In Wales, a ban on smacking children has been in place since March 2022, with data showing that no one has been convicted for assaulting a child since the ban. Instead, many parents have attended out-of-court parenting courses. The ban aims to protect children's rights and focus on educating parents rather than punishing them.
Key Facts
The smacking ban in Wales started in March 2022.
No one has been convicted for smacking children since the ban began.
365 parents were referred to parenting courses instead of facing prosecution.
310 parents completed the course, with 265 reporting positive results.
In Wales, physical punishment cases increased to 6,200 after the ban, up from 3,900.
Corporal punishment is illegal in Scotland and Wales but not in England and Northern Ireland.
Leading child doctors and charities have called for a similar ban in England and Northern Ireland.
Wales' Social Justice Cabinet Secretary highlighted the ban as a source of pride.
A Cane Corso dog named Bear was captured on video checking on two sick children. The video, shared on TikTok, went viral, showing Bear’s caring nature and challenging stereotypes about large dogs.
Key Facts
A Cane Corso dog named Bear was filmed checking on two sick children.
The children are Bear's human siblings, ages 4 and 8.
This video was shared on Bear's TikTok account, gaining over 1.2 million views.
Cane Corsi are known for being large but also affectionate and loyal.
The American Kennel Club describes Cane Corsi as intelligent and eager to please.
Bear’s behavior aims to show the positive side of large dog breeds.
The video received many positive comments, praising Bear's caring nature.
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against the Nobel Foundation. He is challenging the Peace Prize awarded to Maria Corina Machado, stating that the award supports actions against Venezuela's President Maduro and violates the prize's original intention. Assange argues that the funds intended for Machado should be frozen as they may support acts of aggression.
Key Facts
Julian Assange filed a complaint in Sweden against the Nobel Foundation.
The complaint concerns the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Maria Corina Machado.
Assange claims the prize money supports actions against Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro.
He seeks to freeze 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.18 million) from being awarded to Machado.
The Nobel Committee awarded Machado the prize for promoting democracy.
Machado has reportedly supported U.S. actions against Maduro and expressed support for Israel.
Assange argues that awarding Machado the prize violates Alfred Nobel's original intentions for the Peace Prize.
Swedish police confirmed receiving Assange's complaint.
At least 16 people died in an artillery attack in Sudan's Kordofan region. The attack was part of ongoing violence in a civil war involving the Rapid Support Forces and their allies. The ongoing conflict has caused significant civilian casualties and displacement.
Key Facts
An artillery attack in Kordofan, Sudan, killed at least 16 civilians.
The attack targeted the city of Dilling in South Kordofan.
The Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North were involved.
Over 100 civilians have died in Kordofan since early December.
Health facilities in the area are strained due to ongoing conflict and disease outbreaks.
More than 50,000 people have fled the violence in Kordofan since late October.
Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed this month in a separate drone attack.
The UN has described parts of Sudan as major human rights violation areas.
Colorado is facing strong wind warnings with gusts up to 100 mph, increasing the risk of wildfires. The National Weather Service has issued alerts, and power company Xcel Energy has warned of potential power shut-offs. Residents may experience outages due to high winds and emergency measures.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service warned Colorado about hurricane-level winds of up to 100 mph.
The wind poses a significant wildfire risk near Boulder and Jefferson County foothills.
Xcel Energy plans power shut-offs due to the wind, potentially affecting around 69,000 customers.
Over 120,000 people already faced power outages from the winds.
The winds caused road closures, flight delays, and wildfires, such as near Colorado State University's campus.
Emergency centers are available for residents to stay warm, charge devices, and get water.
This situation caused officials to warn of potential long-lasting outages requiring inspections before restoring power.
In India, five children with thalassemia tested positive for HIV after receiving blood transfusions in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Authorities have launched an investigation to understand how this happened, as both government and private healthcare facilities were involved. This incident follows a similar situation in another Indian state, raising concerns over blood transfusion safety.
Key Facts
Five children aged 3 to 15 in Madhya Pradesh tested positive for HIV after blood transfusions.
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that requires regular blood transfusions to treat severe anemia.
The HIV cases were found during screenings between January and May 2025.
Authorities have set up a committee to investigate the cause of the infections.
All children are currently receiving treatment and are stable.
The incident in Madhya Pradesh is similar to a case in Jharkhand, where five children got HIV after transfusions.
There are over 2.5 million people living with HIV in India, with around 66,400 new infections each year.
Campaigners are urging the Indian government to pass the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025 for safer blood transfusions.
Adrina Silva visited an animal shelter with no plans to adopt but ended up bringing home an 8-month-old pit bull mix named Stormi. The heartwarming story shared on TikTok gained over one million views, showcasing Stormi settling into her new home. The video coincides with a report showing a high number of pets entering shelters in 2024, with many being adopted.
Key Facts
Adrina Silva visited a shelter spontaneously and adopted an 8-month-old pit bull mix.
