A well-known South African DJ, Warrick Stock, also known as DJ Warras, was shot dead in Johannesburg. The shooting involved three suspects, and the motive remains unknown. Police are asking for public help to find the suspects.
Key Facts
DJ Warras was shot and killed in Johannesburg.
He was approached by three suspects; one suspect fired at him.
The incident happened near Carlton Centre while he was leaving Zambesi House.
The police have not made any arrests, and the motive is not known.
DJ Warras had an unused firearm with him during the attack.
Police found key evidence like cartridges at the crime scene.
The shooting is part of a series of violent incidents in South Africa.
Tributes have poured in from fans and public figures, mourning his death.
French actor Lucas Bravo discusses his career and personal challenges, including feelings of imposter syndrome. Known for his role in "Emily in Paris," Bravo reflects on the show's impact and his own journey. He shares insights into managing career transitions and the pressures of acting.
Key Facts
Lucas Bravo is a French actor known for his role as Chef Gabriel in "Emily in Paris."
"Emily in Paris" premiered on Netflix in October 2020 and quickly became popular.
The show is about an American woman named Emily who moves to Paris for work and experiences cultural challenges and romance.
Season five of "Emily in Paris" is releasing this week.
Gabriel's character is involved in love triangles and considers career changes in the new season.
Bravo shared that his career took a major turn when he decided to stay in Los Angeles, despite family disagreements.
Bravo experiences imposter syndrome and stress from the acting industry and finds relief through therapy.
He also appeared in the 2022 film "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris."
A dog named Finn went viral because her tail was cut off to make her look like a different breed. After this didn't succeed, Finn was abandoned but later adopted by Maria in Miami. Finn now has a happy life with Maria and other rescue dogs.
Key Facts
Finn is a 4-year-old rescue dog.
Her tail was cut off, likely to disguise her breed and pass her off as a boxer.
The initial breeders abandoned her and her siblings in poor conditions.
Maria adopted Finn from PAWS Animal Welfare Society in Florida.
Finn's story highlights issues with practices like tail docking, which some advocates criticize.
Many European countries restrict tail docking, but it's not fully banned in the U.S.
Finn's story gained attention through a video, viewed over 300,000 times.
Maria hopes to raise awareness for PAWS Animal Welfare Society, which is often crowded.
A new movie called "MELANIA" will be released in theaters and on Amazon's streaming service. The film provides a behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump as she prepares for another term as First Lady. It features appearances by President Donald Trump and their son, Barron.
Key Facts
"MELANIA" is a movie about Melania Trump's life as she prepares for her role as First Lady again.
The movie will be in theaters from January 30 and later on Amazon Prime Video.
Melania Trump described the movie as an intimate look at her family and public duties.
The film is directed by Brett Ratner and includes President Trump and their son, Barron.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired the movie for $40 million.
Amazon donated $1 million to President Trump's inauguration fund.
Melania Trump is an executive producer and launched Muse Films, a production company.
The film reflects a change in relations between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and President Trump.
Andy Cohen is contributing his voice to New York City's subway announcements alongside others like Cardi B and Oscar the Grouch. Some questioned if Cohen, originally from St. Louis, should make announcements, but he has lived in New York City for 35 years and is well-known in the local entertainment scene. Cohen's announcements will help inform New Yorkers about changes in the subway payment system.
Key Facts
Andy Cohen is recording new announcements for New York City's subway system.
Cohen is originally from St. Louis but has lived in New York City for 35 years.
The announcements aim to inform passengers about the phase-out of the MetroCard.
The MetroCard will be replaced by the OMNY contactless payment system by December 31.
Other celebrities participating in the announcements include Cardi B and Oscar the Grouch.
Cohen's public service messages include reminders about subway etiquette.
Some people on social media questioned Cohen's authenticity as a New Yorker.
Australian authorities have declared the Bondi Beach attack a terrorist act linked to the Islamic State. This event has sparked global reactions and discussions about antisemitism and the relationship between Jewish and Muslim communities.
Key Facts
The Bondi Beach attack occurred on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah.
Australian officials identified it as a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State.
The attack involved ISIS-related materials and symbols found with the attackers.
A Muslim man intervened, helping to prevent further violence during the attack.
The attack was condemned by various international entities, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt's Al-Azhar.
The attack has highlighted concerns over rising antisemitism and the need for unity between Jewish and Muslim communities.
There is a push against letting extremist ideologies create divisions between communities.
The trailer for Steven Spielberg's upcoming movie, "Disclosure Day," has sparked discussion online. The film reunites Spielberg with screenwriter David Koepp and hints at themes of extraterrestrial life. Viewers have noticed similarities to Spielberg's earlier films, stirring speculation about the movie's plot.
Key Facts
Steven Spielberg's new movie is called "Disclosure Day."
The film was written by Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp.
The trailer hints at themes related to extraterrestrial life.
The story raises questions about humans learning they are not alone in the universe.
The film will be released in theaters on June 12, 2026.
