People in Florida have been warned about very cold temperatures due to a new winter storm affecting the U.S. South and Southeast. This weather system has already caused significant snow and ice in other parts of the U.S. and is predicted to bring freezing conditions further north. Citrus farmers in Florida are advised to prepare for colder weather, while the storm's impact could extend from the Gulf Coast up through the Northeast.
Key Facts
People in Florida were alerted to possible freezing temperatures over the coming days.
A winter storm has already caused at least nine deaths and left many without power.
Florida has avoided the worst effects so far but still faces cold weather alerts.
The storm may bring freeze conditions deep into South Florida.
Farmers, especially in citrus-growing areas, should prepare for multiple nights below freezing.
The worst of the cold could affect areas from southern Louisiana to Delaware, missing Florida.
The forecast suggests that Florida will see temperatures about 16 degrees colder than usual.
Cold temperatures are expected to persist in the eastern U.S. until early February.
China announced that its top military official, Zhang Youxia, is under investigation for serious violations. This action is part of a broader campaign led by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, affecting the Central Military Commission's power structure. The situation leads to speculation over Xi's increasing control and potential internal conflicts within China's military leadership.
Key Facts
Zhang Youxia, a top Chinese general, is under investigation for "serious disciplinary and legal violations."
The investigation also includes Liu Zhenli, the joint staff chief.
The People's Liberation Army Daily accused the two of significant corruption and breaking CMC rules.
The Central Military Commission, led by Xi Jinping, now has only two members due to similar past purges.
There is speculation that the investigations are part of Xi's efforts to strengthen control and address military corruption.
Some believe these actions might prevent a potential coup against Xi.
The Chinese military has traditionally had some autonomy, but Xi is consolidating control.
Lebanon has complained to the United Nations about Israel's ongoing attacks despite a ceasefire agreement made in November 2024. Lebanon claims these actions violate a UN resolution and has asked the UN Security Council to stop Israel's military actions and ensure it retreats from Lebanon. The complaint highlights over 2,000 reported incidents of violations in late 2025.
Key Facts
Lebanon filed a complaint with the UN about Israeli attacks after a 2024 ceasefire.
Lebanon says these attacks violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanon reported 2,036 Israeli violations during October, November, and December 2025.
The complaint urges Israel to withdraw to internationally recognized borders and release Lebanese prisoners.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed hundreds, including at least 127 civilians as per a UN report from last year.
Israel continues to occupy five areas in Lebanese territory and blocks the rebuilding of certain border villages.
The Lebanese government is working to disarm Hezbollah, beginning with areas south of the Litani River.
Despite these efforts, Israeli attacks have persisted in both southern and northern regions of Lebanon.
Gunmen attacked a football pitch in Salamanca, Mexico, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more. The motive for the attack is unclear, but the area has experienced intense violence due to gang activities. Local and federal forces are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
Gunmen opened fire on a football pitch in Salamanca, Mexico, killing at least 11 people.
Witnesses said the shooters arrived in several vehicles and fired indiscriminately.
A woman and a child were among the victims.
The motive for the attack is not yet known.
The state of Guanajuato, where Salamanca is located, had the highest murder rate in Mexico last year.
The violence is linked to gang activities, including oil theft and drug trafficking.
Rivalry between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima contributes to the violence.
Local and federal security forces are conducting an investigation into the shooting.
A private jet crashed at Bangor International Airport in Maine during a snowstorm, killing seven people and injuring one. The plane was a Bombardier Challenger 600, and it crashed shortly after attempting to take off. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
Seven people died and one person was seriously injured in the crash.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 jet crashed during takeoff at 7:45 p.m. on Sunday.
The crash occurred during a significant snowstorm affecting much of the eastern United States.
The crash site is at Bangor International Airport, about 200 miles north of Boston.
The jet caught fire after crashing.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating but have not released detailed information yet.
