Protests in Iran began due to high inflation and a plummeting currency and have spread from the capital, Tehran, to other cities. Demonstrators include shopkeepers and university students, with some voicing support for the son of Iran's last Shah. Iran's government is looking to address the issues, and international figures like President Trump have commented on the situation.
Key Facts
Protests in Iran started after the Iranian rial drastically lost value against the US dollar.
Demonstrations and strikes have spread from Tehran to cities including Isfahan and Shiraz.
Iran's government acknowledged the protests and is engaging with protest representatives.
Iran's central bank governor resigned, and a former finance minister was appointed as his replacement.
Protests include anti-government slogans, and students have joined the demonstrations.
Reza Pahlavi, the Shah's son, expressed support for the protesters from exile in the US.
The US and President Trump have shown attention to the protests and Iran's economic problems.
President Trump mentioned potential support for Israeli air strikes if Iran continues missile or nuclear activities.
The article discusses Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery and the Founding Fathers' intentions. It highlights Lincoln's 1860 Cooper Union Address, where he defended the Founding Fathers as anti-slavery visionaries. Lincoln argued that most of the Founding Fathers intended to limit or prohibit slavery based on historical voting records.
Key Facts
In 1860, America was debating slavery and the intentions of the Founding Fathers.
Some people believed the Founding Fathers supported slavery, but Lincoln disagreed.
Lincoln criticized the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, which supported slavery.
Lincoln's Cooper Union Address argued for using federal power to limit slavery.
He prepared for the speech by researching historical records and votes by the Founders.
Lincoln found that 21 out of 23 voting Founders opposed slavery's expansion.
He noted that leaders like Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton were against slavery.
Most of Florida is under a freeze warning and cold weather advisory as a cold front moves through the state. Temperatures are expected to drop much lower than usual, with some areas experiencing temperatures below freezing. These conditions are not common in Florida and could impact vegetation and infrastructure.
Key Facts
A cold front is causing unusually low temperatures in Florida.
Freeze warnings cover cities like Lake City, Gainesville, and Ocala.
Cold weather advisories are in effect from the Panhandle to Orlando and coastal areas like Jacksonville and Tampa.
The National Weather Service (NWS) expects wind chills to make it feel as cold as 23 degrees in some areas.
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees are possible in certain parts.
People are advised to protect plants, bring pets indoors, and check on their neighbors.
Meteorologists suggest warming temperatures are likely by the end of the week.
Residents are warned to prepare for conditions that are unusual in the region.
A mother and her two children died in a house fire in Stroud, England, on Boxing Day. The father managed to escape but could not save his family. Police confirmed the fire started on the ground floor and do not suspect foul play.
Key Facts
A fire occurred on Boxing Day, resulting in the deaths of a mother, Fionnghuala Shearman, and her two children, Eve and Ohner.
The fire happened in their home on Brimscombe Hill, Stroud, around 03:00 GMT.
The father, a policeman with Gloucestershire Constabulary, escaped the house and tried to rescue his family but was unable to do so.
The bodies of Ms. Shearman, her children, and the family dog have been recovered.
The fire destroyed the house, causing significant structural damage.
Police stated that there are no suspicious circumstances regarding the fire's cause.
The local community has shown support and kindness to the affected family and police officers dealing with the tragedy.
Alaa Abd El Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist, has recently returned to the UK after being released from an Egyptian prison. His past social media posts, which include controversial comments, have resurfaced, leading to debates about whether he should keep his British citizenship. The UK government is reviewing how information about his past comments was handled.
Key Facts
Alaa Abd El Fattah returned to the UK after being released from jail in Egypt.
He spent over a decade in prison due to political charges.
Old social media posts from Abd El Fattah have resurfaced, causing controversy.
He apologized for the posts, which called for violence against specific groups.
Some UK politicians are considering revoking his British citizenship.
Abd El Fattah claims he is the target of a smear campaign.
The UK government is reviewing how it handled information about his past actions.
China's Foreign Minister criticized the U.S. for selling a large number of weapons to Taiwan. The criticism came as China conducted military exercises near Taiwan.
Key Facts
China called the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan a record deal.
The criticism was made by Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister.
China held military drills around Taiwan at the same time.
Taiwan is an island that China claims as part of its territory.
Wang Yi also criticized Taiwan's independence supporters.
Japan's leaders were also mentioned negatively by Wang Yi during the event.
Saudi Arabia bombed the port city of Mukalla in Yemen, targeting weapons sent by the United Arab Emirates for local separatist forces. The UAE announced it would pull its forces from Yemen. A group supported by the UAE, called the Southern Transitional Council, recently took control of large areas in Yemen, including oil facilities.
