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Yesterday, the United States launched multiple strikes on Venezuela, taking control of the country, and an operation within the capital, Caracas, managed to capture dictator Nicolás Maduro. The strikes took place around 2 am local time, when American forces launched missiles towards several locations in northern Venezuela, including the capital city of Caracas. While the strikes were taking place, an undercover team of CIA agents in Caracas managed to sneak into Maduro's residence, capturing him and his wife before flying them to New York. According to the New York Times, the team of Army Delta Force commandos had been tracking Maduro's movements since August, but the mission proved extremely difficult due to his unprecedented place of residence. The dictator alternated between six to eight houses, preventing the agents from finding out where his location would be for the night. The commandos also practiced the mission with an exact replica of one of the residences, created in Kentucky for the sole purpose of the mission– named 'Operation Absolute Resolve.' Then, they were forced to wait for the day when confirmation was received that Maduro would be staying at that exact residence, prompting them to make their move. The Venezuelan leader was successfully captured with no loss of American life– a huge win for Trump, who has maintained a strongly anti-Maduro stance since assuming office. Trump has attributed the downfall of Venezuela's once-promising oil industry to Maduro's administration, but more importantly, Trump claims that Maduro's authoritarian regime is the source of various drug cartels that have spread across Latin America and the United States. According to American reports, Maduro and his wife worked together to facilitate the trafficking of cocaine for years, using their governmental power to kidnap, beat, and kill their opponents without making the information public. Maduro arrived in New York City in a helicopter soon after the operation, where he was met with chants of "down with the dictator" and "dirty scumbag." Maduro and his wife are now being charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. The entire operation comes after the Trump administration had been consistently trying to build pressure on Maduro for months, primarily through the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean. Soon after the strikes, President Donald Trump asserted that the US would "run the country" until further notice, giving them control of the Venezuela's gigantic oil reserves. Venezuela currently holds around 303 billion barrels of crude oil beneath its surface, making up around 20% of the world's total– the most of any country. However, according to OPEC, they only pump around 1 million barrels per day– a mere 0.8% of global oil production. Meanwhile, Trump also claimed that he would send American companies into Venezuela to invest in building new oil infrastructure and turn the nation into a major oil-producing country once again. In total, the United States stands to gain an incredible amount from these developments, due to the nation's proximity to Venezuela and their newfound control over the South American country's oil– which many have labeled as highly illegal. Nevertheless, many people in Venezuela strongly supported US intervention prior to Maduro's downfall, as shown by the sentiments of Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado , but Machado has called for Venezuelan opposition leader Eduardo González to assume leadership– something that may not happen under Trump's assertion of control. According to various reports, González won the 2024 Venezuelan election by a significant margin, but Maduro allegedly skewed the results to secure his position as dictator. Because of the complexity of the situation, various countries have shown mixed reactions to the United States' actions. Other authoritarian regimes, like Cuba, Belarus, and Russia, condemned Trump's actions, along with China and several other Latin American nations– particularly those whose relationships with the US have soured since Trump assumed office. Mexico, Brazil, and other countries were quick to reject the American intervention, labeling it as a major violation of international law. Brazilian President Lula de Silva called it a "dangerous precedent for the entire international community," and Uruguay also took a similar stance– in particular, they pointed out the importance of respecting the Charter of the United Nations, but avoided mentioning Maduro. Other nations, like Argentina, Israel, and Ukraine, supported Trump's decisions, emphasizing the Maduro regime's authoritarian policies and lack of democracy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's "leadership" as "bold" and "historic" and saluted his "decisive resolve" and the "brilliant action" of American forces. Most nations shifted closer towards a middle ground, commending the end to Maduro's administration while expressing their concerns over the UN Charter and international law. Specifically, several countries, including France and other members of the European Union, highlighted the urgency of ensuring de-escalation of the situation and a proper democratic transition without further violation of the law. However, the action that will be taken in the next few days is yet to be seen– whether the US will back out of Venezuela or stay involved is still unknown, and Maduro could be locked up in America for a long time. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Since 1990, the United States has added more acres of forest than it has lost, with almost 20 million new acres of forest land added in the last 2 decades. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It is impossible to make your own luck without the ingredient of hard work . (Matshona Dhliwayo ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Senescence (noun, sih-NESS-unss) - Senescence is a formal and technical word that refers to the state of being old or the process of becoming old. In a Sentence: Our grandparents, now in their senescence , are enjoying spending more time with family and going on new adventures together. Image credit to a local witness

