Iran's supreme leader warned that any U.S. military action would lead to a "regional war" in the Middle East. President Donald Trump has threatened military strikes against Iran due to the country's crackdown on protests. Iran's leader also accused the U.S. of wanting control over Iran's resources.
Key Facts
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned of a "regional war" if the U.S. attacks.
President Trump has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships near Iran.
Iran is conducting a military drill in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route.
Tens of thousands of protesters have been detained in Iran, according to reports.
The U.S. and Iranian figures differ on the number of casualties and arrests.
Protests in Iran began over economic issues and have challenged Khamenei's rule.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pope Leo XIV urged the United States and Cuba to engage in dialogue and avoid violence amid rising tensions. President Donald Trump has initiated talks with Cuban leaders but also imposed tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. The situation follows the U.S. ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has significantly impacted Cuba's economy.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV called for U.S. and Cuban leaders to choose dialogue over conflict.
President Trump began talks with Cuban leaders and imposed tariffs on oil-supplying countries to Cuba.
Trump's executive order affects countries like Mexico that supply oil to Cuba, adding economic pressure.
The U.S. military removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, affecting Cuba's oil supply.
Mexico reduced oil exports to Cuba following U.S. tariffs.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that U.S. sanctions could cause a humanitarian crisis in Cuba.
Cuba's Foreign Minister accused the U.S. of coercion through tariffs and called it an "act of aggression."
Long lines for gasoline have appeared in Cuba due to uncertain oil supplies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New documents suggest that Jeffrey Epstein sent a woman to the UK for a meeting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 2010. Andrew has not responded to requests for comments on these claims.
Key Facts
A second woman claims she was sent by Jeffrey Epstein to the UK for a meeting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The alleged encounter took place at Royal Lodge, Andrew's residence, in 2010.
New documents have been released as part of the Epstein files.
BBC News has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for a comment, but he has not responded yet.
The information was discussed by Laura, Paddy, and Henry on a BBC Newscast episode.
The Newscast show also included a discussion on other political topics with John Bew, a historian and professor.
The show is available on the BBC Sounds service and can be accessed via smart speakers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge ordered the release of a 5-year-old boy and his father from immigration detention. The judge criticized the government's deportation policies as poorly planned and harmfully executed. The family, originally from Ecuador, was seeking asylum in the U.S.
Key Facts
Judge Fred Biery ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father.
The family had been detained in Minneapolis after seeking asylum.
The judge criticized the government's deportation strategy as poorly executed.
Biery's order included a reference to grievances against King George III and biblical verses.
The Department of Homeland Security stated they did not target the child as "bait."
Ramos and his father are originally from Ecuador.
The boy was picked up from preschool when they were detained.
The court emphasized following proper legal procedures for deportations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The 68th annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, focusing again on music after last year's shift to wildfire relief efforts. The event will feature performances by top artists, including Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga, and will be hosted by Trevor Noah for the sixth and final year. The show can be watched live on CBS or through various streaming services.
Key Facts
The 68th Grammys will be held on February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
CBS will air the main show live at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Streaming options include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Paramount+.
Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with nine, followed by Lady Gaga with seven.
Trevor Noah will host the ceremony for the sixth and final time.
Performers include prominent names like Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars.
The premiere ceremony precedes the main event and will stream online.
The red carpet show will stream on YouTube and APNews.com.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Charlotte Cadden has been selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester. This by-election is happening because former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne resigned due to health reasons. Cadden aims to address issues such as grooming gangs, carbon tax, and mobile phones in schools.
Key Facts
Charlotte Cadden is a former detective in Manchester and London.
Cadden is the Conservative candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election.
The by-election is scheduled for 26 February.
The seat became available after Labour MP Andrew Gwynne resigned for health reasons.
In the 2024 General Election, the Conservatives received 2,888 votes in this constituency.
Cadden plans to focus on local schools, the NHS, and policing.
She also aims to address grooming gangs and eliminate carbon tax.
Labour won the 2024 election in this area with 18,555 votes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Khartoum International Airport in Sudan has received its first scheduled flight in over two years amid ongoing conflict in the country. The flight, operated by Sudan Airways, arrived from Port Sudan, indicating progress in reestablishing connections within the country. Sudan's government is working to regain control and improve access in the capital city.
Key Facts
Khartoum International Airport received its first scheduled commercial flight in over two years.
The flight came from Port Sudan to Khartoum and was operated by Sudan Airways.
This event marks a step in reestablishing transport links within Sudan.
The Sudanese military claims it regained full control of Khartoum from the RSF paramilitary group in March last year.
Violence continues in other parts of Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region.
The conflict in Sudan has displaced millions and resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis.
