Researchers from Yale University claim that Sudan's paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), tried to cover up mass killings in the city of el-Fasher by destroying evidence. Satellite images show that the RSF likely disposed of thousands of bodies after capturing the city during the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
Key Facts
The RSF is accused of covering up mass killings in el-Fasher by burying and burning bodies.
Satellite images analyzed by Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab suggest the RSF disposed of thousands of bodies.
The RSF captured el-Fasher after an 18-month siege, taking control from Sudan's regular army.
This conflict is part of a wider civil war in Sudan that started in April 2023.
The United Nations calls the situation the world's worst humanitarian disaster.
The RSF leader has admitted some violations but denies the killings are ethnically motivated.
Reports suggest that less than half of the trapped city's civilians have escaped to camps.
More than 13 million people have been displaced since the war began.
Micah Legnon, a 29-year-old from New Iberia, Louisiana, has been arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot. He is a former U.S. Marine and ex-police officer with reported links to an extremist group planning attacks in Southern California.
Key Facts
Micah Legnon is 29 years old.
He is a former U.S. Marine and ex-police officer.
He is accused of being involved in a New Year’s Eve terror plot.
The alleged plot involves an extremist group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front.
The group was reportedly planning coordinated attacks in Southern California.
Legnon was charged with making threats across state lines.
The FBI held a news conference about the arrests linked to this plot.
Thailand and Cambodia have disagreements about their shared border. These disputes over land have been happening for many years. They have caused many people to leave their homes near this border area.
Key Facts
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of disagreements over land.
These disputes have caused many people to be displaced, meaning they have had to leave their homes.
The disputes are focused on the border that both countries share.
Al Jazeera reports on these issues to explain the situation.
The border conflicts have been passed down through generations, indicating a historical tension between the two countries.
Los Angeles police have arrested Nick Reiner in connection with the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. Prosecutors will decide on charges as Nick Reiner remains in jail without bail. Rob Reiner was a well-known actor and director, while Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer and activist.
Key Facts
Nick Reiner was arrested after his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home.
Rob Reiner was famous for acting in "All in the Family" and directing films like "When Harry Met Sally…" and "The Princess Bride."
Michele Singer Reiner worked as a photographer and was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
The police have not stated a motive for the killings.
Prosecutors are considering what charges to bring against Nick Reiner.
Rob and Michele were prominent figures in Hollywood and active in Democratic politics.
Rob Reiner was the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner.
President Donald Trump made a comment blaming Rob Reiner's political stance for his death without providing evidence.
Ukraine is facing severe power shortages because of ongoing Russian attacks on its energy grid. The chief executive of Ukraine's largest energy company, DTEK, says the organization is struggling to repair and maintain the power network under these conditions. Many people in Ukraine experience daily power cuts and rely on backup options like power banks and generators.
Key Facts
Ukraine's electricity is rationed, with power on for only a few hours each day.
Russian attacks have severely damaged the energy grid, making repairs difficult.
DTEK provides electricity to 5.6 million Ukrainians and faces frequent attacks.
Many parts of Ukraine, like the city of Odesa, have experienced prolonged power outages.
Fifty percent of Ukraine's energy comes from nuclear plants, but transmission lines are damaged.
DTEK spends significant funds on repairing damage to its power facilities.
Eight engineers from DTEK have lost their lives working to maintain power supplies.
Finding spare parts for repairs is difficult, as they now need to be sourced from Europe.
Planning permission has been approved for Universal Studios to build its first theme park in the UK. The park will be located in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, and aims to open by 2031.
Key Facts
The theme park will be the first Universal Studios park in the UK.
It will be built in Kempston Hardwick, close to Bedford.
Planning permission was granted through a special development order (SDO).
The park is expected to attract over eight million visitors each year.
Universal plans to open the park by the year 2031.
Bedford Borough Council stated that the park would provide an economic benefit of £50 billion.
The development followed several years of collaboration between Universal, local councillors, and council staff.
Thailand has asked Cambodia to declare a ceasefire first to end ongoing clashes between the two countries. The conflict, which began due to disputes over border territory, has resulted in at least 32 deaths and displaced around 800,000 people. Despite efforts to establish a ceasefire, fighting continues, and both nations blame each other for the violence.
Key Facts
Thailand wants Cambodia to announce a ceasefire as the first step to stop the fighting.
The conflict centers around border disputes along the 817km (508-mile) boundary between the nations.
The latest clashes have killed at least 32 people and displaced about 800,000 individuals.
Fighting was reignited by an incident on December 7 and continues despite ceasefire efforts.
President Donald Trump previously brokered a ceasefire in July using trade tariffs as leverage.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated there is no international pressure for a truce.
Cambodia closed a checkpoint, causing issues for Thai citizens needing to return home.
Both Thailand and Cambodia accuse each other of initiating the violence.