Saudi forces launched several strikes yesterday on a United Arab Emirates-backed group in Yemen, raising tensions in the area amid an ongoing civil war. The current political state of Yemen remains extremely complicated due to the country's ongoing civil war, with three factions fighting for power. Since 2014, Yemen has been caught up in an intense civil war involving these three sides, complicating relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first faction is the Supreme Political Council, or SPC, a group that continues to assert control over the Yemeni government. The SPC strongly supports the Houthis, an Islamic terrorist group that took over the country's capital of Sana'a in 2014, and they continue to control the capital and much of Yemen's western coast along the Red Sea. The second of the groups is the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), a body that also claims to maintain rightful control over the government of Yemen. However, the PLC is the only group that is internationally recognized to hold power over Yemen. The PLC is backed by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two countries that remain strongly against the Houthi group. However, after the two nations intervened to attempt to restore control of the country to the PLC, the UAE began to back a third group: the Southern Transitional Council, or STC. The STC, on the other hand, is a separatist group that aims to establish southern Yemen as an independent state, as they were before 1990. Prior to the year 1990, the region known as North Yemen, currently controlled by the SPC and PLC, was an independent state known as the Yemen Arab Republic. Meanwhile, the rest of modern-day Yemen was a communist nation known as the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. In 1990, the leaders of both countries decided to unify the two states, which created peace for a short period of time before relations began to break down. In 1994, a civil war took place, but southern forces were defeated, leaving the government with frayed support and instability. Now, the PLC – primarily backed by Saudi Arabia – and the STC – backed by the UAE – have opposing agendas, leading to conflict in the region. While the Houthis continue to sink ships and exchange strikes with Israel, Saudi and UAE-backed forces have clashed in Yemen, leading to several heated battles. Last month, STC militias invaded PLC territory to gain control of oil resources, leading to conflicts where Saudi forces were fighting UAE forces. Relations between the two Arab nations, which were in good standing, rapidly degraded. This week, Saudi-backed forces launched strikes on a UAE shipment arriving in Yemen's port of Mukalla, located along the southern coast in STC-controlled territory. In order to de-escalate the situation, the UAE pulled its forces out of Yemen to avoid further conflict, and Saudi-backed militants were quick to retake the land lost in December's invasions. According to local reports, at least 20 people have been killed in the attacks, but Saudi Arabia has insisted that the situation was an endangerment to their national security. Now, the STC has officially declared independence from Yemen, naming themselves South Arabia. They have proclaimed their new capital to be Aden, a city of around 1.15 million people that was previously the capital of the southern state prior to Yemen's unification. They also stated that they will hold a referendum for independence to assess the willingness of the people after two years, but that period can be extended. Unfortunately, Yemen remains divided over these differences, and the Houthi terrorist group will only use these battles to their advantage as they work to take control of the country. Which faction will prevail – or whether the country will split in two – is yet to be seen, but the conflict could continue for many years to come. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The Shawn Mendes EP reached Number 1 on iTunes in 37 minutes. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Living with fear stops us from taking risks, and if you don’t go out on the branch, you’re never going to get the best fruit. (Sarah Parish ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Febrile (adj, FEB-ryle) - Febrile is a medical term meaning "marked or caused by fever; feverish." It is sometimes used figuratively, as in "a febrile political climate." In a Sentence: I'm finally back on my feet after recovering from a febrile illness. Image credit to AP

At least 40 people are dead and 115 others were left injured after a deadly fire spread through a Swiss alpine resort on New Year's Day. The Crans-Montana resort, where the incident occurred, is one of the most famous in Switzerland, having hosted major ski events like the World Cup ski races and golf events, like the Omega European Masters golf tournament. Known for its gourmet dining options, high-end shopping opportunities, and incredible views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc in southwestern Switzerland, Crans-Montana is often sold out during the holiday season. Unfortunately, celebrations quickly turned into tragedy early on Thursday morning, around 1:30 am– just one and a half hours after 2026 had begun. The resort's Le Constellation bar was packed with party-goers commemorating the New Year when a fire broke out in the basement nightclub below the bar, rapidly engulfing the building in towering flames. People scrambled to escape, but many were taken by the flames, while others suffocated from smoke inhalation before they could reach fresh air. Survivors described having to break windows to escape alive, with others comparing it to a scene in a horror film. Within minutes, police cars arrived on the scene, along with over 40 ambulances and at least 10 helicopters. The town's on-site hospital was quickly overwhelmed with patients, forcing first responders to transport victims to other locations. Around 10 people were taken to the hospital at Zurich University, while another 22 people were taken care of at Lausanne, a city near Geneva. Many of the partiers were under the age of 18, and officials have confirmed that at least 13 of those injured are Italian nationals. Six Italians are still missing, as well. In total, at least 40 people have been confirmed dead, and over 115 others are injured, but rescue teams are still searching through the wreckage for dozens of missing victims. According to officials, it could take days to identify all of those killed in the fire. Authorities have stated that the fire does not appear to be an attack, but investigations have not yet begun. They have asserted that they will look into the bar's maximum capacity and its emergency exits, and forensics teams are already on-site. According to CNN, some experts believe the cause could be attributed to an incident known as a "flashover," where a pre-existing fire causes hot gases to rise to the ceiling of a room. Those hot gases begin to radiate heat downward, heating everything in the room until all flammable materials in the room combust simultaneously. This sort of event would cause an incredibly hot explosion with temperatures up to 1000°F– impossible for anyone inside to survive. However, according to local French news station BMFTV, reports from two different survivors of the fire confirmed that a woman inside the bar had been holding a champagne bottle with a lit sparkler inside, which could have contributed to the fire. Switzerland will hold five days of mourning for the victims of the fire, with all flags flying at half-mast during what is usually one of the happiest times of year in the tourist hotspot. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Whenever Charles Dickens was away from home, he would always realign the bed he was sleeping in to face northwards, because he felt that this fostered and unlocked his creativity. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it. (Horace Fann ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Amortize (verb, AM-er-tyze) - To amortize something, such as a mortgage, is to pay for it by making regular payments over a long period of time. In a Sentence: If you apply extra payments directly to your loan balance as a principal reduction, your loan can be amortized sooner. Image credit to AP

