Cooper Flagg broke the NBA record for most points in a game by a teenager, scoring 49 points, but the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 123-121. Kon Knueppel scored 34 points for the Hornets and made crucial free throws in the last seconds of the game.
Key Facts
Cooper Flagg, who is 19, scored 49 points, breaking the record set by Cliff Robinson in 1980 for most points in a game by a teenager.
Kon Knueppel made two free throws with 4.1 seconds left, leading the Hornets to a 123-121 victory over the Mavericks.
Flagg also had 10 rebounds and set career highs with 20 field goals from 29 attempts.
Knueppel set a rookie record for the Hornets by making eight 3-pointers in the game.
Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball contributed 23 and 22 points respectively for the Hornets.
The Mavericks have now lost three straight home games after a previous four-game winning streak.
The Hornets have won five consecutive games, marking their longest winning streak since February 2023.
The game was the first NBA meeting between Flagg and Knueppel, who are both freshmen from Duke University.
A new documentary about Melania Trump premiered, showing her role in the 2025 presidential inauguration. Some viewers are choosing to watch Michelle Obama's 2020 documentary, "Becoming," in protest. The film "Melania" was expensive to produce but shows modest initial earnings.
Key Facts
The documentary "Melania" is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
It covers the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration.
Amazon paid $40 million for the film's distribution rights.
Initial box office projections are between $1–$2 million for the opening weekend.
The premiere took place at the newly renamed Trump–Kennedy Center.
Michelle Obama’s 2020 documentary "Becoming" focuses on her life after leaving the White House.
Online discussions propose watching "Becoming" instead of "Melania" as a form of protest.
A student at a protest against ICE outside a Nebraska school was hit by a car with a Trump flag. The student was taken to a hospital and was alert. Nebraska officials, including the governor, have called for an investigation into the incident.
Key Facts
A student protest against ICE took place outside Fremont High School in Nebraska.
A red SUV with a Trump flag drove into the protest, hitting a student.
The driver of the SUV stopped, exchanged words with protesters, then hit the student and drove away.
The student was alert and talking when taken to the hospital.
School officials and emergency services responded to the incident.
Nebraska officials, including Governor Jim Pillen, condemned the incident and called for an investigation.
The driver and the actions were captured on video.
The protest was a student-led demonstration, not organized by the school.
President Donald Trump announced that he will nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve official, to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve. Warsh will replace current chair Jerome Powell when Powell's term ends in May.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to nominate Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair.
Jerome Powell currently holds the position but will leave in May when his term ends.
Trump appointed Powell as Fed chair in 2017.
Trump has criticized Powell for not reducing interest rates quickly.
Trump shared his decision on the Truth Social platform.
Trump described Warsh as someone who fits the role well and is reliable.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman faced criticism after a disappointing 2025 season. Team owner Terry Pegula and quarterback Josh Allen showed support for Coleman, expressing confidence in his potential to improve. The Bills have made changes to their coaching staff and remain optimistic about the future.
Key Facts
Keon Coleman is a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills who struggled during the 2025 season.
Bills owner Terry Pegula blamed former head coach Sean McDermott for the decision to pick Coleman.
Joe Brady was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Bills.
Josh Allen, the Bills' quarterback, publicly stated his belief in Coleman's future potential.
Coleman was a second-round NFL draft pick in 2024 from Florida State.
In 2025, Coleman caught 38 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns, a slight decline in performance.
The Bills aim to improve and make changes to their coaching staff for the next season.
Reports have emerged that Alberta separatists in Canada are meeting with U.S. officials, raising concerns about possible interference in Canadian politics. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged the U.S. to respect Canada's sovereignty amid these developments.
Key Facts
Alberta separatists reportedly met with U.S. State Department officials at least three times since last April.
The group, called the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), is pushing for a referendum to decide if Alberta should leave Canada.
These meetings have caused concern in Ottawa about U.S. involvement in Canadian internal affairs.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Alberta as a "natural partner" for the U.S. and commented on the province's resource wealth.
Alberta leader Jeffrey Rath from APP aims to meet U.S. officials to discuss potential financial support if Alberta moves toward independence.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has spoken to President Trump, emphasizing respect for Canadian sovereignty.
British Columbia’s Premier called the meetings “treason”, while Ontario’s Premier called for Canadian unity.
Taiwan plans to position U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems on islands close to China's coast. This move follows Taiwan's increased defense efforts amid China's military threats and expansion. The U.S. recently sold a significant amount of military equipment to Taiwan, including HIMARS systems.
Key Facts
Taiwan intends to set up HIMARS rocket launchers on islands in the Taiwan Strait.
The placement aims at potential targets on China's southeast coast.
HIMARS systems can fire rockets up to about 50 miles and missiles up to 186 miles.
