Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico will continue to support Cuba, despite reports of stopping oil shipments. Mexico is a key oil supplier to Cuba, which is dealing with a U.S. trade embargo and an energy crisis. President Trump mentioned that Cuba may soon face failure as Venezuela stopped sending oil.
Key Facts
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico stated her country will keep supporting Cuba.
Reports say Mexico stopped an oil shipment to Cuba planned for January.
Mexico is an important supplier of oil to Cuba, helping it manage a U.S. trade embargo.
President Donald Trump indicated Venezuela is no longer sending oil to Cuba.
Venezuela was a major provider of discounted oil to Cuba before these changes.
In the past year, Mexico supplied Cuba with about 5,000 barrels of oil daily.
The Mexican government is reconsidering future oil shipments to Cuba due to U.S. concerns.
Sheinbaum emphasized that decisions about oil supplies are determined by Pemex or the government for humanitarian reasons.
The British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is visiting China for three days to meet with President Xi Jinping and discuss the UK's relationship with China. Accompanying him are about 60 business and cultural leaders. The visit aims to rebuild ties, despite tensions over human rights and security concerns.
Key Facts
This is the first visit to China by a British prime minister since 2018.
The prime minister will meet President Xi Jinping during the trip.
The group includes major British businesses like HSBC and cultural leaders.
UK aims to "reboot" its relationship with China, despite challenges.
Human rights concerns in China are noted, including treatment of Uyghurs.
There are worries about China's espionage activities in the UK.
Prime Minister argues for a consistent strategy with China for national interest.
President Trump is expected to visit China in April.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian oil minister, is on trial in London. She is accused of accepting bribes and living a luxurious lifestyle funded by payments from businessmen connected to the oil industry. Alison-Madueke denies the charges of bribery and conspiracy.
Key Facts
Diezani Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria's oil minister from 2010 to 2015.
She is accused of accepting bribes from individuals seeking oil contracts with Nigeria's state-owned petroleum company.
Prosecutors allege she spent over £2 million at Harrods, a luxury department store in London.
Alison-Madueke reportedly lived in expensive properties and used private jets and chauffeur-driven cars in the UK.
Her expenses, including household staff, were allegedly paid for by business owners with oil contracts in Nigeria.
She denies five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
The trial is taking place at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Rwanda is suing the UK for not paying money due under an asylum seeker agreement that was cancelled. Rwanda wants £50 million ($68.8 million) in compensation and has started legal proceedings in the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The deal originally involved sending people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda, but it faced legal challenges and was ultimately scrapped.
Key Facts
Rwanda is seeking £50 million in compensation from the UK.
Legal proceedings are taking place in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The original agreement involved sending asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda.
The UK Supreme Court declared the agreement illegal under international law in 2023.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cancelled the deal in 2024.
Rwanda had received £240 million from the UK before the deal was abandoned.
Immigration has been a major political issue in the UK since 2020.
Many asylum seekers continue to cross the English Channel to the UK despite the deal.
A former French senator, Joel Guerriau, was found guilty of adding MDMA, a drug commonly known as ecstasy, to a drink for MP Sandrine Josso with the intent of sexual assault. Guerriau was given a four-year prison sentence, with 18 months to be served in prison, and ordered to pay damages. Guerriau denies intending to assault Josso and plans to appeal the verdict.
Key Facts
Joel Guerriau, a former senator in France, was convicted of drugging MP Sandrine Josso.
Guerriau spiked Josso's drink with MDMA at his Paris flat.
He was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months in custody, and fined €5,000 for emotional distress.
Guerriau claimed the drugging was accidental and is appealing the verdict.
Josso experienced severe effects after consuming the drink and was taken to a hospital.
Toxicology tests showed her blood contained three times the recreational dose of MDMA.
Guerriau has expressed regret and highlighted the dangers of drug misuse.
Josso continues as an MP and campaigns against drug-facilitated assaults.
The Up Helly Aa festival is a fire festival in Shetland, Scotland, celebrating Norse heritage. It takes place annually in January when participants parade through Lerwick in Viking costumes and burn a replica Viking ship. The event includes locals and enthusiasts from various countries.
Key Facts
Up Helly Aa is an annual celebration of Norse heritage in Shetland, Scotland.
The festival features a parade in Lerwick, the capital of Shetland.
Participants, called "guizers," wear Viking costumes and carry torches.
A replica Viking long ship is burned as the main event of the festival.
Lynden Nicolson, the Guizer Jarl, led the parade after an 18-year wait.
