The French Navy stopped a tanker in the Mediterranean, believed to be part of Russia's secret fleet trying to avoid international penalties. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the tanker was coming from Russia and is being investigated for possibly using a fake flag to hide its identity. The European Union has been placing sanctions on Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Key Facts
The French Navy intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, believed to be linked to Russia.
The tanker is suspected of being part of Russia’s "shadow fleet" meant to dodge international sanctions.
French President Macron announced the interception and mentioned it followed international maritime laws.
The vessel was stopped and redirected between Spain and Morocco.
The European Union has been sanctioning Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Despite sanctions, Russia continues to sell oil to countries like China and India.
A report revealed over 100 Russian vessels using fake flags in 2025 to transport oil.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked France for stopping the vessel.
Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan urges UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to stop pro-independence parties from gaining power in Wales by granting more powers to the Welsh government. Morgan expressed concern about the rising popularity of independence movements and requested greater involvement from the UK government to prevent a potential breakup of the United Kingdom.
Key Facts
Eluned Morgan is the First Minister of Wales and is addressing concerns about separatism.
Morgan wants the UK government to help prevent pro-independence parties from winning in Wales.
Recent opinion polls suggest pro-independence parties Plaid Cymru and the Greens could gain significant support.
The UK government's current budget settlement to Wales is over £22 billion each year.
Morgan insists that more devolution and powers for Wales could reduce support for independence.
A recent poll conducted by YouGov for ITV showed Plaid Cymru and the Greens could secure 56 seats in the Welsh Parliament, a majority.
Morgan has requested more powers over resources, justice, and other areas from the UK government.
Morgan proposed a "Constitutional Reform Act" to require UK Parliament approval from Wales for laws affecting devolved areas.
The United States officially left the World Health Organization (WHO), following an executive order by President Donald Trump. This decision requires a one-year notice and results in a financial penalty of $260 million, which the U.S. has not paid. The departure will significantly impact WHO’s operations, including staff cuts, and limit the U.S.'s ability to access global health data.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump signed an order for the U.S. to leave the WHO.
The departure process required a one-year notice and a $260 million fee for unpaid dues.
The WHO needs to reduce its staff by up to 25% due to the loss of U.S. funding.
The U.S. will no longer receive health data and support from the WHO.
The U.S. has been the largest financial supporter of the WHO, contributing about 18% of its funding.
The WHO's Director-General expressed concern that the U.S. exit is detrimental to both the U.S. and global health efforts.
Member states will discuss the implications of the U.S. leaving in an upcoming meeting.
A court is hearing a case where Anna Podedworna is accused of killing and burying her partner, Izabela Zablocka, who disappeared in 2010. The body was found buried in their garden in Derby, UK, after Podedworna reportedly emailed police about it. The two women had moved to the UK from Poland in search of work.
Key Facts
Anna Podedworna is accused of murdering Izabela Zablocka, who vanished in 2010.
Izabela's body was found buried in the garden of their home in Derby, UK.
The two women moved from Poland to the UK together in 2009 for work.
Podedworna allegedly used her skills as a butcher in the dismemberment.
Izabela's family reported her missing in November 2010 in the UK and January 2011 in Poland.
An email to police in 2025 led to the discovery of Izabela's body.
Their relationship reportedly involved jealousy and conflict.
Izabela had a daughter who stayed in Poland while she moved to the UK.
The United States plans to rebuild Gaza under a new initiative, but Palestinians are not included in the decision-making process. A "Board of Peace" will oversee the reconstruction, maintaining control with international stakeholders while conditions in Gaza remain unchanged.
Key Facts
The U.S. is involved in efforts to rebuild Gaza after a ceasefire.
Palestinians are not part of the rebuilding decision-making group.
A "Board of Peace" is responsible for overseeing reconstruction efforts.
The reconstruction plan involves international control rather than local governance.
This initiative seeks to shape Gaza's future with outside intervention.
A Russian drone strike targeted a residential building in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. The attack injured seven people and caused serious damage to the building.
Key Facts
The incident occurred in Dnipro, a city in Ukraine.
A Russian drone carried out the strike.
Seven people were injured as a result of the attack.
Local officials reported the damage.
The attack caused windows to break.
A fire started in the apartment building after the explosion.
A man named Paul Lumber died after falling from a ladder while trying to hang Union flags in Bristol. He had been drinking alcohol before the accident. The coroner ruled the death as accidental, citing traumatic brain injury from the fall as the cause of death.
Key Facts
Paul Lumber fell from a ladder while tying Union flags to a lamppost.
The incident occurred in Bedminster, Bristol, on November 22 last year.
