WORLD NEWS
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after suffering from a prolonged illness.
“Our favourite leader is no longer with us. She left us at 6am this morning,” Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Facebook.
Physicians had said on Monday night that Zia’s condition was “extremely critical”. She was put on life support, but it was not possible to provide multiple treatments at the same time given her age and overall poor health, they said.
Zia became Bangladesh’s first female head of government in 1991 after leading the BNP to victory in the country’s first democratic election in 20 years.
Zia returned to the post of prime minister in 2001, stepping down in October 2006 ahead of a general election.
Her political career had been marred by corruption allegations and a long-standing political rivalry with Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from premiership last year.
Zia, who was the wife of Bangladesh’s late president Ziaur Rahman, was jailed for five years in 2018 for corruption.
Skip next section Ukraine cannot win war without US support, Zelenskyy says
12/30/2025December 30, 2025
Ukraine cannot win war without US support, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News that Ukraine cannot win the war without US support.
“Can we win without American support? No,” Zelenskyy said.
“I don’t trust Putin and he doesn’t want success for Ukraine,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, the Ukrainian president said that two main issues in a 20-point peace proposal remained to be resolved: control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which is in Russian hands, and the fate of the Donbas area.
https://p.dw.com/p/566ja
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage12/30/2025December 30, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Shakeel Sobhan
Welcome to our coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
On Monday, Russia said it would review its stance in peace talks following what Moscow described as a Ukrainian drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the allegation as “a complete
fabrication” and the Kremlin’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war.
Zelenskyy accused Russia of preparing the ground to strike government buildings in Kyiv.
Trump said he was “very angry” about the news, telling reporters: “I don’t like it. It’s not good.”
Plus, underlining Russia’s intention of standing firm on its territorial ambitions, Putin said his generals should push on with efforts to secure all of Zaporizhzhia region, of
which Moscow already controls around 75%.
Keep reading for the latest updates.
https://p.dw.com/p/566jM
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Irish officials thought they had five times as many free tickets for a U2 tour of the United States, with newly released Government files revealing that diplomats were left in an “embarrassing situation”.
Management for the Dublin rock band had engaged with the Department of Foreign Affairs ahead of their 1987 Joshua Tree tour and offered to include “key people” on the guest list for a range of shows.
In one letter from Dublin to the Irish Ambassador in Washington, it was explained that the band wanted representatives from “semi-state bodies and the like”, with diplomats also hoping it was possible to invite “colleague ambassadors, administration and other notables or their children”.
A list of names was drawn up on the belief up to 60 guests for each concert would be acceptable.
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U2 members (left to right) Dave ‘The Edge’ Evans, Bono, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen in Dublin (PA)
That belief is recorded in a note of a February 1987 meeting with U2 manager Paul McGuinness, where a “possible mutual cooperation towards the benefit of Ireland’s image abroad” was discussed.
A Department official wrote that “U2 would gladly make available a certain number (perhaps 50-60) of backstage seats” for the Ambassador or consul in a particular city on the tour.
This message was relayed to Ireland’s representatives in cities including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC in March.
However, they were told weeks the band wanted to limit the allocation to 10 tickets per night.
The consul general in Boston said this “puts us in an embarrassing situation” as potential guests had already been approached for their preferred dates.
The response from the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs read: “You will appreciate that there is little can be done about U-turn by band in this matter. Why not ask your contact if you could put a few more than the ten per night on your list if situation is embarrassing?”
The documents also state that U2 were in consideration for playing a free concert to 400,000 people at the Eiffel Tower to mark its centenary – after an expression of interest by then Paris mayor Jacques Chirac.
The band did not perform at the tower, with Johnny Hallyday and Stevie Wonder among the main acts on the day.
This article is based on files in a document labelled 2025/124/461 at the National Archives of Ireland
NEED TO KNOW
- Cardi B spoke out on X in a video posted on Monday, Dec. 29
- In the clip, the rapper addressed the backlash she’s received for her relationship with NFL star Stefon Diggs
- The video comes days after the couple, who recently welcomed their first baby together, appeared to spend Christmas apart
Cardi B has had enough of people dragging her relationship with Stefon Diggs.
