Actress Sydney Sweeney climbed the Hollywood sign and hung her lingerie on it as part of a promotion for her new lingerie brand. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stated that Sweeney did not have permission to do so, and there could be legal consequences. The video of the stunt went viral on social media.
Key Facts
Sydney Sweeney, an actress from the show "Euphoria," was filmed climbing the Hollywood sign and hanging lingerie on it.
This stunt was meant to promote her upcoming lingerie brand called "SYRN by Sydney Sweeney."
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce did not authorize this action and mentioned it might lead to legal action.
Sydney Sweeney's Instagram video of the stunt was viewed 3.5 million times.
TMZ reported that the team had a general filming permit but not specific permission to access the Hollywood sign.
The Hollywood Chamber is investigating how Sweeney accessed the site.
A police report has not yet been filed regarding this incident.
There have been mixed reactions online, with both praise and criticism for the stunt.
Germany has issued a travel warning for its citizens planning to go to the United States. The warning is because of possible risks related to immigration enforcement and protests in American cities. It advises German citizens to stay vigilant and avoid large gatherings that might turn violent.
Key Facts
Germany issued a travel warning for its citizens visiting the U.S.
The warning mentions risks linked to immigration enforcement and public-order situations.
German citizens are advised to be cautious of demonstrations, especially in Minneapolis and other cities.
Protests have occurred against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.
A recent incident in Minneapolis involved federal agents shooting a person named Alex Pretti.
The advisory suggests staying away from crowds where violence might happen.
Germany also has a separate travel advisory due to a severe winter storm in the U.S.
Australia cancelled the visa of Israeli influencer Sammy Yahood, who is known for his anti-Islam statements. The Australian government stated they will not allow visitors who spread hate to enter the country. Yahood's planned trip to Australia was halted, and he was blocked from boarding a connecting flight in Abu Dhabi.
Key Facts
Sammy Yahood is an Israeli influencer who has made statements against Islam.
Australia's Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, said spreading hatred is not a valid reason to visit the country.
Yahood's visa was cancelled just three hours before his flight from Israel.
Australia recently strengthened its hate crime laws following a mass shooting in Bondi Beach.
Yahood made comments on social media criticizing Islam and advocating against a Muslim U.S. congresswoman.
He attempted to travel to Australia via Abu Dhabi but was stopped from boarding the connecting flight.
The Australian government has previously cancelled visas for individuals believed to spread hate.
Political violence is increasing in Bangladesh as the country prepares for parliamentary elections on February 12. Several political activists have been killed, causing concerns about a return to past violence. The current interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, is overseeing these elections following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Key Facts
Azizur Rahman Musabbir, a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist, was shot dead, raising fears about campaign-related violence.
Bangladesh's elections and a referendum on state reforms are set for February 12, with about 120 million voters eligible.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 and fled to India.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is not accused of past excesses but is seeing rising violence.
Hasan Mollah, a BNP leader, and other activists have been killed since election announcements, causing unrest.
Several parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and the Jatiya Party, are participating, while Hasina's Awami League is banned from political activities.
Political motives have not been officially confirmed for the recent killings, but they are raising fears among activists.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala stated that ICE agents expected to arrive in his city for the Winter Olympics are not welcome. He urged Italian leaders to oppose the presence of these agents who are part of diplomatic security for the U.S. State Department.
Key Facts
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala spoke about ICE agents' presence in his city.
The agents are associated with the U.S. State Department for security at the Winter Olympics.
Mayor Sala said the agents are "not welcome" in Milan.
He urged Italian leaders to reject President Trump's decision.
Sala made these comments during an interview on RTL 102.5 radio.
This news is part of ongoing updates about the situation.
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, controlled by Israel, has been closed for two years, affecting families like Khitam Hameed's who hope for its reopening. The closure has impeded travel for family reunification and medical treatments, such as those needed for Khitam's son who has a genetic disorder. The crossing recently reopened partially, with strict conditions, following the recovery of the last Israeli captive's body.