To kick off the new year, we've included a list of the biggest events coming up in 2026! Once again, thank you for being a loyal reader of Your News Hub. We look forward to continuing our commitment towards providing you with high-quality, reliable news for the fourth year! What's happening in 2026? January: On January 1, Bulgaria will join the Eurozone, adopting the euro as its official currency. On January 11, the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards will take place at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. On January 22, the US will officially leave the World Health Organization (WHO), as ordered by President Donald Trump. February: On February 1, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. On February 5, the New START treaty, a nuclear arms treaty between the US and Russia, is set to expire. On February 5, NASA's window to launch Artemis II will open, lasting until April 2026. Artemis II is set to be the United States' first crewed mission to the Moon's vicinity since Apollo 17 in 1972. Between February 6 and February 22, the Winter Olympics will take place in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. On February 7, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup will kick off in India and Sri Lanka. On February 8, the NFL's Super Bowl LX will take place, with Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny scheduled to perform at the game's renowned halftime show. On February 24, the Russia-Ukraine War will reach its grim fourth anniversary, having begun on the same date in 2022. March: On March 2-3, a total lunar eclipse will take place across the Pacific Ocean, visible to skywatchers in Russia, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. Between March 6 and March 15, the Winter Paralympics will take place in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. On March 8, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final will take place at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in India. On March 15, the 98th annual Academy Awards (Oscars) will take place at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Between March 20 and March 22, the World Athletics Indoor Championships will take place in Toruń, Poland. April: On April 3, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will release in theaters– a direct sequel to its predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie from 2023. On April 12, Benin will elect its next president. On April 24, a major Michael Jackson biopic, Michael , releases in theaters, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson. May: On May 1, the long-awaited The Devil Wears Prada 2 releases in theaters. Between May 12 and May 16, the Eurovision song contest will take place in Vienna, Austria. On May 31, the first monthly blue moon since August 2023 will take place. A blue moon does not appear blue– rather, it is the second full moon to occur in one month. On May 31, Colombia will elect their next president. June: On June 7, the 79th annual Tony Awards will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. On June 11, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will commence, taking place across 16 cities in Canada, the US, and Mexico. On June 12, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup will begin in England and Wales. July: On July 4, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday– known as a semiquincentennial. On July 5, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final will take place at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, England. On July 10, the live-action remake of Disney's Moana releases in theaters. On July 17, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey releases in theaters. On July 19, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City. On July 31, Marvel Studios' Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases in theaters. August: On August 12, a total solar eclipse will cross the Arctic Circle, with a path of totality passing through Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Much of northern Europe will also get a good look at the eclipse. September: Between September 4 and September 13, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will take place in Berlin, Germany. Between September 5 and September 27, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup will take place across four cities in Poland. On September 14, the 78th annual Emmy Awards will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. On September 19, the Asian Games will kick off in Aichi Prefecture in Japan. October: On October 4, the Asian Games will come to an end. On October 31, the Summer Youth Olympics will commence in Dakar, Senegal. November: On November 13, the Summer Youth Olympics will come to an end. Somewhere around November 15, Voyager 1 will reach 1 light day in distance from Earth, 49 years after its historic launch in 1977. On November 19, the highly anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto VI will finally release, over 13 years after the release of its predecessor. On November 20, the sixth installment in the renowned The Hunger Games film franchise, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping , releases in theaters. December: On December 5, The Gambia will elect its next president. On December 11, the third installment in the Jumanji film franchise releases, though it is currently untitled. On December 18, the star-studded Dune: Part Three releases in theaters, along with Marvel Studios' highly-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday . Fact of the Day : According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse. People born in these years are often seen as energetic, independent, and optimistic, while the Horse year itself signifies adventure, freedom, and bold decisions. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): New year – a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours. (Alex Morritt ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Charisma (noun, kuh-RIZ-muh) - Charisma refers to a special magnetic charm or appeal that causes people to feel attracted and excited by someone. A person with charisma is captivating and often admired. In a Sentence: The young singer has the kind of charisma that turns a performer into a star. Image credit to iStock

Tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, 2025 will officially come to an end, finishing off an incredible year packed with insane weather, dramatic conflicts, social media bans, blockbuster movies, media mergers, and even a heist from the famed Louvre Museum. In place of a daily update for today, enjoy a review of all of the crazy events that happened this year– and thanks for being a loyal reader of Your News Hub. We're proud to serve you, our audience, with the highest-quality, reliable news from around the world. Here's our 2025 News in Review. January: 15 people were killed and over 35 others were injured after a deadly massacre in New Orleans, Louisiana. Austrian government coalition talks collapsed, leading to the resignation of Chancellor Karl Nehmammer . Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned from his position. 126 people were killed after a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet. The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed tens of thousands of acres and killed hundreds of people in Los Angeles, California. TikTok went dark in the United States after being banned by the US government– though it was later brought back by extension deals. Israel and Hamas agreed to a multi-phase ceasefire deal  that released dozens of hostages and brought temporary peace to the region. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo , taking over the city of Goma. China launched their first major generative artificial intelligence, DeepSeek , which rocked the American AI industry and sent tech stocks plummeting. February: Newly-appointed US President Donald Trump announced his first round of tariffs on foreign exports , specifically from the countries of Canada, Mexico, and China. He later halted the tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Trump struck a deal with El Salvador to send millions of undocumented immigrants to the Central American country's new megaprison. The Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX , coming away with a dominant 40-22 win. Trump began talks with Putin over ending the Russia-Ukraine War. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was charged with attempting a coup against incumbent President Lula de Silva. Now-former Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital with double pneumonia and quickly fell into critical condition. The German people elected the conservative Christian Democrats , making party leader Friedrich Merz their next chancellor. The European Union lifted sanctions on Syria after the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad, bringing them back into global markets. March: Israel approved a proposal to extend their ceasefire with Hamas for another six weeks. The region of Kurdistan officially declared peace with Turkey , ending their decades-long conflict. Trump reimposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico after delaying them in February. Cyclone Alfred pummeled eastern Australia with heavy rain and large waves , doing significant damage to the country's coastline. 200 people were killed in a clash between Syria's new government and supporters of Assad. People across the Americas were treated to a total lunar eclipse , turning the moon bright red. Cuba's power grid failed for the fourth time in six months , leading to major blackouts across the country. Israel broke their ceasefire with Hamas , launching rounds of missiles and bombs at Gaza after two months of peace. The 2025 Global Happiness Report was released , with Finland taking the top spot once again. Friedrich Merz passed a massive, $1 trillion spending bill through the German Parliament , setting up a big win for his newly-elected party. Israel launched strikes at Lebanon , targeting Hezbollah for the first time in months. Over 1,600 people were killed after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar , with the shaking rippling all the way to Thailand and China. April: French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzlement , preventing her from running for office for five years. Trump announced the arrival of his reciprocal tariffs , placing levies on every single country that exports goods to the US. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially impeached after a declaration of martial law in December 2024. The death toll from the Myanmar earthquake rose to 3,100 , prompting the government to implement a temporary ceasefire to help people recover. Trump paused his reciprocal tariffs for 90 days just a week after their implementation. 221 people were killed after a roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo , the capital of the Dominican Republic. The International Maritime Organization agreed on a new rule to force shipping companies to pay fees for the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by their ships. The People's Action Party of Singapore dissolved their Parliament in order to restore political support. Pope Francis passed away after suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage following his battle with double pneumonia. 26 tourists were killed after being attacked by Pakistani terrorists in Indian-occupied Kashmir, raising tensions between the two countries . May: Trump announced that he plans to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison – though no action has been taken on that directive till date. Israel's cabinet approved Operation Gideon's Chariots – a plan to take over Gaza. The Catholic Church chose their first-ever American pope , Pope Leo XIV. India and Pakistan launched multiple strikes at each other , with India retaliating for the attacks conducted by Pakistani terrorists on Indians in Kashmir in April. A ceasefire was quickly agreed upon. Trump accepted a $400 million, luxury Boeing 747-800 jet from Qatar for the US, sparking outrage among politicians. Trump secured $600 million in investments into the US from Saudi Arabia during his tour through Gulf countries. Spain instructed Airbnb to take down over 66,000 rental listings amid a housing crisis in Europe. The Trump administration announced a ban on all international students from Harvard University because of their resistance to abolish DEI policies, but it was later blocked by a federal judge. 18 people were killed during a knife attack in Hamburg, Germany. The US Mint announced that they would stop producing the penny. 47 people were killed after a car ramming attack in the UK during a parade celebrating Liverpool FC's win in the Premier League. Trump's reciprocal tariffs were blocked by the US Court of International Trade. Dozens of massive wildfires broke out across Canada , scorching hundreds of thousands of acres of land. Elon Musk completed his tenure at the US government after serving as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). June: 151 people were killed after heavy flooding struck Nigeria. Right-wing historian and former athlete Karol Nawrocki won the Polish presidential election after an extremely close battle. Lee Jae-myung won the South Korean presidential election after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. The government of the Netherlands collapsed after right-wing leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from a major coalition. Trump announced the arrival of a sweeping travel ban , stopping citizens from 12 countries from coming to the US. An online feud between Trump and Musk quickly escalated , worsening relations and allowing everyone on social media to watch their battles. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz defeated Italy's Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open final for the ages– the longest-ever in the storied tournament's history. 