After the rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, appeared to spend Christmas without the NFL star, she addressed the hate she’s been getting from her fans about Diggs head on.
“Y’all need to calm down,” began Cardi, 33, in a lengthy X video on Monday, Dec. 29. “Is y’all cool? Y’all been dragging me for three or four days and y’all been a little bit too mean. Like alright now. Y’all being a little bit too mean.”
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“I can’t change s—” she continued. “I can’t go back in time. I already had a baby. Y’all want me to put my baby back in my p—-? Huh? I don’t know what y’all want me to do. Y’all want me to leave my man and f— yours?”
She added that the only option is to “go forward now.”
Stefon Diggs and Cardi B.
Raymond Hall/GC Images
Diggs and Cardi B welcomed their first baby, a boy, together in November. Cardi’s rep confirmed the arrival at the time, telling PEOPLE, “Cardi is healthy and happy.”
Cardi is also mom to three children — daughter Kulture, 7, son Wave, 4, and daughter Blossom, 1 — whom she shares with her estranged husband, rapper Offset.
Before dating Cardi B, Diggs welcomed daughter Nova in October 2016. Model Aileen Lopera later revealed that he had fathered her daughter, Charliee Harper Diggs-Lopera, whom she welcomed in April 2025.
PEOPLE confirmed that paternity records identified Diggs as the father in November.
Cardi B shares a family photo from Christmas.
Cardi B/Instagram
On Christmas, Diggs shared photos with multiple children on his Instagram Stories and reposted Cardi’s Instagram post that included a photo of her and their son, according to Page Six.
Cardi ended her video on X Monday, sharing that she has “so much work to do once January starts, that is stressing me out.”
Cardi B holds baby on Christmas.
Cardi B/Instagram
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“I need my support system, my fans, to love me,” she said. “I want you to come to my tour and enjoy yourself with me. Don’t be dragging me. It’s enough, alright, it’s enough.”
WORLD NEWS
Shy Barron Trump keeps to himself as he sits next to his father at Mar-a-Lago festive dinner
Barron Trump was spotted at his father’s side during Donald Trump’s holiday dinner at Mar-a-Lago after shying away from the spotlight to work on ‘financial interests.’
The youngest of the president’s five children, 19, has kept a low profile since appearing publicly at his father’s inauguration in Washington DC as he continues to study at NYU.
However, he was caught in a photo taken by influencers during the holiday festivities.
Models Valeria Sokolova and Abla Sofy both photographed Barron sitting next to the president while celebrating the Christmas season with family.
Barron has kept a low profile since his father took office for the second time, but was near his father as he was sworn in, and alongside the tech titans that Trump has welcomed into his vision for his second term.
Trump acknowledged Barron, who towers over the president at 6-foot-9, during his remarks, saying his youngest son helped him reach a younger crowd.
‘I have a very tall son,’ the 6-foot-3 Trump said in the Capital One Arena as the crowd erupted in cheers and Barron triumphantly raised his hands in the air, in a shift from the more reserved Barron the country is used to.
‘He knew the youth vote. We won the youth vote by 36 points. He was saying – “Dad, you have to go out and do this [podcast] or that one,”‘ Trump said.
Barron Trump (pictured left) was spotted at his father’s side but in the background during Donald Trump’s (pictured center) holiday dinner at Mar-a-Lago
Barron was caught at his father’s side during the holiday festivities at Mar-a-Lago
‘We did a lot of them. He respects them all, he understood them very well.’
The only child of the president and first lady was not seen at an official White House event or appeared alongside his father for months.
Despite not being seen out with his dad, Barron was photographed in and around Manhattan.
In April, he was pictured showing off a shaggier, more relaxed mane as he strode with purpose to university classes.
The towering NYU’s Stern School of Business freshman also sported a loose sweater, jeans, and Adidas sneakers.
Barron reportedly commuted to college from the Trump Tower apartment, home to his father and doting 54-year-old mother Melania.
This summer, Barron reportedly turned his back on romance to instead prioritize getting his business ideas off the ground
According to insiders, Barron has been busy taking meetings with business partners, developing tech projects, and setting up deals.