Online discussions compare the film to Spielberg's past works like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
The teaser includes imagery that suggests both alien and religious themes.
The movie's release follows interest in documentaries about government cover-ups involving aliens.
Fans celebrated the 250th anniversary of the birth of English novelist Jane Austen. Al Jazeera covered the celebrations from Austen's former home in southern England.
More than 100 civilians have died in drone attacks in Sudan's Kordofan region amid ongoing fighting between military groups. The violence, now in its third year, has also caused many to flee and overwhelmed local healthcare services. The United Nations and other international groups are calling for peace and warning that the violence may involve war crimes.
Key Facts
104 civilians died in drone attacks in the Kordofan region of Sudan.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured a key army base in Babnusa.
A kindergarten and hospital attack in Kalogi resulted in 89 deaths, including 43 children.
Six Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers were killed in a drone attack in Kadugli.
13,609 cholera cases and 730 dengue fever infections have been reported in North Kordofan.
Over 40,000 people have fled the region due to the conflict.
UN officials highlight potential war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.
International peace efforts are underway, involving countries like the US and Saudi Arabia.
A report by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that the Arctic experienced its hottest year on record from October 2024 to September 2025, with significant ice and snow loss. The Arctic is warming faster than other regions, and some countries are expanding mining and oil drilling despite these environmental changes. The report highlights ongoing global discussions about climate change and associated legal and policy challenges.
Key Facts
NOAA reported that Arctic temperatures were the warmest since 1900 between October 2024 and September 2025.
The report was a collaboration of 112 authors from 13 countries.
Arctic sea ice in winter 2025 was at its lowest recorded level since satellite measurements began 47 years ago.
June 2025 snow cover in the Arctic was about half of what it was 60 years ago.
The NOAA report card has been released annually for 20 years.
Under the second Trump administration, references to climate change have reportedly been removed from federal websites.
The US, Russia, and Norway are planning new mining and oil drilling in the Arctic.
A global survey showed 80% of people want more climate change action, but fossil fuel expansion continues despite legal challenges.
The article discusses how the United States and other countries have reduced funding for international development and health assistance. This has led to the closure of clinics providing essential care and affected many humanitarian organizations. The reduction in aid has had significant impacts on global health and stability.
Key Facts
The U.S., Germany, France, and the U.K. have reduced their development assistance for the first time in 30 years.
The U.S. cut its global health funding by 67% this year.
Boston University research estimates these cuts have led to over 600,000 deaths, including more than 400,000 children.
Cutbacks have forced organizations like Americares to stop services for thousands of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia.
In Tanzania, aid reductions affected maternal and newborn health care for over 1.2 million people.
Save the Children closed 47 health facilities in Somalia due to funding cuts.
Americares provides medical aid and supports local health systems during crises, such as in Ukraine and Los Angeles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will put its new Oreshnik hypersonic missiles on active duty by the end of the year. He also mentioned successful tests of two other nuclear-powered weapons, Burevestnik and Poseidon. This news comes amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine and concerns in Europe about Russia's military activities.
Key Facts
President Putin said Oreshnik hypersonic missiles will be ready for use by the year-end.
These missiles were first used in the Ukraine conflict in November 2024.
Russia has tested the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile, and claims it has a very long range.
The Poseidon is another nuclear-powered system tested by Russia.
Putin claims these advances maintain Russia's global standing and security.
The Kremlin denies it intends to start a war in Europe, accusing Western countries of provoking conflicts.
Russia's missile developments are seen as part of its efforts to assert global power.
European nations worry about a potential conflict due to Russia's military actions and rearmament.
Andrew Lownie, who wrote a biography about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, provided new information to Britain's National Crime Agency. This information relates to Mountbatten-Windsor's past actions, including his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have decided not to investigate further claims about Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct involving Virginia Giuffre.
Key Facts
Andrew Lownie wrote a biography about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Lownie sent new information to the National Crime Agency.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost his titles in October due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations by Virginia Giuffre.
Virginia Giuffre accused Mountbatten-Windsor of abuse, which he denied; they settled a lawsuit in 2022.
The Metropolitan Police decided not to investigate an email sent by Mountbatten-Windsor in 2011 concerning Giuffre.
The police found no new evidence of misconduct after reviewing the reports.
Lownie expressed frustration that no one has approached him regarding his evidence.
One policeman has faced pressure after speaking out regarding the case.
A man named Jerome Carlton Hughes Jr. found a stray dog hiding behind trash cans while walking his dog in Chicago. He cared for the scared and underweight dog, named Freckles, but due to space and his own dog's demeanor, he could not keep her. Freckles was taken to an animal shelter and eventually adopted, with the heartwarming rescue story becoming popular on TikTok.
Key Facts
Jerome Carlton Hughes Jr. found a stray dog behind garbage cans in Chicago while walking his dog Wolfie.
The stray dog was cold, underweight, and appeared scared.
Hughes Jr. provided the dog, later named Freckles, with food, water, and a place to stay overnight.
He shared the story on TikTok, and the video gained over 1.2 million views and 315,800 likes.
