to the Middle East, is on the board.
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, plays a key role in peace negotiations.
Marc Rowan, Apollo Global Management CEO, is also a board member.
Ajay Banga, World Bank President, was nominated by Joe Biden in 2023 and is a board member.
Robert Gabriel, a US national security adviser, completes the "founding executive board."
A family in the U.K. went viral after they unexpectedly used a full-size coach for airport transport for their trip to Turkey. The coach was the only available option due to a local event that used up all the smaller vehicles. The family's humorous experience was shared widely on social media.
Key Facts
Rosie Taylor, along with six family members, traveled to Turkey in 2023.
Her father, Matthew, was in charge of arranging transportation to the airport.
Due to the Royal Ascot horse racing event, no minivans were available.
Matthew ordered a full-size coach because it was the only option.
The family found the situation amusing and spread out in the large vehicle.
Rosie's TikTok video about the experience went viral, receiving 1.2 million views.
The family trip was a delayed vacation originally planned before the COVID pandemic.
Rosie’s father finds the incident entertaining and shares it with others.
Earlier this month, 47 Venezuelan soldiers, including nine women, and 32 Cuban soldiers were killed when the United States conducted a raid in Caracas, Venezuela. The raid resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The operation involved military tactics, including bombing and helicopter landings.
Key Facts
The event took place in early January and led to the abduction of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
A total of 83 people were killed during the raid, including 47 Venezuelan soldiers and 32 Cuban soldiers.
The raid began with the bombing of military targets in Caracas and included US troops landing by helicopter.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister revised the death toll from 23 to 83 people after the attack.
More than 112 people were injured, and civilian casualties are still being assessed.
The US CIA was involved in the operation, and discussions of future economic cooperation were mentioned.
In response, tens of thousands of Cubans protested against the US actions in Havana.
The article discusses President Donald Trump's potential military action against Mexico and his administration's stance on cartels operating in the country. This comes after a U.S. raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Mexico and the U.S. recently signed a security agreement to address cartel activities and related issues.
Key Facts
President Trump has expressed concerns about cartels in Mexico and hinted at possible U.S. military action.
A recent U.S. military raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, indicating the U.S. might use similar tactics in Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has support both in the region and internationally, and she has been praised by President Trump for working against cartel influence.
The U.S. and Mexico signed a security cooperation agreement to combat cartels and stop illegal trade, like fentanyl and weapons, across the border.
New flight restrictions over Mexico announced by the Federal Aviation Authority suggest potential upcoming military operations.
A Mexican journalist noted the possibility of U.S. unilateral intervention, despite current cooperation.
The capture of Maduro highlights the U.S. capability to conduct precise military operations to achieve specific goals.
Mexico has opposed the U.S. raid against Maduro and continues to adhere to its traditional policy of not recognizing foreign government regimes.
A 35-year-old woman named Lauren Harkins from Portland, Maine, is choosing to remain a virgin as she hasn't yet met someone she wants to be intimate with. Harkins feels empowered by her virginity and shares her story online, connecting with others who feel similarly about personal choices concerning relationships and intimacy.
Key Facts
Lauren Harkins is a 35-year-old virgin who lives in Portland, Maine.
She has never been in a relationship or intimate with anyone.
Harkins sees her virginity as an empowering choice rather than being tied to religion or marriage.
She shares her experiences on social media, gaining a large audience.
Harkins believes in making choices that align with her values and refuses to settle for the wrong partner.
She feels that modern conversations about intimacy often overlook personal alignment and intentionality.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the average age for first sexual intercourse is 17.
Harkins wants to show that there are many valid paths in life and encourages others to follow what feels right for them.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has told airlines to be careful when flying over Mexico and several countries in Central and South America due to U.S. military actions in the region. The FAA issued advisories related to potential military threats, impacting airspace over parts of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. This follows increased U.S. military presence and warnings from President Trump about potential actions against drug cartels.
