A parasitic insect called the New World screwworm, which was eliminated in the United States in 1966, is now approaching the U.S. border after cases increased in Central America. The lack of funding for surveillance and control programs has allowed the screwworm to spread closer to the U.S., particularly along the Mexico-Texas border.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in wounds of animals and humans.
It was eradicated from the United States in 1966 but has resurged in Central America.
The screwworm is now present in Mexican states bordering Texas.
U.S. budget cuts have affected surveillance and control efforts for the screwworm.
New federal funding has been announced to prevent the screwworm from entering the U.S.
The USDA advises people to report any suspicious wounds or infestations.
The sterile insect technique helped eliminate the screwworm before but may not be as effective now.
The CDC warns of increased risk in areas where the screwworm is found, with symptoms including painful sores and infections.
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A video featuring a dog named Niko performing a "magic trick" has gained significant attention on social media, with many viewers enjoying the dog's playful expression afterward. The video shows Niko, a Labrador Retriever mix, with a bone in his mouth under a blanket, ultimately emerging with an empty mouth and what appears to be a smile.
Key Facts
Niko is a young Labrador Retriever mix with nearly 62,000 followers on TikTok.
The video of Niko's "magic trick" received 3.6 million views.
In the video, Niko holds a bone under a blanket, then appears to make it disappear.
Viewers made various playful comments regarding the dog's trick.
Newsweek contacted Niko's owner for more information via TikTok.
The article mentions other viral dog stories that feature heartwarming transformations and amusing actions.
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Israel has approved a new law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of fatal terror attacks. This law has faced criticism from human rights groups and European governments for being discriminatory. Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated its passing, while some Israeli lawmakers and foreign leaders expressed concerns.
Key Facts
Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of fatal terror acts.
The law allows Israeli courts to also impose the death penalty on Israeli citizens under similar charges but is seen as mainly affecting Palestinians.
The legislation was passed with 62 votes out of 120 parliamentary members.
Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated the law's passage with a bottle of champagne in the Knesset.
Critics argue the law discriminates against Palestinians and may undermine democratic principles.
The law will take effect in 30 days but is expected to face legal challenges.
The death penalty will not apply retroactively to current prisoners, including those from the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The last time Israel executed someone was in 1962, a Nazi war criminal.
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The UK government has introduced financial support for low-income households in Wales to help with high fuel prices. Households using heating oil or liquid petroleum gas and part of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme can receive a one-time payment of £200. The program is part of a broader financial support initiative.
Key Facts
Low-income households in Wales can get £200 to help with high fuel prices.
Eligible households use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas.
The funds are part of a £3.8 million package from the UK government.
Around 20,000 to 25,000 households are expected to qualify in Wales.
Support is also available for those facing severe financial hardship who don't meet standard criteria.
Eligibility includes being part of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and having savings under £16,000.
Applications will require confirmation of fuel type and bank details for payment.
Increased assistance is available via the Discretionary Assistance Fund for heating oil costs.
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Three Indonesian peacekeepers working with the United Nations in southern Lebanon died after two Israeli attacks. Indonesia and the United Nations criticized the attacks and asked for investigations.
Key Facts
Three Indonesian UN peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon.
The deaths occurred over a 48-hour period.
Two separate Israeli attacks caused the fatalities.
Indonesia condemned the actions taken by Israel.
The United Nations also criticized the attacks.
Both Indonesia and the United Nations called for investigations into the incidents.
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At least 16 people have died in attacks by a gang called Gran Grif in rural Haiti. The violence has forced thousands to leave their homes as police struggle to access the gang-controlled area. The situation remains tense with reports suggesting more deaths.
Key Facts
At least 16 people were killed in gang attacks in central Haiti.
The attacks caused about 6,000 people to flee their homes.
Local reports indicate the actual death toll might be higher, possibly around 70.
The Gran Grif gang, a feared criminal group, is blamed for the violence.
Police find it difficult to enter areas controlled by gangs.
A vigilante leader who switched sides, known as "Ti Kenken", is allegedly involved.
In 2024, the Gran Grif gang killed over 100 people in the same region.
Gran Grif is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US.
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Rescuers from the Iranian Red Crescent Society and firemen saved two civilians trapped under rubble in western Tehran. This followed strikes in the area that involved the United States and Israel.
Key Facts
Iranian Red Crescent Society and firemen were involved in the rescue operation.
The operation took place in western Tehran.
Two civilians were successfully rescued from underneath the rubble.
The rubble was a result of US-Israeli strikes.
Footage was recorded showing the rescue operation.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to the United States in April to meet with President Donald Trump. The visit, announced by Buckingham Palace, includes events in Washington, D.C., and comes at a time of political tensions between the UK and the US. This trip will highlight the 250th anniversary of US independence and aims to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Key Facts
King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the United States in April.
President Donald Trump will host them, and the trip includes a state dinner at the White House.
