Cher recreated a famous scene from her movie "Moonstruck" in a new Saturday Night Live (SNL) promo with Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang. In the teaser, Cher playfully slapped Grande and Yang as part of the skit. Grande will host the SNL episode on December 20, with Cher as the musical guest.
Key Facts
Cher appeared in a teaser for Saturday Night Live, where she playfully slapped Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang.
The slap from Cher was a nod to a famous scene from her movie "Moonstruck."
Ariana Grande will host the SNL episode on December 20, 2024.
Cher, aged 79, will be the musical guest for this episode.
The promo video featured Cher in a black biker jacket and Ariana Grande in a striped dress.
This marks a return to SNL for Cher, who last appeared as a musical guest in 1987.
Fans expressed excitement on social media over the collaboration between Cher and Grande.
Protesters set fire to the offices of two major newspapers in Bangladesh after the death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi. Staff members were trapped, but no one was seriously hurt. The interim government condemned the violence and promised justice.
Key Facts
Protesters set fire to The Daily Star and Prothom Alo newspaper offices in Bangladesh.
Sharif Osman Hadi, an activist and part of last year's anti-government protests, was killed in a shooting before the fire.
Hundreds of protesters stormed the newspaper offices following Hadi's death.
The Daily Star could not print its edition for the first time in 35 years due to the fire.
Staff at the newspapers were trapped but later rescued by military personnel.
The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, condemned the attack and promised justice.
Elections in Bangladesh are scheduled for February, following the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The motive behind targeting the newspapers is unclear, but they have been critical of the government.
An extreme wildfire risk has led the National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder, Colorado, to issue a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning for the first time in the state. High winds and low humidity have created conditions ideal for wildfires, prompting preventative measures like power shutoffs to reduce risks.
Key Facts
The NWS in Boulder, Colorado, issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" alert for wildfires.
Wind speeds have exceeded 100 miles per hour in parts of Colorado.
Humidity levels have dropped to single digits, creating dry conditions.
This alert is the first of its kind in Colorado for wildfire danger.
Xcel Energy performed power shutoffs to help prevent wildfires.
No fires had been reported in Boulder as of Friday morning.
Red flag warnings remain in place due to high fire risks.
A father turned his daughter's messy chair into a funny Christmas decoration, featuring tinsel and lights. The video of this prank quickly went viral on TikTok, getting over 1.3 million views. The dad, known for humorous pranks, shares a sense of humor with his daughter, making this a family inside joke.
Key Facts
A dad turned his daughter's "clothes chair" into a Christmas decoration with tinsel and a 3D-printed star.
The prank was shared in a TikTok video by Sandra Emilie Leira, a 26-year-old from Norway.
The video went viral, with 1.3 million views and over 280,000 likes on TikTok.
The daughter, Sarah, initially didn't understand the prank but then laughed as it was an inside joke.
The father, Jardar, often plays pranks on his children and shares a similar sense of humor with them.
TikTok users found the prank hilarious and shared their own funny comments.
Some viewers admired the father's creativity and asked if he could decorate their homes.
A new boy band called Boy Throb has gained viral attention on TikTok as they campaign to get one million followers to help a member, Darshan Magdum, with his US visa application. The band has unique characteristics, such as performing with Darshan joining through a Zoom call from India, and they have reached their follower goal. Their current focus is on winning a Grammy and securing a visa for Darshan.
Key Facts
Boy Throb is a boy band trying to help member Darshan Magdum get a US visa.
Darshan is currently in India and joins performances via Zoom.
The band gained viral popularity on TikTok and reached one million followers.
Boy Throb first performed for an audience at a Hollywood retirement home.
Members Evan Papel and Anthony Key met after unsuccessful auditions for American Idol.
The band has a distinctive style, wearing pink tracksuits and bright yellow shoes.
They often parody popular songs to reflect their visa-themed lyrics.
Despite speculations about being a joke, the band insists they are serious about their goals.
A cat named Cordova was in a California shelter for over 700 days mainly due to her dental condition, which causes an underbite. This story gained attention on social media, and Cordova has recently been adopted. The situation highlights the challenges faced by animals with perceived imperfections in finding homes.
Key Facts
Cordova, a cat, spent over 700 days in a California shelter due to her underbite.
The story was shared on Instagram, resulting in widespread attention and over 1.4 million views.
Cordova was adopted after a successful meeting with potential adopters.
Animals with disabilities or other perceived imperfections often face difficulties in being adopted.
Black-furred animals, older animals, and those with disabilities are often overlooked for adoption due to myths and additional care needs.
The shelter described Cordova as calm, affectionate, and good with other cats.
The story highlights the need for awareness about adopting less traditionally desirable pets.
A video of a Pomeranian dog named Tofu, getting emotional when its owner packed belongings into an Ikea bag, has gained attention on social media. Tofu's behavior raises the possibility that dogs associate certain objects with being left behind. Animal behavior experts note that dogs rely on associative memory, linking objects like bags to past experiences.
Key Facts
Tofu is a 4-year-old Pomeranian dog from London.
A video of Tofu reacting to an Ikea bag has over 50,000 views on Instagram.
