A landslide hit a campsite in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, leaving several people unaccounted for. An Australian tourist described the terrifying experience of escaping the landslide. Rescue teams are actively searching for missing individuals.
Key Facts
A landslide occurred at a campsite in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.
Several people are missing after the landslide.
An Australian tourist fled the area and described the event as very frightening.
Rescuers are on the ground working to find survivors.
A trial has started in Hong Kong for three activists who held remembrance events for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. They are charged under China's national security law for inciting subversion. The activists could face up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.
Key Facts
Three activists are on trial in Hong Kong for organizing vigils for the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
The charges against them include inciting subversion of state power under Hong Kong's national security law.
The national security law was introduced in 2020 and bans a wide range of dissenting activities.
One activist, Albert Ho, has pleaded guilty; the other two, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, pleaded not guilty.
These activists are part of the disbanded Hong Kong Alliance, known for advocating democracy.
The trial is expected to last 75 days.
Public remembrance of the 1989 crackdown is banned on the Chinese mainland.
The law used against them includes crimes like secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign collusion.
Israel conducted airstrikes on four border crossings between Syria and Lebanon, claiming they were used by Hezbollah for smuggling weapons. These actions follow previous attacks in southern Lebanon that caused fatalities and injuries, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah. Lebanese officials condemned the strikes, calling them violations of the ceasefire.
Key Facts
Israel launched airstrikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossings used by Hezbollah for smuggling weapons.
The strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least two people and injured around 20.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire was signed in 2024 to stop hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticized the airstrikes as targeting civilians and violating the ceasefire.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed 19 injuries in Qanarit from Israeli airstrikes.
Israel claimed it targeted and killed a key Hezbollah weapons smuggler in Sidon.
Lebanese military reported the attacks as a breach of Lebanon's sovereignty and mentioned difficulties in implementing a disarmament plan for Hezbollah.
More than 350 people in Lebanon have died in ongoing conflicts despite the ceasefire.
The World Economic Forum's main building in Davos was evacuated due to a strange smell causing people to cough. Emergency teams checked the situation, and the evacuation ended within an hour. The event did not affect President Donald Trump as he had already left the venue.
Key Facts
The evacuation happened at the World Economic Forum's main venue in Davos.
The reason for evacuation was a smell that caused coughing among attendees.
Emergency crews investigated the situation, and the issue was resolved in about an hour.
There were no reports of injuries from the incident.
President Donald Trump had exited the venue before the evacuation began.
A fire brigade spokesperson confirmed that the issue was contained, and the area was safe.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict have narrowed to a single issue. Witkoff, who is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned progress but did not specify the issue, with territorial division being a major challenge.
Key Facts
Steve Witkoff is the U.S. Special Envoy involved in Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
He mentioned that the negotiations are focusing on one main issue.
Witkoff expressed optimism about the progress made in discussions.
The specific issue was not revealed, but territory division is a significant hurdle.
Russia wants Ukraine to give up the eastern Donbas region.
Ukrainian forces currently control important areas in Donbas.
A Ukrainian constitutional condition requires a referendum to cede land, which cannot happen during war.
Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to continue discussions.
President Donald Trump recently caused a stir by making strong statements about Greenland, threatening military action and tariffs against European allies. These tensions eased after talks involving Denmark, Greenland, and NATO, leading to an agreement to discuss Greenland's future. Discussions now focus on increasing NATO's presence on the island for Arctic security.
Key Facts
President Trump made bold claims about Greenland and hinted at military action and tariffs against European allies.
The situation calmed after discussions with Denmark, Greenland, and NATO, resulting in an agreement for a "working group" to discuss Greenland’s future.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte played a key role in calming tensions and maintaining North Atlantic alliance stability.
Denmark expressed willingness to allow more American military presence on Greenland.
A proposal discussed involved Denmark giving up small areas of Greenland for U.S. military bases.
President Trump indicated interest in Greenland's mineral resources as part of a deal.
Discussions aim to secure Arctic safety and prevent Russian and Chinese influence in Greenland.
Canadian and EU leaders described the situation as significant, signaling a lasting impact on international relations.
A Russian cosmonaut named Sergey Kud-Sverchkov took incredible photos of aurora lights from the International Space Station during a major solar storm. This storm is one of the biggest in over 20 years, creating vibrant light shows in Earth's atmosphere.
Key Facts
Cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov captured aurora lights from space.
The images were taken from the International Space Station.
The event occurred during a powerful solar storm.
The National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center noted it as one of the strongest storms in over 20 years.
A similar storm was last recorded in October 2003.
Solar storms cause auroras by sending charged particles into Earth's atmosphere, creating bright lights.
Egisto Ott, a former intelligence officer in Austria, is on trial for allegedly spying for Russia. He is accused of giving personal and secret data to Russian intelligence and Jan Marsalek, a fugitive executive. The charges have sparked concerns about Russian espionage activities in Austria.
Key Facts
Egisto Ott, 63, is a former Austrian intelligence officer accused of spying for Russia.