Barron has kept a low profile since his father took office for the second time, but was near his father as he was sworn in, and alongside the tech titans that Trump has welcomed into his vision for his second term
Despite not being seen out with his dad, Barron was photographed in and around Manhattan. In April, he was pictured showing off a shaggier, more relaxed mane as he strode with purpose to university classes
‘Barron has been actively working on his own financial interests and has spent time with others who he is involved with in that area,’ a source told People.
‘Still, he has spent a great deal of time with his family.’
In September, Barron sparked mystery after he appeared to be absent from the school’s Manhattan campus for the first week of class.
Shortly after, it was revealed he moved into the White House and started his sophomore year at NYU’s Washington campus.
NYU Washington, DC is the home to the Stern Executive MBA degree program, which will allow Barron to earn an MBA in two years time. Only about 60-100 students enroll in the program, which runs $32,811 in undergraduate tradition.
In December, a MAGA pastor revealed that Barron is ‘very close’ to embracing his Christian faith fully after a late night phone call.
Influencer pastor Stuart Knechtle, 37, shared details of his conversation with Donald Trump’s youngest son on The George Janko Podcast this week.
‘I was talking on the phone with Barron Trump at 12.30 at night one night and I thought I was hitting him with everything but the kitchen sink when it came to all the evidence for God and Christianity,’ Knechtle said.
The president will finally be reunited full time with Barron as he is set to live in Washington, all while remaining an NYU student
Influencer pastor Stuart Knechtle (pictured), 37, revealed that 19-year-old Barron Trump is ‘very close’ to accepting Christianity after the two had a late night phone call
‘I thought I was really on. I was pumped,’ he added. ‘Then at the very end, I came up pretty much totally open-handed with nothing.’
However, Knechtle claimed the 6ft 9in teenager is ‘very close’ to putting his faith in Christ after he made a last ditch effort to persuade him using ‘evidence’ of dreams and revelations.
‘I brought up dreams and revelations and I said, “Hey, look, Baron, I usually don’t go by this typically with as evidence, but I’ll just let lastly you know this,”‘ he said.
‘I have a friend over in Africa who witnesses thousands of Muslims coming to Christ through dreams and revelations. How do you explain that? [Barron’s] like, “Oh, that’s a very, very interesting point. And you have eyewitness testimony.”
‘You know, the way his mind works, it’s like that was the only thing that stuck with him and he’s very close to putting his faith in Christ. Very close. And so I pray that goes through.’
London Overground, part of the London Underground network, faces challenges on Tuesday following an issue with the electric third rail near Stratford Station in the east of the capital
Some services in and out of Stratford Station will be impacted by the issue (file image)(Image: Mirrorpix)
Commuters face chaos throughout the day as services on part of the London Underground network have been cancelled and delayed.
Services to and from Stratford, east London, have been affected by an issue with a live rail that provides electric power to trains. It has caused problems with signalling along the London Overground line and so, until the fault is rectified, all trains are likely to be delayed or scrapped in both directions between Stratford and Willesden Junction, and Stratford and Gospel Oak.
The busiest station on the London Underground network outside London fare zone 1, Stratford sees commuters arrive from Essex and parts of the East of England, and change for London Underground services across the capital. These passengers should leave with extra time to accommodate for waits at Stratford, authorities say.
The National Rail says: “There is an issue with the electric third rail in the Camden Road area. This is causing issues with the signalling equipment in the area, and has also resulted in a passenger train developing a fault. Until the issue is rectified, services running to / from Stratford may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the service.”
READ MORE: Violent thugs who laughed as they killed retired police officer learn their fateREAD MORE: Despicable moment teenager ‘sets sleeping train passenger on FIRE in heinous rage’
The London Overground line is affected by the fault today (file image)(Image: Getty Images)
However, tickets can be used at no extra cost on London buses via any reasonable route in order to complete journeys throughout the day. Several leave and stop at Stratford as part of their routes.
“You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim,” the National Rail continues.
More than 189 million journeys are taken on the Overground Line each year. There are some 113 stations, including Clapham Junction, Richmond and Hackney Central, along the six branches of the London Overground line.
Electric third rails, including the one at Camden Road in the north of the capital, send power to train through conductors placed alongside the tracks. When faults occur with these, trains cannot receive the power they need to make their journeys. These occurrences, though, are rare, the National Rail says.
