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Trump has withdrawn threats of imposing 10% import tariffs on eight countries, including the UK.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.
Wunmi Mosaku, a British actress, received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "Sinners." The movie, directed by Ryan Coogler, also features Michael B. Jordan and is set in 1930s Mississippi. Mosaku, originally from Manchester, had her heart set on acting from a young age and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Key Facts
Wunmi Mosaku is nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Sinners."
She plays a character named Annie, a Hoodoo priestess, in the movie.
"Sinners" is set in the 1930s and follows twins defending their town from vampires.
Mosaku was inspired by the movie "Annie," which she watched frequently as a child.
She studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in the UK.
Mosaku previously won a BAFTA TV Award for her performance in the film "Damilola, Our Loved Boy."
She has appeared in TV series like "Luther" and the Marvel series "Loki."
President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have agreed on a plan to increase security in the Arctic region. Their discussions about acquiring Greenland have led to a new focus on ensuring that NATO countries work together to address growing security concerns in the area. Denmark, which governs Greenland, emphasizes that it won't negotiate its sovereignty over the territory.
Key Facts
President Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte agreed on boosting Arctic security.
The agreement was made amidst President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland.
Trump had considered imposing tariffs on Europe but decided against it.
Discussions included the US Golden Dome missile defense program.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Denmark will not negotiate sovereignty over Greenland.
Security in the Arctic, due to increased Russian and Chinese activity, was a major discussion focus.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark and part of NATO.
The UK government has decided to postpone local elections for 29 English councils until 2027 to accommodate local government reorganization. The reorganization aims to replace the current two-tier system with single-unitary councils responsible for all services in their areas. Some opposition parties and the Electoral Commission have criticized this decision, expressing concerns about its impact on democracy and public confidence.
Key Facts
In England, 29 local council elections scheduled for May will be postponed to 2027.
The decision affects 29 out of 63 councils that were eligible for postponement.
The government plans to reorganize local government by replacing district and county councils with unitary councils.
This reorganization aims to avoid the cost of running elections for councils that will be abolished.
The delay is intended to save taxpayer money and reduce bureaucracy.
Some opposition parties and the Electoral Commission have criticized the delays, citing potential harm to democracy.
Some councils had requested the delays due to capacity and cost concerns.
Ugandan police have arrested Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker connected to opposition leader Bobi Wine, accusing him of organizing violent attacks after recent elections. This comes amid claims of election violence, with conflicting reports on the number of casualties. President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected for a seventh term, and tensions have risen as the opposition contests the results.
Key Facts
Ugandan police arrested Muwanga Kivumbi, a deputy leader of Bobi Wine's National Unity Platform.
Kivumbi is accused of organizing attacks on a police station and vote-tallying center.
His party denies these accusations and disputes the police's account of events.
Police reported seven people were killed in the violence, while Kivumbi claims 10 died at his residence.
President Museveni has been re-elected for a seventh term amid these tensions.
Bobi Wine, in hiding, denounces the election results as fraudulent and speaks of a crackdown on activists.
Uganda's army chief reported 22 opposition supporters were killed in election-related violence.
Museveni first gained power in 1986 and will have served 45 years by the end of his next term.
A TikTok video featuring a corgi went viral as the dog stubbornly refused to participate in the "Dry January" trend by stopping near a pub where he usually visits with his owners. The month-long Dry January challenge encourages people to abstain from alcohol, but the corgi showed he had different plans.
Key Facts
Dry January is a month-long challenge to quit alcohol, started by Alcohol Change UK in 2013.
Many people believe Dry January can improve health, such as better sleep and mood.
Nearly one-third of Americans aimed to participate in Dry January last year.
A corgi went viral on TikTok for refusing to walk past a pub during a Dry January challenge.
The video of the corgi stopping near the pub reached over 2.5 million views and 525,500 likes.
Viewers supported the corgi's desire to stick to its routine, humorously commenting on the situation.
The corgi was featured on the TikTok account @acombolts.
An incident in the occupied West Bank led to most residents of a Palestinian Bedouin village called Ras Ein al-Auja leaving their homes. This was due to actions by Israeli settlers that forced hundreds to flee the area.
Key Facts
The village affected is Ras Ein al-Auja, a Palestinian Bedouin village.
Almost 75% of the village's residents have left.
The reason for the departure is described as violence from Israeli settlers.
Remaining villagers feel they are being forced out and have nowhere else to go.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to reopen next week. This decision comes after an announcement by Ali Shaath, who was speaking during an event hosted by President Donald Trump. The reopening marks a shift from previous Israeli policies and is part of efforts to implement a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Key Facts
Gaza's border crossing with Egypt, known as the Rafah crossing, will reopen next week.
