Police officers in England and Wales must now have a work licence to keep their jobs. This new rule is part of wide-ranging changes to improve policing, including new powers for ministers to remove or intervene with poorly performing police chiefs. The changes aim to set clear standards and improve police skills across the country.
Key Facts
Every police officer in England and Wales must have a licence to continue working.
Officers will need to show they have necessary skills, like tackling violence against women and girls.
The licensing is part of larger police reform plans announced by the Home Office.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is leading these reforms, aiming for the biggest changes in decades.
Ministers now have the authority to dismiss chief constables if they are underperforming.
New training will be provided to ensure all officers keep up with the latest policing methods.
The number of police forces will be reduced from the existing 43.
The government wants to ensure all communities receive proper policing standards.
The UK government postponed a debate on a bill involving the Chagos Islands, which would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing a military base on Diego Garcia. The delay occurred after the Conservative Party called for a pause due to geopolitical concerns. The bill is part of a complex negotiation between the UK, Mauritius, and the US.
Key Facts
The UK government planned to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, leasing Diego Garcia back for £101 million annually.
The debate on this bill in the House of Lords was postponed due to political opposition from the Conservative Party.
Conservatives argue the bill might breach a 1966 Treaty with the US regarding UK sovereignty over the territory.
Diego Garcia is a strategic military base shared by the UK and the US.
The proposed new deal lets Mauritius gain sovereignty while keeping the military base operational for 99 years.
The UK had to act on this deal to prevent potential legal actions and prevent other countries, like China, from establishing bases nearby.
US President Donald Trump initially considered the deal acceptable but later criticized it.
The bill is in the "ping pong" stage of legislative review, moving between the House of Commons and the House of Lords for amendments.
President Donald Trump announced the creation of the Board of Peace, aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. The board will collaborate with the United Nations to address various global crises.
Key Facts
President Trump launched the Board of Peace on Thursday.
The board focuses on achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
Gaza has been experiencing conflict for over two years.
The Board of Peace will work with the United Nations.
The board's tasks extend beyond Gaza to other global issues.
The effectiveness of the board will be closely watched in its initial efforts in Gaza.
The United States has officially left the World Health Organization (WHO) for the first time since joining in 1948. Officials criticized WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, stopped funding, and reduced involvement, leading to concerns about global health impacts.
Key Facts
The US has withdrawn from the WHO.
This is the first time the US has left WHO since it joined in 1948.
Officials cited dissatisfaction with WHO's response to COVID-19.
The US stopped funding the WHO as part of its withdrawal.
The decision has raised concerns about potential risks to global health.
Members of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council plan to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, against warnings from the United States. This action increases tensions between Haiti and the U.S. concerning the country's leadership as it faces ongoing gang violence and instability.
Key Facts
Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council seeks to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime.
The U.S. has warned against this action, citing concerns about stability and governance.
The council was formed in response to a crisis that began with the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
Five out of nine council members voted to replace the Prime Minister, but the decision is not yet official.
The U.S. has threatened consequences against Haitian officials supporting gang-related activities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised the importance of Fils-Aime's leadership.
Haiti has postponed planned elections originally set for February, now expected to begin in August.
The council's mandate is scheduled to end on February 7.
Ukrainian and Russian officials began talks in the United Arab Emirates to discuss territorial issues and try to end the ongoing war. U.S. President Donald Trump supports these discussions and met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian envoy Steve Witkoff to advance negotiations. The talks focus on finding a political solution, though significant differences remain, particularly regarding the Donbas region.
Key Facts
Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Abu Dhabi for peace talks.
The talks aim to resolve territorial issues and end the nearly four-year conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump supports this negotiation effort.
The discussions are part of efforts to find a political solution to the war.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy considers territorial disputes and Russia's willingness to end the war key issues.
Russia insists Ukraine must leave the Donbas region, where some areas remain under Ukrainian control.
Ukraine demands security guarantees from Western nations in any potential peace deal.
Recent Russian strikes in Ukraine have led to widespread power outages during winter.
President Donald Trump has created a new group called the Board of Peace, inviting over 20 countries to join. This group aims to promote peace, and the BBC's Washington Correspondent explains its purpose in a video.
Key Facts
President Trump started a new group named the Board of Peace.
Over 20 countries have accepted the invitation to join this group.
The group aims to promote peace among nations.
A BBC video explains the details and purpose of the Board of Peace.
The discussion about this group was covered by the BBC's Washington Correspondent.
The article does not provide specific details on how the Board of Peace will operate or its specific goals.