The visit will also involve King Charles addressing the US Congress.
This is the first UK state visit to the US since 2007.
The trip coincides with the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Political tensions exist between the US and UK, partly due to disagreements over the Iran war.
British public opinion is divided on the state visit, with some against it.
Details of King Charles's itinerary in the US are still pending release.
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King Charles III will visit Washington, D.C., in late April at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The visit comes despite some opposition in the U.K., as relations between the U.K. and U.S. face challenges due to President Trump's actions. King Charles will also visit Bermuda, marking his first visit as a monarch to a British Overseas Territory.
Key Facts
King Charles III is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., in late April.
The visit is at the invitation of President Donald Trump.
The visit aims to celebrate 250 years of American independence.
There are tensions between the U.K. and the U.S. over President Trump's conflict with Iran.
Some British politicians oppose the visit, citing diplomatic concerns.
King Charles will also visit Bermuda during the trip.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna mentioned plans for King Charles to address Congress.
Buckingham Palace announced that the detailed itinerary will be released later.
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A new biography reveals that during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to a hospital in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1966, she unknowingly spent 20 minutes in a room with a deceased body. The hospital placed the body in a cupboard because it was the only air-conditioned room available, and no one informed the Queen at the time.
Key Facts
Queen Elizabeth II visited the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1966 during a five-week Caribbean tour.
The incident took place on the island of Tortola, where it was very hot.
The hospital had only one air-conditioned room, which the Queen used during her visit.
A patient had died shortly before the Queen's stay, and the body was placed in a cupboard in the same room.
Queen Elizabeth II was unaware of the situation during her stay in the room.
The information about the incident was shared with Prince Charles seven years later.
The Queen's visit included the opening of the Sir Francis Drake Highway and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.
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Palestinians in the West Bank protested against a new Israeli law that allows the death penalty for Palestinians found guilty of deadly attacks. Israel's parliament passed the law, which has been criticized by Palestinian groups and international bodies for being discriminatory.
Key Facts
Palestinians held protests in several West Bank cities including Ramallah and Hebron.
The protests were organized by prisoner advocacy groups and involved various civil society members.
Israel's Knesset passed the death penalty law with a vote of 62-48.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the new law.
Israel's law only targets Palestinians and has been criticized by human rights groups and international bodies.
Germany and the European Union have expressed concern over the legislation.
Amnesty International condemned the law as discriminatory and a violation of human rights.
Over 9,500 Palestinians are currently in Israeli prisons, including children and women.
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President Donald Trump criticized France for not allowing U.S. planes carrying military supplies to fly over its territory. This event highlights tensions between the U.S. and European allies amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Similar actions have been taken by Spain and Italy against U.S. military operations related to the Iran War.
Key Facts
President Trump said France blocked U.S. planes with military supplies from flying over its airspace.
The U.S. military supplies were headed to Israel.
President Trump expressed his criticism on the social media platform Truth Social.
Recently, Spain also closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft related to the Iran conflict.
Italy blocked U.S. bombers from landing at its Sigonella base in Sicily.
A White House official commented that the U.S. does not need "help from Spain or anyone else."
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A woman named Kendal adopted a pair of senior cats, aged 10, from a shelter and shared the moment on social media, where it went viral. The cats, named Bart and Lisa, are a bonded pair, meaning they have a strong emotional connection and are best adopted together. Shelters often face challenges finding homes for bonded pairs, especially senior cats, due to their age.
Key Facts
Kendal adopted two senior cats, Bart and Lisa, from a shelter.
Both cats are 10 years old and are a bonded pair.
Bonded pairs are animals that have a strong emotional connection and are best adopted together.
Shelters try to keep bonded pairs together to reduce stress and anxiety in the animals.
Senior cats are typically 7 years or older and are often overlooked in shelters.
Senior cats can be calm, litter-trained, and have established personalities.
Shelters sometimes reduce adoption fees for senior pets to encourage adoptions.
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Two older dogs, Chico and Tigga, at a shelter in California found comfort with each other during a special playdate. The shelter hopes this bond will help them find a new home together, as older dogs often have a harder time getting adopted.
Key Facts
Chico, an 8-year-old dog, is at the shelter due to a legal case.
Tigga, a 14-year-old dog, ended up at the shelter after her owner passed away.
The shelter organized a playdate for Chico and Tigga, showing them finding comfort in each other's company.
The shelter believes Tigga might do well living with another calm dog.
Senior dogs typically have a lower adoption rate than puppies or younger dogs.
Many people overlook adopting older dogs, even though they are often house-trained and know basic commands.
The shelter aims to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of senior dogs like Chico and Tigga.
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A mural of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska at a gay bar in Providence is set to be removed due to public controversy over its political implications. The mural was originally intended as a tribute to Zarutska, who was murdered in North Carolina, but some local officials and community members found its message divisive. The project was not officially supported by the city, and the owners of the establishment decided to take it down following criticism.
