A TikTok video shows a mare named Dixie leaving her foal behind to get to her dinner, entertaining viewers with her "priorities." The video gained significant attention and sparked humorous comments from people who compared Dixie's actions to what many parents experience. A study reveals that many parents hide to find some alone time.
Key Facts
A TikTok video shows a mare, Dixie, running to her dinner and leaving her foal behind.
The video was posted by the TikTok account @hotsaucetheminihorse.
The video achieved nearly 900,000 views and almost 100,000 likes.
Dixie's owner is based in Benton City, Washington, and commented in the video.
Commenters joked about Dixie's behavior, relating it to common parenting experiences.
A 2022 survey found many parents hide in bathrooms or do chores to get a moment alone.
Thirty-eight percent of surveyed parents scroll on their phones in the bathroom for a break.
Bangladesh's government expressed its strong disapproval of India allowing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now a fugitive, to give a speech there. Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in 2024 after being ousted, was recently allowed to address an audience in India, criticizing Bangladesh's current interim government.
Key Facts
Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized India for allowing Sheikh Hasina to speak publicly in New Delhi.
Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh in 2024 following a student-led uprising.
She was sentenced to death in absentia by a Dhaka court for her role in the 2024 government crackdown.
Her speech in India accused Bangladesh's interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, of being a "murderous fascist".
Bangladesh is preparing for its first general election since Hasina's ousting, scheduled for February 12.
Hasina's party, the Awami League, is banned from participating in the upcoming election.
Bangladesh says Hasina's speech could harm the country's relations with India and has requested her extradition, which India has not granted.
A US aircraft carrier strike group is moving towards the Gulf as tensions with Iran rise. President Trump stated that a significant military force is heading to the region, potentially to counter Iranian threats. The US maintains a comprehensive military presence in the Middle East with numerous bases.
Key Facts
A US aircraft carrier strike group is moving towards the Gulf due to increased tensions with Iran.
President Trump mentioned that the military force is large and moving toward Iran as a precaution.
The carrier group, including destroyers equipped with Tomahawk missiles, aims to bolster US military presence.
The US has military bases across the Middle East, with 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers currently stationed there.
There are at least 19 US military locations in the region, including eight permanent bases in countries such as Bahrain and Qatar.
The move comes after a recent US strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
The US Defense Department's new National Defense Strategy outlines a focus on Western Hemisphere security.
Iranian state media reports that recent protests in Iran resulted in many casualties.
U.S. envoys have met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss implementing Phase 2 of President Trump's plan for Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel continues its military actions in Gaza amid ongoing tensions and agreements for possible ceasefire. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt may soon reopen, which is part of President Trump's plan to increase movement in the area.
Key Facts
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Discussions focused on implementing Phase 2 of President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza.
Tensions involve ongoing military operations despite a ceasefire agreement.
At least one person was killed and 15 wounded in Gaza due to Israeli military actions.
Since October 7, 2023, many Palestinians have been killed or wounded in the conflict.
The Rafah border crossing is expected to reopen soon, allowing movement between Gaza and Egypt.
The reopening of Rafah is part of the U.S. plan to increase flow in and out of Gaza.
There are concerns that reopening Rafah could be used for ethnic cleansing.
French officials have detained the captain of an oil tanker, named the Grinch, suspected of being part of a Russian shadow fleet. The French navy intercepted the tanker, which is believed to be violating international sanctions and flying a false flag, as it traveled through the Mediterranean Sea. The tanker is now under guard in a French port, and the captain has been taken into custody for an investigation.
Key Facts
The Grinch is an oil tanker intercepted by the French navy.
French officials suspect the tanker of being part of a Russian shadow fleet.
The tanker was traveling from Murmansk, a Russian Arctic port, to the Mediterranean.
The captain, an Indian national, is in custody, while the rest of the crew remains on board.
French authorities are verifying if the tanker used a false flag, reportedly from the Comoros Islands.
Shadow fleets are used to avoid international sanctions, particularly by countries such as Venezuela, Iran, and Russia.
Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russian energy since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the enforcement of international law and sanctions.
Israel launched air strikes in Lebanon, killing two people, which violated a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The attacks targeted various areas, including the eastern Bekaa Valley and southern villages near the Israeli border. Lebanese officials are attempting to disarm Hezbollah amid ongoing regional tensions.
Key Facts
Israeli air strikes in Lebanon killed two people and violated a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The attacks hit areas in the Bekaa Valley and villages like Bouslaiya and Aita al-Shaab.
One person died in Khirbet Selm and another in Derdghaya, according to Lebanese reports.
Israel claims it targeted a Hezbollah weapons site but didn't provide evidence.
The Lebanese government has been working to disarm Hezbollah, with some efforts focused south of the Litani River.
Hezbollah continues to hold weapons north of the Litani River, citing a need for defense.
Israel is occupying parts of Lebanese territory and has blocked reconstruction in some villages.