260 people were killed in a devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Conflict broke out between Israel and Iran , with both sides exchanging strikes. It quickly erupted into an all-out war before the United States entered the conflict, striking three nuclear sites in Iran with bombs . Iran retaliated with strikes on a US base in Qatar, but Trump confirmed a ceasefire just a day later. July: 39 people were killed after a massive explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Hyderabad, India. The US Congress approved Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill , bringing a slew of changes to the government and the country. The Seine River in Paris reopened to swimmers for the first time in over 100 years – a huge milestone, but it came at a huge cost to the French government. Over 160 people were killed after flooding inundated much of southern Texas , wiping out several summer camps that were hosting hundreds of children. Elon Musk's xAI-created chatbot Grok went berserk after a software update , posting several antisemitic comments and highly graphic, violent descriptions. France decided to make the territory of New Caledonia into a state , though the decision is yet to be officially approved by a referendum. Italy's Sinner took home the Men's Singles Trophy and Poland's Iga Światek won the Women's Singles Trophy at Wimbledon 2025 . French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that he would increase the country's military spending by €6.5 billion over the next two years. A secret plan to move thousands of Afghans to the United Kingdom was revealed after a government official leaked the information. Israel and Syria came to an agreement on a ceasefire following several days of battles as Israel worked to support the Druze people. The UK announced that they would lower the eligible voting age to 16 for their next election in 2029. The DRC signed a peace deal with the M23 rebels , ending their invasion and the conflict in the eastern portion of the country. Tensions flared at the border of Thailand and Cambodia , leading to strikes and battles around historic Khmer temples. A ceasefire was signed, but the conflict continued. The FCC approved a major merger between Paramount and Skydance – one of the biggest media merger deals of the year. A new US-EU trade deal reduced tariffs on the European Union to 15%. August: Japan and South Korea struck major deals with the United States , helping them avoid incoming tariffs. Australia confirmed a huge deal with Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to make frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. Several European countries agreed to buy $1 billion worth of US-made weapons for Ukraine . Pending a final decision by the US Supreme Court, Trump's reciprocal tariffs went into effect . Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a historic peace deal after negotiations hosted by the United States, ending their decades-long conflict. The US and China agreed to extend their tariff treaty for another three months , and Trump decided to impose a 15% tax on all Nvidia and AMD chip shipments to China. Talks in Geneva, Switzerland, ended badly as countries failed to finalize a treaty to prevent global plastic pollution , with negotiations hindered by oil lobbyists and fossil fuel-producing countries. Air Canada suffered from a massive flight attendant strike , forcing them to cancel hundreds of flights. A deal was made several days later . New Zealand's government announced a new $1.6 billion spending package that included bolstering their military with US-made helicopters. An $18 billion deal saw Keurig Dr Pepper acquire JDE Peet's as part of their strategy to split into two companies. The hit movie K-Pop Demon Hunters was released , soaring past Red Notice to become the most-watched movie in Netflix's history. Thailand's prime minister was ousted after the country's Supreme Court ruled that she had violated the position's code of ethics. September: The prime minister of Yemen, a member of the Houthi terrorist group, was assassinated by Israel in a targeted attack. At least 1,100 people were killed after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan. Over 1,000 others were confirmed dead after a deadly landslide in Sudan. The Los Angeles Clippers, an NBA team, were found guilty in a major scandal involving forward Kawhi Leonard where they exceeded their salary cap. Thousands of acres of crops were lost in the northern Indian state of Punjab after record flooding. Spain's Alcaraz defeated Italy's Sinner and Belarus' Sabalenka beat the US' Anisimova at the US Open finals in New York. The French Parliament ousted the country's prime minister again , sinking them further into political and economic turmoil. Global stock markets went into a frenzy over tech after Oracle dropped incredible revenue projections for the coming years in their quarterly report. Far-right political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at a Utah rally , and the suspect was later arrested after a manhunt . Nepal elected their first-ever female prime minister after days of violent protests from the young generations of the country. The United States and China reached a framework deal for ownership of TikTok after an initial ban by the US government. The Trump administration announced a new $100,000 fee for all new H1-B applicants , dramatically changing the country's future immigration outlook. China announced their first-ever emissions reduction target at the UN General Assembly. Amazon was fined $2.5 billion in a settlement for tricking Prime customers into subscribing and then keeping their subscription. India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling finale to the Asia Cup but refused the trophy due to the Pakistan-attributed terrorist attack from earlier in the year. October: The United States government shut down after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a new spending bill. 72 people were killed after a deadly 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines. Japan elected their first-ever female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. France's prime minister resigned once again , further complicating French political matters. Renewables overtook coal as the world's largest source of electricity – a massive step forward for a planet powered by fossil fuels. Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-drafted peace plan , setting up future talks and negotiations to prevent additional conflict in the region. Venezuela's María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts against dictator Nicolás Maduro. 37 people were killed after heavy flooding and landslides struck Mexico. The European Union announced the implementation of a massive defense system involving four different systems to protect from Russia. Battles erupted on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan , but the conflict was quickly settled after negotiations in Qatar . Eight crown jewels were stolen from the Louvre in a brazen heist in broad daylight . The jewels have still not been recovered, despite multiple arrests . Australia and the US agreed on an $8.5 billion rare earths deal , helping the US circumvent China as a source of the precious metals. A massive NBA insider trading scandal was exposed after dozens of indictments involving two gambling schemes. Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, made landfall in Jamaica with catastrophic winds of over 185 mph. 64 people were killed after police raids against drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro. November: Two courts ruled Trump's suspension of SNAP benefits as illegal , securing support for millions of Americans living below the poverty line. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in an epic finale to the MLB World Series , giving them their second back-to-back title. After over two decades of construction and around $1 billion in funding, the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opened, revealing King Tut's full tomb. A US federal judge blocked Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Portland, Oregon , calling the move unconstitutional. Typhoon Kalmaegi struck the Philippines , killing at least 114 people, before moving onto Vietnam. Typhoon Fung-Wong also battered the Philippines during the same period of time. The US' longest-ever government shutdown came to an end after the Senate approved a funding bill. Disney reached an agreement with YouTube TV over the distribution of ESPN services, ending a major dispute that wreaked havoc across the media and entertainment industry. Tehran's water crisis worsened further , with many taps running completely dry across the city of 10 million people. A blockbuster earnings report from Nvidia cooled investor concerns over a growing AI bubble. COP30 talks in Belém ended without an agreement to cut fossil fuels after oil lobbyists and fossil fuel-producing countries hindered efforts to save the environment once again. Jakarta overtook Tokyo as the world's most populous city in the latest UN report , with a population of around 42 million people. A devastating apartment fire in Hong Kong killed 44 people , and hundreds of others lost their homes and were forced to evacuate after the disaster. Hundreds of people were left dead after catastrophic flooding in southeastern Asia , inundating towns and cities in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. December: Greece was named the world's top country for retirement in a new report. India was forced to revoke a mandate for a new cybersecurity app after massive backlash and privacy concerns. Australia confirmed that they would begin enforcing a new social media ban for all children under 16. A major water leak at the Louvre damaged hundreds of books amid security concerns after the heist of several priceless crown jewels. Netflix and Paramount Skydance entered into a bidding war for ownership of Warner Bros. , which is still ongoing. Tensions between the US and Venezuela skyrocketed after the Trump administration began seizing oil tankers in the Caribbean. Disney's 'Zootopia 2' crossed $1 billion in revenue just two weeks after its release , turning it into one of the biggest box office hits of 2025. Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential election. Australia announced a slew of new gun laws following a deadly massacre at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach. Trump expanded the US travel ban , adding 20 new countries to the list. Israel confirmed a new $37 billion natural gas export deal with Egypt. The EU agreed on a massive, $105 billion spending bill to fund Ukraine without using frozen Russian assets. India and New Zealand announced a new free trade agreement , helping bolster their relationship and boost imports and exports between the two. The US Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard to Chicago , ruling it unconstitutional. Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as a state , marking a possible shift in the region's international support. Thailand and Cambodia signed another ceasefire , ending their monthslong conflict once again. Fact of the Day : 2025 is a number of mathematical wonder s. 2025 is a perfect square (45 x 45), and interestingly, 20 + 25 also equals 45. Also, it's the sum of the first nine integers cubed (1 3 + 2 3 ... + 9 3 = 2025), and the square of the sum of those integers (1 + 2 ... + 9 = 45, 45 x 45 = 2025). Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The courage it takes to leave behind what's not for you anymore is the same courage that will help you find your way to what is. (Unknown ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Retrospective (adj, reh-truh-SPEK-tiv) - Retrospective describes something that relates to the past or to something that happened in the past. In a Sentence: The museum has curated a retrospective exhibit of the artist's early works. Image credit to Adobe

United States President Donald Trump has offered Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee as part of a possible peace deal that he is working to broker between them and Russia. Trump has affirmed that one of his strongest commitments during his second term is to end the war between Russia and Ukraine that is approaching a grim milestone: its fourth anniversary. The US government has been working to negotiate a peace agreement between the two sides for months, but several key issues persist. Specifically, the problem of greatest salience is their dispute over territory and who would take control of eastern Ukraine. The area belonged to Ukraine prior to the war, but Russia now controls multiple provinces – known as oblasts – that have mixed opinions on which country they wish to be a part of. Another issue is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is one of the top 10 largest nuclear plants in the world. Both countries wish to take control of the power plant, which is currently in a disputed region. Trump's initial peace plan proposed drawing the border line directly over the power plant, with electricity being distributed evenly to both countries, but ongoing negotiations could change that. Now, Trump has added another aspect to the talks: security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continually asserted his concerns over the country's security from future Russian invasions, which could still pose a threat if a peace deal is signed. Yesterday, Zelenskyy announced that the US would offer them a 15-year security guarantee in addition to the other terms of the agreement, which could provide them with further motivation to finalize the deal. Trump backed up the statement later on by providing his own confirmation of the guarantee and proclaimed that they were "closer than ever before" to securing an agreement. However, Zelenskyy responded with a request for 50 years of security guarantees– he confirmed that Trump was completely committed to providing a guarantee, but they are likely to hash out the exact details over the longevity of these guarantees in future meetings. Trump also stated yesterday that his call with Putin had been very productive, but several key issues continued to serve as deal-breakers for Russia. He went on to say that negotiations remain shaky, but Trump has maintained confidence that he will eventually be able to bring peace to eastern Europe. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): There’s very little evidence the TSA has ever stopped a terrorist or found a real bomb. When tested with undercover agents from the Department of Homeland Security in 2015 and 2017, they failed to find fake weapons and bombs around 95% of the time. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Miracles are those lovely things that you see when you shift your focus from your thoughts to the present moment. (Liam Tinker ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Nefarious (adj, nih-FAIR-ee-us) - Nefarious is a formal word that describes something as evil or immoral. In a Sentence: Authorities suspect that the recovered materials were going to be used for nefarious purposes. Image credit to ABC