The ongoing war began in April 2023 due to a power struggle between the military and the RSF.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a new round of peace talks with Russia and the United States will happen in Abu Dhabi to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The talks come as both sides manage sporadic attacks, with the U.S. encouraging a peace deal. President Donald Trump mentioned that Russia would pause energy strikes for a limited time due to cold weather.
Key Facts
New peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. are set for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
The focus is on ending the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
The first round of talks in January had little progress on resolving territorial disputes.
Moscow wants Ukraine to give up control over part of the Donetsk region, which Ukraine refuses.
President Trump revealed that Russia agreed to halt attacks on energy targets for a short time due to winter conditions.
A recent meeting between U.S. and Russian envoys in Florida discussed peace efforts.
In southeastern Ukraine, attacks continue, including a fatal drone strike in Dnipro.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated Russia aims for victory but also considers future peace.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two burglars broke into a jewelry store in west London during the day using a hammer to smash the window. They took several items while staff tried to stop them. The police are asking for witnesses to help with the investigation.
Key Facts
The burglary happened at Gregory & Co jewellers in Richmond, west London.
Two masked men used a hammer to break the store's window.
The burglary occurred around 10:30 AM GMT on a Saturday.
Store staff tried to stop the burglars by using a small box and removing items from the window.
The police, known as the Met Police in London, are seeking witnesses.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Reform UK is using intense screening to choose who can run as a candidate. They have rejected some people because of old social media posts. The party plans to announce a new leader in Wales soon.
Key Facts
Reform UK is vetting candidates for the Welsh Senedd election.
The vetting process includes checking social media and background information.
The party's leader, Nigel Farage, mentioned past vetting was poor but will improve.
Jason O'Connell, a party councillor, described the process as "brutal" and "intrusive."
Some candidates were dropped due to old social media comments.
Reform UK will announce a new leader in Wales shortly.
O'Connell, who is linked to leadership rumors, has not had formal talks about it.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article discusses over 500 Palestinians killed by Israel following a ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire deal was arranged with the help of the United States, but the killings have continued despite the truce.
Key Facts
Israel agreed to a ceasefire, with the United States helping to broker the deal.
Despite the ceasefire, more than 500 Palestinians have died.
The conflict is part of ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza.
The article aims to share stories of Palestinians who lost their lives after the ceasefire.
The term "genocidal war" is used in the article, indicating severe violence prior to the ceasefire agreement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A teenager died from injuries sustained in a fire at Le Constellation bar in a Swiss ski resort, raising the total deaths to 41. The fire, which occurred on New Year's Eve, injured 116 people, and many are still hospitalized with severe burns.
Key Facts
A teenager injured in the New Year's Eve bar fire in Switzerland has died, bringing the death toll to 41.
The fire occurred at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a ski resort town.
The venue is popular with young people, and most victims were young, including eight under the age of 16.
116 people were injured, with severe burns; 44 are receiving treatment abroad.
Initial investigation findings suggest the fire started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited the bar’s soundproof foam ceiling.
Authorities revealed the bar had not been safety checked for five years.
The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face charges of manslaughter by negligence and other offenses.
Criminal proceedings also target local safety officials for their roles in the incident.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 4-year-old girl named Lily, living in the U.K., showed a strong connection to her late twin sister, Daisy, by asking for a special teddy bear on the anniversary of Daisy's funeral. Their mother, Cheryl Guile, shared how this teddy bear has been a key part of Lily's way of coping with grief after Daisy passed away soon after birth.
Key Facts
Lily and Daisy were born prematurely at 24 weeks on October 20, 2021.
Daisy passed away when she was just over two weeks old due to lung complications.
A charity called Aching Arms gave Cheryl Guile a teddy bear, which has become a significant comfort.
Lily asked for this specific bear on the anniversary of Daisy's funeral, not knowing its significance.
Cheryl Guile shares videos about Lily and Daisy on social media to keep Daisy’s memory alive.
The teddy bear has been a continuous part of Cheryl’s and Lily’s grieving process.
A video of Lily with the teddy bear on TikTok gained over 164,900 views and 22,300 likes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israel plans to stop Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from working in Gaza because MSF refused to give a list of its staff to Israeli authorities. Israel claims the list is needed to check for links to armed groups like Hamas, but MSF is concerned about the safety of its staff. MSF plays a major role in providing healthcare in Gaza.
Key Facts
Israel wants MSF to provide a list of its workers in Gaza, claiming some may be linked to armed groups.
MSF refused to give the list, citing concerns for staff safety.
Israel says it will ban MSF from working in Gaza due to this refusal.
MSF provides a significant portion of healthcare services in Gaza, including hospital beds and health centers.