The situation occurs amid broader fears of regional conflicts involving the United States and Iran.
The Pentagon's 2026 National Defense Strategy states that the United States no longer sees China as its top security concern. The focus will now be on the Western Hemisphere, and U.S. allies are encouraged to increase their own defense capabilities. The strategy outlines priorities such as defending the homeland and lessening reliance on U.S. military support.
Key Facts
The U.S. plans to focus on security in the Western Hemisphere.
China is no longer considered the top security threat by the U.S.
U.S. allies, like South Korea, are expected to take on more defense responsibilities.
The strategy encourages allies to rely less on U.S. military forces.
The U.S. will focus on protecting American interests and providing access to strategic locations like Greenland.
The document is part of a shift in defense priorities outlined by President Trump’s administration.
The strategy also addresses North Korea and Russia as security considerations.
The Pentagon document suggests using "strength, not confrontation" in relations with China.
A landslide hit the village of Pasir Langu in West Java, Indonesia, burying around 34 houses and leaving many missing. Rescuers are working to recover bodies and help survivors as they face challenges due to unstable ground and the weather. Indonesian authorities are examining how land development may have contributed to the disaster.
Key Facts
A landslide occurred on Mount Burangrang in West Java, burying 34 houses.
72 people remain missing, with concerns they are buried under mud and debris.
So far, 25 bodies have been recovered by a 250-member search team.
Poor ground conditions limit the use of heavy equipment for the search.
Drones and K-9s assist in locating victims over a 2-kilometer stretch.
Indonesian Vice President visited the site, urging new measures to prevent future disasters.
Environmentalists attribute the landslide to long-term land misuse.
Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia due to seasonal rains.
President Donald Trump announced he is sending an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile strike group to the Middle East. This decision comes as tensions between the United States and Iran increase.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered the military deployment to the Middle East.
The deployment includes an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile strike group.
This decision is in response to rising tensions with Iran.
The action involves moving military forces closer to the region.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have been escalating.
Dr. William Foege, a key figure in eradicating smallpox, has passed away at the age of 89 in Atlanta. Known for creating the "ring containment" strategy, Foege played a major role in wiping out smallpox worldwide. He was also the director of the CDC and held other significant roles in global health.
Key Facts
Dr. William Foege died at age 89 in Atlanta.
He was instrumental in eradicating smallpox with the "ring containment" strategy.
Foege was the director of the CDC from 1977 to 1983.
He received a medical degree in 1961 and a master's in public health in 1965.
President Barack Obama awarded Foege the Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Smallpox eradication was declared complete in 1980 by the World Health Organization.
Foege co-founded the Task Force for Global Health and worked at The Carter Center and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Myanmar recently completed its final round of voting amid a five-year-long civil war. The elections are widely criticized as unfair, with many popular parties banned from participating. The military-backed party is expected to win decisively, and General Min Aung Hlaing is predicted to become president under the military-controlled system.
Key Facts
Voting in Myanmar concluded after the third round, but many areas could not vote due to ongoing conflict.
Many significant parties were not allowed to participate in the elections.
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is expected to achieve a big victory.
The 2021 military coup led to the detention of key political figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
The constitution mandates that the parliament will choose the president, likely to be General Min Aung Hlaing.
Myanmar's civil war has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of people being displaced.
The country has also faced a severe earthquake and reduced international funding, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Clashes occurred between police and opposition protesters in Tirana, Albania, over alleged government corruption. Protesters, led by opposition leader Sali Berisha, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The demonstration turned violent, with protesters throwing stones and Molotov cocktails.
Key Facts
The protest took place in Tirana, the capital city of Albania.
Thousands of people attended the rally against the government.
Sali Berisha, the opposition leader, organized the protest.
Berisha urged for the creation of a temporary government to hold early elections.
Clashes resulted in at least 10 injured police officers.
Police reported the arrest of 25 protesters.
Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku was suspended over corruption allegations.
Albania faces challenges in joining the European Union due to issues with corruption and organized crime.
A 22-year-old traveler named Soren Almeida faced a severe medical emergency while visiting Kiritimati Island in Kiribati. He experienced symptoms like muscle cramps and numbness and was diagnosed with tetany, a condition linked to electrolyte imbalances. The local hospital treated him, and he has since returned to California for further examinations and is recovering gradually.
Key Facts
Soren Almeida, from California, visited a remote island called Kiritimati, part of Kiribati.
While on the island, he experienced severe muscle cramps, numbness, and other symptoms.
Almeida was diagnosed with tetany, caused by an imbalance of electrolytes.
The local hospital treated him with rehydration salts and intravenous fluids.
His symptoms included uncontrollable contractions and weakness.
Almeida believes dehydration, heat, and poor nutrition contributed to his condition.
He returned to California for further medical tests and is now recovering.
His experience gained attention on TikTok, with the video reaching over 985,000 views.