In 2025, natural disasters led to $220 billion in economic losses worldwide, based on estimates from Swiss Re, a company that insures other insurers. This amount is lower than the previous year's $327 billion losses, helped by a less severe hurricane season in the North Atlantic. Major events included wildfires in Los Angeles and Hurricane Melissa affecting the Caribbean.
Key Facts
Natural disasters caused $220 billion in global economic losses in 2025.
Swiss Re, a company that insures insurers, provided this estimate.
Losses were down from $327 billion in the previous year.
Wildfires in Los Angeles caused $40 billion in insured losses.
Total insured losses for 2025 were $107 billion, a 24% decrease from the previous year.
The North Atlantic had a milder hurricane season, with no hurricanes reaching the US coast.
There were 13 named tropical storms, including three Category 5 hurricanes.
Hurricane Melissa was the costliest storm of 2025, with $2.5 billion in insured losses.
Severe storms continue to be a significant cause of economic losses worldwide.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon will not share a full video showing a strike that killed two people in the Caribbean. However, the video will be available for members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee to view.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on a boat allegedly carrying cocaine in the Caribbean.
Two survivors of an initial attack were killed in this strike.
The edited video will not be made public.
Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee can watch the video this week.
It's unclear if all members of Congress will be allowed to see the video.
A defense policy bill requires that the video be released to Congress.
France is trying to delay the European Union's decision on a trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries. The deal, which needs approval, has been in the works for 25 years and aims to reduce tariffs to increase trade. French farmers and others worry the agreement will harm their businesses by bringing in cheaper imports from South America.
Key Facts
France wants to postpone the EU vote on the trade deal with Mercosur, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The trade deal would create the largest free-trade agreement for the EU in terms of tariff reductions.
French farmers are worried about cheap agricultural imports from Mercosur, which could impact their livelihoods.
The EU-Mercosur deal is designed to lower trade barriers and boost the flow of goods and services between the regions.
High tariff rates currently exist, with Mercosur charging up to 35% on EU products and the EU imposing duties of up to 15% on South American goods.
France is Europe’s largest agricultural producer and seeks more protections for its farmers before agreeing to the deal.
The European Commission President plans to visit Brazil to sign the agreement, aiming to form the world’s biggest free-trade area.
France has criticized the proposed safeguards by the European Commission as inadequate.
Many Canadians are avoiding trips to Florida in response to President Trump's economic policies and comments, affecting the state's tourism and economy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned this boycott during a press conference and explained how this has impacted tourism numbers and the real estate market.
Key Facts
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is not taking his usual winter trip to Florida and noted a larger boycott by Canadians.
The boycott is linked to President Trump's tariffs and comments about Canada.
Visitor numbers from Canada to Florida dropped 20% year-over-year by the end of June 2025.
A survey showed fewer Canadians plan to go to the U.S. for winter compared to the previous year.
The decline in Canadian tourists is affecting Florida’s housing market and overall economy.
The U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee reported a nearly 20% decline in passenger vehicle crossings from Canada to the U.S. in 2025 compared to 2024, affecting border states.
A woman named Kat Tretina, who owns dogs but has no children, was surprised when her parents sent her a large Christmas present—a dog house decorated with lights—despite originally saying they would only give gifts to their grandchildren. Tretina shared this moment online, where many pet lovers expressed similar stories of parents treating pets like grandchildren.
Key Facts
Kat Tretina's parents decided to give her a Christmas gift, a dog house, despite their earlier decision only to buy gifts for their grandchildren.
Tretina, who owns dogs instead of having children, was pleasantly surprised by this gesture.
The dog house arrived with Christmas lights and resembled a miniature cabin.
Online, Tretina's story received over 41,700 likes and more than 311,000 views.
A photo showed one of Tretina's dogs, a Samoyed, sitting at the dog house's porch.
Samoyeds are known for their friendly nature and thick white fur.
Many other pet owners shared how their parents also treat pets as grandchildren.
Kim Petras responded to comments made by Nicki Minaj about transgender children. Minaj's remarks came after Governor Gavin Newsom expressed support for trans kids and related legislation in California. Petras, who is transgender, stated, "Trans kids r healthy btw."
Key Facts
Nicki Minaj made comments about transgender children, sparking controversy.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed support for transgender children and pro-transgender legislation.
Minaj criticized Newsom's comments and made a social media post questioning his stance.
Kim Petras, a transgender musician, responded to Minaj by saying trans kids are healthy.
Minaj has changed her public political views, despite past support of LGBTQ+ communities.
Minaj appeared at a United Nations-related event with ties to the Trump administration.
Minaj has engaged with conservative figures such as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance online.
Rob Reiner, a well-known filmmaker, discussed his close relationship with his son Nick through their work together on a movie about drug addiction and homelessness. Their collaboration on the film "Being Charlie" was a valuable experience that helped them understand each other better. The film was part of their efforts to share personal challenges and insights related to addiction and family dynamics.