The airport closed after the crash and will remain closed until at least noon Wednesday.
Heavy snowfall contributed to travel disruptions in the region and nationwide.
Iranian state media is criticizing the U.S. government, accusing it of hypocrisy over how it handles domestic protests compared to its criticisms of Iran's handling of protests. They highlight recent unrest in Minneapolis, following a fatal shooting by U.S. Immigration officials, to question the U.S.'s position on human rights.
Key Facts
Iran's media accuses the Trump administration of hypocrisy about handling protests.
Iranian outlets compare U.S. protests with those in Iran, following a fatal incident involving U.S. federal officers in Minneapolis.
Press TV referred to U.S. unrest as "instant karma" for President Trump.
Protests in Iran since December 28 are significant, and the government has responded with violence.
President Trump warned Iran about U.S. intervention but faces his own domestic protests.
Operation Metro Surge, led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been a point of tension in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis protests erupted over the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, including the shooting of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Trump talked about using the Insurrection Act in response to the protests.
A Reddit user from Canada shared their experience of the financial challenges of living alone, which resonated with many millennials. The user highlighted how living costs often assume shared financial responsibility, making it harder for singles to manage expenses. Experts agree that single people face higher per-person costs compared to those who can split expenses with someone else.
Key Facts
A 33-year-old Reddit user from Manitoba, Canada, discussed the financial strain of living alone on Reddit.
The user noted that buying food in small portions is more expensive compared to buying in bulk, which doesn’t suit single people.
Millennials feel that economic systems assume shared financial responsibilities, creating a burden for singles.
Single people face higher per-person expenses, such as housing and utilities, compared to pairs.
The term "single tax" refers to the higher financial burden single people bear because they can't share fixed costs.
Experts suggest strategies like long-term renting or early investing to manage these financial pressures.
Research shows single adults spend significantly more per person on essentials compared to individuals in couples.
A dog sitter came up with a creative solution to help a Chihuahua that refused to poop in the snow. The sitter placed a patch of dirt over a carpet so the dog could relieve itself inside, which impressed many people online. The story highlights the importance of maintaining regular bathroom routines for dogs to keep them healthy.
Key Facts
A Reddit user from Dallas, Texas shared a story about a Chihuahua that wouldn't poop in the snow.
The dog's sitter placed a patch of dirt over a white carpet indoors for the dog to use.
The story received over 7,100 upvotes on Reddit.
Commenters praised the sitter for their creative effort to ensure the dog's well-being.
The American Kennel Club suggests dogs should ideally poop once or twice a day for good health.
A lack of bowel movements in dogs for over 24 to 36 hours can be concerning, according to the AKC.
This story adds to other tales of unusual dog habits shared by pet owners.
China's Foreign Ministry criticized a U.S. congressional visit to the Panama Canal, part of a trip to curb China's influence in Central America. The U.S. delegation aimed to ensure China does not control important infrastructure like the Panama Canal. The visit focused on U.S. control over key strategic areas and countering Chinese projects in the region.
Key Facts
China's Foreign Ministry opposed a U.S. congressional delegation's visit to the Panama Canal.
The U.S. claims that China has gained control over the Panama Canal, but China denies this.
Representative John Moolenaar led the delegation to address China's influence and discussed concerns about Chinese-funded projects.
The Panama Canal is a key part of global trade, and the U.S. insists its military must have access.
CK Hutchison, which has stakes in two Panama Canal terminals, is involved in a deal influenced by U.S. political pressure.
The delegation also met with Taiwan's ambassador in Guatemala.
The U.S.'s military strategy emphasizes controlling strategic waters like the Panama Canal.
A private jet with eight people on board crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night. The crash happened while the area was experiencing heavy winter storms. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
A private jet crashed at Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night.
The aircraft was a Bombardier Challenger 600, designed for nine to eleven passengers.
Eight people were on the jet, but their conditions are not yet known.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are looking into the crash.