Key Facts
The mural is of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was murdered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Zarutska was killed during a knife attack while on a train.
The suspect, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., has a history of arrests and faces murder and federal charges.
The mural was placed on The Dark Lady, a gay bar in Providence, as a tribute to Zarutska.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the mural was divisive and did not represent the city's values.
The artist, Ian Gaudreau, stated that the mural was meant as a remembrance, not political.
Elon Musk financially supported the project with a $1 million contribution.
The mural will be removed after backlash, and the city had no formal involvement in its creation.
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Drew Barrymore is selling her estate in Westchester County for nearly $5 million, two years after buying it. She originally purchased the home for $4.4 million in 2024 and carried out extensive renovations. The renovation process appears to have influenced her decision to put the house up for sale sooner than expected.
Key Facts
Drew Barrymore is selling her Westchester County home for $4.99 million.
The property includes a six-bedroom, nine-bathroom main house.
Barrymore bought the house in 2024 for $4.4 million.
She conducted significant renovations, replacing heating, plumbing, and air conditioning.
The main house is over 7,200 square feet and sits on roughly 12 acres.
The estate also features a guest cottage, pool house, and a swimming pool.
The land is divided into five lots, which could be used for future construction.
Barrymore aimed to modernize the home while keeping its unique qualities.
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A Spanish Supreme Court ruling states that kissing a woman's hand without her permission can be considered sexual assault. This decision came after the court reviewed a case where a man kissed a woman's hand at a bus stop in Madrid and suggested that she follow him, which led to a fine. The court emphasized that such actions have a clear sexual component if done without consent.
Key Facts
The Spanish Supreme Court ruled that kissing a woman's hand without her consent can be sexual assault.
The case involved a man who kissed a woman's hand at a bus stop in Madrid in 2023.
The man was fined €1,620 by a lower court, and this decision was upheld by the higher courts.
The man's defense argued there was no violence or intimidation but acknowledged the woman might have felt uncomfortable.
Two magistrates dissented, saying hand-kissing is a cultural greeting and not sexual.
Spain has emphasized consent in recent legislation, eliminating the need to prove violence for sexual assault cases.
The ruling aligns with a broader push for recognizing consent, highlighted by other publicized cases in Spain, such as the incident involving a football federation president.
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A new city called Alatau is being built in Kazakhstan on the land of the former village of Zhetygen. It's called the "City of the Future" and will incorporate modern technology, including artificial intelligence, to make it smart and efficient. The city aims to connect Western Europe and Western China and is expected to host 2 million residents by 2050.
Key Facts
Alatau is being built on an 88,000-hectare area in Kazakhstan.
The project will cost about $20.8 billion and is expected to be completed by 2050.
The city will be powered by AI, which means it will use smart technologies to manage urban systems and interact with people.
Alatau aims to become a major hub connecting Western Europe with Western China.
It will feature four main districts: Green District for nature and tourism, Gate District for businesses, Golden District for education and medicine, and Growing District for jobs and manufacturing.
Up to a million jobs are expected to be created in Alatau.
The city plans to attract 4 million tourists annually, with many coming from outside Kazakhstan.
Authorities plan to introduce air taxis to reduce travel time to the city to about 15 minutes.
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Parents on TikTok are finding success in calming toddler tantrums by calling out the name "Jessica" during a meltdown. This distraction technique, which is spreading rapidly online, shifts children's focus and helps stop tantrums by introducing confusion.
Key Facts
Many parents on TikTok report calming their toddlers' tantrums by shouting the name "Jessica."
Videos show children stopping mid-meltdown when parents call out this imaginary name.
Studies say most 2-year-olds experience tantrums, with frequency peaking between ages 2.5 and 3.
Child psychologists agree tantrums are normal and often occur due to developmental stages.
The "Jessica" tactic seems to work by redirecting a child's attention through confusion.
Experts still advise methods like acknowledging feelings and setting boundaries for long-term emotional management.
The trend is generating humor and debate online, with some joking about the future impact on children.
Newsweek reached out to TikTok creators for more information but could not verify all details.
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Scott Mills has been removed from his role as the host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show due to allegations about his personal conduct. BBC Radio 2 is now considering various potential hosts to replace him, including Vernon Kay, Sara Cox, Rylan Clark, Gary Davies, Greg James, and Claudia Winkleman.
Key Facts
Scott Mills recently left his position as the Breakfast Show host on BBC Radio 2.
Mills was dismissed because of allegations about his personal conduct.
BBC Radio 2 is looking for a new host for this major role.
Potential replacements include Vernon Kay, a current Radio 2 show host.
Sara Cox and Rylan Clark are among other candidates being considered.
Gary Davies, a veteran broadcaster, is temporarily hosting the show.
Greg James, known for Radio 1's Breakfast Show, and Claudia Winkleman, noted for hosting popular TV shows, are also in the mix.
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