Burkina Faso's military government has dissolved all political parties. This decision comes amid ongoing efforts to deal with internal conflict and improve governance after a series of coups. The government is trying to rebuild the state by removing political divisions and continues to align more closely with countries like Russia.
Key Facts
Burkina Faso's military government dissolved all political parties.
The decision follows a coup that occurred four years ago.
The council of ministers issued the decree as part of a broader plan to address internal issues.
At the time of the coup, over 100 political parties existed in Burkina Faso.
Captain Ibrahim Traore leads the country after a coup in September 2022.
The government cut ties with France and sought security support from Russia.
Internet access to certain Western media platforms has been restricted by the government.
Burkina Faso joined Mali and Niger to form the Alliance of Sahel States for economic and military cooperation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Venezuela's National Assembly has passed a new law allowing private companies, including foreign ones, to have more freedom in the oil industry. The reform aims to encourage foreign investment by giving companies more control over oil operations. Once signed by the interim president, it could lead to greater involvement of international firms in Venezuela's oil sector.
Key Facts
Venezuela's National Assembly approved a reform to its hydrocarbons law.
The new law allows private and foreign companies to operate more freely in Venezuela's oil industry.
The reform is expected to attract more foreign investment in the oil sector.
Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
The previous framework required majority control by the state oil company PDVSA.
Foreign companies had previously withdrawn due to nationalization and tightened state control.
The reform could bring back international firms that left due to past policy changes.
Ongoing US-Venezuela negotiations involve the sale of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on aircraft from Canada sold in the United States. This threat is tied to a disagreement with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over the certification of U.S.-made Gulfstream jets in Canada.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft sold in the U.S.
The dispute arises from Canada's refusal to certify Gulfstream jets.
Trump claims Canada is blocking Gulfstream sales through its certification process.
Trump also previously warned about a 100% tariff on Canadian goods.
This move is in reaction to a possible Canadian trade agreement with China.
Trump announced these actions on the social media platform Truth Social.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A video went viral showing a woman confused after waking up from a tonsil surgery, mistakenly thinking she had undergone a Brazilian Butt Lift. Her reaction was posted on TikTok and has gained millions of views, with many people joking about her confusion due to the effects of anesthesia.
Key Facts
A woman named Ashley woke up from a tonsil surgery and mistakenly believed she had a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
Her confused reaction was recorded and posted on TikTok, where it became very popular.
The video has over three million views, with many commenters making jokes about the situation.
A Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a surgical procedure that uses fat from the body to enhance the buttocks.
The confusion Ashley experienced is common after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia.
Anesthesia can cause disorientation and emotional reactions as patients recover.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that recovery from a BBL involves wearing special clothes and avoiding sitting or lying on the buttocks for several weeks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed not to attack Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, for a week because of very cold weather. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the announcement, but Russia has not confirmed this agreement. Despite ongoing talks, attacks have continued, affecting power supplies in Ukraine.
Key Facts
President Trump stated that Putin agreed to pause attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns for a week due to cold weather.
Ukraine's President Zelensky welcomed this announcement and mentioned prior discussions in the UAE.
Russia has not confirmed any agreement to stop attacks during the cold period.
Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the invasion started in 2022.
Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US took place in the UAE but did not lead to a formal pause in attacks.
Continuous Russian attacks have disrupted power in major Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian electrical companies work around the clock to repair damage, often undone by further attacks.
Despite power restoration efforts, supply remains intermittent.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, who shares videos about life in Gaza, has gotten back her TikTok account. Her account was deleted soon after new investors bought the platform in the US.
Key Facts
Bisan Owda is a journalist from Palestine.
She shares videos about Gaza on TikTok.
Her TikTok account was deleted recently.
The account deletion happened after TikTok got new investors in the US.
Owda has announced that her account is now restored.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. government, led by President Trump, expects Panama's Supreme Court to cancel a contract that allows a Chinese-linked company to operate parts of the Panama Canal. The move is part of President Trump's strategy to reduce Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere. If the contract is canceled, Danish company Maersk is expected to temporarily manage the canal operations until a new bidding process occurs.
Key Facts
The contract in question is managed by Hong Kong's CK Hutchison, which has ties to the Chinese government.
An audit accused CK Hutchison of costing Panama $1.3 billion and violating the country's constitution.
The Trump administration is pushing for the contract's cancellation to strengthen U.S. dominance in the region.
Panama's Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling canceling the contract with majority, if not unanimous, support.
Danish company Maersk may temporarily take over management of the canal operations.