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to another ceasefire to end their weekslong conflict after breaking the previous agreement. The two countries confirmed their commitment to the new deal on Saturday after several days of negotiations, hoping to end the border skirmishes that had been continuing for weeks. The conflicts killed at least 101 people and displaced hundreds of thousands of others, sparking chaos across the region. The agreement – brokered by Malaysia, China, and the US – will see an immediate halt of all strikes and other violent, armed encounters, and Thailand will return 18 Cambodian military members who have been in Thai custody since conflicts earlier this year. Chinese officials are also set to meet with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia today and tomorrow in the Chinese province of Yunnan, helping to "resume exchanges" and "rebuild political trust" for the future. Thailand and Cambodia have argued over borders for years, particularly surrounding several Khmer temples that both countries wish to possess. In July, tensions quickly rose after skirmishes at the border, escalating into full-blown battles involving tanks and missile strikes. A ceasefire was later brokered by Malaysia, and economic pressure from United States President Donald Trump later pushed the deal through, but it did not last long. Both countries accused each other of violating the agreement, and by December, the conflict had escalated again. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): One of the smartest bird species is the magpie– they can even recognize themselves in mirrors, making them one of the only non-mammalian species that can do so. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. (Abraham Lincoln ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Yen (noun, YEN) - A yen is a strong desire, urge, or craving for something. In a Sentence: After dinner, the family went out for ice cream to satisfy their yen for something sweet. Image credit to AFP

Nine people have been arrested in Italy after raising over $8 million through charities to fund Hamas. According to local police, the culprits raised €7 million ($8.2 million) through three organizations under the name of charity, which they then sent to several establishments in Gaza that have been linked to terrorist group Hamas. Italian authorities worked with officials from several other European Union member nations – primarily the Netherlands – to uncover the scandal, where the fraudsters indirectly sent the money they raised to Hamas after claiming that the money would assist humanitarian efforts in Palestine. The bank transfers were flagged down as suspicious before being investigated, later revealing the finance operation. AP confirmed that one of those arrested was Mohammad Hannoun, who serves as the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy. According to the Times of Israel, around 71% of the money raised was sent to Hamas, making up the aforementioned $8.2 million, while the rest went to actual causes. Nevertheless, the discovery is sure to spark further controversy over Israel's war in Gaza, which continues despite US President Donald Trump's ceasefire. Over 71,000 people have been injured in the Israel-Hamas War so far, and Israeli strikes, operations, and bombings in Gaza have resumed, going against their ceasefire with Palestine. Meanwhile, external organizations continue to fund Hamas, an Islamic terrorist organization, which has rebelled against Israel and caused more violence in the region. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Before he became a pop star, Barry Manilow wrote many famous jingles for companies like McDonald’s, State Farm, and Band-Aids. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Far too many people are looking for the right person, instead of trying to be the right person. (Gloria Steinem ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Apropos (prep, ap-ruh-POH) - Apropos is used as a preposition to mean "with regard to." It is frequently used in the phrase "apropos of." In a Sentence: Sean interrupted our conversation about politics and, apropos of nothing, asked who we thought would win the basketball game. Image credit to AP

Israel has become the first country to ever recognize Somaliland, a region of northern Somalia, as a state, which could trigger a shift in how the world views the region. Somalia is one of four countries, along with Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, that make up the Horn of Africa, located on Africa's eastern coast near Yemen. Unfortunately, Somalia has long struggled with conflict and instability– the government has democratic ambitions, but the continued strength of local clans, foreign influences on politics, and armed Islamic terrorist groups like al-Shabaab have heavily limited their ability to hold elections and create a functional democracy. Meanwhile, the people's trust in the government is extremely low, primarily due to their ineffectiveness. Local authorities are still unable to prevent regional conflicts and wars, which has allowed various different groups to take control of different parts– the only remaining area under the control of the government is the capital of Mogadishu. Islamic groups like al-Shabaab control large swaths of the southern part of the country, while other semi-autonomous regions like Galmudug, Puntland, and Jubaland also exist due to the country's decentralized governance. Meanwhile, other nations like Kenya and Ethiopia maintain strong influences in some parts near the border. However, one primary area to the country's north, known as Somaliland, established a strong government and stability during this time. In 1991, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia, creating their own unrecognized state with independent elections and system of government. Over the years, Somaliland has proven that, in some ways, they are even more successful than Somalia. Economically, the GDP per capita of Somalia – excluding Somaliland – stands at around $450, while the economic output per person in Somaliland is significantly higher, at around $775. Politically, Somaliland holds elections every year and contains several different parties while also integrating clan leadership into politics to keep peace. However, their lack of international recognition prevented them from gaining access to international