The Network Rail website reads: “The conductor rail system is a very simple but capable system supporting the requirements of the train service. A high percentage of the Southern network is already electrified. So it can be more cost efficient to extend this system, rather than install other electrification systems. Electrification is a way of decarbonising the railway service. This is done by replacing diesel trains with electric trains.”
From the election of a new pope to a singer blasting off into space and a president giving a huge body of water a new name, 2025 has been a year of breaking news and bizarre headlines.
Some moments dominated the headlines for weeks, while others flew by, but had just as much of an impact.
As the year draws to a close, here is an opportunity to put your knowledge of the major stories of the year to the test.
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DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister dies after a prolonged illness in Dhaka, her party says.
Published On 30 Dec 2025
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Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, has died at a hospital in the country’s capital, Dhaka, after a prolonged illness, according to her party and local media.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Bangladesh National Party said Khaleda died at 6am local time (00:00 GMT). She was 80 years old.
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“Our beloved national leader is no longer with us. She left us at 6am today” the BNP said in the statement posted on Facebook.
“We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it added.
Khaleda had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems, her doctors said.
She died at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she was admitted to on November 23 with symptoms of a lung infection, according to The Daily Star.
During her final days, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus had called for the nation to pray for Khaleda, calling her a “source of utmost inspiration for the nation”.
Khaleda was jailed for corruption in 2018 under then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, which also blocked her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.
She was released last year, shortly after Hasina was forced from power.
There had been plans earlier this month to fly her on a special air ambulance to London, but her condition was not stable enough.
Her son, political heavyweight Tarique Rahman, only returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in self-imposed exile on Thursday, where he was welcomed back by huge crowds of joyous supporters.
Rahman will lead the BNP through the February 12 general election, and is expected to be put forward as prime minister if his party wins a majority.
Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia, whose archrivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined the country’s politics for a generation, has died, her political party said on Tuesday. She was 80.
“The BNP chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6am, just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer,” the party said in a statement.
“We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it added.
Zia was the country’s first female prime minister.
She had faced corruption cases she said were politically motivated, but in January 2025 the supreme court acquitted Zia in the last corruption case against her, which would have let her run in February’s election.
She had returned to the country in May after undergoing medical treatment in the UK.
In early January, Bangladesh’s interim government had allowed her to travel abroad after Hasina’s government rejected previous requests at least 18 times.
Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in elections set for February 2026 – the first vote since a mass uprising toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina last year. Zia’s BNP is widely seen as a frontrunner.
But in late November she was rushed to hospital, where, despite the best efforts of medics, her condition declined from a raft of health issues.
During her final days, interim leader Muhammad Yunus called for the nation to pray for Zia, calling her a “source of utmost inspiration for the nation”.
Zia was married to president Ziaur Rahman, who was killed during a 1981 coup. Zia then helped build a mass movement against the military dictator, who was finally ousted in 1990.
She won her first term in 1991 and served again from 2001. Her opponent in that election and several since was Hasina.
With Associated Press and Agence France-Presse
Former Bangladeshi Prime Miniser Khaleda Zia has died aged 80 following a long illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party announced on Monday.
“The BNP chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 am (0000 GMT), just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer,” the party said in a statement. “We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul.”
She was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and the second female prime minister in the Muslim world. However, she was later imprisoned by her political rival, Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for more than a decade before being ousted by a student-led uprising in 2024.
Zia had announced plans to contest the upcoming Bangladeshi election in February 2026. Her son, Tarique Rahman, currently serves as the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which is widely seen as a frontrunner.
More to follow…
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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Hamas has officially confirmed the deaths of five senior leaders, marking one of the most significant blows to the terror organization since the start of the Gaza war, according to reports.
In a statement released on Monday by the group’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas said that Mohammed al-Sinwar, the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar, was killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Al-Sinwar had risen to a senior role within the organization and was widely viewed as a key figure in Hamas’ wartime command following the deaths of other top commanders.
The Israeli military also said in May that he was killed in an airstrike targeting a Hamas command center beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis.