Ott is charged with passing data to Russian intelligence and Jan Marsalek between 2015 and 2020.
Jan Marsalek is a fugitive wanted for alleged fraud related to the collapse of Wirecard.
Marsalek is thought to have fled from Austria to Moscow in 2020.
Ott allegedly gathered large amounts of personal data using police databases without permission.
Prosecutors say Ott tried to obtain a secure laptop for Russian intelligence in 2022.
If found guilty, Ott faces up to five years in prison for abuse of authority and espionage.
An Austrian former MP, Thomas Schellenbacher, is separately charged with helping Marsalek escape to Belarus.
A former minister warns that the UK government might face opposition if it reduces its promised reforms to the leasehold system in England and Wales. Labour has committed to capping ground rents, but concerns exist about how this could affect pension funds. The government promised to legislate changes but delayed the draft bill.
Key Facts
Justin Madders, a former minister, warns of a possible "mass rebellion" if leasehold reform promises are reduced.
Ground rents are fees leaseholders pay to freeholders, and Labour wants these capped.
In 2022, most new residential leasehold properties in England and Wales had ground rents abolished, but existing homes still have them.
Labour’s election manifesto promised to tackle high ground rent charges, but there are concerns about the economic impact.
The government had promised a draft bill to reform the leasehold system, but it has been delayed due to ground rent issues.
Around five million homes in England and Wales are leasehold properties.
There are disagreements on setting a cap for ground rents, with a £250 yearly cap being more likely.
Concerns exist about how a cap might impact pension funds that own freehold properties.
On January 22, a Ukrainian woman died after Russian shelling in Kherson, and Ukraine reported ongoing missile and bomb attacks in Donetsk. Meanwhile, President Trump, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, plans to meet with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy and discussed a possible peace deal with Russian President Putin.
Key Facts
A woman in Ukraine's Kherson region died from injuries after Russian shelling.
Russian forces launched 768 missiles and bombs in Ukraine's Donetsk region over 10 days.
Kyiv's power remains unstable, with ongoing outages affecting about 44,000 homes.
Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian port, killing three and injuring eight.
An Uzbek man in Moscow was sentenced to life in prison for a Ukraine-backed attack on a Russian general.
Dutch navy ships escorted Russian vessels away from the North Sea.
President Trump is discussing peace efforts with leaders in Davos, seeking an end to the Ukraine conflict.
Russian President Putin is considering joining Trump's proposed peace efforts for the Middle East.
A former police officer and hostage negotiator, Nicky Perfect, shared lessons from her career that can help in parenting. She describes three strategies: offering limited choices, pausing before reacting, and understanding others' perspectives.
Key Facts
Nicky Perfect served as a Metropolitan Police officer for over 30 years, including 10 years as a hostage negotiator.
She worked in the New Scotland Yard Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Unit.
Perfect suggests offering a "no choice choice" to give children a sense of control.
She recommends waiting 90 seconds before responding to emotionally charged situations.
Understanding the child's perspective can help manage situations like bedtime tantrums.
Perfect shared her insights on the BBC's Parenting Download podcast.
The techniques aim to maintain calm and control in parenting, drawing from her negotiation skills.
Ashton Kutcher, an American actor, has stated that Hollywood is not responsible for setting unrealistic beauty standards, and that the desire for perfection comes from society as a whole. He is starring in a new TV show, "The Beauty," which explores themes related to beauty and societal pressures.
Key Facts
Ashton Kutcher is known for his roles in TV shows and movies like "That '70s Show" and "Dude, Where's My Car?"
Kutcher argues that society, not Hollywood, is to blame for setting high beauty standards.
He stars in a show called "The Beauty" about a drug that transforms people into their most attractive selves.
The show addresses modern issues, like the popularity of weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Ozempic.
Kutcher mentions the increasing social acceptance of cosmetic enhancements.
In 2024, 27,462 cosmetic procedures were performed in the UK, a 5% increase from 2023.
The show touches on the cultural significance of beauty, success, and power.
President Donald Trump stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he would not use military force to take over Greenland but insisted that the United States should control the Danish territory. He announced a "framework of a future deal" regarding Greenland's status, though details were not revealed. Trump also discussed his views on NATO and the U.S. economy during the speech.
Key Facts
President Trump said he does not plan to use force to take over Greenland.
He believes the U.S. needs Greenland for strategic and national security reasons.
Trump announced a vague "framework of a future deal" about Greenland after meeting with NATO's Secretary-General.
Trump lifted tariffs he had planned for European allies.
He criticized Denmark for being unable to protect Greenland effectively.
Trump described NATO as costly for the U.S. and suggested it is not beneficial.
He emphasized the U.S. as a leading force in global economic growth.
The Oscar nominations will be announced soon, with Leonardo DiCaprio's film, "One Battle After Another," expected to do well. This year, British actors may have fewer nominations than usual, while Irish talent is expected to have a strong showing. The awards ceremony will be hosted by U.S. comedian Conan O'Brien on March 15.