A meme from the White House showing President Trump in Greenland with a penguin holding an American flag sparked reactions online. The release of the meme coincides with Trump's interest in U.S. control of Greenland and ongoing discussions about sovereignty and defense. The presence of a penguin in the meme drew criticism since penguins do not live in Greenland.
Key Facts
The White House shared a meme of President Trump in Greenland with a penguin holding an American flag.
The meme prompted online comments highlighting that penguins do not live in Greenland.
President Trump mentioned plans to share more details on a proposed Greenland "framework" soon.
NATO and Danish officials regard Greenland's sovereignty and territorial integrity as non-negotiable.
President Trump ties the U.S. interest in Greenland to security and mineral access.
Critics on social media noted the mistake about penguins in Greenland and questioned the White House's understanding.
The discussions about Greenland involve issues of sovereignty, defense, and minerals in the Arctic.
Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of a 15-year-old boy in Guildford, England. The police named the victim as Luis Gabriel Guembes, who died from a stabbing incident near Stoke Park.
Key Facts
Two boys, ages 15 and 16, are charged with murdering a 15-year-old in Guildford.
The incident occurred near Stoke Park, off Lido Road.
Police responded to a report of a stabbing at 18:10 GMT on Monday.
The victim was identified by police as Luis Gabriel Guembes and died at the scene.
The teenagers are also charged with conspiracy to rob and possession of a bladed weapon.
The suspects were scheduled to appear at Guildford Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
Surrey Police are asking for any information related to the incident.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized President Donald Trump for saying European troops did not engage in front-line combat during the Afghanistan war. Starmer called these comments "insulting" since many European troops, including British soldiers, played significant roles in the conflict. Trump's remarks have caused concern among European allies.
Key Facts
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer asked President Trump to apologize for comments about European troops in Afghanistan.
Trump stated NATO allies stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan, which Starmer found disrespectful.
The UK was the second-largest contributor to the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, with 150,000 personnel serving.
Trump's remarks came after he discussed NATO and European relations at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
NATO's collective defense clause, Article 5, was triggered after the September 11 attacks, involving troops from many countries.
Trump's comments upset European countries, including the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark, which all lost troops in Afghanistan.
Transatlantic relations were strained due to Trump's previous threats to impose tariffs on European countries and annex Greenland.
A large winter storm is expected to hit North America, bringing heavy snow and ice. The storm will affect many areas, including places that rarely experience such weather. Freezing rain is considered especially dangerous due to its potential to cause power outages and hazardous travel conditions.
Key Facts
The storm will impact a wide area, including the United States and Mexico.
More than 12 inches of snow is expected in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
Areas in the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast will see freezing rain and sleet.
Over a dozen governors have declared states of emergency ahead of the storm.
Freezing rain can cause ice to form on surfaces, leading to dangerous driving conditions and power outages.
People are advised to prepare emergency kits with essentials like food, water, and flashlights.
The storm may result in prolonged power outages due to the ice's weight on trees and power lines.
Experts warn against driving during freezing rain due to hidden icy patches on roads.
President Trump expressed interest in mining rare earth minerals in Greenland. These minerals are important for various technologies and could last over 100 years. Some Greenland residents are worried that mining could harm their way of life.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to mine rare earth minerals in Greenland.
Rare earth minerals are used in many technologies like smartphones and electric cars.
Greenland has enough of these minerals to last for 115 years.
Some people in Greenland are concerned that mining will negatively affect their lives and the environment.
This report was filmed by Nick Clark from Al Jazeera in southern Greenland in 2021.
The FBI arrested Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, in Mexico City and brought him to the U.S. on charges related to cocaine trafficking and murder. Wedding is accused of being involved with the Sinaloa Cartel and running a large drug operation. He is expected in court soon, and 36 people connected to his alleged drug ring have also been arrested.
Key Facts
Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, was arrested by the FBI in Mexico.
He is accused of being a drug kingpin linked to the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel.
Wedding allegedly made over $1 billion a year from illegal drug operations.
The FBI offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
36 people associated with his alleged drug activities have been arrested.
Authorities seized luxury items like cars, artwork, and jewelry from the operation.
Wedding is accused of hiring assassins to eliminate rivals and law enforcers.
He competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics in the parallel giant slalom event.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized President Donald Trump for his comments about NATO troops, including British soldiers, in Afghanistan. Starmer called Trump's remarks offensive and upsetting, as the UK lost 457 service members in the conflict. Trump's comments suggested that NATO troops stayed away from the front lines during the war.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump made remarks about NATO troops' involvement in Afghanistan.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer found Trump's comments insulting and upsetting.