NETANYAHU CALLS ON NEIGHBORING NATIONS TO JOIN ISRAEL IN ‘EXPELLING HAMAS’ FROM REGION
Hamas officially acknowledged the deaths of senior figures including Abu Obeida, the longtime masked spokesperson. (Reuters)
Hamas did not immediately specify the exact date of his death but acknowledged he was killed earlier this year.
Hamas also confirmed the death of Abu Obeida, the longtime masked spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades, who became the public face of the group’s military wing during the war, per Reuters.
In its announcement, Hamas revealed for the first time that his real name was Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout.
According to Israeli statements, Abu Obeida was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City in late August.
While Israel had previously announced his death, Monday’s statement marked the first official confirmation by Hamas itself.
ISRAEL’S COVERT CAMPAIGN TARGETS HAMAS TERRORISTS BEHIND OCT 7 MASSACRE
DEIR AL BALAH, GAZA – FEBRUARY 22: Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, hand over on Saturday Israeli hostages on February 22, 2025. (Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Among the other senior figures confirmed dead was Raed Saad, a high-ranking commander within the al-Qassam Brigades, the Times of Israel reported.
Israel had announced Dec. 13 that Saad had been killed in a targeted strike after months of tracking his movements through Gaza’s tunnel network.
Israeli security officials described Saad as one of the principal planners of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack where around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.
Hamas also acknowledged the deaths of Mohammed Shabanah, the head of its Rafah Brigade, and Hakam al-Issa, a veteran commander and one of the founders of the al-Qassam Brigades.
Both men were reported by Israel to have been killed in separate airstrikes in Gaza earlier this year, with al-Issa dying during attacks on the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
MOSSAD–EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE OPERATION LAUNCHES SWEEPING CRACKDOWN ON HAMAS GLOBAL TERROR NETWORK
President Donald Trump listens as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during an arrival at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (Alex Brandon/AP)
The confirmations came despite a ceasefire that took effect in October.
Speaking Monday after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, President Trump also warned that Hamas must disarm soon or face severe consequences.
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“They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm,” Trump said.
The president added that the next phase of the Gaza peace plan could move forward quickly if Hamas lays down its weapons.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
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The father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has died, and his mother remains critically injured after a severe house fire damaged their North Carolina home this past weekend, officials confirmed on Monday.
Emergency services in Stanley responded to the two-story property on Sunday night, finding it largely consumed by flames, with fire visible through the attic. The Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services issued a statement detailing the incident.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, and Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, were discovered outside the residence, both suffering from catastrophic injuries, officials said.
Dennis later died from his injuries at a hospital. Mary Lou was transported to the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, where she was receiving treatment on Monday.
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Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR’s top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
The fire caused the structure to collapse. The cause is under investigation.
Stanley is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte.
The home is owned by a company called Won One Real Estate that lists Denny Hamlin as its manager, according to local property tax records and a business document filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.
Representatives for Hamlin had not responded to requests for comment as of Monday evening.
Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR’s top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times.
Hamlin, now 45 and a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, has yet to win a Cup points championship. He fell short of a title during this season’s final race in Arizona last month.
Weeks earlier, Hamlin said his father, Dennis — who nearly went broke trying to get his son into NASCAR — was battling a serious illness, and that he didn’t have much time left to live.
“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,” Hamlin told The Associated Press.
Hamlin also mentioned his dad in emotional testimony this month at the start of a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR brought in part by 23XI Racing, which is owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. NASCAR, 23XI Racing and another race team reached a settlement during the trial before jurors deliberated.
NEED TO KNOW
- A young mother in Nashville has died weeks before her daughter’s first birthday
- Kira Phillips, 20, was fatally struck by two cars while crossing the street the day after Christmas
- “She was planning to go all out for her baby’s birthday party,” a loved one said of the victim
A young mother died just one day after Christmas after she was fatally struck by two vehicles while crossing the street in Nashville.
In a press release shared by the Metro Nashville Police on Saturday, Dec. 27, the department identified 20-year-old Kira Phillips as the pedestrian who was fatally struck on Bell Road Friday evening, Dec. 26, around 5:40 p.m. local time.
Her identity was previously withheld as her next of kin was notified.