markets and building their economy– but that may soon change. Now, more than 34 years after their declaration of independence from Somalia, a country has recognized Somaliland as a state. Israel confirmed that both countries would soon establish diplomatic relations and open embassies, and the move could set Somaliland up as a springboard for future Israeli military campaigns into Yemen. Israel, which maintains a strong anti-terrorism stance against organizations like Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen, could use Somaliland territory to bring their military closer the Arabian Peninsula. Some reports show that Israel could also be planning to relocate Palestinians from Gaza into Somaliland, but those claims have been rejected by both countries. Several Arab countries in support of Somalia, like Egypt and Turkey, denounced Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland, alleging that it would further undermine the security and stability of already-fragile Somalia. Somaliland has also been accused of attacking innocent civilians in regions to their east, which are still disputed with Puntland, creating more backlash. Nevertheless, the Somaliland government has confirmed that they have seen the arrival of several delegates from the United States this year, and several politicians in the US government have begun to push President Donald Trump to recognize Somaliland as a state. According to the New York Times, Somaliland has also put forward the idea of allowing the US to lease a port along the Gulf of Aden. However, opponents have rejected the idea, claiming that it would negatively impact their relations with Somalia, where they currently maintain troops to defend against al-Shabaab. Recognizing Somaliland could also unravel American relations with Arab nations like Egypt and Turkey. Others have claimed that allowing Somaliland to secede could spark massive revolutions across Africa, where other peoples or autonomous regions could rebel under the motivation that they could receive international recognition as well. In total, if the United States were to follow Israel in their recognition of Somaliland as a state, it could provide them with significant economic benefit and rally massive international support behind their cause, resulting in the possible addition of Somaliland as a new UN member country. On the other hand, it could also create even more conflict across Africa and complicate their relations with other Arab nations, leading to major backlash and possibly even result in one or more wars. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The manager of Guinness started the Guinness Book of World Records when he got annoyed on a hunting trip because he couldn’t find out what was the fastest game bird. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Submission is the art of compensating for your weakness by playing to each other’s strengths. (Mark Batterson ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Grandiose (adj, gran-dee-OHSS) - Grandiose is usually used disapprovingly to describe something that seems impressive or is intended to be impressive, but that is either not possible or practical. In a Sentence: The long-vacant historic building has finally been purchased, and the developer has announced grandiose plans to make it the center of a new theater district. Image credit to Shutterstock

The United States has confirmed that they struck down scores of ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Nigeria due to their persistent attacks on Christians. US President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he had ordered strikes on the northwestern Nigerian state of Sokoto, which borders Niger, after communicating with the Nigerian government. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with around 237 million people– approximately 43% of which are Christian. Slightly more than half of Nigeria's population follows Islam, primarily in northern states like Sokoto, while southern Nigeria has a larger Christian dominance. Nevertheless, clashes between the two religions have been a major source of violence in the country for decades, particularly due to small land disputes and resource arguments between Nigerian Christians and Muslims. Furthermore, the faiths have been heavily politicized, heightening tensions, and several extremist Islamic terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State – also known as ISIS – have attempted to eliminate Christianity completely. Now, the United States – a predominantly Christian nation – has taken action. Yesterday, on Christmas Day, the country launched over a dozen Tomahawk missiles from a US Navy ship off the coast of Nigeria, killing several terrorists in Sokoto. Trump declared that the targets, who he described as "ISIS terrorist scum," had been persecuting and killing Christians in the region, and praised the strikes as "perfect." He also warned that the blasts would continue if ISIS operations in Sokoto failed to come to a halt. According to CNN, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry backed Trump's statements and confirmed their commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, race, or ethnicity. Meanwhile, Turkey has arrested over 115 suspected ISIS terrorists across the country, potentially preventing the deaths of dozens of people during the holiday season. According to the Turkish government, at least 137 people were suspected of having participated in the planning of several attacks during the holidays, specifically during Christmas and New Year's. So far, 115 of them have been arrested, and authorities have confirmed that the Islamic State, or ISIS, was behind the plans. Police found various objects of interest, like firearms, ammunition, and possibly-important documents at the places of arrest, which could give Turkey a closer look into ISIS' operations and what plans were set to be executed. They were likely targeting celebrations for other religions during this time of year, like Christmas, which is common for the widely-hated terrorist group. Followers of their ideology believe that Islam is the only permissible religion, and they observe a very strict interpretation of Sharia Law while working to eliminate other peoples, religions, and governments other than their own. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Cats which have blue eyes for the duration of their lives are likely to be deaf– the dominant gene that creates white coats and blue eyes is also associated with a lack of development of the inner ear, leading to deafness. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): If you don’t have what you like, like what you have. (Polish Proverb ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Hark back (verb, HAHRK-BAK) - Harking back can be about turning back to an earlier topic or circumstance, as in "a storyteller harking back to his youth," or it can be about going back to something as an origin or source, as in "a style that harks back to the turn of the previous century." In a Sentence: The dinner conversation harked back to the lunch debate over what counts as a traditional holiday meal. Image credit to PBS