Key Facts
The Rafah crossing links Gaza with Egypt and has been closed for two years.
Khitam Hameed's family is impacted by the closure, unable to reunite with her husband or get medical help for her son.
Her 14-year-old son, Yousef, has a genetic disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, affecting his bones and heart.
The crossing partially reopened when Israel recovered the remains of its last captive, under military supervision.
Before the closure, the crossing was crucial for Gazans seeking medical treatment and easing economic pressures.
The closure led to a significant reduction in medical aid and supplies to Gaza.
Khitam's family has been living in a refugee camp due to displacement from their home.
The war has worsened Yousef's condition, with a lack of medical facilities and resources for proper treatment.
A satirical video made by young people in Greenland has gone viral on social media. The video mocks President Trump's recent attempt to gain control over Greenland, a move rejected by both Greenland's and Denmark's leaders. The video has become popular online, receiving millions of views and comments.
Key Facts
A video from Greenland uses satire to criticize President Trump's interest in claiming the territory.
Greenland is an autonomous region of Denmark, and both governments rejected Trump's idea.
The video has over 21.5 million views and 1.8 million likes on social media.
Trump threatened trade tariffs against Denmark and some European allies over this issue.
At the World Economic Forum, Trump said he would not use military force to take Greenland.
The satirical video references U.S. domestic issues and includes humor about Trump's policies.
Online reactions to the video have been largely supportive of its satirical take on the situation.
North Korea launched two ballistic missiles that ended up in the sea near its east coast. The missiles did not land in Japan's exclusive area, but Japan is concerned about the threat these tests pose to regional and global security.
Key Facts
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles.
The first missile reached an altitude of about 50 miles and traveled 217 miles.
The second missile reached an altitude of around 43.5 miles and traveled 211 miles.
Both missiles landed outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Japan expressed that these launches threaten peace and security.
A protest has been lodged by Japan against North Korea.
President Donald Trump reported a large U.S. military presence near Iran, signaling a possible intervention due to protests in Iran. An aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, and other warships are already in the area. Iran claims it is ready for military action but is also pursuing diplomatic efforts.
Key Facts
President Trump mentioned a large U.S. "armada" near Iran amid regional protests.
The USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships are present in the Middle East.
Trump indicated that Iran might be interested in negotiating, but gave no details.
Iranian protests have resulted in varied reports of thousands of deaths.
Iran maintains military readiness while seeking diplomatic solutions.
The U.S. previously targeted Iran's nuclear facilities to delay nuclear development.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham emphasized the importance of supporting allies in the region.
Iran accused the U.S. of violating international norms at the United Nations.
A TikTok video shows a dog named Churro, a Yorkshire terrier, causing a stir on an eight-hour flight by not letting anyone sleep and making his owner cry. Despite his behavior, passengers were kind, and the dog became quite popular. The video highlights the growing trend of traveling with pets.
Key Facts
A TikTok video features a dog, Churro, on an eight-hour flight, causing a commotion.
The dog's owner was moved to tears by the dog's restlessness during the flight.
Churro's behavior included trying to bite strangers, yet he received attention from passengers.
No complaints were reported from other passengers about Churro.
Traveling with pets is becoming more common, with increasing demand for pet-friendly options.
Statistics show that over 2 million pets fly annually, and pet-inclusive travel has risen 19% in ten years.
The TikTok video has over 55,000 views and more than 1,000 likes.
The video emphasizes the overall trend of people prioritizing their pets' needs when traveling.
President Donald Trump has introduced a new initiative called the Board of Peace (BOP), initially aimed at resolving conflict in Gaza. Several countries, mainly from the Arab and Muslim world, have joined the initiative, which is gaining attention due to its potential to rival the United Nations in conflict resolution. The Board of Peace could become a more flexible body than the UN, but its expansion and Trump's leadership have raised concerns and controversy.