Trump suggested NATO troops didn't stay on the front lines during the war.
The UK joined the US in Afghanistan in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks.
457 British service members died in the Afghanistan conflict.
UK politicians and families of veterans reacted negatively to Trump's comments.
Health officials in New Brunswick, Canada, reported that there is no evidence of a new mystery brain illness after examining numerous cases with neurological symptoms. The investigation found that symptoms could likely be attributed to known illnesses and dismissed claims that herbicides or heavy metals were causing the symptoms. Patients will now need to be evaluated by two specialists to ensure proper diagnosis.
Key Facts
Officials in New Brunswick found no evidence of a new mystery brain disease.
About 500 patients were reported to have unexplained neurological symptoms.
Investigators found no connections between symptoms and elevated herbicide or heavy metal levels.
A study examined the cases of 222 patients but did not find new disease evidence.
Some patients had higher levels of heavy metals, but testing methods were flawed.
Nearly 60% of patients had seen other neurologists who did not confirm a new disease.
Health officials recommend examination by two specialists for unexplained neurological conditions.
HBO has confirmed that "Euphoria" Season 3 will premiere on April 12, 2026. The new season features a time jump and changes in characters, including Zendaya reprising her role as Rue Bennett. The series faced delays due to Hollywood strikes, cast availability, and script rewrites.
Key Facts
"Euphoria" Season 3 premieres on April 12, 2026.
HBO will air the show every Sunday from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The season will have eight episodes, ending on May 31, 2026.
Delays were caused by Hollywood strikes, actor schedules, and script rewrites.
Zendaya will return as the main character, Rue Bennett, in Season 3.
Angus Cloud, who played Fez, will not appear in the new season due to his passing in 2023.
A trailer for Season 3 was released on January 14, 2026.
The story moves beyond high school with a focus on Rue's journey toward sobriety.
A woman made a joke to a Domino's pizza delivery driver referencing a movie line, which unintentionally touched on a personal issue for the driver. The interaction was shared online, where it gained attention and sparked similar stories from others. Despite the awkward moment, both the woman and the driver handled the situation with understanding.
Key Facts
A woman named Jillian Shank joked with a Domino's delivery driver using a line from the movie "Elf."
The driver, Debbie, was surprised by the joke as she did not know her father, making the moment awkward.
The incident was shared on TikTok, gaining over 136,000 views.
Shank later expressed her embarrassment and apologized to Debbie, who took it well.
TikTok users shared their own awkward experiences in response to the video.
Shank and Debbie have a mutual friend and later communicated to clear up any misunderstandings.
Debbie was supportive of the online attention and encouraged using the hashtag "DebbieUPPERnotDowner."
The U.S. military conducted a strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, suspecting it of drug trafficking. This event marks the first known attack since Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's capture earlier this month. The strike resulted in two deaths and one survivor, with the U.S. Coast Guard involved in the search and rescue for the survivor.
Key Facts
The U.S. military struck a vessel accused of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
This is the first attack of this kind since the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The strike killed two people and left one survivor.
The U.S. Southern Command reported the event on social media and involved the Coast Guard for search and rescue.
Since early September, there have been 36 known strikes on alleged drug boats, mainly in the Caribbean Sea.
A significant operation in early January led to Maduro's capture, bringing him to New York to face drug charges.
President Trump claimed these military efforts greatly reduced drug trafficking via water routes.
President Donald Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that there is a developing plan related to Greenland. This plan involves agreements on missile defense and mineral rights and aims to reduce previous concerns about possible tariffs and military action.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He mentioned a developing agreement about Greenland.
This plan involves missile defense and mineral rights.
The plan aims to ease concerns about tariffs.
Previous concerns included the possibility of U.S. military action.
The plan may affect Greenland's future and U.S.-Europe relations.
President Donald Trump decided not to include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on a new international group called the "Board of Peace." This decision received approval from Canadian human rights groups, who were concerned about Canada's involvement in U.S. plans for Gaza. The "Board of Peace" is part of Trump's effort to address the conflict in Gaza, but it has faced criticism from Palestinians and human rights advocates.
Key Facts
President Trump withdrew an invitation for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join the "Board of Peace."
Canadian human rights groups welcomed this decision, expressing concerns over the board's role.
The "Board of Peace" is part of Trump's plan to end violence in Gaza.
The initiative includes a Palestinian committee to oversee daily affairs in Gaza.
Some people criticized the board for lacking meaningful Palestinian input.
President Trump's decision followed tensions with Prime Minister Carney after comments made at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The board involves several world leaders and will manage reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
