An Israeli drone strike in northern Gaza killed two children collecting firewood. The incident is a breach of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The region faces severe fuel shortages, exacerbating living conditions for many Palestinians.
Key Facts
Two children were killed by an Israeli drone strike near Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
The attack violated a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Fuel shortages in Gaza lead people to gather firewood for warmth.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have caused over 71,000 deaths and wounded over 171,000 in Gaza.
Severe cold weather has resulted in the death of 10 children during the current winter season.
US envoys visited Israel to discuss the Gaza situation with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The US announced plans to rebuild Gaza with new residential towers and other facilities as part of a peace effort.
President Donald Trump led a U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who now faces trial in New York. The U.S. maintains a military presence near Venezuela and has blocked oil tankers, while Washington's strategy in Venezuela focuses heavily on accessing the country's oil resources.
Key Facts
U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela, capturing Nicolas Maduro.
Maduro is being held in New York, charged with drug trafficking and conspiracy.
The U.S. has a military blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers and continues anti-drug operations in the Caribbean.
Washington's plans for Venezuela emphasize control over oil resources.
President Trump has met with Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez to discuss oil access.
The U.S. and Venezuela have agreed to export $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude oil.
The U.S. government has sold some Venezuelan oil and received proceeds, which are used to stabilize Venezuela's currency markets.
U.S. lawmakers have asked the Trump administration to reveal any financial ties to companies involved in the oil sales.
Pressure is building on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to merge with the Syrian army as a ceasefire deadline approaches. Syria's foreign ministry stated that no agreement had been made to extend the ceasefire, which was set to end today. The Syrian army has recently taken control of key areas and facilities previously held by the SDF.
Key Facts
The Kurdish-led SDF faces pressure to integrate with the Syrian army by the end of a ceasefire set to expire today.
Syria’s foreign ministry denied any extension of the ceasefire agreement with the SDF.
The four-day ceasefire started after Kurdish fighters gave up significant territories to government forces.
Syrian forces have gained control over areas including key oil fields, hydroelectric dams, and ISIL detention facilities.
The Syrian army now controls the al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa, previously held by ISIL detainees.
Military preparations have intensified on both sides, with Syrian army deployments and SDF forces strengthening positions near Hasakah.
The U.S. military has moved hundreds of ISIL detainees from Syrian prisons to Iraq.
China has started an investigation into its top military general, Zhang Youxia, over serious accusations. Another high-ranking officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation. This is part of a larger anti-corruption effort in the military initiated by President Xi Jinping.
Key Facts
China is investigating General Zhang Youxia for "grave violations" of rules and law, a term often linked to corruption.
General Zhang is a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and close to President Xi Jinping.
Another military officer, General Liu Zhenli, is also under investigation.
The investigation follows the recent expulsion of nine top generals.
President Xi Jinping has pushed for several anti-corruption campaigns, focusing recently on the military.
Zhang Youxia remained in his position past the usual retirement age, showing trust from President Xi.
Since rumors of investigations spread, General Zhang and General Liu have been absent from high-level events.
The Central Military Commission now only has two members from its original seven: President Xi and Zhang Shengmin.
A cocker spaniel born with a rare birthmark has become very popular on social media. The dog's unique two-tone fur is due to a genetic condition called somatic mosaicism, which doesn't affect his health.
Key Facts
The cocker spaniel, named Ralphie, has fur that is brown on one side and black on the other.
Ralphie's owner shared his pictures on Instagram, and they quickly became popular.
Ralphie's unique coloring is due to somatic mosaicism, a genetic mutation.
Somatic mosaicism involves a mutation that occurs in a single body cell during development.
Ralphie's unusual fur color does not cause health problems.
The viral post on social media received over 227,000 likes and 542 comments.
Other genetic conditions that can affect dog fur color include albinism and vitiligo.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine's heating infrastructure, leaving many residents without heat amid freezing temperatures. Soviet-era buildings in Ukraine rely on centralized heating systems, making these attacks particularly impactful.
Key Facts
Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy systems have left about a million people without heating.
Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, has been a frequent target; recent strikes left 6,000 apartment blocks without heat.
Many buildings in Ukraine use centralized heating systems supplied by large plants.
These centralized systems are vulnerable to attacks, as they serve many homes at once.
An estimated 11 million households in Ukraine depend on centralized heating.
The Soviet urban design focused on mass-produced housing with shared heating infrastructure.
In Zaporizhzhia, a significant portion of the population relies on communal central heating.
Ukrainian officials have set up warming tents to help residents cope with the lack of heat.
The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team helped two men who got into trouble while hiking on Scafell Pike. After their rescue, a hotel offered them a discounted stay, but the men have not paid their bill three weeks later. The mountain rescue team and hotel are trying to contact the men to settle the unpaid debt and retrieve borrowed equipment.
Key Facts
The rescue of the two men took seven hours and occurred on December 29.