Freckles was taken to Chicago Animal Care & Control and got adopted within a few days.
Many TikTok users expressed interest in adopting Freckles after seeing her story online.
Despite wanting to keep Freckles, Hughes Jr. could not due to his apartment situation and his own dog's behavior.
Two childhood friends found a large diamond in Panna, India, which they expect to change their lives. The diamond is estimated to be worth between $55,000 and $66,000 and will be auctioned. The friends plan to use the money to arrange their sisters' marriages.
Key Facts
Satish Khatik and Sajid Mohammed found a 15.34-carat diamond in Panna, India.
The diamond's estimated value ranges from $55,000 to $66,000.
Panna is a region known for its diamond reserves, despite poverty and few job opportunities.
The government will auction the diamond, with buyers from India and abroad expected to participate.
Families in Panna often lease land to search for diamonds, hoping for a valuable find.
Khatik and Mohammed, from poor backgrounds, plan to use the money to fund their sisters' weddings.
Residents typically search for diamonds by digging and sifting through soil by hand.
Finding a diamond in Panna is rare; their find is considered extremely lucky.
Young Thug, an Atlanta rapper, proposed to his girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist, during a benefit concert in Atlanta. The proposal happened on stage, and the couple's engagement quickly gained attention online. The couple has been linked romantically since 2021 and recently reconciled after a brief split.
Key Facts
Young Thug proposed to Mariah the Scientist on stage during his concert on December 16.
The words "will you marry me?" were displayed on arena screens as Young Thug asked Mariah to marry him.
A video of the proposal attracted over 290,000 views online.
Mariah had expressed her desire to marry in an interview two days before the proposal.
Young Thug and Mariah started rumors of a relationship in 2021 after appearing together at events.
Young Thug resolved legal issues in October 2024 and was released on probation.
The couple briefly split but then reconciled prior to the proposal.
Weather experts forecast a series of strong storms, called atmospheric rivers, to hit California and parts of the West Coast in the coming days. These storms are expected to bring heavy rain, snow, and possible flooding, particularly impacting travel during the holiday season.
Key Facts
Meteorologists predict multiple atmospheric rivers will bring heavy rain and snow to the West Coast over the next 10 days.
These storms are expected to hit Oregon and Northern California first, spreading to other areas like Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
The heaviest rainfalls are expected over the weekend in western Oregon and northern California.
There is a risk of flash flooding and landslides, especially in areas affected by recent wildfires.
Already flooded regions in Washington could see a rise in river levels, causing more flooding.
The strongest storm system may arrive around December 22nd and 23rd, affecting holiday travel.
Residents are advised to stay alert and prepare for challenging weather conditions.
The article discusses how New York City can improve public health by addressing housing affordability and safety. It highlights reforms like fare-free buses and city-owned grocery stores as part of a public health strategy. The author also mentions a six-point plan for improving public health, which includes housing reforms, enhanced community safety, reproductive justice, and climate resilience.
Key Facts
Hurricane Ida in 2021 showed how housing safety and public health are connected.
New York City faced over 45,000 COVID-19 deaths, emphasizing health system weaknesses.
Zohran Mamdani was elected on a platform focused on making living more affordable.
Columbia University proposed a six-point plan to guide public health improvements in NYC.
Housing reforms paired with health goals could reduce issues like asthma and injuries.
Community-led responses could decrease reliance on police for public safety.
Reproductive health efforts need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Climate change impacts health, with extreme heat posing significant risks in NYC.
The New South Wales Police have charged Naveed Akram with 59 offences including 15 counts of murder for a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. The attack targeted a Jewish community event and left 15 people dead and many others injured. Police consider the incident a terrorist act linked to Islamic State group ideology.
Key Facts
Naveed Akram is charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder.
The attack happened at Bondi Beach, targeting a Jewish community event during Hanukkah.
The shooting resulted in 15 deaths and many injuries.
Sajid Akram, the other suspect and Naveed's father, died during a shootout with police.
Police found Islamic State group flags and improvised bombs in the gunmen's vehicle.
Naveed Akram is being treated in a hospital and had his first court hearing from his hospital bed.
The attack is considered a terrorist act motivated by Islamic State group ideology.
Police are waiting for Akram to recover before questioning him to ensure fairness.
Two girls named Hollie became best friends after receiving lung transplants at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London. The girls met in the hospital in 2023 and formed a strong friendship because they shared a similar medical experience. They now stay in touch daily and celebrate their transplant anniversaries together with their families.
Key Facts
Two girls named Hollie met during their hospital stays for double lung transplants in 2023.
Hollie M is from Daventry, Northamptonshire, and Hollie B is from Bangor, County Down.
Hollie M had waited three years for a transplant, while Hollie B was on the urgent list for just 24 hours.
Both underwent their transplants at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.
The girls formed a close friendship, messaging each other daily and meeting regularly.
Their families celebrate the anniversaries of the transplants together each year.
A doctor at the hospital noted how rare it is for children to undergo lung transplants and praised the girls' friendship and recovery.