Lumber had consumed alcohol before the fall.
He suffered severe head injuries and died in the hospital on December 6.
The coroner concluded the death was accidental due to a fall.
Paramedics treated him on the scene, and a Union Jack flag was found on the lamppost.
Lumber was a painter and decorator known for his support of Bristol City FC.
The UK government's £6.3 billion Ajax armoured vehicle project has been paused due to problems with noise and vibration that made some service members ill. Defence Minister Luke Pollard expressed frustration over not being fully informed about these issues earlier. The project, which is eight years behind schedule, aims to provide 589 vehicles for the British Army.
Key Facts
The UK government's Ajax armoured vehicle project is worth £6.3 billion.
The project was paused due to noise and vibration issues causing illness among service personnel.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard was not fully informed about the issues initially.
35 service members became ill last year during training in 23 vehicles.
The project was originally scheduled to start in 2019 but is now eight years late.
589 Ajax vehicles are planned for the British Army, costing over £5 billion.
Trials on the Ajax vehicles are expected to resume soon for further evaluation.
In Minnesota, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a 5-year-old boy named Liam Ramos while arresting his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, during an immigration operation. This incident is part of a larger immigration enforcement effort named Operation Metro Surge. Columbia Heights Public Schools and local residents have expressed concern about the detention of young children.
Key Facts
ICE detained a 5-year-old boy in Minnesota during an immigration operation.
The boy, Liam Ramos, was with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, when ICE agents approached them.
ICE stated they did not target the child and that the operation focused on the father.
Columbia Heights Public Schools officials expressed concern about detaining young children.
Liam Ramos and his father were reportedly taken to a detention center in Texas.
The school district noted that four students, including a 5-year-old, were recently detained by ICE in the area.
The Department of Homeland Security described the operation as targeted and aimed at individuals posing a serious threat to the community.
Heavy rains in southern Africa have led to severe flooding, affecting roads, homes, and schools. Mozambique has reported 112 deaths due to the flooding. Many people have had to leave their homes as daily life is disrupted.
Key Facts
Southern Africa is experiencing severe flooding.
The floods have submerged roads, homes, schools, and businesses.
Many people in the region have been evacuated.
Mozambique has reported at least 112 deaths due to the floods.
The flooding resulted from weeks of heavy rain.
Daily life in the affected areas is significantly disrupted.
The nominations for the 2026 Academy Awards were announced in Beverly Hills, with the film "Sinners" receiving a record 16 nominations. Another popular film, "One Battle After Another," earned 13 nominations. Notable surprises included Kate Hudson's nomination for Best Actress, while some expected nominees were overlooked.
Key Facts
The 2026 Oscar nominations were announced in Beverly Hills, California.
"Sinners," a film by Ryan Coogler, received 16 nominations, the highest ever for any film.
"One Battle After Another" received 13 nominations, including several acting categories.
Kate Hudson received a Best Actress nomination for "Song Sung Blue," her first since 2001.
Notable snubs included Chase Infiniti and Jennifer Lawrence in the Best Actress category.
The film "Wicked: For Good" did not receive any nominations this year.
Actors Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and Michael B. Jordan were nominated for "Sinners."
Heavy rains in Mozambique have caused severe floods, forcing many people to leave their homes, with some trapped on rooftops. The floods have damaged essential infrastructure and affected over 620,000 people. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and further rain is expected.
Key Facts
Floods in Mozambique have displaced thousands of people.
More than 620,000 people are affected by the floods.
Over 72,000 homes have been destroyed in the floods.
Roads, bridges, and healthcare facilities in Mozambique have suffered serious damage.
Rescue operations use small boats and a South African air force helicopter.
Heavy rainfall is also affecting South Africa, closing part of Kruger National Park.
Repair costs for Kruger National Park are estimated at over $30 million.
A shelter dog named Dawson escaped from a kennel in a West Virginia animal shelter and caught national attention. Security footage showed Dawson cleverly opening his kennel door and then unlocking the facility's main door. After a week-long search, Dawson was safely found and returned.
Key Facts
Dawson, a brindle-colored dog, escaped from the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter in West Virginia.
Security cameras captured Dawson unlatching his kennel and unlocking the front door with his snout and teeth.
The shelter shared the footage on Instagram, gaining over 4.4 million views.
The escape led to a week-long search before Dawson was found safe.
The incident increased awareness of the shelter, leading to more donations and a special fund in Dawson's honor.
The Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter handled 1,681 stray dogs a day in 2025.
Social media updates were provided to help find Dawson during the search.