Key Facts
The FAA issued warnings advising caution for flights over Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, and Colombia due to military activities.
The U.S. has increased its military presence in Latin America, with actions in countries like Venezuela.
President Trump has warned about potential military strikes against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia.
The FAA's advisories are set to remain in effect for 60 days.
A recent incident involved a JetBlue flight avoiding a collision with a U.S. Air Force plane near Venezuela.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum reports progress in combating drug cartels after threats from President Trump.
U.S. and Mexico officials, like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Secretary Juan Ramon de la Fuente, stress the need for joint efforts to tackle shared threats.
Mexican officials highlight U.S. drug use as a factor in cartel violence and call for U.S. efforts to address weapon trafficking into Mexico.
An artificially-triggered avalanche occurred on Mount Elbrus, Russia's highest mountain. The controlled avalanche was planned to release built-up snow, and it reached areas like the car park and nearby buildings without causing any reported injuries or deaths.
Key Facts
The avalanche took place on Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia.
Authorities triggered the avalanche on purpose to manage the excess snow.
The snow from the avalanche spread to a car park, buildings, and roads further down.
No injuries or deaths were reported from this event.
This was a controlled event planned by officials to prevent unplanned natural avalanches.
Tensions between the United States and Iran are high as President Donald Trump aims for a strategy that challenges Iran's leadership but faces complex obstacles. Recent protests in Iran and potential U.S. military involvement have escalated the situation. However, despite threats, achieving a straightforward victory over Iran is difficult due to its strong governmental structure and potential retaliation.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to challenge Iran's government, but this is not straightforward.
Iran has experienced a wave of anti-government protests, and Trump threatened military action if protesters were harmed.
Reports say thousands have died in the crackdown on protests in Iran.
Iran’s government imposed an internet blackout, making it hard to verify the situation on the ground.
Trump has noted that armed demonstrators had clashed with security forces but hoped no executions would occur.
The U.S. military is reportedly increasing its presence in the Middle East as tensions rise.
Trump's past military actions include the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and threats against Venezuela.
Analysts say that a quick military success in Iran is unlikely due to its robust government and potential backlash.
A hacker accessed therapy records from a Finnish company called Vastaamo and demanded money from its patients, threatening to release their personal information online. This affected 33,000 patients, including Meri-Tuuli Auer, who shared private details with her therapist. The hack became a national issue in Finland, with the stolen information circulating on the dark web.
Key Facts
A hacker stole therapy records from Vastaamo, a company in Finland.
33,000 patients were affected by this data breach.
Personal details included names, social security numbers, and therapy notes.
The hacker demanded €200 in bitcoin from patients, threatening to raise the amount if unpaid.
The Finnish government, led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin at the time, held an emergency meeting about the breach.
The stolen records were posted on the dark web before any action could be taken by authorities.
Patients, like Meri-Tuuli Auer, shared sensitive information with therapists, not expecting it to become public.
Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative shadow minister, has joined Reform UK, stirring political tension. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch writes that Britain is not failing, in contrast to Jenrick's actions. Meanwhile, several UK newspapers report on various political and social issues, including internal challenges in the Labour Party, a controversial employment tribunal ruling, and geopolitical matters involving President Trump.
Key Facts
Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative shadow minister, has moved to Reform UK.
Jenrick's defection is expected to cause a power struggle within Reform UK.
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, claims "Britain is not broken," following Jenrick's move.
The Daily Express reports tensions between Jenrick and Badenoch over fixing Britain.
Labour Party faces internal issues, with calls for the removal of Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
A UK employment tribunal ruled against a hospital for violating nurses' rights over same-sex space usage.
President Trump mentioned possible tariffs related to Greenland plans.
The EU considers a fast-tracking proposal for Ukraine's possible entry into the bloc.
On January 17, Russian forces attacked Nikopol in Ukraine, resulting in casualties. There were several developments related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including infrastructure attacks and ceasefire agreements. Ukraine is struggling with power outages and cold weather impacts.