Key Facts
Rob Reiner and his son Nick made a film together called "Being Charlie."
The movie is about a teenager in Los Angeles dealing with drug addiction.
Rob Reiner talked about how working on the film brought him and Nick closer together.
At the time of their parents' death, Nick Reiner was in custody without bail.
Nick co-wrote the film when he was 22 years old.
Rob Reiner believed the movie-making process taught him a lot about being a better father.
The film highlights that traditional recovery programs don't work for everyone.
Rob Reiner emphasized trusting parental instincts over solely relying on experts.
The BBC licence fee is currently £174.50 per year and will last until the end of 2027. A consultation document has been released to explore new ways to fund the BBC, such as adding adverts or using a subscription service. The BBC is facing a lawsuit from President Donald Trump over a documentary edit.
Key Facts
The BBC licence fee is £174.50 a year and is valid until December 31, 2027.
The licence fee generated £3.8 billion in the year ending March 2025, making up 65% of the BBC's income.
A consultation has been published to explore alternative funding options for the BBC.
Some proposed options include a tax on broadband, advertising, or a subscription model.
In January 2025, funding the BBC through general taxation was ruled out.
President Trump has filed a $5 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over a documentary.
The number of BBC licence fee-paying households decreased from 24.1 million in March 2024 to 23.8 million in March 2025.
Critics argue the licence fee is not fair as it is a flat-rate charge and doesn't account for income differences.
Xcel Energy Colorado announced the possibility of shutting off power for hundreds of thousands of residents due to increased wildfire risk. This decision comes as strong winds and low humidity raise fire danger in several Colorado counties. Residents are advised to prepare for potential outages by charging devices and gathering supplies.
Key Facts
Xcel Energy Colorado may conduct power shutoffs on December 17 due to wildfire risk.
The affected areas include several counties, including Boulder, Denver, and Jefferson.
A red flag warning was issued, forecasting strong winds up to 45 mph and low humidity at 12%.
Xcel Energy typically gives a four-hour warning before shutting off power, but emergencies may shorten this notice.
Residents are advised to charge phones and medical devices, and prepare food and water supplies.
Power restoration will begin once weather conditions improve, which may take multiple days.
The National Weather Service warns that strong winds and low humidity increase wildfire danger.
Authorities are looking for a gunman who killed two students at Brown University in Rhode Island. There is speculation that the shooter yelled "Allahu Akbar," but this claim has not been confirmed. The shooter is still not caught, and law enforcement has not shared any motive yet.
Key Facts
Two students were killed and nine others injured in a shooting at Brown University.
The victims were named Ella Cook from Alabama and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov from Uzbekistan.
The shooter has not been captured, and there is no named suspect.
A man was detained but later released due to lack of evidence.
There are unconfirmed claims that the shooter shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attack.
No official motive or confirmation of these claims has been provided by the police.
Social media posts speculated about the shooter's motives, but there's no proof of these claims.
Police released images of a "person of interest" wearing a black mask.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed U.S. lawmakers about a military strike in the Caribbean that happened in September. The strike involved a boat suspected of carrying cocaine and resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an earlier attack. There is controversy over not sharing the complete video of the strike with the public and all members of Congress.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a briefing for U.S. lawmakers.
The briefing covered a military strike in the Caribbean that took place in September.
The strike killed two survivors from a previous attack on a suspected cocaine-carrying boat.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer criticized the lack of access to the full video of the strike.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham supported the idea of sharing the video with all Congress members.
Senator Graham expressed confidence in the lawfulness of the operation.
The briefing is part of ongoing congressional investigations into the strike.
A mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney resulted in 15 deaths. Australian authorities labeled it a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State group. The suspects were a father and son; the father died, and the son is in a hospital.
Key Facts
The shooting took place during a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
15 people died, and 25 others were in hospitals, with 10 in critical condition.
The suspects were a father and son; the father was killed, and the son is hospitalized.
Australian police called it a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State.
Flags related to the Islamic State were found in the suspects' vehicle.
The older suspect was originally from India and moved to Australia in 1998.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to strengthen gun laws.
The suspects had visited the Philippines before the attack, where police are investigating their activities.
A couple from Wales, Richard Davies and Faye Stevenson-Davies, won the National Lottery jackpot worth £1 million for the second time. They achieved this rare win, with odds of over 24 trillion-to-one, through consecutive winning draws that led to a free entry in the jackpot-winning draw.
Key Facts
Richard Davies and Faye Stevenson-Davies live in Wales.
They won their first £1 million jackpot in 2018.
Their second win came from matching numbers in a Lotto draw on November 26.
The odds of winning the jackpot twice are over 24 trillion-to-one.
Richard Davies works at a homeless shelter and volunteers as a delivery driver.
Faye Stevenson-Davies volunteers as a cook and provides counseling services.
They plan to continue helping their community despite their new winnings.
