Daily issue
Protests in Iran have escalated in recent days, with at least seven people killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. The unrest is sparked by economic issues, including rising costs, and a call for an end to the rule of I
A court in Pakistan's capital has sentenced seven people, including three journalists, two YouTubers, and two retired army officers, to life imprisonment for inciting violence during riots in 2023 and spreading hatred against state institut
World peace seems increasingly elusive in 2025 and beyond, with conflict on the rise and commitment to peacebuilding in decline. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data index reports a doubling of global conflict over the past five years
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index crossed the 10,000-point mark for the first time on the opening trading day of 2026, extending the strong momentum built over the past year. This milestone marks a historic achievement for the London stock
Wall Street edged higher in a wobbly start to 2026, with the technology sector driving much of the up-and-down action. This minor gain marks a tepid and holiday-shortened week, with markets closed on Thursday for New Year's day. The technol
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued a black box warning for the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the agency has been monitoring the vaccine's safety and efficacy closely, and has taken steps to address concerns about its pote
The NHS has begun rolling out a chickenpox vaccine to children across the UK for the first time, aiming to keep more kids in school and reduce the number of parents taking time off work to care for them. The vaccine, which will be offered a
Lawmakers in the US have reflected on their disappointments from the past year and outlined their goals for 2026. The main areas of focus include healthcare and the federal budget, with lawmakers expressing frustration over the slow pace of
Cypriot fishermen are turning to an unlikely solution to combat the invasive lionfish that have been decimating their catch: they're cooking and serving them in local taverns. The lionfish, native to the Red Sea, have been making their way
More than 2,000 measles cases have been reported in the US in 2025, with ongoing outbreaks threatening the country's measles elimination status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,065 confirmed cases as of Decem
Millions of Americans are facing higher health care premiums in 2026 as enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expire. The change affects a diverse cross-section of Americans who don't get their health insurance from an employer and don't q
A devastating fire ripped through a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, leaving at least 40 people dead and 115 injured. The blaze, which occurred as revellers rang in the New Year, has sent shockwav
Conservatives are pushing back against a billionaire who has called for limitations on the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and the press. This debate is significant because it touches on the fundamental rights of Americans
A YouTuber named Nick Shirley has brought attention to alleged fraud at Minnesota daycares, sparking a heated debate. This controversy matters now because it raises questions about the integrity of childcare services in the state. The issue
Warren Buffett, the legendary 95-year-old investor, has officially retired as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a company he spent 60 years building into one of the world's largest and most powerful conglomerates. This marks a significant shift in
China's President Xi Jinping kicked off the new year with a speech touting the country's advancements in artificial intelligence and the chip industry. Xi highlighted China's increased innovative capacity, citing breakthroughs in large AI m
The Trump administration has announced plans to resume wage garnishments for student loan defaulters in January. This move is significant as it affects thousands of borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans. The resumption of wage
Yemen's separatist movement has announced a constitution for an independent nation in the south, escalating a confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This move is significant because it marks a further escalation of
A Scottish company, Rhizocore Technologies, is using specially-made mushroom pellets to help regrow forests around the world. These pellets, called "rhizopellets," contain a specific type of fungal culture that helps trees thrive in their l
China has set beef import quotas in an effort to shield its domestic cattle industry. The move, which takes effect on January 1, imposes a 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed quota levels from key suppliers including Brazil, Australia, a
Household energy bills in the UK have risen by 0.2% as of today, with the average annual bill increasing to £1,758. This comes as a yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for some parts of the country. The price cap increase is att
This year began with a deadly New Year's Day car-ramming terrorist attack in New Orleans and is finishing with a flurry of horrific shootings, including a mass shooting at Brown University. However, despite the tragic events, 2025 is poised
Three earthquakes struck the Alaska-Yukon border area within minutes of each other just before January 1. This series of seismic events occurred at a time when people were preparing to celebrate the start of a new year, and it serves as a r
China's ambitions to grow its at-home chips sector have accelerated this year as Beijing resolves to reduce its reliance on foreign players, given increasing trade tensions. This push has led to a surge in interest in domestic technology co
A recent release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case has been met with criticism for its slow pace, but Representative Ro Khanna suggests that the withheld documents may be more concerning than the ones that have been released.