Key Facts
President Trump launched the Board of Peace (BOP) to address the conflict in Gaza.
The BOP is gaining momentum with participation from numerous Arab and Muslim countries.
Some see the BOP as a potential competitor to the United Nations for handling global conflicts.
President Trump serves as the permanent chairman of the Board of Peace.
Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have joined the initiative.
Israel is part of the BOP, but Palestinian and Iranian leaders were not invited.
The initiative began as a 20-point plan by the White House to address the Gaza conflict.
The BOP has grown to involve countries not directly connected to the Gaza situation, like Argentina and Azerbaijan.
NATO chief Mark Rutte stated that Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. military support. His comments highlight the importance of the U.S. role in NATO and the alliance's reliance on American defense capabilities.
Key Facts
Mark Rutte is the NATO chief who commented on Europe's defense capabilities.
Rutte stated that European nations need the U.S. military to defend themselves effectively.
His comments contrast with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who claimed Europe can handle its own defense.
NATO relies heavily on U.S. military assets, including nuclear and conventional forces.
Rutte mentioned NATO's goal to spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035.
Currently, the U.S., the UK, and France are the NATO members with nuclear weapons.
Rutte indicated Europe would need to spend more on its own defense if the U.S. were not involved.
President Trump's administration is pushing NATO allies to increase their military spending.
Japan's Defense Ministry reported that Russia and China have sent military aircraft and ships near Japan to gather intelligence. These actions happen as Japan is boosting its military capabilities due to what it calls a challenging security environment. Japan continues to monitor these activities closely using its air and maritime forces.
Key Facts
Japan's Defense Ministry stated that Russian and Chinese aircraft and ships have been near Japan's territory.
Russia and China have a partnership and regularly show their military presence near Japan.
A Russian spy ship, Kareliya, and a reconnaissance aircraft have traveled through Japanese waters and airspace.
The Russian ship moved from the East China Sea to the Sea of Japan.
A Chinese intelligence ship also traveled through Japanese waters into the Philippine Sea.
Japan has responded by monitoring these activities with its own defense forces.
Japan views these actions as part of intelligence gathering by Russia and China.
Japan is increasing its military strength with stealth jets and aircraft carriers.
A television presenter for Lebanon's Al-Manar TV was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, southern Lebanon. The presenter, Ali Nour al-Din, also served as a preacher and was associated with Hezbollah. Lebanon's Minister of Information condemned the incident, urging international action to protect media professionals.
Key Facts
Ali Nour al-Din, a presenter for Al-Manar TV, was killed in an Israeli strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon.
Al-Din worked for Al-Manar, a TV station linked to Hezbollah, and also served as a preacher in Tyre.
Hezbollah described al-Din's death as a "treacherous assassination."
Lebanese Minister of Information condemned the attack and called for international protection for journalists.
Since 2023, at least six Lebanese journalists have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
A US-brokered ceasefire in 2024 ended over a year of conflict, but Israeli strikes have continued.
Israel admitted to the strike, referring to al-Din as a Hezbollah member.
The ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 350 people since the ceasefire.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer plans to strengthen ties with both the US and China during his upcoming visit to Beijing, the first by a British leader in eight years. He aims to explore business opportunities with China while maintaining strong security and business relations with the US. Starmer also intends to discuss human rights issues with China during the visit.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer will visit China, marking the first trip by a British leader to Beijing in eight years.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with both the US and China.
The UK recently approved the construction of a large new Chinese embassy in London despite some opposition.
Starmer plans to lead a delegation of UK business leaders to China to explore business opportunities.
He will address human rights issues with Chinese officials, including the case of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai.
US President Donald Trump has recently made headlines by threatening tariffs on allies and discussing NATO troop deployment.
There has been tension between the US and its allies concerning trade and foreign policy decisions.
