Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Kyrylo Budanov, a spy chief, as his new chief of staff after the previous aide, Andriy Yermak, resigned amid a corruption investigation. Zelensky emphasized the need for enhanced security focus and tasked Budanov with revising Ukraine’s defense strategies. This change comes at a critical time as Ukraine continues to deal with its conflict with Russia.
Key Facts
Kyrylo Budanov, previously a military intelligence leader, is now the chief of staff for President Zelensky.
Budanov is 39 years old and has led intelligence operations with notable success against Russia.
Andriy Yermak, the previous chief of staff, resigned after his home was searched by anti-corruption agencies, though he was not charged.
Zelensky stressed the need for stronger security and diplomatic efforts for Ukraine.
The corruption investigation in Ukraine involves an alleged $100 million embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.
The change in leadership comes as Ukraine and its allies work on a peace plan with Russia.
Russian officials have commented on the corruption scandal to criticize Ukraine.
The UK experienced its warmest and sunniest year on record in 2025, with an average temperature of 10.09°C, surpassing past records. The year was marked by significant weather events, including four heatwaves during the summer and a powerful windstorm named Storm Éowyn. The spring season was the warmest and one of the driest since records began.
Key Facts
The average temperature in the UK in 2025 was 10.09°C, the highest on record.
2025 also had the highest amount of sunshine with 1648.5 hours, beating previous records.
Four distinct heatwaves happened in summer 2025, with temperatures reaching as high as 33.4°C in parts of England.
Storm Éowyn, in late January, caused severe conditions, with wind gusts reaching between 80 and 90mph.
Red weather warnings were issued for parts of the UK due to Storm Éowyn, resulting in transport disruptions and one fatality.
Spring 2025 was not only warm but also one of the driest on record, particularly in March and May.
Certain areas in the UK experienced hosepipe bans due to drought conditions.
Rainfall was 84% of the average across the UK, with a large variability between regions.
A law signed by President Donald Trump orders the exhumation of Fernando V. Cota's remains from a veterans' cemetery. Cota, who served in the Vietnam War, was a convicted rapist and suspected serial killer. The law aims to uphold new rules that prevent certain offenders from being buried in national cemeteries.
Key Facts
The U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs must exhume Fernando V. Cota's remains due to a law signed by President Trump.
The National Defense Authorization Act requires Cota's disinterment from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
Cota was a Vietnam War veteran and faced rape and murder allegations after returning to the U.S.
He was convicted in 1975 for attacking and raping a nurse.
Cota died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1984 when police found him with the body of Kim Marie Dunham.
Investigations linked Cota to six alleged murder victims.
New rules against burying convicted criminals in national cemeteries were enacted after Cota's burial in 1984.
Senator John Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz supported the legislation to remove Cota's remains.
Russia claims Ukraine attacked a hotel and cafe in the occupied Kherson region using drones, killing 27 people. Ukraine did not directly respond to this claim but stated it targets only military sites. The attack is part of ongoing tensions in the region, with Russia accusing Ukraine of trying to disrupt peace efforts.
Key Facts
Russia accuses Ukraine of a drone attack that killed 27 people in Kherson.
The attack allegedly occurred in the village of Khorly during a New Year's party.
More than 30 people were reported injured in the incident.
Ukraine did not confirm the details but said it targets military gatherings.
The Russian governor of Kherson informed President Putin about the attack.
The UN is looking into the incident to verify the civilian impact.
Russia's authorities have begun an investigation into the attack.
Kherson is an occupied area, with the annexation not recognized by Ukraine or its allies.
A historic church in Amsterdam was heavily damaged by a fire during New Year's celebrations. The fire was part of widespread violence and chaos in the Netherlands, resulting in over 200 arrests and multiple fatalities due to fireworks and arson.
Key Facts
A 19th-century church, Vondelkerk, in Amsterdam caught fire on January 1st.
The fire destroyed the church's 50-meter tower and severely damaged the roof.
Nearby homes were evacuated, and power was cut to around 90 houses for safety.
Police faced "severe" violence, and a total of 250 people were arrested in the country.
Two individuals died due to fireworks incidents during the unrest.
Emergency workers, including police, were attacked with fireworks and other explosives.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the church fire.
Dutch police described the level of New Year's Eve violence as unprecedented.
A coroner in London has called for government regulation on non-therapeutic male circumcision after a six-month-old boy died from an infection following the procedure. The coroner's report highlights the lack of safety measures and regulatory guidelines for such circumcisions, which are done for cultural or religious reasons. The report has been sent to government departments, urging action to prevent future deaths.
Key Facts
A six-month-old boy, Mohamed Abdisamad, died after developing an infection following his circumcision in London.
The circumcision was performed on February 12, 2023, and the boy died on February 19, 2023.
The coroner determined the cause of death was an "invasive streptococcus pyogenes infection following male circumcision."
A coroner's report calls for regulation of non-therapeutic male circumcision, which is done for cultural or religious reasons, not medical ones.
The report points out the absence of national rules about safety, training, and record-keeping for these procedures.
Government departments received the report and have 56 days to respond.
The report was also sent to Mohamed's family and relevant local services.