The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team called the rescue "avoidable" due to the difficult conditions.
The Wasdale Head Inn provided the men with snacks and a room at a 35% discount.
Three weeks after their stay, the men have still not paid the £130 bill.
The men left the hotel with no working contact information and borrowed head torches not returned.
The men claimed they left their money in a tent on the mountain but promised to pay later.
The rescue team wants to return a crutch left by one of the men and has been unable to contact them.
The number of Holocaust survivors worldwide has dropped below 200,000 as antisemitism is on the rise globally. Most survivors are aging, and their firsthand stories are at risk of being forgotten. Efforts are being made to document these stories and combat misinformation about the Holocaust.
Key Facts
There are currently around 196,600 Holocaust survivors alive worldwide.
The number of survivors decreased by about 11% from last year.
Most survivors are in their late 80s or older, with a median age of 87.
Nearly half of the survivors live in Israel, and about one-sixth are in the United States.
The majority of survivors (97%) were children during the Holocaust.
Antisemitism has been increasing since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Organizations are taking action to fight antisemitism and preserve Holocaust history through campaigns and media.
More than 10 million newly indexed Holocaust records are being released for public access by Ancestry.com.
President Trump recently attempted to buy Greenland, raising concerns about the use of U.S. power in international affairs. Although NATO countries publicly opposed the idea, their private interactions with Trump were more cautious. Meanwhile, Trump introduced a new peace initiative at the World Economic Forum, drawing attention away from ongoing investigations into the Epstein files.
Key Facts
President Trump showed interest in buying Greenland, which raised concerns internationally.
NATO countries publicly opposed the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland.
Behind the scenes, some countries interacted with Trump in a more cautious manner.
Trump launched the "Board of Peace" initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The "Board of Peace" event drew attention but had less turnout than expected.
The Justice Department, under Trump, was ordered to release Epstein files but shared only 1% of them, heavily edited.
Ellie Leonard, an investigator in New York City, is leading efforts to examine the Epstein files independently.
Labour is planning major changes to the police system in England and Wales to address what they call an "epidemic of everyday crime." Their proposal includes reducing the number of police forces and creating a single national force to handle serious crimes more effectively. This plan aims to improve police efficiency and collaboration in response to evolving crime challenges.
Key Facts
The Labour Party describes current crime issues like shoplifting and phone theft as an "everyday crime epidemic."
There is a proposal to cut the number of police forces in England and Wales from 43 to a smaller number, possibly around a dozen.
Police officers may need to obtain and regularly renew professional licenses, similar to doctors or lawyers.
The government might gain power to fire Chief Constables who are not performing well.
A significant change includes creating a national police force by merging the National Crime Agency with other units handling serious crimes.
In the past, efforts to create a UK equivalent of the FBI (like SOCA and the NCA) have not met expectations.
The changes aim to address how crime, often driven by international networks, has evolved.
President Trump announced that the U.S. military used a secretive weapon, referred to as "the Discombobulator," in a raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This device reportedly disabled air defenses and prevented missile launches. Details of the operation remain limited, but Trump stated that this technology played a crucial role in the mission.
Key Facts
President Trump revealed the use of a weapon called "the Discombobulator" in a military raid.
The raid resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The weapon reportedly stopped rockets from being launched by disabling air defenses.
The U.S. temporarily plans to manage Venezuela to restore its oil production.
Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as interim president of Venezuela after Maduro's capture.
Maduro is currently in U.S. custody facing narcoterrorism charges.
Details about the raid are mainly provided by President Trump through interviews.
Federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis during an immigration operation. The incident led to protests in a city recently affected by another fatal shooting. Local police and federal authorities provided limited details about the shooting, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara called for calm.
Key Facts
Federal officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis during an immigration operation.
Police Chief Brian O'Hara did not reveal the man's identity and reported limited information about the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security stated the man had a handgun and resisted when officers tried to disarm him.
The officer involved in the shooting is a veteran with eight years of Border Patrol experience.
President Donald Trump commented on social media, criticizing Minnesota's governor and Minneapolis' mayor.
The incident was part of ongoing immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration.
Bystander video shows the confrontation between the officers and the man before the shooting.
Protests erupted in response to the shooting, with community members demanding accountability from federal authorities.
A man shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis during an immigration crackdown has died, according to hospital records. The shooting occurred amid protests against immigration enforcement actions, and authorities stated the man had a firearm. Protests have been ongoing in the city following another recent incident involving immigration officers.
Key Facts
A 51-year-old man was shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis and later died.
The shooting happened during an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.
The man reportedly had a firearm with two magazines.
Protests have been occurring in Minneapolis since the shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer.
Governor Tim Walz communicated with the White House about the situation, urging an end to the enforcement operation.
An angry crowd gathered at the scene after the shooting, confronting federal officers.
Protests against immigration enforcement have been widespread across the United States.