The Israeli government has asked 37 organizations for such lists, stating it's to prevent terrorist infiltration.
Ten countries have criticized the move, saying it will impact essential services in Gaza.
MSF has lost 15 staff members, highlighting the risks its staff face in conflict zones.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Department of Justice released a large set of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, including emails and images involving well-known figures like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson. These individuals have responded, denying any misconduct or inappropriate behavior connected to Epstein. The release took place under a law signed by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice released over 3 million pages of records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The release includes about 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
High-profile people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson are mentioned in the documents.
Elon Musk and Epstein exchanged emails about visiting Epstein's island, but Musk denies any wrongdoing.
Bill Gates is accused in draft emails from Epstein of contracting a disease, which his spokesperson denies as false.
Richard Branson appeared in email threads and an image with Epstein, but his spokesperson says their interactions were business-related.
The Justice Department released these documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Donald Trump.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China in January, marking the first such visit by a UK prime minister in eight years amid tense UK-China relations. The trip did not signal a reset in relations but highlighted changing global political dynamics. Starmer's visit comes as alliances are shifting due to the actions of the United States.
Key Facts
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China in January 2023.
This was the first visit by a UK prime minister to China in eight years.
The UK and China have had recent tensions, including accusations of spying.
The visit happened as global political alliances are changing.
Starmer recently criticized comments made by US President Donald Trump.
The UK has traditionally been a strong ally of the United States.
The visit did not create a new alliance between the UK and China.
The trip highlights a changing global power dynamic.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A woman named Mare rescued a dog, Charlie, from a shelter shortly before he was to be euthanized. She set up a pet camera in her home to check on Charlie and her black Labrador, Rambo, while at work. Mare was touched to see Rambo comforting the new rescue dog, Charlie, which has been shared in a TikTok video that went viral.
Key Facts
Mare adopted Charlie, a rescue dog, from a shelter in Illinois.
Charlie was saved from a kill shelter in Oklahoma.
Mare set up a pet camera to monitor Charlie and Rambo.
Rambo, the Labrador, was seen comforting Charlie by climbing into his bed.
The comforting moment was captured and shared on TikTok by Mare.
The video received over 169,600 views on TikTok.
Rambo is trying to teach Charlie how to use the doggy door.
The TikTok video produced a strong emotional reaction from viewers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Votes are being cast in Costa Rica's general election, where the centre-right government wants to stay in control and gain more seats in the Legislative Assembly. Laura Fernandez, who supports current President Rodrigo Chaves's tough security ideas, leads the polls, which could help her win without a run-off election. Costa Rica faces high levels of drug violence, and many young voters remain undecided.
Key Facts
Costa Rica is holding a general election with polls open from 6am to 6pm local time on Sunday.
Laura Fernandez, a supporter of President Rodrigo Chaves, is leading with over 40% in the polls.
To avoid a second-round vote, Fernandez needs to maintain her lead above 40%.
Alvaro Ramos and Claudia Dobles are her main opponents but have less popular support.
Fernandez asks voters for 40 seats in the 57-seat assembly to ease law-making.
Drug-related violence is a major issue influencing voter decisions.
President Chaves has a high approval rating despite violence and corruption issues.
About 25% of voters are undecided, mainly young people from coastal areas.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Bank statements released by the U.S. Department of Justice suggest Jeffrey Epstein sent $75,000 to accounts linked to Peter Mandelson, a former UK politician. Mandelson said he does not remember receiving the money and apologized for his past association with Epstein. Images and emails involving Mandelson have surfaced, but there is no proof of wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein allegedly sent $75,000 to accounts associated with Peter Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.
The payments were in three separate $25,000 transactions.
These transactions were part of files released by the U.S. government concerning Epstein.
Mandelson claimed no recollection of the payments and questioned the documents' authenticity.
Images of Mandelson from Epstein's files have been discovered, showing him alongside an unidentified woman.
Mandelson apologized for his past relationship with Epstein and denied knowledge of any illegal activities.
The UK government was unaware of Mandelson's connections with Epstein at the time.
Mandelson was removed as the UK ambassador to the U.S. after more revelations about his friendship with Epstein were made public.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 50-year-old woman was stabbed to death on a street in Willesden, north-west London. The police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of murder and believe he knew the victim. Officers say the murder appears to be an isolated incident.
Key Facts
A woman, aged 50, was stabbed and died on Pound Lane in Willesden, London.
The incident occurred around 4:00 PM GMT on a Saturday.
Emergency services arrived, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police arrested a 30-year-old man, whom they suspect knew the victim.
Detectives believe the attack is an isolated case, with no broader threat to public safety.
Local police are patrolling the area to reassure residents and gather information.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford is leading the investigation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