The dog, named Stormi, was a stray before Silva adopted her.
Silva shared a TikTok video of Stormi that went viral with over one million views.
The video shows Stormi enjoying life in her new home with Silva in San Diego.
The ASPCA reported that 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters in 2024.
Approximately 2 million of those dogs were adopted.
Gen Z has been increasingly adopting pets, with 18.8 million Gen Z households owning pets in 2024.
A 102-year-old woman named Josie from York started dancing at age 60. She credits dancing with helping her live a long life and says it's added much joy and activity to her later years. Josie has received support and encouragement from famous dancer Wayne Sleep.
Key Facts
Josie began tap and ballet dancing at age 60 in York.
She had always admired dancers like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
Josie performed on stage wearing a top hat and tails.
Her dance teacher assured her that age wasn't a barrier to starting dance.
Former Royal Ballet dancer Wayne Sleep sent her a birthday message.
Josie believes dancing has helped her stay fit and live longer.
Wayne Sleep had previously met Josie and appreciated paintings she gave him.
A woman from the UK shared on Reddit how she uninvited her sister from her wedding due to ongoing conflicts related to her sister's miscarriage. The situation worsened when the sister, Jen, imposed restrictions and affected others participating in wedding events. Many online users supported the bride's decision.
Key Facts
The bride originally supported her sister, Jen, after her miscarriage three years ago.
Jen's partner left her after the miscarriage, but it was later revealed the breakup was due to Jen's infidelity.
Jen was initially chosen as the maid of honor for the wedding.
Jen became upset at wedding-related events and imposed rules to avoid pregnancy topics.
Jen asked a pregnant bridesmaid not to attend the wedding, which led to her being removed as maid of honor.
Online users supported the bride's decision, with the Reddit post gaining over 7,700 upvotes.
A psychologist mentioned that while grief has no fixed timeline, it shouldn't overshadow others' milestones.
The bride felt reassured by the online support she received.
European Union leaders decided not to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine's defense against Russia. Instead, they agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan of 90 billion euros from most EU member states. Belgium, Hungary, and other nations opposed using the Russian assets due to potential legal and financial risks.
Key Facts
European Union leaders chose not to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defense.
An interest-free loan of 90 billion euros will be given to Ukraine by 23 out of 27 EU countries.
Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic received exemptions for the loan agreement to proceed.
Ukraine may need 136 billion euros over the next two years to avoid financial bankruptcy.
Belgium, which holds most Russian assets, feared legal retaliation if those assets were used.
More than 289.5 billion euros in Russian assets are frozen by Western countries, with the EU holding 209 billion euros.
Belgium holds the largest share of frozen Russian assets at 180 billion euros.
Russia has criticized the idea of using frozen assets as theft.
Authorities identified Claudio Neves Valente, suspected in a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, as responsible for a second shooting in Massachusetts involving an MIT professor. Valente was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot in New Hampshire. Police tracked his movements using witness accounts and surveillance before discovering his death.
Key Facts
Claudio Neves Valente was suspected in two shootings, one at Brown University and another involving an MIT professor.
The shootings led to two deaths and multiple injuries.
Valente rented a car and was found near Brown University shortly before the shootings.
A witness at Brown University gave crucial information that helped identify Valente.
Valente rented a hotel room in Boston and used an email account linked to this stay.
Video evidence showed Valente entering a building near the professor's apartment before the second shooting.
A Rhode Island court issued a warrant charging Valente with murder and other crimes.
Law enforcement found Valente dead in a storage unit in New Hampshire.
Violence broke out in Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader involved in the 2024 uprising. Security forces increased their presence in major cities like Dhaka to prevent further unrest. The interim government is under pressure to address the situation as the country prepares for elections in February.
Key Facts
Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader and political activist, died after being attacked in Dhaka.
Hadi was a key figure in the 2024 student-led uprising in Bangladesh.
Security forces have been deployed across Dhaka and other cities to prevent more violence.
Protesters have targeted media offices, cultural sites, and political buildings.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus faces criticism for delayed reforms.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled the country following the uprising.
Tensions remain high as Bangladesh approaches its national elections in February.
The government declared a day of mourning for Hadi and called for calm among citizens.
A federal jury found Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan guilty of obstructing federal agents trying to arrest an undocumented migrant in her courtroom. The incident drew attention to the broader issue of federal immigration enforcement in local court systems. Judge Dugan was acquitted of a related lesser charge but remains on administrative leave.
Key Facts
Judge Hannah C. Dugan was found guilty of obstructing ICE agents in a federal courthouse.
She allegedly helped a migrant named Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade arrest during an immigration enforcement action.
Flores-Ruiz has a criminal record and was previously deported; he was arrested again outside the courthouse and later deported.
The jury deliberated for six hours to reach its decision.
Judge Dugan has been on administrative leave since April and continues to receive her salary.
The Department of Homeland Security described Flores-Ruiz as a "violent criminal illegal alien."