The festival includes both adult and junior groups in the celebrations.
Around 1,000 torches are used to burn the replica ship, Skyldulid.
The event attracts visitors from places like Singapore and Canada.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized a Russian drone attack on a passenger train in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, which killed at least four people. The attack occurred amid ongoing Russian strikes targeting Ukraine's energy and transport systems. Russia has not commented on the incident.
Key Facts
A Russian drone attack hit a passenger train in Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region.
At least four people died, and four others are missing from the attack.
The train carried over 200 passengers and was heading from Chop to Barvinkove.
Ukraine's president called the attack "terrorism" and said there was no military reason for it.
The train line is used by civilians and Ukrainian soldiers.
In a separate event, a Russian drone strike targeted Odesa, killing three and injuring 25 people.
Russia has been increasing drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine recently occurred but left key issues unresolved.
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic clock representing how close humanity is to global catastrophe, is now set at 85 seconds to midnight. This marks the closest point to disaster in its 80-year history. The change was announced by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, emphasizing growing risks.
Key Facts
The Doomsday Clock is now set at 85 seconds to midnight.
This is the closest setting to 'midnight' the clock has ever been.
Last year's setting was at 89 seconds to midnight.
The clock was created in 1947, during the Cold War.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists updates the clock to reflect global threats.
Alexandra Bell, the president and CEO of the organization, highlighted the urgency of the situation.
A woman shared her pregnancy news on Instagram, which led to a tense exchange with her sister, who had not spoken to her for months. The sister reacted negatively, and the conversation became heated, reflecting broader family disagreements. Reddit users supported the woman, advising her to move on from the toxic relationship.
Key Facts
A woman posted about her pregnancy in a private Instagram group.
Her sister, who had not been in touch, reacted negatively to the news.
The disagreement highlighted family disapproval of the pregnancy.
Reddit users supported the woman in cutting ties with her sister.
A psychologist described such sibling behavior as "toxic" due to jealousy and control.
The woman has chosen to stop reaching out to her sister and finds peace with the decision.
The woman mentioned receiving more support from her parents than from her siblings.
Newsweek reached out to the woman for further comments but could not authenticate the details.
The article explains a situation in Gaza where bodies of Palestinians are buried under rubble and not returned by Israel. This is part of a long-standing policy by Israel not to return the remains of many Palestinians.
Key Facts
The body of the last Israeli captive in Gaza has been found.
Thousands of Palestinians remain buried under rubble in Gaza.
Israel has a policy of not returning the remains of many Palestinians.
This situation impacts Palestinians' ability to find and bury their loved ones.
The article includes perspectives from representatives of Palestinian organizations and human rights groups.
Families of two Trinidadian men killed by a U.S. strike on a boat off the coast of Venezuela have sued the U.S. government. The lawsuit was filed in Boston, claiming wrongful death under a law for deaths on the high seas. The U.S. claims the strike targeted drug smugglers, but the families dispute this.
Key Facts
Two Trinidadian men died in a U.S. strike on a boat near Venezuela.
Their families filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government in Boston.
The lawsuit claims wrongful death under the Death on the High Seas Act.
The U.S. government says it is targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
More than 120 people have died in similar U.S. strikes since September.
Legal experts question the legality of the U.S. operations.
The lawsuit argues the men were not involved in hostilities against the U.S.
The Pentagon has not commented on this specific lawsuit.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about concerns that U.S. military actions and threats might cause instability in the region. The U.S. has sent an aircraft carrier to the area, linked to tensions with Iran over protests and nuclear issues. Both leaders emphasized dialogue and regional stability during their conversation.
Key Facts
President Pezeshkian of Iran and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a phone conversation.
The U.S. sent the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the region, raising tensions.
The U.S. is considering action against Iran following Iran's crackdown on protesters.
President Donald Trump may attack Iran if necessary but hopes to avoid using military force.
Saudi Arabia supports dialogue and regional stability and opposes aggression against Iran.
An Iranian military official warned that any attack using neighboring countries' territories would make those countries targets.
Israel and the U.S. previously conducted military actions against Iran related to its nuclear program.
An Al Jazeera reporter visited the site of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, which was central to a major shift in U.S.-Iran relations in 1979. The visit highlights the historical significance of the location.
Key Facts
An Al Jazeera reporter named Ali Hashem visited the former U.S. embassy in Tehran.
The embassy is historically important due to events in 1979.
In 1979, the U.S.-Iranian relationship changed drastically.
This location marks a pivotal moment in history between the two countries.
