Kash Patel defended the FBI's search of the Fulton County, Georgia election office, which faced criticism from local officials who saw it as retaliatory. Concerns were raised about the search's timing relative to the statute of limitations for federal crimes. Patel stated that the FBI acted with legal approval to conduct the search.
Key Facts
Kash Patel defended the FBI's search of the Fulton County election office.
Local officials criticized the search, calling it retaliation related to President Trump's election loss.
The search occurred months after the statute of limitations for federal crimes expired.
Patel argued that the search was legally conducted and based on a judge's approval.
The FBI and the Department of Justice did not comment on the issue.
Fulton County Commission Chairman claimed the county was targeted for rejecting Trump's claims about the 2020 election.
About 700 boxes were taken in the search, and their current location is unknown.
In 2024, the State Election Board subpoenaed Fulton's 2020 ballots, which is still under review.
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a new law allowing private companies to take over parts of the country's oil industry. This change comes after the U.S. military detained Venezuela's former President Nicolás Maduro, and the U.S. began easing restrictions on Venezuelan oil. The new law is expected to encourage foreign investment in Venezuela's oil sector.
Key Facts
Delcy Rodríguez is the acting President of Venezuela.
A new law will allow privatization in Venezuela's oil industry.
The U.S. military recently detained former President Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. Treasury is easing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, permitting more U.S. energy companies to operate there.
The updated law allows for private company control over oil production and sales in Venezuela.
The law changes taxes on oil extraction and lets the government set rates based on specific project needs.
Foreign investors are now allowed to resolve disputes in independent courts rather than just Venezuelan ones.
Some Venezuelan oil workers and lawmakers support the changes, expecting them to boost the economy.
TotalEnergies has restarted work on a $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique, which was paused due to regional violence. The project aims to produce over 13 million tonnes of LNG annually and could generate substantial revenue for Mozambique. Despite security improvements, there are concerns about environmental and human rights implications.
Key Facts
TotalEnergies is a French energy company that paused the project in 2021 due to violence in Mozambique.
The project is located in Cabo Delgado province and is one of Africa's largest LNG projects.
Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo and TotalEnergies' executive Patrick Pouyanne announced its restart.
The project is expected to produce over 13 million tonnes of LNG each year by 2029.
Estimated economic benefits include around $35 billion for Mozambique through taxes and profits.
Up to 7,000 jobs for locals and $4 billion in local contracts are expected during construction.
Security in the area has improved with the help of regional forces and Rwandan soldiers.
Environmental and human rights groups have raised concerns about the project's impacts.
TotalEnergies is facing legal challenges related to past security issues and alleged human rights abuses.
Jaxson Dart, a quarterback for the New York Giants, has quietly endorsed Charlie Weis Jr. as a coaching candidate for the Giants' offensive coordinator position. Weis, previously a coach at Ole Miss, worked with Dart before joining the Giants, and he has been linked with various NFL teams. Meanwhile, the Giants are considering other candidates for the position as well.
Key Facts
The New York Giants hired John Harbaugh as their head coach.
Todd Monken, initially expected to be the Giants' offensive coordinator, was hired as head coach by the Cleveland Browns.
Jaxson Dart, a Giants quarterback, endorsed Charlie Weis Jr. as an offensive coordinator candidate.
Weis previously coached at Ole Miss and has worked with Dart.
The Giants are also considering Jim Bob Cooter, Alex Tanney, and Davis Webb for the position.
Davis Webb, a former Giants quarterback, was considered a finalist for the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job.
The Giants are looking for a familiar play-caller for Jaxson Dart.
A bride shared on Reddit that her sister-in-law brought her husband into the bridal suite without warning, creating tension because the bridal party was getting dressed. The bride requested that the man leave the room, but the sister-in-law refused, leading to a disagreement. The sister-in-law eventually left the suite to change elsewhere.
Key Facts
A bride was preparing for her wedding in a suite designated for women only.
The bride's sister-in-law unexpectedly brought her husband into the suite.
The suite was originally reserved for the bridesmaids, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law to get ready.
The bride asked the sister-in-law's husband to leave, but the sister-in-law refused.
The sister-in-law argued her husband might get lost if he left alone.
The sister-in-law and her husband arrived late, returning from a beach trip.
Other guests offered to keep the brother-in-law company, but that option wasn't taken.
The Detroit Pistons will play against the Phoenix Suns in an NBA game on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET. The game will be available on the FanDuel Sports Network and can be streamed live on Fubo. Both teams have seen recent wins, with the Pistons leading the Eastern Conference.
Key Facts
The Detroit Pistons have a record of 34 wins and 11 losses.
The Phoenix Suns have a record of 28 wins and 19 losses.
The Pistons are currently the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference.
The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network and available for streaming on Fubo.
The Pistons recently won against the Denver Nuggets with a score of 109-107.
Key Pistons players, Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris, each scored 22 points in their last game.