The U.S. approved selling HIMARS and missiles valued at about $11 billion to Taiwan.
Taiwan received 11 HIMARS launchers from an initial purchase of 29 units.
Taiwan included these launchers in a recent military drill.
China claims Taiwan as its territory, though Taiwan functions independently.
The U.S. provides Taiwan with military support under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Alicia Silverstone shared a letter she wrote at age 15, describing pressure to lose weight for a movie role in the early 1990s. The letter reflects the challenges young actors faced in Hollywood during that time. Silverstone shared this on Threads, sparking conversations about industry pressures.
Key Facts
Alicia Silverstone shared a letter from when she was 15, detailing industry pressures.
She mentioned being asked to lose 5-10 pounds for a role in the movie "The Crush."
The letter also talked about her experiences as a teenager, including everyday events.
Silverstone, known for "Clueless," began her career with films like "The Crush."
Her post on Threads received responses from users sharing similar experiences.
The letter highlights the intense scrutiny young actors faced in the 1990s.
The status of Blake Snell, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is uncertain for the upcoming Opening Day. Due to fatigue and a previous injury, Snell and the Dodgers are being cautious with his training to ensure he is fully fit for the season.
Key Facts
Blake Snell is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Snell reported feeling arm fatigue after the team's back-to-back World Series wins.
He is following a slower practice routine this winter to recover properly.
Despite planning to be ready, his availability for Opening Day is not certain.
Snell pitched 61 1/3 innings during the regular season but dealt with injuries.
He played a strong postseason, pitching 34 innings.
Snell is a two-time Cy Young Award winner, a prestigious award for pitchers.
The Dodgers have other pitchers to cover if Snell needs more recovery time.
Eli Morgan, a pitcher who played for the Chicago Cubs, has signed with the Kansas City Royals on a minor-league deal. Morgan struggled with injuries during his time with the Cubs and was left out of their playoff roster. He will attend spring training with the Royals in hopes of securing a spot in their bullpen.
Key Facts
Eli Morgan was traded to the Chicago Cubs from the Cleveland Guardians in November 2024.
He had a successful 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 1.93 ERA in the regular season and allowing only one earned run in the playoffs.
An elbow injury limited his performance with the Cubs, resulting in a 3.95 ERA during his rehab outings.
The Cubs left Morgan off the playoff roster, leading to his entering free agency.
The Kansas City Royals have invited Morgan to spring training, offering him a chance to compete for a place in their bullpen.
Both the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals are in the American League Central division and aim to improve their standing.
Venezuela has passed a new law that allows more private companies to be involved in its national oil industry. This move aligns with a key request from President Donald Trump, as the U.S. has begun to ease sanctions on Venezuela.
Key Facts
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez signed a new law about the oil industry.
The law permits more privatization in Venezuela's nationalized oil sector.
This action is in response to a key requirement from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The U.S. is starting to reduce sanctions against Venezuela.
The changes are focused on increasing private sector participation in oil production.
A report by Great Ormond Street Hospital reveals that a surgeon named Yaser Jabbar was linked to harmful surgeries on nearly 100 children. A former patient, Vivaan Sharma, shared that these medical errors led to multiple surgeries and lasting scars. Jabbar worked at the hospital from 2017 to 2022 and treated 789 children during that time.
Key Facts
Yaser Jabbar was a limb reconstruction surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
An investigation found that 94 out of 789 child patients suffered harm from his surgeries.
Jabbar's employment at the hospital lasted from 2017 to 2022.
Vivaan Sharma, a former patient, had multiple surgeries due to errors.
The investigation highlighted widespread unacceptable practices in Jabbar’s operations.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are changing in the United States, with some areas seeing a reduction while major cities continue enforcement actions. In Maine, an operation called "Operation Catch of the Day" resulted in over 200 arrests and ended after a week. In Minnesota, ongoing operations under "Operation Metro Surge" have led to public backlash and changes in enforcement strategy following controversial incidents.
Key Facts
ICE is shifting its operations across various U.S. regions, focusing on major cities.
"Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine ended after about a week with over 200 arrests.
"Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota involves 3,000 federal agents and remains active.
The Minnesota operation expanded statewide and continues into 2026.
ICE faced backlash due to incidents, including the fatal shootings of two individuals.
President Donald Trump sent Tom Homan to adjust the enforcement strategy in Minnesota.
ICE's new guidance in Minnesota advises avoiding interactions with protesters and focusing on criminal charges.
The Department of Homeland Security aims to reduce tensions and change enforcement tactics.
A woman wanted to get a tattoo of an insect she and her husband like, but her husband was upset because it reminded him of his failing bug colony hobby. After some discussion and time to think, the husband changed his mind and supported the tattoo idea.