A preliminary investigation indicated that Phillips “was in the continuous left turn lane on Bell Road when she was struck by the driver of a northbound Nissan Versa who was turning left onto Rice Road.”
“She was thrown into a lane of travel and struck by a second vehicle. She died at the scene. Both drivers stayed on scene and showed no signs of impairment,” according to the press release.
Nashville’s WSMV spoke with the victim’s family and friends, including Lateeka Brooks, the mother of Phillips’ boyfriend, who said they had no idea the 20-year-old had been killed until the following day.
“She had went missing,” Brooks said. “We didn’t know anything. We were trying to reach out to her, contact her. We just was kind of nervous, didn’t know what was going on because it’s not normal for her to just disappear like that.”
Those closest to the 20-year-old said she was in the process of planning her daughter’s first birthday party, which was just weeks away.
“She was planning to go all out for her baby’s birthday party,” Brooks added.
“Kira loved her baby with everything in her. She lived for her baby,” her friend, Tawanta Crutcher, told the news station.
Crutcher said her friend’s death “happened so suddenly,” and has left them in “shock.”
Both women said Phillips was a hard worker who did whatever needed to be done to provide for her daughter.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Crutcher also described Phillips as “quiet.”
“She loved her mom and her little sisters,” her friend said in an on-camera interview. “Kira, she always had a smile on her face, and that’s one thing that’s gonna be missed the most, her quiet smile.”
WORLD NEWS
Couple called girl, 3, vile names as they tortured her to death inside motel room, police say
A Missouri couple battered and belittled a terrified three-year-old girl before she died inside a shady motel room, according to police.
Kyle Galloway, 30, and Deanne Kay Hankins, 36, have been accused of fatally neglecting and abusing Novaleigh Galloway inside the Classic Motel in Higginsville.
Police found the three-year-old victim, who was Galloway’s biological daughter and not related to Hankins, dead on December 23 after rushing to the scene following reports of a child not breathing.
Court records reviewed by Fox 4 alleged that Novaleigh had marks around her wrists and feet – indicating that she had been restrained.
The toddler also had black eyes, investigators said, suggesting that she had endured severe abuse leading up to her death.
Drug paraphernalia and meth were found inside the room, according to court records.
Galloway and Hankins were immediately arrested and questioned about Novaleigh’s suspicious death.
The suspects were each charged with three felony charges – child neglect, endangering the welfare of a child, and drug possession. They remain in Lafayette County Jail without bond.
Novaleigh Galloway died in the care of her father and his girlfriend on December 23
Kyle Galloway is Novaleigh’s biological father. He allegedly kicked her in the back of her head before she died
Galloway allegedly admitted to investigators that his daughter had been zip-tied and restricted because of her ‘behavioral issues,’ per court records.
He also claimed that earlier in the day, before Novaleigh died, Hankins had hit her in the head and mouth.
Hankins allegedly denied the involvement of zip ties, but did say that Novaleigh was tied down and had cuts on her feet and wrists.
She also admitted to bashing Novaleigh on the back of her head after she did not do what she was told, according to police.
While Galloway allegedly told authorities that he found the brutal punishment ‘excessive,’ he never tried to stop it.
In fact, he confessed to contributing to the harm inflicted on the girl, police said. Galloway reportedly told police that he physically disciplined Novaleigh throughout the day and night leading up to her death.
The alleged abuse was not only physical, but verbal.
On top of being accused of relentlessly beating the little girl, the coldhearted couple allegedly called her vile names as they hit her.
Kyle Galloway, 30, and Deanne Kay Hankins, 36, have been accused of fatally neglecting and abusing Novaleigh Galloway inside the Classic Motel in Higginsville
Deanne Kay Hankins is not related to the young victim and allegedly physically and verbally abused her
After a day allegedly filled with horrendous attacks on the child, Galloway and Hankins had tried to put her to bed.
But when Novaleigh did not want to go to sleep, her father – allegedly frustrated with her fussiness – kicked her in the back of the head, Hankins reportedly told police.
‘Oh, that might have been a little hard,’ Galloway allegedly told Hankins after the vicious blow.
Both apparently careless adults then placed Novaleigh in her cot to sleep without checking whether she was all right, according to court records.
