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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to join President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza after initially opposing it. The board aims to help stabilize and rebuild Gaza, with concerns about its membership and roles in the ongoing conflict. Despite agreeing to join, Israel is blocking relevant committee members from entering Gaza, causing tension with the U.S. and other involved parties.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will join President Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza.
Netanyahu initially opposed the “executive board” for Gaza, saying it did not align with Israeli policy.
The board includes representatives from nations supportive of Israel, and is chaired by President Trump.
The board’s goals include stabilizing Gaza, building governance, and encouraging investment.
Israel is currently blocking the committee tasked with Gaza's rebuilding from entering the area.
The board’s membership includes people like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Netanyahu and Israel have expressed opposition to the inclusion of Turkiye and Qatar on the board.
Analysts believe Israel's strategy may involve disrupting efforts to govern Gaza effectively.
Three Palestinian journalists died in an Israeli airstrike on their vehicle in Gaza. The journalists were working with an Egyptian aid group. Israel claims the attack was due to suspected drone use by people in the vehicle.
Key Facts
Israeli forces targeted a vehicle in Gaza, killing three Palestinian journalists.
The journalists were working for an Egyptian aid organization at the time.
Israel alleged the vehicle was involved in drone use.
Eight other Palestinians died in different attacks across the Gaza Strip.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized European leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos for not taking strong action against Russia. He emphasized the need for Europe to act decisively and praised President Donald Trump for his proactive stance. Zelensky also highlighted upcoming trilateral talks involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
Key Facts
Zelensky called out European leaders for being slow and cautious in responding to Russian aggression.
He suggested using frozen Russian assets and seizing Russian tankers as bold actions.
U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials planned to hold talks in Abu Dhabi to discuss peace plans.
Zelensky had a meeting with President Trump, discussing the need for more air defense systems for Ukraine.
Russia continues to attack Ukraine's energy systems, worsening the situation during winter.
Zelensky expressed doubt that Europe could effectively defend itself without U.S. support.
He stressed that Europe must act instead of waiting for the U.S. to lead, mentioning ongoing protests in Iran as a similar situation needing action.
The focus on Ukraine was somewhat overshadowed by other global issues discussed at the forum.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked Sir Keir Starmer for his support against U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland. President Trump has backed off from imposing tariffs and reached an agreement on Arctic security with NATO after discussions at the World Economic Forum.
Key Facts
Danish PM Mette Frederiksen met Sir Keir Starmer in the UK and expressed gratitude for his support regarding Greenland.
President Donald Trump previously suggested the U.S. could take control of Greenland, a Danish territory.
Trump has withdrawn threats of imposing 10% import tariffs on eight countries, including the UK.
An agreement on Arctic security was reached with NATO during discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The UK worked closely with NATO to ensure the withdrawal of Trump's sanctions threat.
The proposed agreement might involve cooperation among NATO countries on Arctic security, though details are limited.
The UK emphasized diplomatic coordination to achieve this outcome.
Hollywood announced the nominees for the 2026 Oscars, featuring films and actors recognized for outstanding work in the past year. The film "Sinners" set a new record with 16 nominations, surpassing previous records. The awards ceremony will be held on March 15 and hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
Key Facts
"Sinners" received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the Oscars.
The Oscar ceremony will take place on March 15, hosted by Conan O'Brien.
Other top-nominated films include "One Battle After Another" with 13 nominations.
Jessie Buckley and Rose Byrne are nominated for Best Actress.
Michael B. Jordan is nominated for Best Actor for "Sinners."
A range of categories, including Best Picture and Best Director, feature various films and directors.
Categories like Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Animated Feature include multiple nominees from different films.
The Oscars celebrate achievements in the film industry over the past year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Europe for being slow and not unified in responding to Russia's actions over the past four years. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he compared the ongoing situation in Ukraine to the movie "Groundhog Day," where events repeat without change.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
He criticized European allies for their slow and divided response to Russia's invasion.
The invasion by Russia happened nearly four years ago.
Zelenskyy expressed that Ukraine feels left vulnerable to Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
He mentioned a U.S. effort to reach a peace settlement.
Zelenskyy compared Europe's situation to the movie "Groundhog Day," where things keep repeating.
He suggested Europe should take a stronger global role, like the U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran.
A new study published in the journal PLOS Biology found that women generally consider men with larger penises more attractive. The study involved over 600 men and 200 women who rated computer-generated male figures on sexual attractiveness and intimidation.
Key Facts
The study was conducted by evolutionary biologist Upama Aich and an international team from the University of Western Australia.
Women rated taller men with larger shoulder-to-hip ratios and bigger penises as more attractive.
Men considered figures with larger penises, taller height, and more muscle as more threatening in terms of competition.
Participants viewed either life-sized images in person or scaled images online.
The study suggested a larger penis might signal higher testosterone or better health, traits attractive to females.
Beyond a certain size, increases in physical traits showed diminishing returns in attractiveness.
Men overestimated the importance of these traits in attracting women, seeing them as a greater sexual threat.
The researchers proposed that the penis serves as a sexual ornament, not just for reproductive purposes.
President Donald Trump announced a "framework of a future deal" on Greenland after discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. This framework includes removing his earlier threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries opposing the sale of Greenland. Though Greenland, a self-governing part of Denmark, is not for sale, talks will continue to address Arctic security.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a "framework of a future deal" concerning Greenland with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump canceled his threat to impose 10 percent tariffs on eight European countries objecting to the Greenland sale.
Greenland is part of Denmark but is self-governing and has stated it is not for sale.
Trump and Rutte discussed Arctic security during a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The "Golden Dome" is a missile defense program announced by Trump, related to Arctic defense.
US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will lead further discussions.
Greenland's location is strategically important for US military operations.
European countries had considered retaliatory tariffs if US tariffs were imposed, but Trump's threat was withdrawn after the meeting.