Key Facts
Saudi Arabia bombed Mukalla, a city in Yemen.
The attack aimed at stopping weapons from the UAE meant for separatist forces.
The UAE later said it would remove its forces from Yemen.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is backed by the UAE.
The STC took over most of Hadramout and Mahra provinces in Yemen.
The areas seized include important oil facilities.
Yemen is located on a key international trade route, making these events significant for the region.
The United States military reported that it killed or captured approximately 25 ISIL fighters during operations in Syria over nine days. These missions took place after ISIL-related violence resulted in the deaths of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The US military continues to work with local forces in Syria to combat ISIL threats and is decreasing the number of US troops in the country.
Key Facts
The US military says it killed or captured 25 ISIL members in Syria during a nine-day period.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) is responsible for American military operations in the Middle East.
The operation followed the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter by an ISIL gunman on December 13.
CENTCOM conducted 11 missions in Syria, leading to the destruction of four ISIL weapons caches.
The US military worked with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group, in these operations.
The current US military presence in Syria is around 1,000 troops, and reductions in troop levels and bases are planned.
ISIL controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq from 2014 to 2019 but still poses a regional threat.
Syria recently joined the US-led coalition against ISIL, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa meeting President Trump at the White House.
The United States, led by President Donald Trump, carried out a land-based military strike on a Venezuelan dock. The U.S. claims the target was involved in drug trafficking, but Venezuela has not confirmed the event and tensions between the two countries have been rising due to previous military actions.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump announced a U.S. land-based military strike in Venezuela.
The target was a dock allegedly used for loading boats with narcotics.
Venezuelan authorities have not yet confirmed the strike.
The U.S. claims the dock was part of drug trafficking operations.
Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have increased since September 2023.
Previous U.S. military actions targeted Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Over 100 people have died from these prior U.S. aerial strikes on boats.
Legal experts question the legality of the U.S. actions, suggesting possible violations of international law.
The Labour Party criticized Lord Wolfson, a Conservative shadow attorney general, for acting as a lawyer for Roman Abramovich, a sanctioned Russian billionaire with frozen assets. Justice Minister Jack Richards argued this might cause a conflict of interest since Wolfson helps shape Conservative Party policy. The Conservatives defended Wolfson, stating it's normal for barristers to represent clients, regardless of politics.
Key Facts
Labour criticized Lord Wolfson for representing Roman Abramovich, a sanctioned Russian billionaire.
Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK in March 2022 due to ties with Russia after the Ukraine invasion.
Over £5.3 billion of Abramovich's assets are frozen in Jersey.
There is a legal battle in Jersey about the origins of Abramovich's funds.
Labour's Jack Richards said Wolfson's role could conflict with his political duties.
The Conservatives responded that barristers represent clients, not their causes.
Lord Wolfson's work is focused on Abramovich's case in Jersey, not the Chelsea FC fund matter.
General Mamady Doumbouya, the head of Guinea's military government, leads in the country's presidential election, which has been called controversial. Access to some social media sites was restricted as election results were being released, leading to criticism of the process. Doumbouya had previously said he would not run for office after taking power in a coup in 2021.
Key Facts
General Mamady Doumbouya leads in Guinea's presidential election.
Main opposition parties were blocked from participating in the election.
Critics say the election had problems, calling it a "charade."
Social media sites like TikTok and Facebook were restricted during the election results announcement.
Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup and had pledged not to run for office.
A new constitution allowed him to run in the election.
Doumbouya received more than 80% of the vote in several areas, according to initial results.
Guinea has significant natural resources, including the largest bauxite reserves in the world.
Rescue teams in California returned to Mt. Baldy after finding three hikers dead, including a 19-year-old. Poor weather and rough terrain made the rescue and recovery difficult. The mountain is known for its dangerous conditions and has had many rescues and fatalities in recent years.
Key Facts
Three hikers were found dead on Mt. Baldy, including a 19-year-old.
Rescue operations faced challenges due to bad weather and steep terrain.
Mt. Baldy is a popular hiking spot known for unpredictable weather and high elevation.
The mountain stands at 10,064 feet and is one of the deadliest in the U.S.
Over 100 rescues and at least 14 deaths have occurred on Mt. Baldy since 2020.
The recovery of the deceased hikers is ongoing, with no set timeline.
The identities of the two additional deceased hikers have not been released.
Russia claims Ukraine attempted a drone attack on a presidential residence, which Ukraine denies. Russia says it will toughen its negotiation stance due to this incident, while Ukraine and others question the credibility of Russia's allegations. President Trump and other global leaders continue efforts to advance peace talks in the region.
Key Facts
Russia alleges a Ukrainian drone attack on President Putin's residence but presents no evidence.