A man named Todd Emanuelli saw the northern lights from his airplane window during a flight from Syracuse to Detroit. This happened because a solar storm caused the lights to be visible much farther south than normal.
Key Facts
Todd Emanuelli was flying from Syracuse to Detroit when he saw the northern lights.
Most passengers didn't see the lights because their window shades were down.
The lights appeared over the Toronto area and lasted about 30 minutes.
A powerful solar storm caused the auroras to be visible farther south than usual.
The northern lights are rare to see in much of the U.S. and usually appear closer to the Arctic Circle.
The solar storm was due to a coronal mass ejection, which can affect satellites and communications.
Emanuelli shared photos of the lights on social media, where they gained a lot of attention.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described recent talks involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia as productive. These talks aimed to find a way to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The discussions took place in the United Arab Emirates with officials from all three countries.
Key Facts
The talks involved representatives from the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia and took place in the United Arab Emirates.
Ukrainian President Zelensky called the talks constructive as they aimed to end the conflict in Ukraine.
These were the first talks of their kind in some time with officials from the Trump administration present.
The U.S. has provided at least $66.9 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
The discussions included U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Ukrainian negotiators, and Russian military representatives.
The focus was on ending the war and ensuring security, with discussions about monitoring the peace process.
While talks continued, Russian missile strikes hit Ukraine, causing damage and casualties.
A peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv has not yet been finalized. Current proposals involve territorial discussions and security guarantees.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada continues with its trade deal with China. This comes as tensions rise between the U.S. and Canada over trade and geopolitical issues. Canada recently reached an agreement with China to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian imports.
The threat is linked to Canada’s new trade agreement with China involving reduced tariffs.
Trump criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, suggesting Canada should not become a gateway for Chinese goods into the U.S.
Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have risen over trade issues and geopolitical differences.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement has cushioned Canada from the worst effects of U.S. tariffs.
Trump's Greenland acquisition comments have further strained U.S.-Canada relations.
Canada is trying to improve ties with China amidst these tensions with the U.S.
Carney has advocated for cooperation among middle-power countries to counterbalance the U.S. under Trump.
A man was shot in the leg in Manchester's city center, in an area known as the gay village. Police believe the attack was targeted and have arrested six men in connection with the incident.
Key Facts
A man was shot in the leg in Manchester's city center around 05:00 GMT.
The incident occurred on Richmond Street in an area known as the gay village.
Police do not believe the man's injuries are life-changing.
Six men, aged between 23 and 26, have been arrested by police.
The arrested men are suspected of affray and firearms offenses.
Police found a gun near the location of the shooting.
Authorities think the attack was targeted and assure there is no wider threat to the public.
Police are requesting anyone with information to reach out.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, must decide by Saturday if he wants to run in the Gorton and Denton by-election. If he wins, it could allow him to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party. Burnham needs permission from Labour's National Executive Committee, which may block his candidacy.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham has until 17:00 GMT on Saturday to decide about running in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Burnham needs approval from Labour's National Executive Committee to become a candidate.
Some committee members may try to prevent Burnham from running.
Angela Rayner is expected to support Burnham's candidacy at a Labour conference.
If Burnham becomes an MP, it opens up the chance to challenge for party leadership.
Winning the by-election could lead to a costly mayoral election in Greater Manchester.
The NEC might require an all-women shortlist for the by-election candidates.
The Gorton and Denton seat is a traditionally strong Labour constituency.
Kenya is preparing for its next general election in 2026. Concerns about potential election violence are rising, mainly because of doubts about election credibility and issues with the electoral commission. Media and technological challenges, such as online disinformation, also pose risks to the election process.
Key Facts
Kenya's next general election is due in 2026.
Election violence in Kenya often occurs when the current leader is trying to be re-elected.
President William Ruto is seeking re-election, raising concerns about potential violence.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recently faced controversy and doubts about its impartiality.
The media's role in announcing and verifying election results has been limited, affecting public trust.
Online disinformation, particularly using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, is a growing problem.
Kenya has experienced electoral reforms and improvements since the 2007 election violence, such as a stronger judiciary and better election transparency.
A suicide bombing at a wedding in northwest Pakistan killed at least seven people. The attack targeted a building where a peace committee was meeting during the wedding. No group claimed responsibility, but the Pakistani Taliban is suspected.
Key Facts
A suicide bomber attacked a wedding in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, killing at least seven people.
The bombing took place at a building used by a local peace committee.
Three people died immediately, and four more later died in the hospital.
The peace committees include local residents and elders and are supported by the Pakistani government.
The attack happened as the Pakistani military prepares to fight armed groups near the Afghan border.
The Pakistani Taliban, known for past attacks, is suspected but has not claimed responsibility.
The Afghan Taliban's rise has strengthened the Pakistani Taliban, and Pakistan blames the Afghan Taliban for letting them operate from Afghanistan.
Many people in the border areas have had to leave their homes due to ongoing conflicts.