Eighty-six people were arrested in the UK for protesting at a London prison in support of a pro-Palestine activist, Umer Khalid, who is on a hunger strike. The protestors were accused of not leaving the prison grounds when ordered and trying to block access to the prison. Umer Khalid has been on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment related to charges of breaking into a UK airbase.
Key Facts
Eighty-six people were arrested at a London prison for supporting a hunger-striking activist.
The protestors were detained for not leaving the prison grounds when asked and for alleged aggravated trespass.
Umer Khalid, the activist in prison, stopped eating 16 days ago as part of a hunger strike.
Khalid is charged with breaking into a UK airbase and damaging military planes.
He plans to escalate his hunger strike by not drinking fluids.
Khalid's condition is closely monitored with medical checks every hour.
The UK government attempts to ban support for Palestine Action, the group involved.
Protests related to the ban have led to many arrests, and the move to ban the group has faced criticism from the United Nations.
A woman named Cori Thagard experienced severe abdominal pain and other symptoms she thought were linked to supplements. After many medical tests and worsening pain, a CT scan revealed she had Stage IV pancreatic cancer. She began treatment, which has shown signs of improvement.
Key Facts
Cori Thagard experienced severe abdominal pain, thinking it was because of supplements.
Her symptoms included nausea, weight loss, and pain after eating.
She did many medical tests, including blood tests and ultrasounds, but they did not show the cause.
A CT scan eventually revealed she had Stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Thagard has been undergoing various treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation.
Recent treatment has resulted in the cancer on her pancreas shrinking and only one liver lesion remaining.
Thagard has gained back weight and feels healthier, though she still experiences anxiety.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, wanted to run for a parliamentary seat in Gorton and Denton. However, Labour's national executive committee (NEC) decided not to allow him to be a candidate. They were worried about the costs of a mayoral election to find his replacement and potential challenges to the party's current leadership.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the current Mayor of Greater Manchester.
He applied to be a candidate for a parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton.
Labour's national executive committee (NEC) blocked his candidacy.
The NEC was worried about the high cost of replacing Burnham if he left his mayoral position.
Some NEC members also feared Burnham might challenge the current Labour leadership.
Allies of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were involved in the decision.
Local Labour party members were not given the option to choose Burnham as a candidate.
The decision could cause tensions within the Labour Party, which is currently behind in national polls.
A large ice storm has knocked out power for over 800,000 people across seven U.S. states. The storm is causing dangerous travel conditions, impacting power supply, and leading to warnings from the National Weather Service about the threat to life and property.
Key Facts
The ice storm stretches about 1,800 miles and has left over 800,000 without power.
The states affected include Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, and Kentucky.
Tennessee is the worst hit, with 280,000 customers without power.
Travel warnings have been issued due to hazardous road conditions.
The National Weather Service warns of a threat to life and property from the storm.
Freezing temperatures are increasing the demand for heating.
The storm's impact could last for days as authorities work to restore power.
An 11-year-old dog named Mamay was reunited with her family in Florida after being found as a stray and identified through her microchip. The use of microchips helps reunite lost pets with their owners, as demonstrated in this case and others mentioned.
Key Facts
Mamay, a stray dog, was taken to the Humane Society of Broward County in Florida.
Staff discovered Mamay had a microchip, which helped them find her owner.
Her owner, Kathleen, was undergoing cancer treatment but was able to confirm Mamay's identity through a heart-shaped mark on her back.
Microchips are small devices placed under a pet's skin that can help find lost pets.
In the U.S., about 5–8 percent of stray animals in shelters have microchips.
Microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners than non-microchipped dogs.
The Humane Society of Broward County offers microchipping for a fee without needing an appointment.
Other stories of pets being reunited with their owners thanks to microchips were mentioned, including a dog in Missouri and a cat in the U.K.
Myanmar is conducting the last part of its controversial election even as fighting continues in the country. Rebel groups and the United Nations have raised concerns about the election's legitimacy and urged the international community not to accept the results.
Key Facts
Myanmar is holding the final stage of its general election.
The election is controversial and disputed.
There is an ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
Rebel groups in Myanmar do not accept the election as valid.
The United Nations has asked countries not to recognize the election results.
The election is continuing despite the conflict in the country.
A small hummingbird called the Black-breasted puffleg is at risk of extinction and lives only in an ancient forest in Ecuador. The Yanacocha Reserve serves as the last home for this bird, with its population now between 150 and 200 individuals. Conservationists are working to protect this species and the forest it inhabits.
Key Facts
The Black-breasted puffleg is a hummingbird living in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Its global population is estimated to be between 150 and 200 birds.
The Yanacocha Reserve is the last refuge for this species.
The Jocotoco Foundation founded the reserve 25 years ago to preserve biodiversity.
The puffleg has unique white feathers around its legs and a black and bronze-green body.
Its habitat is threatened by forest clearing for agriculture and grazing.
The bird's habitat is at high altitudes, between 3,000 and 3,500 meters above sea level.
Conservationists are actively working to restore its cloud forest environment.