The Suns have been playing without some key players, Devin Booker and Jalen Green, due to injuries.
Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks were standout players in the Suns' recent win over the Brooklyn Nets.
President Donald Trump signed an order to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, aiming to pressure Mexico and isolate Cuba further. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico had stopped oil shipments to Cuba by its own decision, not due to U.S. pressure. Trump also threatened Canada with a tariff on aircraft to escalate trade tensions.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an order to tariff goods from countries that sell oil to Cuba.
This action is intended to increase pressure on Mexico regarding its relations with Cuba.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported halting oil shipments to Cuba, stating it was Mexico's independent decision.
The U.S. already has economic sanctions enforced against Cuba.
After Venezuela's leadership change, Trump indicated that Cuba might also face significant change.
Trump also threatened a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft imports into the U.S.
The tariff threats against Canada are part of ongoing trade disputes.
A federal operation by U.S. immigration agents resulted in the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a nurse in Minneapolis. Health care organizations have condemned the violence and expressed concern over the impact of immigration enforcement on public health. Many groups are providing resources for medical facilities to prepare for encounters with federal agents.
Key Facts
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was shot by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Minneapolis.
The incident involved CBP agents firing at least 10 shots in less than five seconds.
Health care organizations, including the American Nurses Association, have spoken out against the incident.
Save HHS, a coalition of health staffers, called federal immigration actions a public health emergency.
Data shows that 40% of immigrant adults reported negative health impacts related to immigration concerns.
Nearly 30% of immigrants have avoided or delayed medical care since January 2025.
Various guides for hospitals have been developed to handle federal agent encounters.
Health care workers are encouraged to establish protocols for staff interactions with law enforcement.
Iran's foreign minister criticized the European Union for calling the IRGC a terrorist group. The minister accused the EU of being hypocritical by protecting Israel in its actions in Gaza.
Key Facts
Iran's foreign minister spoke out against the European Union.
The EU designated the IRGC, Iran's military group, as a terrorist organization.
Iran accuses the EU of not holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza.
The criticism focuses on perceived inconsistencies in the EU's foreign policy.
The IRGC stands for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of Iran's military.
Ex-Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's legal team argued in a London court that she did not take bribes from industry insiders. The defense stated that Alison-Madueke reimbursed costs paid on her behalf because she could not maintain foreign bank accounts as a Nigerian minister. The trial centers on accusations of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, with Alison-Madueke firmly denying the charges.
Key Facts
Diezani Alison-Madueke was Nigeria's oil minister from 2010 to 2015.
She has been accused of taking bribes, but her defense says she reimbursed money spent on her.
Nigerian ministers are not allowed to have bank accounts outside Nigeria.
Her defense claims these charges were delayed significantly, with her first arrest in 2015, yet charges only brought in 2023.
The court heard that those accused of giving bribes have not been charged or extradited.
Alison-Madueke's brother and a businessman are also on trial for related charges.
The defense argues the absence of certain records and materials places Alison-Madueke at a disadvantage in her trial.
House Democrats are discussing the possibility of impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, but they're taking a slow approach to ensure a thorough investigation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says they aim for a successful vote, while currently coordinating with Rep. Robin Kelly, who leads the impeachment effort. A committee led by Jamie Raskin will investigate before any vote happens.
Key Facts
Support for impeaching Kristi Noem has grown among House Democrats.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wants to ensure a thorough investigation before any impeachment vote.
179 House Democrats have co-sponsored the impeachment articles against Noem.
Jeffries is coordinating the process with Rep. Robin Kelly.
The investigation will be led by Jamie Raskin, a House Judiciary Committee member.
Any impeachment vote will need support from some Republicans in the House.
Jeffries has not directly discussed impeachment with Republicans other than Speaker Mike Johnson.
Even if the House votes to impeach, the Senate needs a two-thirds majority to remove Noem.
Portions of Florida are preparing for unusually cold weather, with temperatures dropping below freezing over the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch, warning of potential risks like hypothermia and threats to crops and pipes due to the cold conditions.
Key Facts
An extreme cold watch is in effect for parts of Florida over the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to fall well below freezing in some areas.
Wind chills in northern and northeast Florida could feel as low as 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Such cold conditions can cause frostbite in 30 minutes if skin is exposed.
Areas in the Florida Panhandle, northern and central Florida, and as far south as Palm Beach County, are affected.
This cold weather is rare for how far south the cold is reaching in Florida.
The coldest nights are expected from Saturday into Sunday and Sunday into Monday.
The cold is a concern for agriculture in the region.
A passenger on a United flight shared his frustration online after being forced to store his bag in a distant overhead compartment due to a woman's coat occupying nearby space. The discussion highlights a common issue with passengers using overhead bins for smaller items when space is limited. The conversation reflects ongoing concerns about proper usage of overhead storage during flights.