U.S. strategic interests are driving the push to remove Chinese influence in the Panama Canal area.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has prioritized the canal and related contracts as key issues for the administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Reddit user, Remote-Breath-70, shared his experience of feeling ignored by his long-distance girlfriend during their group vacation. Despite his efforts to communicate, she remained distant, prompting him to decide to end the relationship after the trip. The situation illustrates phases in relationships where dissatisfaction builds, often unnoticed by one partner.
Key Facts
A man (Reddit user, Remote-Breath-70) flew overseas to join his long-distance girlfriend on vacation.
He felt ignored by his girlfriend, who engaged more with friends than with him.
When he asked why she was distant, she claimed not to understand his concerns.
He decided to end the relationship after the trip, despite needing to pay $700 to leave early.
Relationship experts note that dissatisfaction often builds slowly in relationships, leading to breakups.
Ending relationships respectfully can help both parties move on, according to experts.
Newsweek attempted to contact the Reddit user for further comments but could not verify the story details.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are emphasizing that the U.S. should respect Canada's sovereignty after reports surfaced that Alberta separatists talked with the Trump administration about possibly leaving Canada. Alberta separatists are working on a petition that could lead to a referendum for the province's independence. Meetings between separatists and U.S. officials have caused criticism among Canadian leaders.
Key Facts
Alberta separatists met with U.S. officials to discuss the possibility of Alberta leaving Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith want the U.S. to respect Canadian sovereignty.
Alberta separatists are gathering signatures for a potential independence referendum.
Meetings between separatists and U.S. officials faced criticism from Canadian officials, including British Columbia Premier David Eby.
Separatists have visited Washington three times as private citizens for discussions on a possible financial agreement.
A recent Ipsos poll shows about 30% of Alberta residents support starting the separation process from Canada.
Canadian premiers are discussing the issue during trade talks in Ottawa.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary commented on Alberta's potential as a partner for its natural resources.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
France is planning to prohibit children under 15 from using social media. This decision is due to increasing worries about the mental health of young people.
Key Facts
France plans to ban social media for children under 15.
The decision is based on concerns about young people's mental health.
Other European countries are thinking about similar bans.
Al Jazeera reported on this development.
The plan is still in the discussion phase.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kash Patel defended the FBI's search of the Fulton County, Georgia election office, which faced criticism from local officials who saw it as retaliatory. Concerns were raised about the search's timing relative to the statute of limitations for federal crimes. Patel stated that the FBI acted with legal approval to conduct the search.
Key Facts
Kash Patel defended the FBI's search of the Fulton County election office.
Local officials criticized the search, calling it retaliation related to President Trump's election loss.
The search occurred months after the statute of limitations for federal crimes expired.
Patel argued that the search was legally conducted and based on a judge's approval.
The FBI and the Department of Justice did not comment on the issue.
Fulton County Commission Chairman claimed the county was targeted for rejecting Trump's claims about the 2020 election.
About 700 boxes were taken in the search, and their current location is unknown.
In 2024, the State Election Board subpoenaed Fulton's 2020 ballots, which is still under review.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a new law allowing private companies to take over parts of the country's oil industry. This change comes after the U.S. military detained Venezuela's former President Nicolás Maduro, and the U.S. began easing restrictions on Venezuelan oil. The new law is expected to encourage foreign investment in Venezuela's oil sector.
Key Facts
Delcy Rodríguez is the acting President of Venezuela.
A new law will allow privatization in Venezuela's oil industry.
The U.S. military recently detained former President Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. Treasury is easing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, permitting more U.S. energy companies to operate there.
The updated law allows for private company control over oil production and sales in Venezuela.
The law changes taxes on oil extraction and lets the government set rates based on specific project needs.
Foreign investors are now allowed to resolve disputes in independent courts rather than just Venezuelan ones.
Some Venezuelan oil workers and lawmakers support the changes, expecting them to boost the economy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A bride shared on Reddit that her sister-in-law brought her husband into the bridal suite without warning, creating tension because the bridal party was getting dressed. The bride requested that the man leave the room, but the sister-in-law refused, leading to a disagreement. The sister-in-law eventually left the suite to change elsewhere.
Key Facts
A bride was preparing for her wedding in a suite designated for women only.
The bride's sister-in-law unexpectedly brought her husband into the suite.
The suite was originally reserved for the bridesmaids, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law to get ready.
The bride asked the sister-in-law's husband to leave, but the sister-in-law refused.
The sister-in-law argued her husband might get lost if he left alone.
The sister-in-law and her husband arrived late, returning from a beach trip.