Ali Hashem examined the site to offer insights into past events.
Palestinians who need advanced medical treatment are waiting for the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to reopen. They hope this will happen soon after an important exchange took place involving the remains of a captive, which is a step in a US-supported plan to end the conflict.
Key Facts
Palestinians are waiting for medical treatment outside of Gaza.
The Rafah border crossing connects Gaza with Egypt.
The border reopening is part of a larger plan to stop the conflict.
The remains of a captive were returned as part of this plan.
The United States is supporting the plan to end the war.
The article explores the discussion on how color impacts society, particularly focusing on the color "Cloud Dancer" and its cultural influence. It examines the connection between color, societal rules, and resistance through various fields like art, fashion, and film.
Key Facts
The color "Cloud Dancer" is highlighted as the color of the year.
The episode discusses how color can relate to power and control.
Color is seen as a form of resistance in art, fashion, and design.
Pantone is the company involved in selecting "Cloud Dancer" as a significant color.
The discussion features experts in color theory, art history, and branding psychology.
The relationship between vibrant colors and societal dynamics is explored.
In November 2025, a cyclone brought heavy rain to Sumatra in Indonesia, causing floods that killed at least 1,100 people. The floods destroyed homes and facilities, leaving many people living in tents and facing spreading illnesses. The disaster response has faced criticism regarding its effectiveness.
Key Facts
A cyclone in late November 2025 caused extreme rainfall in Sumatra, Indonesia.
At least 1,100 people died from the floods, and more than 100 are missing.
Tens of thousands of houses were destroyed by the floodwaters.
Emergency services are working to assist those affected.
Many survivors live in temporary shelters with poor protection.
Illnesses are spreading among the affected populations.
There is criticism about the government's response to the disaster.
Factors like deforestation, poverty, and budget cuts increased the disaster's impact.
A British Army officer, Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, died after an incident during live fire training in Northumberland. The Ministry of Defence is investigating the circumstances of his death.
Key Facts
Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney was a 25-year-old British Army officer.
He died after an incident during live fire training.
The training took place at a site in Northumberland, England.
Capt Muldowney served as a fire support team commander in the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.
He joined the British Army in January 2020.
Capt Muldowney was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in December 2020.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed his death on Tuesday.
An investigation is ongoing to understand the circumstances of his death.
The article discusses actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and compares them to experiences in Palestine. It highlights incidents involving ICE agents using children to prompt the detainment of parents and notes a rise in fear and violence in migrant communities in the U.S. A parallel is drawn between the treatment of migrants in the U.S. and Palestinians under Israeli control.
Key Facts
Two people were shot and killed during anti-immigration raids in Minneapolis.
ICE used a child, Liam Ramos, to apprehend his asylum-seeking father.
ICE detained at least 3,800 children last year, 20 of whom were babies.
In 2025, 32 people died while in ICE custody.
75% of people detained by ICE last year had no criminal record.
The presence of ICE has caused fear, resulting in absenteeism in schools and revenue loss for businesses.
The article compares U.S. immigration enforcement practices to Israeli military actions in Palestine.
Israeli forces and settlers killed over 1,100 Palestinians in two years and four months, including children.
The Workers Party of Britain has chosen Shahbaz Sarwar as their candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester. This by-election follows the resignation of Andrew Gwynne due to health issues. The election date is not yet set.
Key Facts
Shahbaz Sarwar is the candidate for the Workers Party of Britain in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Sarwar is currently a councillor in Manchester City Council, representing the Longsight ward.
The by-election was triggered by Andrew Gwynne's resignation due to health issues.
Andy Burnham wanted to run as Labour's candidate but was blocked by Labour's National Executive Committee.
In the July 2024 general election, the Workers Party received 10.3% of the votes in the area.
Reform UK has selected Matt Goodwin, a GB News presenter, as their candidate.
The date for the by-election is yet to be determined.
The families of two Trinidadian men, reportedly killed in a U.S. missile strike, are suing the United States under a 1920 law. The lawsuit claims the missile strike, ordered by President Trump's administration, wrongfully targeted their relatives who were not involved in drug cartels. The families seek justice for what they call wrongful deaths.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by the families of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo.
The men were allegedly killed in a missile strike on October 14, 2025.
The strike was ordered by President Donald Trump's administration.
The families use the Death on the High Seas Act (1920) to claim wrongful death.
The lawsuit argues that there is no evidence the men were involved in drug activities.
Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo were traveling from Venezuela to Trinidad.
The alleged boat strike killed six people, including Joseph and Samaroo.