Ukraine denies the attack, calling Russia's claim false and without proof.
Russian officials suggest the alleged attack was meant to disrupt peace negotiations.
President Trump is involved in efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.
European and Canadian leaders are discussing ways to advance the peace process.
Germany's Chancellor calls for transparency and honesty in the peace efforts.
Poland's Prime Minister expressed hope that peace could be achieved soon.
The incident occurs in the context of ongoing efforts to bring an end to the conflict.
Tatiana Schlossberg, a journalist and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, has died at age 35 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She shared her struggle with acute myeloid leukemia in an essay, revealing her diagnosis shortly after having a baby. Tatiana's death was announced by her family on social media.
Key Facts
Tatiana Schlossberg was President John F. Kennedy's granddaughter.
She was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after giving birth in May 2024.
Her type of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia with Inversion 3, is rare.
Tatiana wrote about her illness in a personal essay in The New Yorker.
Her treatment included chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from her sister.
Her brother, Jack, showed support by shaving his head during her treatment.
Tatiana passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 35.
Her family issued a public statement to announce her death.
South Korea has decided to stop bear bile farming due to concerns about animal cruelty. This practice was used for traditional medicine, but its effectiveness had been questioned.
Key Facts
South Korea is ending bear bile farming.
The decision is based on concerns about animal cruelty.
Bear bile farming was a part of traditional medicine in South Korea.
There have been doubts about how effective bear bile is in medicine.
The practice has become less popular in recent years.
Saudi Arabia supports Yemen's call for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to leave Yemen after a recent airstrike on a separatist port city. The airstrike targeted a shipment said to contain weapons for UAE-backed forces. The UAE denies this and expresses regret over the situation.
Key Facts
Saudi Arabia supports Yemen's request for the UAE to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours.
The airstrike by a Saudi-led coalition targeted weapons allegedly meant for UAE-backed separatists.
The UAE denies the shipment contained weapons and regrets the Saudi statement.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC) seeks independence for southern Yemen.
The head of Yemen's presidential council canceled a defense agreement with the UAE and ordered its forces to leave.
A state of emergency was declared in Yemen for 90 days to address internal conflicts.
No casualties were reported after the airstrike on the port of Mukalla.
Yemen's civil war began in 2014, led by the Houthi movement against the government.
Iran has warned of a harsh response if the U.S. attacks, after President Donald Trump threatened more strikes if Iran restarts its nuclear or missile programs. This warning follows talks between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The situation is tense, especially after past conflicts left many dead in both Iran and Israel.
Key Facts
Iran has promised a strong reaction if the U.S. attacks its nuclear or missile programs.
President Trump threatened more U.S. strikes if Iran restarts these programs.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made his warning on social media platform X.
Trump discussed Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, aligning with Israel's stance against Iran's missile capabilities.
Iran claims its nuclear activities are purely for civilian use, with no confirmed evidence of nuclear weapons production by both U.S. intelligence and the UN.
Iran previously ruled out missile program negotiations.
The conflict stems from a past 12-day war where many Iranians and some Israelis were killed.
Iran claims its military is now stronger despite past losses.
Russia has accused Ukraine of sending nearly 100 drones to attack one of President Vladimir Putin's residences and has threatened retaliation. Ukraine denies the accusation, saying it is a false story to justify further attacks. President Donald Trump is involved in trying to broker peace between the two countries.
Key Facts
Russia claims Ukraine launched 91 drones towards President Putin's residence in the Novgorod region.
Russian air defense shot down all the drones, with no injuries reported.
Ukraine denies attacking Putin's residence and says the claim is false.
Russia's claim comes after peace talks in Florida involving President Trump and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy.
President Trump expressed anger over the alleged attack after being informed by President Putin.
Russia has threatened retaliatory strikes against Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials claim the allegations are to justify further Russian attacks and undermine peace efforts.
President Trump stated that Israel followed the Gaza ceasefire deal, although there were reports of violations. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue with the next steps of the agreement and warned Hamas of serious consequences if it does not disarm.
Key Facts
President Trump discussed the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
He stated that Israel has followed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
There have been reports of ceasefire violations, but Trump claims Israel is compliant.
Trump urged Netanyahu to proceed to the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Trump warned Hamas that there will be severe consequences if it does not lay down its weapons.
Syria introduced new banknotes in an effort to rebuild its economy. The new currency, presented in Damascus, does not feature images of political leaders.
Key Facts
Syria released new banknotes as part of economic rebuilding efforts.
The new notes do not show political leaders.
The announcement took place in Damascus.
The Syrian pound has lost significant value since 2011.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa led the unveiling event.