Mike Nesbitt will step down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). Nesbitt has informed party members of his decision and plans to stay on as health minister until the next election in 2027, although this will depend on the new leader.
Key Facts
Mike Nesbitt announced he will step down as UUP leader.
Nesbitt has been UUP leader since August 2024, marking his second time in the role.
He wishes to remain as health minister until May 2027.
Nesbitt first became UUP leader in 2012 but resigned in 2017 after poor election results.
The UUP has had several leaders since 2017: Robin Swann, Steve Aiken, Doug Beattie, and Nesbitt again.
The party has not seen significant improvement under these leaders.
Speculation about the next leader includes Robbie Butler and Jon Burrows.
If both Butler and Burrows run, it will be the first UUP leadership contest since 2012.
In Yemen, a Saudi-backed group launched air strikes against southern separatists. The conflict involves various groups fighting for control over parts of the country.
Key Facts
Saudi-backed forces conducted air strikes in Yemen.
The air strikes targeted southern separatists.
Southern separatists have recently gained more territory in Yemen.
These events are part of ongoing battles for territory in Yemen.
Different groups are involved in these territorial conflicts.
The situation in Yemen is complex, involving multiple factions and outside influences.
Indonesia has started using a new penal code, ending more than 80 years of reliance on colonial-era Dutch laws. The new code includes changes such as criminalizing sex outside marriage and introducing penalties for insulting the president. It aims to reflect modern Indonesian values but has faced criticism for potentially limiting personal freedoms.
Key Facts
Indonesia's new penal code replaces Dutch-era laws that were in place for over 80 years.
The code was passed in 2022 and began enforcement after a three-year transition.
Sex outside of marriage can lead to a one-year jail sentence under the new code.
Insulting the president or state institutions can result in up to three years in prison.
Adultery cases require a formal complaint by close family members to proceed.
The code retains penalties for blasphemy and spreading communist ideology.
Critics, including Human Rights Watch, are concerned about threats to privacy and freedom of expression.
The law dropped a proposal to criminalize gay sex, viewed positively by some advocacy groups.
The number of people in hospitals with flu in England has decreased, but the NHS is preparing for more challenges due to cold weather. Health authorities have issued alerts because colder temperatures could increase demand for medical services.
Key Facts
The number of flu patients in hospitals in England has dropped from over 3,000 to 2,676 in a week.
NHS England expects additional challenges because of the cold weather.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued cold health alerts, in effect until January 9.
These alerts predict increased demand for healthcare, issues with maintaining hospital temperatures, and possible staff problems due to travel delays.
NHS England has urged the public to use emergency services only for life-threatening situations.
The decline in flu cases was expected as flu levels in the community had started to fall before Christmas.
Experts warn the flu virus might still resurge in the following weeks.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting noted that, while pressures remain high, hospital bed occupancy and ambulance delays are currently better than last year.
An ex-aide to the UK's prime minister claims politicians have given away too much power to outside groups like lawyers and regulators, which limits their ability to make changes. He believes that taking back control is necessary to implement their promises effectively. The aide also discusses a high-profile case involving a British-Egyptian activist that highlighted government focus issues.
Key Facts
Paul Ovenden, a former aide to UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, says politicians have given away power to lawyers, activists, and regulators.
Ovenden claims this power shift makes it difficult for politicians to fulfill their promises.
He suggests that political leaders should reclaim control to better manage government priorities.
The British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah's case was a major focus, having been imprisoned in Egypt before coming to the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer initially welcomed Abd El Fattah's arrival in the UK, but later faced criticism due to the activist's past controversial social media posts.
Ovenden argues that the UK government should reduce legal obligations and simplify regulations to work more effectively.
The sentiment of needing change was echoed by the prime minister when asked about challenges faced in Parliament.
A rescued golden retriever named Remi experienced her first Christmas with her new family and her reaction to getting a Christmas present went viral on TikTok. The video has gained significant attention online, demonstrating the joy of pets having a loving home.
Key Facts
Remi, a golden retriever, was adopted from a shelter and celebrated her first Christmas at home.
A TikTok video showed Remi opening her first Christmas present, making viewers emotional.
The video went viral with over 284,700 views and 71,200 likes.
Comments on the video shared stories of other pets enjoying Christmas.
Goddard Veterinary Group offers advice on choosing safe toys for dogs based on breed and personality.
They recommend considering durability, size, and the dog's preferences when selecting toys.
Newsweek attempted to contact the TikTok user for more details but couldn't verify the full story.
In 2025, Great Britain saw a record high in electricity production from renewable sources like wind and solar. This increase is part of efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet the government's goals for cleaner energy by 2030. Despite the progress, fossil fuel use in electricity generation still poses a challenge.
Key Facts
In 2025, wind and solar power produced a record amount of electricity in Great Britain.
Wind was the largest renewable energy source, providing nearly 30% of the country's electricity.
Solar power grew significantly, increasing electricity generation by over 4 terawatt hours from 2024.
Great Britain had its sunniest year on record in 2025, boosting solar power production.
Over 250,000 new small solar panel installations were added in 2025.
The British government aims to reduce reliance on polluting gas for electricity by 2030.
