President Zelensky stated that Ukraine's air defense supplies are not enough, with some systems running out of missiles recently. This comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities, causing widespread power outages during a very cold winter. Zelensky is urging Ukraine's allies to quickly send more missiles to help defend against the attacks.
Key Facts
President Zelensky described Ukraine's air defense supplies as "insufficient."
Some missile systems were without missiles until a recent delivery.
Russian attacks on energy facilities have left many without heat or electricity.
Schools in Kyiv will close until February due to power shortages.
Zelensky called on allies for faster deliveries of missiles.
Ukraine needs ongoing missile supplies from Western partners.
Kyiv declared an energy emergency; a former prime minister is now energy minister.
Ukrainian and American officials are planning ceasefire talks.
Iran is experiencing a nationwide communications blackout after widespread protests began over rising prices. The Iranian government cut off internet and mobile services, and international calls were only restored partially. The government attributes the unrest to foreign influences, while casualty numbers vary and cannot be independently verified due to the communication shutdown.
Key Facts
Iran's entire internet and mobile communications were cut off on January 8.
The blackout started following protests against rising prices that evolved into broader demonstrations.
Local phone services resumed, but SMS remains blocked; only outgoing international calls were reconnected.
The Iranian government blames foreign "elements" for the protests and unrest.
Human Rights Activists News Agency reports 2,615 deaths, but Iranian officials dispute this number.
Iran claims the unrest was fueled by US and Israeli influences.
The UN emphasizes the need to avoid violence but is concerned about potential armed intervention from the US.
Security presence is heavy in Iranian cities, with numerous checkpoints and patrols.
Civilians are leaving areas near Aleppo, Syria, as tensions rise between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). More than 150,000 people have fled in recent days due to government orders and unrest.
Key Facts
Civilians are leaving areas close to Aleppo, a city in Syria.
The Syrian government has ordered people to evacuate.
Tensions are increasing between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led SDF.
Over 150,000 Syrians have fled in recent days.
The area near Aleppo is experiencing unrest and instability.
The article discusses the potential future for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid ongoing protests in Iran and international tension. President Trump is considering his options regarding Iran, reflecting on past actions such as military operations against key figures in the Middle East. The article highlights the challenges Ayatollah Khamenei faces, both domestically with protests and internationally with strategic pressures.
Key Facts
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Iran's Supreme Leader and is facing significant unrest and protests in Iran.
President Donald Trump has mentioned previous U.S. military operations against leaders like Qassem Soleimani and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in considering options for Iran.
Qassem Soleimani, an important Iranian military leader, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in January 2020.
Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, was killed in an Israeli air raid in September 2024.
Recent protests in Iran have resulted in the death of at least 2,615 people, according to a U.S.-based human rights group.
Ayatollah Khamenei has pursued policies that are anti-American and pro-Russia and China, affecting Iran's international standing.
The Iranian security forces have been accused of killing thousands of protesters during recent demonstrations.
There is uncertainty about the future of Iran's leadership and policies if Ayatollah Khamenei is removed from power.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado expressed hope for democracy's return to Venezuela while speaking in Washington. Despite the recent seizure of former President Maduro, she did not share specific details about her plans. The Trump administration continues to interact with parts of the Maduro regime that remain.
Key Facts
Maria Corina Machado is an opposition leader from Venezuela.
She spoke in Washington about her confidence in the return of democracy to Venezuela.
Former President Maduro was recently seized from power.
Machado did not reveal details of her own plans for Venezuela.
President Trump's administration is still dealing with some of the remaining members of the Maduro government.
The chief of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, has retired following criticism over a decision to ban Israeli fans from attending a football match. The criticism included incorrect information given to authorities and the use of AI tools without proper evidence. Guildford cited political and media pressure as reasons for his retirement.
Key Facts
Craig Guildford retired from his position as chief constable of West Midlands Police.
His retirement followed criticism over banning Israeli fans from a match against Aston Villa.
The decision faced backlash, leading Downing Street and the home secretary to lose confidence in his leadership.
A review found "confirmation bias" influenced the decision, and inaccurate information was provided in reports.
Guildford initially suggested that false information came from online searches, later attributing it to AI technology.
Officials and the public raised concerns about misinformation and overstating threats.
Guildford expressed that political and media pressures influenced his decision to retire.
The home secretary supported his retirement, noting the errors damaged trust in the police force.
Iran has shut down the internet for a week, cutting off most of its 90 million people from online access. An Iranian exiled crown prince has called for U.S. military action, while experts discuss the situation.