Ali Shaath, a Palestinian leader, announced this at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Rafah crossing has been mostly closed during Israel's recent conflict with Gaza.
Under a current ceasefire agreement, Israel has control of over half of Gaza territory.
The United States supports a committee that will oversee Gaza's administration for peace efforts.
President Trump introduced a "Board of Peace" to manage international conflicts, including Gaza.
Some Palestinians are concerned the technocratic committee might ignore important political issues.
Andrew Gwynne, a Labour MP, is expected to step down, which could create an opportunity for Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester's Mayor, to return to Parliament. If Burnham wants to challenge Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in a leadership race, he would need to be an MP. However, the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee might block his return due to possible political and financial implications.
Key Facts
Andrew Gwynne, a Labour MP, is considering stepping down due to health reasons.
Gwynne was suspended from Labour after offensive WhatsApp messages were reported.
His resignation would lead to a by-election in the Gorton and Denton constituency.
Andy Burnham, currently Mayor of Greater Manchester, may run for Gwynne's seat to return to Parliament.
The Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) must approve Burnham's candidacy.
There is concern that Burnham's return would cause a costly by-election for the Mayor role.
The NEC may prefer an all-women shortlist for the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour held the Gorton and Denton seat with a majority in the last election, but party popularity is currently low.
At the Davos summit, China is presenting itself as a stable global partner amid concerns about U.S. policies under President Donald Trump. China's Vice-Premier emphasized China's commitment to global prosperity through trade and multilateral cooperation. Some experts believe China could gain influence due to U.S policy changes.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump made several announcements at the Davos summit that caused concerns among U.S. allies.
Trump stated he would not use force to annex Greenland or impose tariffs on opposing countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the U.S. for straying from traditional alliances.
China is showcasing itself as a consistent and reliable global power in contrast to the U.S.
China's Vice-Premier, He Lifeng, spoke about China's goal of fostering prosperity and rejecting trade surpluses.
China had a record trade surplus, which worries some trading partners.
China has recently signed agreements to improve relations with countries closely aligned with the U.S.
The United Kingdom approved the construction of a new Chinese embassy in London.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he and President Donald Trump have agreed on U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, which would take effect after the war ends. This agreement was discussed during their meeting at the Davos summit, and the document just needs signatures and approval by national parliaments. Zelensky also commented on Europe's response to Russia, contrasting it with Trump's swift actions in Venezuela.
Key Facts
President Zelensky met with President Trump at the Davos summit.
They agreed on U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine after the war ends.
The agreement document is complete but requires signatures from both presidents.
Once signed, the document will go for approval by national parliaments.
Zelensky mentioned that the security guarantees will only become active once the war stops.
He criticized Europe's slow response to Russia, comparing it to Trump's quick actions in Venezuela.
Japan stopped the restart of a reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, the world's largest, just a day after it began due to a technical problem. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) said there was no safety threat and the reactor was stable as they paused operations to investigate the issue with control rods. Japan is looking to revive nuclear energy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and meet carbon neutrality goals.
Key Facts
The reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant was restarted but halted due to a control rod issue.
TEPCO, which also manages the damaged Fukushima plant, oversees this operation.
The reactor was stable, and there was no outside radioactive impact from the glitch.
Control rods help manage nuclear fission by controlling the nuclear chain reaction.
The plant is the largest by potential capacity, with plans to restart more reactors.
Japan wants to increase nuclear energy use to lower fossil fuel reliance and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Public opinion in Niigata is split on restarting the reactor, with 60% opposed.
At a session in Davos, Elon Musk made a joke about President Donald Trump's new "Board of Peace," playing on the words "peace" and "piece." The audience responded with laughter, highlighting the joke about the potential division of territories.
Key Facts
Elon Musk spoke at Davos, a global economic forum.
He joked about the similarity between the words "peace" and "piece."
Musk referenced President Trump's announcement of a "Board of Peace."
The audience laughed at Musk's joke during his session.
Musk humorously mentioned territories like Greenland and Venezuela.
The context for Musk's joke was Trump's initiative for peace.
Japan will soon be without giant pandas for the first time in over 50 years as two pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are set to return to China. This occurs amid worsening relations between Japan and China, following Japan's statements about possible military action regarding Taiwan. The departure of the pandas signifies the end of a loan agreement between the two countries.
Key Facts
Japan will not have any pandas after Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei leave next week.
The pandas are leaving because a 10-year loan agreement, extended by five years, has ended.
Pandas have been in Japan since 1972, when Japan and China established diplomatic relations.
Japan's failure to extend the agreement is seen as a response to Japan's statements on Taiwan.
In response, China has also imposed travel and trade restrictions on Japan.
The pandas were born at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in 2021 and their parents were returned to China in 2024.
China has used panda loans to express diplomatic displeasure in the past.