Key Facts
Oscar nominations will be announced, with the film "One Battle After Another" predicted to lead.
The nominations will be revealed starting at 13:30 GMT.
British talent is not expected to secure many nominations this year, but Wunmi Mosaku from "Sinners" has a shot.
Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are strong candidates for nominations.
Conan O'Brien will host the Academy Awards on March 15.
Sequels like "Wicked: For Good" and "Avatar: Fire and Ash" are not expected to get many nominations.
Director James Cameron mentioned he's more focused on making movies for audiences than campaigning for awards.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said that the Trump administration stopped him from speaking at a World Economic Forum event in Davos. Newsom's office mentioned that USA House, the official U.S. space at the event, denied him entry to speak, even though he was invited by Fortune. The White House criticized Newsom and did not provide a reason for blocking his participation.
Key Facts
Governor Gavin Newsom claimed the Trump administration blocked him from speaking at a Davos event.
Newsom was supposed to speak at USA House, the U.S. pavilion at the World Economic Forum.
Despite being invited by Fortune, Newsom was denied entry shortly before the event.
The White House criticized Newsom for going to Davos, saying he should focus on California.
Newsom suggested that pressure from the White House and State Department influenced the decision.
Alternatives were offered for Newsom to speak at another reception, which he declined.
President Trump spoke at Davos and mentioned Newsom during his speech.
President Donald Trump announced a deal with NATO allies regarding Greenland. The agreement involves discussions about Greenland's role in the U.S. missile defense system. President Trump also decided not to impose tariffs on European allies that were against his Greenland plan.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a "framework deal" with NATO about Greenland.
The deal includes further talks on Greenland's role in the U.S. missile defense system.
President Trump stepped back from imposing tariffs on European countries opposed to the Greenland acquisition.
U.S. stock markets went up following the announcement about the deal.
A NATO official mentioned concerns if Greenland is not given to the U.S.
President Trump emphasized the importance of owning Arctic territory for U.S. national security during a speech in Davos.
The media reported varied reactions and comments about President Trump’s speech and actions.
Families of patients at Scotland's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital claim they were misled about infections linked to the hospital's water system. The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry is investigating these issues, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has apologized and taken steps to address the problems. The inquiry is listening to final submissions before releasing a report.
Key Facts
The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow opened in 2015 and had design flaws, according to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Infections among some cancer patients were likely connected to issues with the water system at the hospital.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologized to affected patients and families.
Families accused the health board of dishonesty and disrespect in handling the situation.
The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry is reviewing the hospital's planning, design, and maintenance.
The final report from the inquiry is expected later this year.
Concerns about safety arose after infections and deaths, including that of a 10-year-old patient.
The health board acknowledged past unfair criticisms of staff who raised safety concerns.
Australia's main opposition, the Liberal-National Coalition, has split due to a disagreement over new hate speech laws. The Nationals decided to leave the Coalition, putting Liberal leader Sussan Ley's leadership in question. This disagreement follows recent political tensions after an attack in Bondi Beach.
Key Facts
The Liberal-National Coalition in Australia has broken up over disagreements about hate speech reforms.
The disagreement arose after a terror attack at Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people.
Followers of the Nationals refused to support a decision by the shadow cabinet on the hate speech laws.
David Littleproud, leader of the Nationals, announced the split and criticized the situation.
This is the second split between the Nationals and Liberals in less than a year.
Sussan Ley, the Liberal leader, faced leadership challenges before this split.
Both parties had opposed tighter gun control laws but had different views on hate speech reforms.
The Coalition had been unstable since losing elections last year.
President Trump and NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte discussed a plan regarding Greenland that respects Denmark's sovereignty over the island. The framework involves enhancing U.S. military presence and cooperation in the Arctic without transferring control of Greenland from Denmark to the United States. President Trump expressed his hope that the deal would achieve U.S. strategic goals in the region.
Key Facts
President Trump and Marc Rutte discussed a plan involving Greenland at a meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
The plan respects Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland.
The proposal does not transfer control of Greenland to the United States.
The plan includes updating a 1951 defense agreement between the U.S. and Denmark.
The framework will increase U.S. and NATO military presence in the Arctic.
President Trump is hopeful the deal will help the U.S. achieve its strategic goals.
Trump called for immediate negotiations with Denmark and Greenland about the plan.
The U.S. will not impose tariffs on European allies if the deal is finalized.
The Awami League, a major political party in Bangladesh, cannot participate in upcoming elections. Sheikh Hasina, their leader, is living in exile after being overthrown. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, discusses the party's future and public anger over past leadership.
Key Facts
The Awami League is not allowed to take part in the next elections in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League leader and former Prime Minister, is in exile.
Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in August 2024.
Bangladesh is preparing for a significant election without the Awami League.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sheikh Hasina’s son, is a key figure in the Awami League.
The party faces criticism for past repressive governance.
The interview questions whether the party can have a political future in Bangladesh.