The crash took place during severe winter weather affecting much of the eastern U.S.
Bangor International Airport closed after the crash, which happened during takeoff.
The airport offers direct flights to several major cities in the U.S.
Roughly 12,000 flights were canceled and 20,000 delayed in the U.S. due to the storm.
The UK Met Office has issued severe weather warnings as Storm Chandra approaches. This storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain, with the potential for flooding and damage in various parts of the UK.
Key Facts
Storm Chandra is the third major storm to hit the UK this month, after Storms Goretti and Ingrid.
The UK Met Office has named this storm and issued an amber wind warning for parts of Northern Ireland.
Wind speeds could reach up to 75mph (120km/h), especially in coastal areas, leading to large waves.
Significant rainfall is expected, with 60-80mm predicted on higher ground in southwest England.
Flood risks are heightened due to saturated ground from previous storms.
Yellow warnings for rain and wind cover multiple UK regions, including Northern Ireland, southwest England, and Wales.
The storm is expected to exacerbate conditions caused by earlier storms, potentially weakening structures and affecting power lines.
The Met Office names storms with potential "medium" or "high" impacts, following an alphabetical list starting in September each year.
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi group supported by Iran, warned of "total war" if Iran is attacked, as the U.S. increases its military presence in the region. The group's leader urged fighters to be ready to support Iran, highlighting growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Key Facts
Kataib Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed group in Iraq.
Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the group's leader, warned of a "total war" if Iran is attacked.
The U.S. is sending more military forces to the Middle East amid rising tensions.
President Trump recently suggested support for Iranian protesters and sent military assets to the region.
Kataib Hezbollah is part of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces, formed to combat ISIS.
In a conversation with Iraq's Prime Minister, the U.S. Secretary of State urged Iraq to distance itself from Iran.
Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may return to power in Iraq after over a decade.
The social media company Meta has made a change to Instagram that hides the follower and following lists for users in Iran. This change is meant to protect Iranian users from government surveillance during a period of protests and violence in the country.
Key Facts
Meta altered Instagram to hide follower and following lists for users in Iran.
Iranian government officials reportedly used Instagram data to monitor and target protesters.
The updates aim to protect users during significant political unrest in Iran.
Iranian protests are led by civilians who are often under 30 years old.
Rights groups report thousands killed in protests due to government crackdown.
Social media is crucial for Iranians to connect and communicate during protests.
Elon Musk changed the Iranian flag on social media to support protesters.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported nearly 4,500 protest-related deaths.
Hip-hop artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, apologized for past antisemitic remarks in a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal. He attributed his behavior to an undiagnosed brain injury and bipolar I disorder, claiming they contributed to his actions but did not excuse them.
Key Facts
Ye apologized for antisemitic comments in the Wall Street Journal.
He stated, "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people."
He described his past remarks as "reckless."
Ye linked his behavior to a brain injury from a 2002 car accident.
He said the injury was not diagnosed until 2023.
Ye claimed this injury contributed to his bipolar I disorder.
He expressed regret and said it does not excuse his actions.
Israel has recovered the remains of the last hostage taken by Hamas, which allows them to move to the next stage of the ceasefire with Hamas. The ceasefire aims to eventually rebuild Gaza and disarm Hamas. Israel plans to open the Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza and Egypt, following the recovery.
Key Facts
Israel's military found the remains of the final hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, in Gaza.
Gvili was killed during an attack led by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Recovering all hostages was crucial for the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The next phase of the ceasefire will focus on issues like changing Gaza's governance and disarming Hamas.
Israel intends to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt after the recovery.
The crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, except briefly in early 2025.
The conflict began with an attack that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages.
Palestinians hope the crossing's opening will allow travel and medical evacuations.
A major winter storm affected a large part of the United States, bringing heavy snow to states from New Mexico to Maine. Some areas experienced snow totals as high as 31 inches, and the storm created challenging conditions with freezing temperatures and power outages.