A bit later, Hankins allegedly heard her breathing heavily. When she approached the child’s bed, she was unresponsive, prompting her and Galloway to call 911.
Novaleigh’s mother, Americus Perkins, told Fox 4 that Galloway had visitation rights. But despite her best efforts, she had not seen her child in months.
Her maternal grandmother, Crystal Boyd, alleged on Facebook that they had been looking for the little girl for six to eight months.
Boyd claimed that Galloway was ‘trying to keep her from us’ and the couple had been ‘hiding out’ while abusing her,
Novaleigh loved the outdoors and to play the harmonica, according to her obituary
Novaleigh’s mother, Americus Perkins, said she had not seen her daughter in months
‘My grandbaby’s dad and his girlfriend did something to my grandbaby and now she is gone that’s what happened there this morning Kyle Galloway and his girlfriend killed my grandbaby,’ Boyd claimed.
Boyd also created a GoFundMe for Novaleigh’s funeral arrangements. It has raised about $4,600 so far.
‘Nova was such a happy and wonderful little girl and she will always be so loved and missed by so many. I love you, Nova, so much and will always keep you in my heart and soul, babygirl,’ Boyd wrote.
Novaleigh was described as a joyful girl who loved the outdoors and playing the harmonica.
The situation remains under investigation and Novaleigh’s official cause of death has not been released.
Meanwhile, a petition has been circulating to have the Classic Motel shuttered.
The petition states that the motel has become ‘a focal point for concerning activities that put the members of our community at risk.’
It also cites data from the Urban Institute, suggesting that areas around motels experience a 35 percent spike in crime.
A GoFundMe for Novaleigh’s funeral arrangements raised about $4,600
A petition has been created to get the Classic Motel shut down
Another petition titled Pass Novaleigh’s Law: Protect Missouri Children Curing Unsafe Visitation, has also been created.
‘Missouri’s current laws often require children to be visibly injured or in immediate, undeniable danger before intervention is allowed,’ the petition reads.
‘By the time that threshold is met, the damage is already done. Too often, warning signs are seen but not acted on.
‘Too often, concerns are documented but dismissed. Too often, children are sent back into unsafe situations because the law leaves no room to pause, assess, or protect.’
According to public records, Galloway has a lengthy criminal record, with charges including child welfare endangerment, domestic assault, burglary and possession of a controlled substance.
Hankins has also been previously arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Perkins and Boyd for comment.
Lafayette County Clerks Jessica White and Jennifer Middleton, the ‘decision makers’ on the petition to close down the motel, and Governor Mike Kehoe, one of the ‘decision makers’ for the second petition, have also been contacted for comment.
Anna Bates, a solicitor from Cardiff, has described Fraser’s organ as “a magic heart” as, without it, 10-year-old Roman, born with a serious disease, may no longer be alive
Anna Bates met Roman over the festive period(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
A mum poses with the little boy whose still alive thanks to her son’s “magic heart”.
Roman received Fraser Bates’ heart after Roman and his dad, Stuart, were fatally hit by a careless driver who had left a Christmas party. Anna had made the heartbreaking decision to donate Fraser’s organs just hours after being told he would not survive his injuries.
And now it continues to keep Roman, 10, alive, a feat Anna says is “just phenomenal”. Roman was born severe newborn dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart disease, and medics feared he was going to die had he not received an organ.
Anna, 48, met Roman again over Christmas and embraced the youngster with a warm hug. The solicitor, from Cardiff, said: “It is just phenomenal that my son, Fraser, had made such a huge difference through his organs being donated, and it proves ‘the heart really can go on.’
“I’ve got a really close bond with Roman’s mum. We have just got this magic heart that joins us and for him to be there with what I call Roman’s heart… and he carries on with that joy and he battles so hard.”
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Anna lost Fraser, seven, in December 2015(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Fraser’s heart was transplanted 10 years ago, shortly after Roman’s birth, following the crash in Talbot Green, south Wales, where Fraser and 43-year-old Stuart were pronounced dead. Driver Joshua Staples, 22, admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving without due care and attention and was jailed for 16 months.
Roman’s mum Zoe described the agonising 10-month wait for a heart transplant, and the “emotional rollercoaster” as the family did not think it would happen right up until they received the call.