A Russian negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, stated that Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas region is key to peace between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. reportedly linked Ukraine's security guarantees to its agreement to give control of Donbas to Russia. Ukraine controls 20% of Donetsk, and President Zelensky insists on peace through mutual compromise and adherence to Ukrainian legal processes.
Key Facts
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas region to make peace.
The Donbas region includes Donetsk and Luhansk, important industrial areas.
The U.S. is reportedly pressuring Ukraine to agree to Russia's terms concerning Donbas.
Ukraine still controls about 20% of Donetsk, including two major cities.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has called for mutual concessions for peace.
Ukraine requires a referendum to make territorial changes, which cannot happen during wartime.
Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, leading to ongoing conflict.
Grammy-winning artist Jacob Collier believes singing can help teenagers feel less isolated by overcoming digital barriers. The BBC launched a program called "BBC Get Singing" to encourage more UK teenagers to sing together, including providing free access to music resources online. Surveys show that many UK secondary schools do not prioritize singing activities.
Key Facts
Jacob Collier is a Grammy-winning artist who supports singing to reduce social isolation in teenagers.
The BBC started "BBC Get Singing," a program to get more 11-14-year-olds in the UK singing together.
The project provides free access to music resources and educational videos through BBC Bitesize.
A survey of around 10,000 teachers in England found that a third of state secondary schools do not have a choir.
Over half of the surveyed teachers said pupils never sang together in assembly.
The initiative will offer interactive workshops and teacher training over the next three years.
There are future plans to research the benefits of group singing for young people.
The article discusses personal stories of life-changing experiences from three individuals. Jacqui Furneaux, at 49, embarked on a seven-year journey after a divorce, leading to self-discovery. Angela Tilley overcame agoraphobia with the help of traveling in a motorhome.
Key Facts
Jacqui Furneaux, a nurse from Bristol, had an affair leading to divorce and used her settlement to travel the world.
Jacqui traveled for seven years through countries like Thailand, Laos, Pakistan, and India.
She began a significant relationship with a younger Dutchman during her travels, which lasted three years.
Jacqui realized her family's need for her after a conversation with her daughter, leading her to forgive herself.
Angela Tilley experienced panic attacks after being stalked at the age of 16.
She was later diagnosed with agoraphobia due to her fear of being in enclosed spaces.
Angela found relief and confidence when she started traveling in a motorhome with her husband in 2015.
A Tokyo court has ordered North Korea to pay compensation to four people who were promised a better life but ended up facing difficult conditions there. The court awarded these individuals 88 million yen ($570,000) as damages. However, there is no practical way to enforce the ruling, as North Korea has ignored the case.
Key Facts
A Tokyo court ruled North Korea must pay 88 million yen to four individuals.
These individuals moved to North Korea under a resettlement program promising a good life.
The program instead subjected them to forced labor and poor conditions.
The ruling is symbolic because North Korea has not engaged with the legal process.
This case marks the first time a Japanese court has formally recognized misconduct by North Korea.
More than 90,000 Zainichi Koreans relocated to North Korea from 1959 to 1984.
One plaintiff, Eiko Kawasaki, left North Korea in 2003 after arriving there in 1960.
The Tokyo High Court later determined the case fell under Japanese jurisdiction.
Fighting continues between Russia and Ukraine, involving drone and missile attacks. Talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are set to resume soon. The European Union plans to stop importing Russian gas by 2027.
Key Facts
Russian forces attacked Kharkiv, injuring at least two people and damaging buildings like apartments and a school.
Russian drones hit a building in Kryvyi Rih, causing a fire but no reported casualties.
In Kyiv, a Russian attack damaged a religious landmark known as Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
A Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region killed one person.
Ukraine's military said it hit an oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region.
NATO reported that Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks is weakening because of fewer available weapons.
Czechs raised over $6 million to provide generators and heaters to Ukrainians affected by power outages.
Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia plan to meet for talks on February 1.
The European Union decided to ban Russian gas imports by 2027.