At least 17 people have died and 11 others have been injured in Afghanistan after flash floods triggered by heavy rains and snowfall. The floods damaged homes, roads, and livestock, and disrupted daily life in several regions. Afghanistan h
Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2026, nearly 20 years after joining the European Union. This move is expected to bring about economic changes, including potentially higher prices and added political
New laws in several states are taking effect to address climate change and drunken driving, marking a significant shift in policy-making. These measures aim to mitigate the consequences of climate change and reduce the number of accidents c
Global health made significant strides in 2025, despite wars and funding cuts straining systems worldwide. The UN World Health Organization reported that countries and partners achieved notable gains in disease control, prevention, and prep
Meta's Reels has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past five years, evolving from a TikTok copycat with no revenue to a $50 billion business. This unexpected success has caught the attention of industry analysts, who are now comp
Tesla's sales outlook has darkened despite CEO Elon Musk's enthusiasm for self-driving vehicles. The company's deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2025 are expected to be around 440,900, down 11% from the same period last year. This decline
A new generation of candidates is emerging in US elections, hailing from prominent political families. Jack Schlossberg, a grandson of President John F. Kennedy, and Adelita Grijalva, a daughter of Arizona Representative Raúl Grijalva, are
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has returned to prison after a week-long hospital stay for medical treatment. This development matters because it signals that Bolsonaro's efforts to avoid serving his 27-year sentence for plotting a
The year's first supermoon and meteor shower will coincide in January skies, but the light from the supermoon may dim the meteor shower. The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on January 2-3, 2026, but due to the full moon's glare, skygazers wi
The US Army has begun testing nuclear microreactors, a key component in the country's push for next-generation energy. This development is significant because it could provide a reliable and efficient source of power for remote military bas
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has suspended nearly 7,000 Minnesota borrowers over suspected $400 million pandemic loan fraud. This move is significant as it highlights the ongoing efforts to combat loan scams and protect the integ
A new Virginia law has taken effect, limiting how long children can use social media. The law requires social media companies to limit users under 16 to one hour per day on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, unless they have parental cons
The year 2026 is poised to see significant growth and innovation in the artificial intelligence space, following a blockbuster year in 2025. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, consumers are using chatbots to perform t
The Department of Homeland Security has paused immigration applications from 20 additional countries, following an expansion of travel restrictions that took effect on January 1. This move affects immigrants from countries in Africa, includ
President Donald Trump has delayed increased tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for a year, citing ongoing trade talks. This move keeps in place a 25% tariff on these goods, but pushes back a 30% tariff on upho
Workers in 19 American states will see their minimum wage increase in 2026, affecting over 8.3 million workers and generating an additional $5 billion in earnings. This change is set to take place in 47 cities and counties, with states like
Flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent memory, with doctors warning of a possible "perfect storm" of cases as the post-holiday spike looms. The next two weeks will be crucial in determining just how severe the season will
A new study from California suggests that rules protecting workers from excessive heat likely save dozens of lives every year. This finding comes as the federal government considers implementing national heat-protection rules. The study hig
The US military has launched strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and elsewhere, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 people. The attacks, which took place over two days, may have left some survivors. The US military ha
From February 1, cigarettes and other tobacco products will become significantly more expensive in India. This is due to a government decision to impose an additional excise duty on these items, which will be levied on top of the existing 4
Twenty twenty-six will feature major celestial events, including NASA's first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years and multiple eclipses around the globe. Sky watchers can expect a ring-of-fire eclipse in February, a total solar eclips
2025 was one of the three hottest years on record, scientists say, marking a critical milestone in the fight against climate change. This development has significant implications for the planet, as experts warn that keeping global warming b
A fungal superbug known as Candida auris has been detected in Louisiana and 27 other states, sparking concern from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This development is particularly alarming as it coincides with a severe flu o
Nigeria's economic reforms in 2025 laid the groundwork for a potential recovery in 2026. The country's creative and innovation economy continued to thrive, with young entrepreneurs building businesses and scaling creative careers despite a