Fossil gas electricity generation rose slightly to over 77 terawatt hours in 2025.
Renewable energy provided half or more of the electricity on about a third of days in 2025.
A middle school teacher asked her students what millennials, specifically people over 30, might want for Christmas. The students provided amusing and unexpected answers, which gained significant attention on TikTok, with the video being watched over 3.1 million times.
Key Facts
A teacher asked middle school students what people over 30 years old might want for Christmas.
The teacher posted the students' responses on TikTok, where the video went viral.
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, have experienced major events like the rise of the internet and the 2008 financial crisis.
Some student replies included wanting a "hot husband" and "retirement money."
Other suggestions were "alone time from their kids" and "healthy knees."
Bizarre answers included "a wheelchair," "no taxes," and "a lobotomy."
The video has been viewed over 3.1 million times, highlighting the students' humorous perceptions of adults.
A fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during a New Year's Eve party. Video footage shows a man attempting to put out the flames as music plays and others record the incident with their phones. The fire resulted in many people losing their lives.
Key Facts
The fire happened at Le Constellation bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland.
It occurred during a New Year's Eve party.
A man was seen trying to extinguish the flames in a video shared on social media.
Music can be heard in the background of the footage while some people filmed the scene.
The fire killed many people who were at the party.
Lake Eyre in South Australia has changed dramatically after recent flooding. Satellite images show the lake now has two distinct colors due to different conditions in its sections.
Key Facts
Lake Eyre is the largest lake in Australia, covering over 3,500 square miles.
The lake is endorheic, meaning it has no outflow and relies on rain or flooding to fill.
Recent flooding caused by heavy rain has filled the lake, changing its appearance.
Satellite images show one part of the lake is aquamarine, while another is reddish-brown.
Conditions like salinity, water depth, and microbes can affect the lake's color.
The images were captured by NASA's Landsat 8 satellite on December 15.
As the region heads into spring, the lake's water is starting to evaporate.
Similar pink lakes are colored by specific types of algae found in the water.
President Donald Trump mentioned that the U.S. might intervene in Iran if the Iranian government uses violence against protesters. He shared this on social media, stating the U.S. is "ready to go." Iran has warned that any U.S. action could lead to regional instability.
Key Facts
President Trump stated the U.S. is prepared to respond if Iran violently cracks down on protesters.
Iran is facing protests due to a collapsing currency and high inflation.
Trump indicated possible U.S. actions include diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and military strikes.
Iranian officials warned that U.S. interference could destabilize the region.
In June 2025, Trump ordered strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, leading to an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base.
U.S. actions could also include supporting Iranian dissidents and humanitarian aid.
Both U.S. and Iranian officials continue to exchange warnings regarding possible future conflicts.
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro expressed willingness to negotiate with the United States on drug trafficking issues. However, he did not comment on a recent CIA strike at a Venezuelan docking area allegedly used by drug cartels. President Donald Trump has authorized military actions to combat drug smuggling that started in the Caribbean and have now extended to the Pacific Ocean.
Key Facts
President Nicolás Maduro is open to talks with the U.S. about tackling drug trafficking.
Maduro did not comment on a CIA strike at a Venezuelan docking area linked to cartels.
President Trump has initiated military strikes against drug-smuggling boats, with 35 known boat strikes reported.
At least 115 people have died in these strikes, including Venezuelans.
The CIA reportedly carried out a drone strike on Venezuelan soil, marking a significant escalation in U.S. actions.
Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, and Maduro has invited U.S. investment in its oil industry.
President Trump has stated that these actions are part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.
The military campaign began in the Caribbean and has expanded to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
A TikTok video about a cat named Chester dealing with a new golden retriever puppy has gone viral. The video shows Chester repeatedly swatting at the puppy, while also revealing general tips for introducing a puppy to a cat.
Key Facts
The TikTok video featuring the cat and puppy has more than 680,000 views.
The golden retriever puppy joined the family two weeks before the video was posted.
In the video, Chester the cat is referred to as a "professional boxer" due to his interactions with the puppy.
Golden retrievers are typically known to be friendly and eager to please.
The video highlights the playful tension between the cat and puppy.
Viewers commented on the playful interaction, noting the cat uses a closed paw without nails.
The article provides tips for introducing a new puppy to a cat, suggesting creating safe spaces and taking gradual steps to integrate them.
A 12-year-old dog named Lady Belle was left alone at a shelter after her owners were evicted. Lady Belle, despite her circumstances, remained gentle and was eventually adopted by a new family. The dog's story gained attention on social media, leading to over 286,000 views and many positive engagements online.
Key Facts
Lady Belle is a 12-year-old dog left behind after her owners were evicted.
She was taken to a shelter where she stayed temporarily.
Despite the situation, Lady Belle kept her gentle and playful nature.
She was adopted by a family who provides her with a loving home.
The story of Lady Belle went viral on Instagram, reaching over 286,000 views.
Senior dogs commonly show signs of aging, such as graying fur and decreased mobility.
Caring for senior dogs includes regular vet visits and proper nutrition.
The story inspired online comments and support for Lady Belle's adoption.