Key Facts
The storm impacted regions from New Mexico to Maine, affecting approximately 190 million people.
The National Weather Service reported the storm would intensify in the Northeast.
New Mexico recorded the highest snowfall with 31 inches at Bonito Lake.
Tennessee's Memphis saw the least snowfall in the report, with 3.5 inches.
States like Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado also saw snowfall exceeding 20 inches.
Bitter cold temperatures are expected after the storm, worsening conditions in affected areas.
Power outages and blocked roads are anticipated to become more serious threats due to the cold weather.
A woman shared her experience of misunderstanding her kitten's behavior on TikTok, highlighting the importance of researching before getting a pet. Her story and the reactions emphasize that many new pet owners may mistake normal behaviors as problematic due to a lack of preparation. Organizations like Cat’s Protection offer advice to help new cat owners care for their pets properly.
Key Facts
A TikTok user posted a video of her kitten, thinking its behavior was unusual.
The video showed the kitten acting playfully, which the owner mistook as feral behavior.
After consulting a vet, she learned the kitten was just playful, not feral.
This discussion mirrors a larger trend where 24% of U.K. pet owners did no research before getting a pet.
The PDSA warns that lack of preparation can risk animals' long-term health.
Cat’s Protection offers tips like providing a quiet space, balanced diet, and microchipping.
The video went viral with nearly 900,000 views, sparking discussions among pet owners.
New cat owners are advised to learn about their pets to avoid misunderstandings.
India is dealing with an outbreak of the Nipah virus in West Bengal, with five confirmed cases so far. The virus is carried by fruit bats and currently has no specific treatment or vaccine.
Key Facts
The Nipah virus outbreak is in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.
Five people are confirmed infected, and approximately 100 people are in quarantine.
The virus started spreading in a private hospital in the city of Barasat.
Three of the infected people are medical professionals treating patients.
Nipah is a serious virus originating from fruit bats and can infect animals and humans.
There are no specific treatments or vaccines available for Nipah virus.
Symptoms include cough, fever, headache, and can develop into severe brain inflammation.
The Nipah virus has a high mortality rate, with 40-75% of cases potentially resulting in death.
NASA is keeping an eye on two asteroids passing near Earth today. The smaller one, named 2026 BB4, is the size of a house and will come closest at 844,000 miles away. The larger one, 2026 BJ1, is about the size of a plane and will pass within 3.07 million miles.
Key Facts
NASA is monitoring two asteroids, 2026 BB4 and 2026 BJ1, near Earth.
2026 BB4 measures about 54 feet across and will come within 844,000 miles of Earth.
2026 BJ1 is about 220 feet wide and will pass 3.07 million miles from Earth.
Asteroids are small rocky bodies from the solar system's formation, located mainly between Mars and Jupiter.
Near-Earth objects are asteroids that come within 120 million miles of the sun.
Potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) are those passing within 4.6 million miles of Earth's orbit.
Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, denied that soldiers assaulted Barbara Kyagulanyi, the wife of opposition leader Bobi Wine, despite her reports of being attacked during a raid on their home. Bobi Wine stated that the military continues to surround their house and search for him after he rejected Uganda's recent election results. The military chief claims they are focused on finding Bobi Wine, not his wife.
Key Facts
Barbara Kyagulanyi, Bobi Wine's wife, was reportedly assaulted by soldiers during a raid at their home.
Bobi Wine, an opposition leader, claimed the military surrounded his home and is actively searching for him.
Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, denied that the military assaulted Barbara Kyagulanyi.
Kainerugaba stated that they are pursuing Bobi Wine, not his wife.
Bobi Wine rejected the latest election results, which declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner.
Museveni has been in power since 1986 and was recently re-elected.
Since the election, Wine's opposition party alleges targeting of its supporters by security forces.
The Uganda Law Society condemned violence and disappearances of opposition figures by security forces.