President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and stated that Russia's war must stop. He plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
After the meeting, Trump said that Russia's war must end.
Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly.
The meetings are related to the situation between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump repeated the statement about the need to end the war after meeting Zelenskyy.
A court in Belgium is deciding whether to proceed with a case related to the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The case involves Etienne Davignon, a former Belgian diplomat, who is accused of being linked to Lumumba's mistreatment before his death. This case ties into Belgium's effort to address its colonial past in the Congo.
Key Facts
On January 20, a Belgian court held a hearing on the case concerning the death of Patrice Lumumba.
The hearing focused on whether the case should move forward under Belgian law.
Etienne Davignon, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat, is involved in the case.
Belgian prosecutors accuse Davignon of being linked to Lumumba's unlawful detention and poor treatment.
Belgium has acknowledged its moral responsibility for Lumumba's death.
The case is part of Belgium's attempt to come to terms with its colonial history in the Congo.
Lumumba was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
His political ideas remain influential but are often not fully addressed in postcolonial Africa.
The vampire film "Sinners" has set a new record by receiving 16 Oscar nominations, the most for any single film. Other top-nominated films include "One Battle After Another," which has 13 nominations. The Oscar winners will be announced on March 15 in Hollywood.
Key Facts
"Sinners" received 16 Oscar nominations, breaking the previous record of 14.
"One Battle After Another" is nominated for 13 awards.
Other movies with multiple nominations include "Marty Supreme," "Frankenstein," and "Sentimental Value," each with 9, and "Hamnet" with 8.
Michael B. Jordan stars in "Sinners" and is nominated for best actor.
"Sinners" is set in the 1930s Mississippi and involves vampires and a juke joint.
The Oscars will take place on March 15 in Hollywood.
Leonardo DiCaprio is nominated for best actor for "One Battle After Another."
"Sinners" is directed by Ryan Coogler and also includes nominations for best director and best picture.
In rural Argentina, a music teacher and his students have created songs to raise awareness about pesticide use near schools. Their efforts lead to a concert involving well-known musicians to advocate for a safer environment. This story is featured in a documentary film.
Key Facts
A rural music teacher in Argentina discovered pesticide spraying near schools.
The teacher teamed up with his students to write songs about this issue.
Their songs aim to increase public awareness of the dangers of these pesticides.
The music led to an environmental concert with participation from renowned musicians.
The concert focused on environmental justice, hope, and safety.
The events are documented in a film called "A Song for My Land" directed by Mauricio Albornoz Iniesta.
President Donald Trump started a new group called the Board of Peace at a forum in Davos. He didn't provide many details on how this board will help stop global conflicts, but he suggested it might work with the United Nations.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump launched the Board of Peace at a Davos forum.
The new board has a few founding members.
Few details were given about what the board will do specifically.
Trump mentioned it could cooperate with the United Nations.
The idea for this board came from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Trump described the board as "something very, very unique for the world."
The 98th Academy Award nominations are announced, with Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners" receiving a record-breaking 16 nominations. Meanwhile, "Wicked: For Good," which performed well last year, received no nominations this time. The nominations also featured surprising names like Kate Hudson, and notable snubs in various categories.
Key Facts
The film "Sinners" received 16 nominations, breaking the previous record held by films like "Titanic."
Director Ryan Coogler received his first Best Director and Best Screenplay nominations for "Sinners."
"Wicked: For Good" did not receive any nominations, despite doing well in previous years.
Kate Hudson was nominated for Best Actress for "Song Sung Blue," which was unexpected.
Michael B. Jordan received a nomination for his dual roles in "Sinners."
Ethan Hawke received a Best Actor nomination for "Blue Moon."
Popular films like "Avatar: Fire and Ash" had fewer nominations than expected, with only two.
The Best Picture category features a close competition between "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another."
The Oscar nominations for 2026 have been announced. The movie "Sinners" received the most nominations, with 16 in total. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from "Wicked: For Good" did not get nominations, which were seen as surprising omissions.
Key Facts
"Sinners," a film by Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, received 16 Oscar nominations, the most this year.
The movie "One Battle After Another" got 13 nominations.
"Frankenstein," "Marty Supreme," and "Sentimental Value" each received 9 nominations and are up for Best Picture.
"Wicked: For Good," the sequel to the musical "Wicked," did not receive any nominations.
Ariana Grande was expected to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress but was not.
Cynthia Erivo, another star of "Wicked: For Good," was not nominated for Best Actress this year.
The Oscars ceremony will be hosted by Conan O'Brien on March 15.
Richard Linklater's film "Blue Moon" was another notable omission from the Best Picture category.