Other guests offered to keep the brother-in-law company, but that option wasn't taken.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an order to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, aiming to pressure Mexico and isolate Cuba further. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico had stopped oil shipments to Cuba by its own decision, not due to U.S. pressure. Trump also threatened Canada with a tariff on aircraft to escalate trade tensions.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an order to tariff goods from countries that sell oil to Cuba.
This action is intended to increase pressure on Mexico regarding its relations with Cuba.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported halting oil shipments to Cuba, stating it was Mexico's independent decision.
The U.S. already has economic sanctions enforced against Cuba.
After Venezuela's leadership change, Trump indicated that Cuba might also face significant change.
Trump also threatened a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft imports into the U.S.
The tariff threats against Canada are part of ongoing trade disputes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iran's foreign minister criticized the European Union for calling the IRGC a terrorist group. The minister accused the EU of being hypocritical by protecting Israel in its actions in Gaza.
Key Facts
Iran's foreign minister spoke out against the European Union.
The EU designated the IRGC, Iran's military group, as a terrorist organization.
Iran accuses the EU of not holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza.
The criticism focuses on perceived inconsistencies in the EU's foreign policy.
The IRGC stands for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of Iran's military.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ex-Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's legal team argued in a London court that she did not take bribes from industry insiders. The defense stated that Alison-Madueke reimbursed costs paid on her behalf because she could not maintain foreign bank accounts as a Nigerian minister. The trial centers on accusations of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, with Alison-Madueke firmly denying the charges.
Key Facts
Diezani Alison-Madueke was Nigeria's oil minister from 2010 to 2015.
She has been accused of taking bribes, but her defense says she reimbursed money spent on her.
Nigerian ministers are not allowed to have bank accounts outside Nigeria.
Her defense claims these charges were delayed significantly, with her first arrest in 2015, yet charges only brought in 2023.
The court heard that those accused of giving bribes have not been charged or extradited.
Alison-Madueke's brother and a businessman are also on trial for related charges.
The defense argues the absence of certain records and materials places Alison-Madueke at a disadvantage in her trial.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Portions of Florida are preparing for unusually cold weather, with temperatures dropping below freezing over the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch, warning of potential risks like hypothermia and threats to crops and pipes due to the cold conditions.
Key Facts
An extreme cold watch is in effect for parts of Florida over the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to fall well below freezing in some areas.
Wind chills in northern and northeast Florida could feel as low as 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Such cold conditions can cause frostbite in 30 minutes if skin is exposed.
Areas in the Florida Panhandle, northern and central Florida, and as far south as Palm Beach County, are affected.
This cold weather is rare for how far south the cold is reaching in Florida.
The coldest nights are expected from Saturday into Sunday and Sunday into Monday.
The cold is a concern for agriculture in the region.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Yemen is experiencing increased conflict as previous allies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are no longer cooperating, leading to a struggle for control in the south and east of the country. The Houthis maintain control in the north, and fracturing alliances and air military presence are impacting millions of civilians who face hunger and displacement.
Key Facts
Yemen's conflict is becoming more intense.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE, former partners, are no longer working together.
The south and east regions of Yemen are in dispute.
The Houthis continue to hold the northern part of Yemen.
Alliances in Yemen are breaking apart, influencing the conflict.
Many civilians in Yemen are dealing with hunger and displacement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Minneapolis is seeing protests organized by local groups who learned from past movements after the death of George Floyd. These groups, including rapid response networks and mutual aid organizations, are working together to create a lasting effort for community protection.
Key Facts
Protests in Minneapolis are organized by local rapid response networks and mutual aid groups.
The efforts are inspired by movements that started after George Floyd's death in 2020.
The focus is on building a long-term movement for community defense.
Alex Pretti, an observer, was fatally shot by federal immigration agents.
Marcia Howard, involved in local education and community work, is part of these efforts.
The article credits various producers and editors who worked on the related media content.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli media report that a senior Israeli security source has acknowledged that over 70,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing war in Gaza. This number aligns with figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which have been largely accepted by the UN and other human rights organizations. The conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, and Israel has questioned the accuracy of the death toll but now appears to recognize it.
Key Facts
Israeli media cite a senior security source acknowledging over 70,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza due to the war.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported these figures, which the UN and human rights groups also considered reliable.
The conflict began with an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Approximately 1,200 people died in the initial Hamas attack, with 251 taken hostage.
Israel launched a military response in Gaza following the attack.
The Israeli military traditionally disputed Hamas's death toll figures.
A senior source now suggests these figures are largely accurate, despite challenges in identifying combatants versus civilians.
The Israel Defense Forces have not made an official position on the latest figures.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