Key Facts
Iran has blocked internet access for a week.
About 90 million people in Iran are affected by the internet shutdown.
An exiled Iranian crown prince has asked for U.S. military help.
Experts from Stanford University and the Council on Foreign Relations have been discussing the situation.
The discussions focus on the current unrest and how it is being handled by the Iranian government.
Parts of northern Florida are under a frost advisory and freeze watch as temperatures are expected to drop to unusually low levels. The National Weather Service has issued alerts to help residents prepare for potential risks from the cold, including to people, plants, and animals.
Key Facts
A frost advisory and freeze watch are in effect for parts of northern Florida.
Expected temperatures may drop to the low 20s and 30s Fahrenheit.
Areas like Lake City, Gainesville, and Ocala are under a frost advisory from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday.
Coastal areas like Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Ponte Vedra Beach face a freeze watch.
The National Weather Service warns of potential safety risks, especially for vulnerable groups.
Cold weather may harm sensitive plants and affect local wildlife.
Another cold period is expected Sunday night into Monday.
Public officials advise residents to protect people, pets, and plants from the cold.
President Donald Trump announced the start of the second phase of a peace plan for Gaza, which involves the demilitarization of Hamas. He stated there would be consequences if Hamas does not agree to give up its weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the U.S. announcement symbolic.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the second phase of Gaza’s peace plan.
This phase involves reaching a deal with Hamas to hand over its weapons.
President Trump warned of consequences if Hamas does not comply.
The first phase of the plan is reportedly completed.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu described the U.S. announcement as symbolic.
The plans are part of a 20-point strategy for peace in Gaza.
President Donald Trump praised Iran for choosing not to carry out the planned executions of over 800 people. He mentioned this development as he was leaving the White House. This statement followed earlier comments where Trump suggested possible U.S. military action if mass executions occurred during Iran's protests.
Key Facts
President Trump complimented Iran for not executing over 800 political prisoners.
Trump made this statement while leaving the White House for Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
The U.S. had earlier warned of military action if Iran executed people during protests.
The protests in Iran have been ongoing, with increasing reports of casualties.
Trump indicated that military action might not be necessary since the executions were halted.
The article discusses Harlan Coben's TV shows available on Netflix, ranking them based on their ratings. Coben is noted for his dramatic storytelling and all shows listed are available for streaming on Netflix.
Key Facts
Harlan Coben is a well-known writer specializing in dramatic TV shows.
Eleven of his shows are available on Netflix as of 2026.
The list ranks the shows using critic and audience scores from Rotten Tomatoes.
"The Innocent" received the highest critic score of 100%.
"Run Away," released in 2026, is one of his latest shows with a critic score of 83%.
Coben’s stories often focus on themes of family and secrets.
The list includes popular shows like "Safe," "The Stranger," and "Stay Close."
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Authorities are examining if they tried to block federal immigration agents from doing their jobs. This investigation relates to recent tensions in Minneapolis after protests and a death involving an ICE officer.
Key Facts
The DOJ is investigating Minnesota officials for possible interference with federal immigration enforcement.
Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are the officials under investigation.
The inquiry focuses on whether they tried to stop ICE and Border Patrol agents.
Thousands of federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis in recent weeks.
Tensions have increased in the area after protests and a fatal incident involving an ICE officer.
Major news outlets like CBS News and CNN are reporting on the investigation.
PBS News is launching two new programs called "Horizons" and "Compass Points." "Horizons" will focus on weekly updates about science, health, and technology, while "Compass Points" will discuss global issues and how they affect people in the U.S.
Key Facts
PBS News is starting two new shows.
One show, "Horizons," will cover science, health, and technology news.
"Horizons" will be hosted by William Brangham.
The other show, "Compass Points," will examine global affairs.
A tribunal ruled that nurses had their dignity violated when an NHS trust allowed a transgender colleague to use the women's changing room. The ruling is significant because it highlights differing interpretations of rights related to gender identity. Although the ruling applies only to this case, it may influence future policies and legal cases.
Key Facts
An employment tribunal found that nurses from Darlington Memorial Hospital had their dignity violated.
The issue centered around whether the NHS trust infringed on nurses' rights by letting a transgender colleague use the women's changing room.
The tribunal found no fault with the transgender colleague, Rose Henderson, dismissing claims against them.
The ruling noted that transgender protections do not automatically grant the right to use certain gender-specific facilities.