Key Facts
The passenger was on a United flight and sat in seat 1A, a bulkhead seat where bags must be kept overhead.
A woman refused to move her coat from an overhead bin, causing the passenger to store his bag further back.
The incident started a debate online about the proper use of overhead bins.
Many people believe overhead bins should primarily be for bags, not coats or small items.
A poll shows that over half of Americans get annoyed when others don't follow flight attendant instructions or use more overhead space than needed.
With more people using carry-ons, overhead bin space has become more limited.
Newsweek reached out to the passenger for comment, but couldn't verify the full details.
A former Illinois deputy sheriff, Sean Grayson, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2024 shooting death of Sonya Massey. The incident led to protests and changes in police training and hiring practices. Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder but initially faced charges of first-degree murder.
Key Facts
Grayson shot 36-year-old Sonya Massey in Springfield, Illinois, in 2024, after she called police to her home.
Grayson received a 20-year prison sentence for second-degree murder.
Massey had called the police because she feared there was a prowler outside her home.
During the incident, Grayson opened fire, hitting Massey three times after she picked up a hot pot.
Massey’s death led to protests and a wider discussion on police conduct towards Black residents.
The case prompted a U.S. Justice Department inquiry and new police de-escalation training requirements.
The Sangamon County introduced a law mandating full background checks for law enforcement job applicants, known as the Sonya Massey Act.
Yemen is experiencing increased conflict as previous allies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are no longer cooperating, leading to a struggle for control in the south and east of the country. The Houthis maintain control in the north, and fracturing alliances and air military presence are impacting millions of civilians who face hunger and displacement.
Key Facts
Yemen's conflict is becoming more intense.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE, former partners, are no longer working together.
The south and east regions of Yemen are in dispute.
The Houthis continue to hold the northern part of Yemen.
Alliances in Yemen are breaking apart, influencing the conflict.
Many civilians in Yemen are dealing with hunger and displacement.
The Houston Rockets will play the Atlanta Hawks in an NBA game at State Farm Arena. The Rockets have won 6 out of their last 9 games, while the Hawks are on a 4-game winning streak. The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast and Space City Home Network and is available for live streaming on Fubo.
Key Facts
The NBA game is between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks.
It takes place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The game is scheduled for Thursday, January 29th, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
Fans can watch on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast and Space City Home Network.
The Rockets have a recent record of 6 wins and 3 losses.
The Hawks have a current 4-game winning streak.
Amen Thompson from the Rockets scored 25 points in their last game.
The Hawks are positioned 9th in the Eastern Conference, aiming for a playoff spot.
House Republicans have put forward a plan to change voting laws in the United States. The proposal includes stricter ID and proof of citizenship requirements, with some changes expected to start before the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
House Republicans proposed changes to U.S. voting laws.
Photo ID and proof of citizenship would be needed by 2027.
Proposed changes would affect vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting.
Some changes would begin before the next midterm elections.
President Trump supports these changes and emphasizes election integrity.
The proposal reflects Republicans' long-standing election reform goals.
Minneapolis is seeing protests organized by local groups who learned from past movements after the death of George Floyd. These groups, including rapid response networks and mutual aid organizations, are working together to create a lasting effort for community protection.
Key Facts
Protests in Minneapolis are organized by local rapid response networks and mutual aid groups.
The efforts are inspired by movements that started after George Floyd's death in 2020.
The focus is on building a long-term movement for community defense.
Alex Pretti, an observer, was fatally shot by federal immigration agents.
Marcia Howard, involved in local education and community work, is part of these efforts.
The article credits various producers and editors who worked on the related media content.
Israeli media report that a senior Israeli security source has acknowledged that over 70,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing war in Gaza. This number aligns with figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which have been largely accepted by the UN and other human rights organizations. The conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, and Israel has questioned the accuracy of the death toll but now appears to recognize it.
Key Facts
Israeli media cite a senior security source acknowledging over 70,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza due to the war.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported these figures, which the UN and human rights groups also considered reliable.
The conflict began with an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Approximately 1,200 people died in the initial Hamas attack, with 251 taken hostage.
Israel launched a military response in Gaza following the attack.
The Israeli military traditionally disputed Hamas's death toll figures.
A senior source now suggests these figures are largely accurate, despite challenges in identifying combatants versus civilians.
The Israel Defense Forces have not made an official position on the latest figures.
The Doomsday Clock, which symbolizes global threats, is now closer to midnight than ever. Scientists attribute this to increased wars, nuclear tensions, weakening arms control agreements, climate change, and AI risks.
Key Facts
The Doomsday Clock is managed by atomic scientists.
It has reached its closest point ever to midnight.
The clock represents threats to global safety.
Reasons cited include more wars and nuclear tensions.
Weaker agreements on arms control contribute to the risk.
Climate change and AI risks are also significant factors.
The information comes from a broadcast featuring various experts.