The case underscores the tension between federal and local jurisdictions over immigration enforcement.
The European Union (EU) has decided to give Ukraine a $105 billion interest-free loan to help with its defense. This financial support will be spread out over the next two years and does not involve using frozen Russian assets.
Key Facts
The EU has approved a $105 billion interest-free loan for Ukraine.
The loan is meant to assist Ukraine's defense efforts.
The financial support will be provided over the next two years.
The money for the loan will not come from any Russian assets currently frozen by the EU.
European Union leaders reached this decision collectively.
A video of a South Carolina mom's four-year-old son at a preschool performance went viral on TikTok. The video captures the moment the boy sees his family in the crowd, causing him to smile widely. The video highlights the importance of being present for family events.
Key Facts
The video was shared by Mariam Silver on TikTok, featuring her son Asher at a preschool Christmas show.
Asher's smile when he sees his family in the audience is the focal point of the video.
Mariam Silver stepped back from running a business to spend more time with her kids.
The video received over 85 million views on TikTok.
Asher is described as having his own personality and is called a "rainbow baby" due to Mariam's previous miscarriage and failed IVF attempt.
Mariam was surprised by the viral success of the video.
Category: world
In Bangladesh, protests have started following the death of a youth leader named Sharif Osman Hadi. Demonstrators have set fire to buildings and damaged several offices.
Key Facts
Protests in Bangladesh are happening because Sharif Osman Hadi was killed.
Hadi was a youth leader and an election candidate for next year.
Protesters have burnt buildings in response to his death.
Offices, including the main office of the largest newspaper, have been vandalized.
The unrest follows Hadi's involvement in the upcoming elections.
The cost for a school bus route between Coventry and Rugby will increase by 45% starting January. The route, used by many students, will change operators from National Express to Stagecoach, leading to higher term fees. A parent, Ambi Ambituuni, is expressing concern about the fare hike due to its impact on families' budgets.
Key Facts
The school bus route between Coventry and Rugby will switch from National Express to Stagecoach.
Current fares are £165 per term; new fares will be £75.60 per month.
This change results in a 45% increase per term, making it £302.40.
Parent Ambi Ambituuni learned about the change through a parents' group.
The fare increase is concerning due to current living cost pressures.
The bus serves three schools in Rugby, making it a vital route.
Mr. Ambituuni wants Warwickshire County Council and Stagecoach to reconsider the fare hike.
Both the bus operator and local authority have been asked for comments.
A wildlife park in the UK has welcomed the birth of a rare white rhino calf named Mo. She is the second rhino born in the park in 2025 and is part of ongoing conservation efforts to protect the species, which faced serious decline due to poaching.
Key Facts
Mo is a female rhino calf born at Cotswold Wildlife Park earlier than expected.
Mo's mother, Ruby, is 19 years old and this is her sixth calf.
Mo and another calf born earlier in 2025 are the only white rhinos born in the UK this year.
Six white rhino calves have been born across Europe in 2025.
The park recorded Mo's birth on camera, which is rare for rhino births that usually happen at night.
The park named Mo after Maureen Clifford, a long-time staff member.
White rhinos were nearly extinct in the early 1900s, but conservation efforts have helped increase their numbers.
Poaching remains a major threat to white rhinos despite their recovery.
The European Union has agreed to provide Ukraine with a $105.5 billion interest-free loan to support its military and economy over the next two years. This loan will come from borrowed money in capital markets, not from frozen Russian assets. The decision followed extensive discussions among EU leaders to find a workable solution for Ukraine's financial needs.
Key Facts
The EU agreed to give Ukraine a $105.5 billion interest-free loan.
This loan will cover Ukraine's needs from 2026 to 2027.
The funding will come from borrowing on capital markets tied to the EU budget.
Frozen Russian assets will not be used for this loan, keeping them immobilized.
Ukraine will repay the loan after receiving war reparations from Russia.
Discussions to use Russian assets for the loan were too complicated.
Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic do not have to contribute to this loan.
President Zelenskyy thanked the EU, stating the loan strengthens Ukraine's defense.
The article discusses the holiday of Chanukah and its broader relevance beyond Jewish traditions. Chanukah commemorates the Maccabean revolt against the Greek-Syrian Empire, emphasizing the preservation of Jewish culture. The writer argues that the holiday's true meaning is about cultural pride and resistance to assimilation.
Key Facts
Chanukah is a Jewish holiday that began on a Sunday evening.
It includes customs like lighting the menorah and eating latkes.
The holiday marks the Maccabean revolt against the Greek-Syrian Empire.
Chanukah is often commercialized and discussed along with Christmas celebrations.
The holiday's true meaning centers on cultural preservation and national pride.
The Maccabees' victory is seen as a symbol of resisting assimilation and maintaining cultural traditions.
Politicians sometimes use Chanukah to promote universalist ideals.
The article suggests that Chanukah's broader relevance is about the importance of cultural identity and purpose.