The tribunal based its findings on a Supreme Court ruling defining a woman by biological sex under the 2010 Equality Act.
A different ruling in Scotland reached a contrasting conclusion about similar circumstances, leading to an appeal.
Legal experts say these cases highlight misunderstandings about legal rights to access gender-specific spaces.
Campaign groups expressed differing views on the tribunal's decision, highlighting ongoing debates about gender identity and legal rights.
A prostate cancer drug called abiraterone will soon be available to men in England through the National Health Service (NHS). This change, expected to save lives, comes after a campaign by a patient and a charity. The drug had already been available in Scotland and Wales, but not in England, until now.
Key Facts
Abiraterone is a drug that helps stop prostate cancer from spreading by blocking hormones it needs to grow.
The drug will soon be offered on the NHS in England to high-risk patients whose cancer has not spread yet.
Abiraterone has been available in Scotland and Wales through the NHS since 2023.
Campaigns by patients and charities helped push for its approval in England.
NHS England expects about 7,000 men to start treatment annually, with 560 lives potentially saved each year.
The drug became a generic medicine after its patent expired in October 2022, allowing more companies to produce it.
The cost for patients like Giles Turner was high due to lack of NHS coverage, previously around £250 per month.
Clinical trials showed abiraterone improves survival chances when used with standard care.
A new "Game of Thrones" prequel series called "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" will debut on HBO and HBO Max on January 18, 2026. The series will release new episodes weekly through February 22, 2026, and follows two heroes in the Targaryen-held Westeros.
Key Facts
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is a prequel to "Game of Thrones."
The first episode will air on January 18, 2026, at 10 pm ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.
New episodes will release every Sunday until February 22, 2026.
To watch, you need an HBO Max subscription, which starts at $10.99 per month with ads.
The series is set a century before "Game of Thrones" and features characters Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.
Episode runtimes and detailed plot summaries are not yet available.
A trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur trading bloc has been reached after nearly 25 years of discussions. This deal will create a large free-trade zone connecting markets with over 700 million people and aims to reduce Europe's economic dependence on China.
Key Facts
The European Union and Mercosur have agreed on a trade deal.
Mercosur is a trading group that includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The deal creates one of the world's largest free-trade zones.
It connects markets representing more than 700 million people.
Some European farmers oppose the agreement.
The agreement helps Europe lessen its economic reliance on China.
The context includes President Trump's tariffs and military actions, such as in Venezuela.
The term "Jessica" is becoming popular among Gen Z to describe certain millennial behaviors. It resembles the concept of a "Karen," originally used to label demanding or entitled Baby Boomer women. This term has sparked mixed reactions and some tension between Gen Z and millennials.
Key Facts
Gen Z uses the term "Jessica" to describe complaining millennial women, similar to how "Karen" labels certain Baby Boomer women.
A "Jessica" is described as demanding, tone-deaf, and somewhat entitled.
The name "Jessica" was popular among babies born between 1981 and 1998.
The term emerged from Gen Z's observations of millennial behavior on social media.
The use of "Jessica" has caused mixed responses, with some millennials finding it humorous and others taking offense.
Experts suggest the label doesn't solve generational differences and could reinforce stereotypes.
The trend highlights ongoing cultural dynamics between Gen Z and millennials.
Florida experienced unusually cold temperatures that were colder than Anchorage, Alaska. An arctic air mass brought these cold conditions, leading to various weather warnings across the state. Temperatures dipped significantly before warming slightly by the evening.
Key Facts
Florida had temperatures colder than Anchorage, Alaska.
An arctic air mass caused the cold spell in Florida.
Miami was over 40 degrees colder than average for the season.
In Tampa Bay, temperatures dropped to the 20s, from an average low in the 50s.
Tallahassee reached 20 degrees Fahrenheit, 13 degrees colder than Anchorage.
By Friday evening, Tallahassee temperatures climbed to the mid-50s.
A frost advisory and freeze watch are in effect for parts of northeastern Florida.
Cold conditions could affect plants, pets, and vulnerable people such as young children and the elderly.
Canada has decided to reduce its 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. In return, China will lower its tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. This move signals a change in Canada's approach compared to the United States.
Key Facts
Canada will reduce its 100% tariff on electric vehicles imported from China.
In response, China will lower its tariffs on agricultural products from Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced this decision after discussions in Beijing.
This decision indicates a different approach by Canada compared to the U.S. policy on China.
The move is part of Canada's effort to improve its relationship with China.