Tofu's owner adopted her during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The dog gets emotional when belongings are packed, sensing possible separation.
Tofu stays with friends during her owner's travels.
Dogs often have associative memory, tying past experiences to specific objects.
Another dog, Izzy, had a similar reaction when its owners packed moving boxes.
Tofu's owner enjoys documenting the dog's everyday moments as she ages.
A woman shared her response to invasive questions about having children from her mother-in-law on social media. Her approach, focusing on setting boundaries rather than engaging in detailed conversation, gained wide support and attention. Many users shared their own experiences with similar questions and how they dealt with them.
Key Facts
The woman was asked by her mother-in-law when she would have children.
Last year, the question upset her, but this year, she prepared a response.
Her strategy is to use a simple phrase to set a boundary, like "That's not a topic I discuss."
Her post received 447,000 views and 6,500 likes.
Many commenters shared their own stories of dealing with personal questions.
Reactions ranged from boundary-setting responses to humor.
Discussions highlighted the emotional impact of such questions.
The U.S. Justice Department is set to release a large number of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. This disclosure is required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed into law.
Key Facts
The Justice Department will release hundreds of thousands of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
This release is part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The law requires all Epstein-related documents to be made public by December 19.
Personal details of survivors and files related to ongoing investigations can be kept private.
President Trump signed the law enabling this disclosure after initially opposing it.
The document release is expected to reveal more about Epstein's connections and the government's actions in the case.
James Cameron, a well-known movie director, has joined Forbes' billionaire list after the upcoming release of his film "Avatar: Fire and Ash." The news sparked online discussions comparing public reactions to Cameron's and musician Taylor Swift's billionaire statuses. Some people noted the differences in criticism between the two, highlighting issues of gender bias.
Key Facts
James Cameron is now officially listed as a billionaire by Forbes.
Cameron is recognized for directing movies like Titanic and the Avatar franchise.
Taylor Swift became the first musician billionaire based on music alone in 2023.
Some people online discussed differences in how Cameron and Swift were perceived after reaching billionaire status.
Concerns on gender bias were raised, with a focus on how criticism differed between Cameron and Swift.
Cameron is the fifth movie director to achieve billionaire status, joining names like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
EU leaders agreed to give Ukraine €90 billion in loans to help it financially survive while under attack. Some countries, like Hungary and Slovakia, only agreed to the deal if they wouldn’t have to contribute, showing divisions among EU countries about how to handle Russia and support Ukraine.
Key Facts
EU leaders agreed on a €90 billion loan to aid Ukraine for the next two years.
The loan will come from the EU's common budget and will carry no interest.
Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic wanted exemptions from contributing to the loan.
Hungary and Slovakia have closer ties with Russia compared to other EU countries like Poland and the Baltic States.
The EU considered using €210 billion in frozen Russian assets for the loan but chose not to due to legal concerns.
President Zelensky told the EU that the financial support is essential to keep paying soldiers and buying weapons.
Without US military aid, Ukraine is seeking support from Europe.
The EU is also looking for non-EU countries like the UK, Japan, and Canada to help with additional financial needs.
Three girls died from leukemia in a Mexican town, leading to an investigation that found the local water is highly radioactive. Agricultural practices have drained the water supply, exposing ancient, contaminated groundwater. This finding caused national concern, and the government stopped the town's water supply, although some officials claim the water is safe.
Key Facts
Three young girls in a Mexican town died from leukemia in one year.
Local residents and a teacher formed a group to investigate the water safety.
A scientist helped the group discover that the water is highly radioactive.
Agricultural practices have drained the aquifers, exposing contaminated groundwater.
The discovery sparked national outrage about the water safety.
The government responded by cutting off the town’s water supply.
Some officials continue to insist that the water is safe.
The documentary "The Age of Water" highlights this issue.
In Gaza, despite widespread destruction, young Palestinians are striving to maintain their digital connections. Coders and tech workers are finding ways to stay connected and work, even as Israeli actions have damaged much of the telecommunications infrastructure. The conflict has severely impacted Gaza's tech sector, but these individuals continue to adapt and persevere.
Key Facts
In Gaza, 81% of buildings are damaged or destroyed due to ongoing conflict.
Young Palestinians, including coders and tech workers, work under challenging conditions to keep Gaza connected to the world.
Many rely on offline work and use stored solar power due to limited electricity and connectivity.
Before the war in October 2023, Gaza had a small but active tech community.
Israel has systematically destroyed telecommunications infrastructure, causing major connectivity issues.
64% of mobile phone towers in Gaza are not working as of April 2025.
The telecommunications sector's value dropped sharply from $13 million in 2023 to $1.5 million in 2024.
Reconstruction costs for the telecommunications sector are estimated at $90 million.
Missouri's attorney general has announced which Chinese assets the state plans to target in a $50 billion legal conflict. The dispute involves claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Missouri seeking to enforce a $24 billion judgment against China while China has responded with its own lawsuit against Missouri and its officials.
Key Facts
Missouri is targeting Chinese-owned assets, such as farmland, in a legal battle over COVID-19.
The conflict started with a 2020 lawsuit by Missouri, blaming China for worsening the pandemic.