Key Facts
Russian forces attacked Nikopol, Ukraine, killing two women and injuring six people.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces took control of five settlements in Zaporizhia.
A Ukrainian drone strike resulted in a death in Russian-occupied Kherson.
Close to 68,000 homes in Russian-occupied Zaporizhia lost electricity due to Ukrainian attacks.
Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire to repair a power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Ukraine faces energy shortages, affecting people's access to heat amid freezing temperatures.
The UK pledged £20 million ($26.7m) to help Ukraine with energy infrastructure repairs.
A Ukrainian delegation is visiting the U.S. for talks on security and post-war recovery plans.
Guinea's Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power in a 2021 military coup, is transitioning from military leader to civilian president. He won 87% of the vote in a recent election and will be officially sworn in. Despite some popular support, his leadership faces criticism for suppressing opposition and restricting media freedom.
Key Facts
Mamadi Doumbouya led a coup to take power in Guinea in September 2021.
He initially promised not to run for leadership but later decided to run for president.
Doumbouya won the election with 87% of the vote against limited competition.
Critics question the election's fairness and Doumbouya's commitment to democracy.
Some political parties have been banned, and activists and journalists have disappeared or faced restrictions.
Doumbouya is trying to present himself as a civilian leader, wearing casual clothing instead of military uniforms.
He has international experience, including education in France and service with the French Foreign Legion.
Fiber has become a popular topic on social media, with many people sharing recipes featuring fiber-rich foods like chickpeas and avocado. The NHS recommends adults consume 30g of fiber each day, but most people in the UK eat much less than this. Nutrition experts say increasing fiber intake can lead to better health, including reduced risks of diseases and improved mental health.
Key Facts
Fiber is becoming popular on social media as a health trend, with users sharing recipes that include high-fiber foods.
The NHS advises that adults should eat 30 grams of fiber daily.
The average fiber intake in the UK is about 16.4 grams per day.
Nutritionists believe that more fiber intake can lead to longer life, and reduced risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Fiber is important for gut health and can also benefit mental health.
Dietary fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and nuts, and it helps our body in various ways.
Different types of fiber have different health benefits, such as fermentable fibers aiding gut bacteria and insoluble fibers helping digestion.
Odesa, a city in Ukraine, is experiencing frequent attacks as part of the conflict with Russia. These attacks mainly target the city's infrastructure and have led to power outages and decreased exports. Many families, including Mariia, Sergii, and their daughter Eva, are considering leaving the city due to safety concerns.
Key Facts
Odesa is Ukraine's third-largest city and has been under heavy attack recently.
Russian strikes focus on Odesa's port and energy infrastructure to impact the economy.
Drones, which are small aircraft without a pilot, frequently crash into buildings.
Mariia, Sergii, and Eva's family originally fled from Kherson due to the invasion.
Odesa was a crucial economic hub with large ports vital for Ukraine's exports.
There have been 800 air-raid alerts in the past year, affecting port operations.
Russian attacks on ports have damaged cargo and led to injuries among ship crew members.
Last year saw a 45% drop in agricultural exports due to disrupted operations.
A new study has found that taking paracetamol during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism or other developmental issues in children. This research counters claims made by President Trump about paracetamol's safety during pregnancy. The study reviewed many high-quality studies and supports existing guidance from medical organizations that paracetamol is safe when used as directed.
Key Facts
The study says taking paracetamol during pregnancy is safe and does not raise the risk of autism.
This research reviewed 43 strong studies involving hundreds of thousands of women.
The study used "gold-standard" methods to account for different genes and family environments.
President Trump previously claimed paracetamol could be linked to autism, but this study refutes those claims.
Major medical organizations in the UK, US, and Europe support the findings that paracetamol is safe.
Health experts warn that not treating pain and fever with paracetamol during pregnancy can harm the baby.
The study findings help reassure expectant mothers about the safe use of paracetamol.