Mum-of-two Anna, who founded a charity in Fraser’s memory, said the loss of her husband and son was “everyone’s worst nightmare” and it “still doesn’t feel real 10 years on”.
“One moment you have got your lovely family of four and then the next moment you are being asked these questions about organ donation,” she said.
“It’s a difficult and taboo subject because we don’t want to think about it, but its so important. Children like Roman have been saved because of it and we need to save a lot more.”
Both Stuart and Fraser died after they were hit by the car(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Anna, her 13-year-old daughter Elizabeth pose for a picture with little Roman(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Anna said children tended to see organ donation as “a gift of life”, in her experience, whereas adults possibly avoided talking about it as they associated it with death.
Wales was the first UK nation to adopt the “soft” opt-out legislation on December 1, 2015, which presumes a person’s consent to donate their organs when they die, unless they or their family have indicated otherwise.
The organ donor consent rate increased by about 15 per cent during the first three years of the opt-out law, but has dropped to its lowest level in a decade last year.
Anna said she had not expected to be asked for her consent for organ donation as she thought the “soft” opt-out legislation meant this was not needed but families still need to give consent too.
“These conversations desperately need to be had,” Anna added.
WORLD NEWS
Foreign secretary orders review of ‘serious failures’ in case of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah | Politics News
Yvette Cooper has ordered an urgent Foreign Office review of “serious information failures” in the case of a freed British-Egyptian activist.
“Abhorrent” social media posts by Alaa Abd El-Fattah emerged after he returned to the UK on Boxing Day following several years of imprisonment in Egypt.
Ms Cooper, the foreign secretary, said successive prime ministers were not briefed on the historic tweets, which date back as far as 2010, and civil servants in charge of the case were also “unaware” of them.
The activist has since apologised “unequivocally” for his “shocking and hurtful” social media posts, in which he appears to call for violence against “Zionists” – but said some had been “completely twisted”.
Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have suggested he should have his British citizenship stripped for the posts – though it is understood there are no current plans for this, and the law does not appear to provide grounds to deport him.
In a letter to the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry, Ms Cooper said long-standing procedures and due diligence arrangements had been “completely inadequate” in the case.
“In the context of rising antisemitism, and recent horrific attacks against Jewish people in this country and around the world, I am deeply concerned that the unexpected emergence of these historical tweets – coming alongside the social media posts that I and other senior politicians sent on Boxing Day welcoming the conclusion of this long-running case and Mr El Fattah’s reunion with his family – have added to the distress felt by Jewish communities in the UK, and I very much regret that,” she wrote.
“I have asked the permanent under secretary as a matter of urgency to review the serious information failures in this case and more broadly the systems that are in place within the department for conducting due diligence on the individual high-profile consular and human-rights cases for which the FCDO is responsible, to ensure that those systems are functioning properly for the future, and that all necessary lessons are learned.”
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Alaa Abd El-Fattah was pardoned in September 2025. Pic: AP
Mr Abd El-Fattah was a leading voice during Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising and went on hunger strikes in prison.
He was most recently detained in September 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison in December 2021 on charges of spreading false news.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pardoned the activist earlier this year and he flew to the UK to reunite with his young son, who lives in Brighton, last week.
He had been granted UK citizenship in December 2021 under Boris Johnson, reportedly through his UK-born mother.
Mr Abd El-Fattah with his sister after his release from prison. Pic: Twitter/@monasosh
No 10 has defended the government’s handling of the case, with the prime minister’s official spokesperson saying: “We welcome the return of a British citizen unfairly detained abroad, as we would in all cases and as we have done in the past.
“That is central to Britain’s commitment to religious and political freedom. That said, it doesn’t change the fact that we have condemned the nature of these historic tweets and we consider them to be abhorrent, and we’ve been very clear about that.”
In a statement, Mr Abd El-Fattah said: “I unequivocally apologise.
“(The posts) were mostly expressions of a young man’s anger and frustrations in a time of regional crises (the wars on Iraq, on Lebanon and Gaza), and the rise of police brutality against Egyptian youth.
“I particularly regret some that were written as part of online insult battles with the total disregard for how they read to other people. I should have known better.”