The leaders of Canada, the US, and Mexico will meet in Mexico City for the North American Leaders’ Summit this week—and for a trio dubbed the “Three Amigos,” they’ll have plenty to bicker about. 

On New Year’s Day, Ukraine carried out a hugely successful strike on a Russian military site, and reportedly pulled it off by locating soldiers using their cell phones—a sign of Ukraine’s ongoing technological prowess in the warzone.

Some Western countries are looking to play Robin Hood by taking Russia’s money and giving it to Ukraine, but it’s not as simple as swooping in with a crossbow and green tights.  

If you’ve been avoiding the news for the past ten days, don’t stress—that’s what the holidays are for. We’re here to get you caught up on the big stories you might have missed while spending your time on more festive matters. 

If it didn’t feel quite right cracking a beer at 10 am to enjoy with your World Cup viewing this year, here’s some good news: The 2026 tournament will be in a more familiar timezone, with Canada, Mexico, and the US splitting hosting duties—and it’s going to look a lot different than what we just saw in Qatar.

Driving the news: The next World Cup will expand to include a record 48 teams, up from the 32 that competed in Qatar. 

In the week since China drastically rolled back its draconian Covid restrictions in response to nationwide protests, the virus has torn through the nation with reckless abandon.

For the first time, China’s President Xi Jinping has publicly acknowledged the protests that have erupted across the country in response to the government’s strict anti-Covid measures. 

In the face of rising crime rates in Mexico, more Mexicans are looking to pack their bags and head north of the border… aaaand north of that border. 

China’s government is facing a rare eruption of nationwide protests as frustration mounts over the country’s strict COVID restrictions. 

What happened: Videos posted on social media showed demonstrators calling for an end to the government’s zero-COVID policies and clashing with police in cities across China.