Missouri obtained a $24 billion judgment against China, which China refused to acknowledge.
China filed a $50.5 billion lawsuit in a Wuhan court against Missouri and several state officials.
The Chinese lawsuit alleges Missouri spread false information, harming China's reputation.
Missouri’s actions highlight tensions between the U.S. and China over legal accountability.
The legal outcomes may influence future international diplomatic and legal practices.
New satellite images show Iran working on a nuclear site damaged in recent airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel. The images suggest Iran is trying to recover or restore parts of its nuclear program, raising international concerns. The site, part of Iran's broader nuclear complex, is important for research on uranium enrichment.
Key Facts
Satellite images reveal activity at a damaged uranium enrichment site in Iran.
The site, PFEP, plays a key role in Iran's nuclear research and development.
The Institute for Science and International Security highlighted new coverings on the damaged facility, suggesting Iran aims to retrieve materials discreetly.
The U.S. and Israel targeted this and other nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict in June.
The International Atomic Energy Agency can only access certain sites, as Iran bars entry to those hit by airstrikes.
The renewed activity at the PFEP site has raised global concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Other major Iranian nuclear sites are currently inactive according to recent observations.
Prince Harry has denied claims that he referred to his son, Archie, as "my African child." This claim was made by journalist Tina Brown, who said the late Jane Goodall shared this information with her. Brown's statement cannot be independently confirmed, as Jane Goodall passed away earlier this year.
Key Facts
Tina Brown claimed that Prince Harry called his son Archie "my African child."
This claim was allegedly based on a conversation between Brown and Jane Goodall, before Goodall's death.
Prince Harry, through a spokesperson, denied ever making such a statement.
The story cannot be verified because Jane Goodall is no longer alive to confirm or deny it.
Tina Brown later clarified that she might have misquoted, saying the term was "Africa child."
Brown made these claims during an interview on Katie Couric's YouTube show.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had previously mentioned Goodall fondly in a tribute following her passing.
The United States will host talks in Miami with officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey to discuss the next steps in the Gaza ceasefire, amid ongoing violations by Israel. President Trump seeks to maintain calm in Gaza while the ceasefire remains fragile due to repeated Israeli actions that breach the agreement. Qatar and Egypt are mediating the truce, with plans for a full Israeli withdrawal and an international force to stabilize the region.
Key Facts
The US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is holding talks in Miami with officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey about the Gaza ceasefire.
The goal is to progress to the next phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
President Trump is involved in efforts to maintain calm in the Gaza region.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks in Gaza have continued, reported on 58 out of 69 days since October 10, 2025.
Qatar and Egypt are mediators in the truce and advocate for a full Israeli military withdrawal.
These countries propose an international stabilization force for the Gaza region.
The fragile truce faces threats due to Israeli breaches, including attacks on civilians and obstruction of aid.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might meet in Florida to discuss the situation further.
The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards will take place on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in California. The event will be broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+ in the United States. Nikki Glaser will host, and the nominees include a diverse range of films, actors, and categories.
Key Facts
The Golden Globe Awards ceremony is scheduled for January 11, 2026, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET.
The event will be held at the Beverly Hilton in California.
Nikki Glaser will host the ceremony for the second year in a row.
"One Battle After Another" leads with nine nominations.
Best Film (Drama) nominees include "Frankenstein" and "Sinners."
Best Film (Musical or Comedy) nominees include "Blue Moon" and "Nouvelle Vague."
Animated films nominated include "KPop Demon Hunters" and "Zootopia 2."
The awards will introduce a Best Podcast category for the first time.
Hackers stole government data, but officials believe the risk to people is low. An investigation is ongoing, and a group linked to China might be involved. The security flaw was fixed quickly.
Key Facts
Government data was stolen in a recent hack.
Officials think it is unlikely that people’s personal information is at significant risk.
Trade Minister Chris Bryant stated an investigation is underway.
A group possibly linked to China is suspected of the attack.
The security gap was quickly closed after the hack was discovered.
The Sun newspaper reported the hack happened in October, targeting information like visa details.
UK intelligence has warned about increasing cyber threats and espionage from China.
The incident is being looked into by the Information Commissioners Office.
The U.S. Air Force is working with Ecuadorian forces at the Manta air base in Ecuador for a temporary anti-drug operation. This action is part of a long-term security plan between the two countries. It comes after Ecuador voters rejected a plan for permanent foreign military bases in the country.
Key Facts
U.S. Air Force and Ecuadorian forces are teaming up at Manta air base for a temporary anti-drug mission.
This effort is part of a long-term security strategy agreed upon by the U.S. and Ecuador.
Ecuador voters recently rejected the idea of allowing permanent foreign military bases.
President Trump has increased U.S. military presence in the region as part of an anti-drug campaign.
The operation is occurring amid rising drug-related violence and crime in Ecuador.
Past U.S. presence in Manta ended in 2009 when Ecuador banned foreign military bases.
Other countries like El Salvador and the Dominican Republic have supported U.S. efforts by allowing access to local bases.
Colombia has been critical of the U.S. actions, leading to tensions between President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