Key Facts
A woman wanted a tattoo of an ember bee isopod on her wrist.
Her husband, who struggles to maintain a bug colony, was upset by this idea.
He initially opposed the tattoo, believing it would remind him of his hobby failures.
After discussing the issue, her husband supported her choice to get the tattoo.
Experts suggest that disagreements in relationships are common and can help growth.
Taking a pause during disagreements can lead to more productive conversations.
The couple resolved their issue through open communication and mutual understanding.
Episode 8 of "The Traitors" Season 4 will be available to watch on Peacock starting February 5, 2026, at 6 pm Pacific Time and 9 pm Eastern Time. The show requires a subscription to Peacock for streaming, with pricing options available. The next episode continues the storyline of strategic games and conflicts among the characters.
Key Facts
Episode 8 of "The Traitors" Season 4 releases on February 5, 2026.
Streaming is available on Peacock at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET.
Peacock subscriptions start at $7.99 per month with ads.
Episode 8 is part of a series released weekly through February 26, 2026.
Previous episodes have been about 68 to 70 minutes long.
"The Traitors" involves strategic deception and conflict among players.
The show is set in a castle with a game that can win up to $250,000.
On January 18, gunmen attacked Kurmin Wali, a village in Nigeria's Kaduna State, kidnapping 177 people. Although initially denied by officials, the national police confirmed the abduction days later and launched a rescue operation. Despite police presence, nearly a quarter of the village's population remains missing.
Key Facts
On January 18, armed gunmen attacked the village of Kurmin Wali in Nigeria's Kaduna State.
The attackers used AK47 rifles and broke into homes and churches to kidnap people.
A total of 177 villagers were taken; 11 managed to escape.
Some officials initially denied the incident, calling it false reporting.
The national police later confirmed the attack and began a security operation to rescue the victims.
The village now has a police presence, but residents feel it is insufficient for protection.
The government committed to establishing permanent safety measures for the villagers.
A horror film about Welsh fairies had to move its filming location from Wales to England due to a smoking ban on sets in Wales. The director explained that smoking is important for the film's characters and story, making it hard to shoot in Wales. Existing rules in England allow smoking for roles, which influenced the decision to relocate filming.
Key Facts
The film features Dev Patel, who plays a Londoner moving to rural Wales.
Filming moved to north Yorkshire because Wales bans smoking on film sets.
The Welsh government suggested using special e-cigarettes, but the team didn't find this suitable.
England allows smoking if required for a role in a film, according to the British Film Commission.
The film has key scenes where characters smoke to express their anxiety.
The film focuses on mythical Welsh fairies and a couple's interaction with them.
Director Bryn Chainey hoped to film in Wales but found it challenging due to the smoking ban.
The production faced setbacks, including losing an ideal filming location in south Wales.
Diplomatic efforts are increasing to prevent a military clash between the United States and Iran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Turkiye for important discussions. Regional leaders are trying to stop a potential conflict.
Key Facts
Efforts are underway to prevent a US-Iran military conflict.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Turkiye for talks.
The goal of the talks is to avoid a military confrontation.
Regional leaders are involved in discussions to prevent war.
Al Jazeera reports on the growing diplomatic activities.
A bride-to-be realized that the costs for her bridal party's involvement in her wedding might be too high when considering expenses like dresses, shoes, travel, and professional beauty services. Discussions on Reddit highlighted the growing trend of brides reconsidering the financial demands placed on their friends. Wedding planners suggest that mandatory costs for the bridal party, such as hair and makeup, should be paid for by the couple if required professionally.
Key Facts
A bride-to-be expressed concerns about asking her bridesmaids to pay for various expenses related to her wedding.
Typical bridesmaid costs include dresses, shoes, travel, hair, and makeup.
Some brides may choose to cover certain costs for their bridal party, especially for professional beauty services.
Wedding planners advise that if professional services are required, the couple should consider covering those expenses.
Bachelorette parties add additional costs, particularly if held as destination events.
On Reddit, some bridesmaids expressed preference for financial support over traditional gifts.
There is uncertainty over who should pay for wedding-related expenses, reflecting broader trends in wedding planning.
Syrian Kurdish forces and the government have agreed to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army. This decision follows a ceasefire and weeks of fighting as the government seeks to regain control in the north of Syria.
Key Facts
Kurdish forces and the Syrian government made a deal to merge the SDF with the Syrian army.
The Syrian government has been fighting the SDF to regain control since overthrowing Bashir al-Assad in December 2024.
A recent ceasefire led to the agreement for phased integration of forces.
Syrian state TV confirmed that this integration process will start immediately.
The Syrian army took large areas of northern territory from the SDF recently.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s leadership has been solidified with the new agreement.
Under the deal, troops will leave the front lines, and government units will enter major cities in the Kurdish areas.
Despite some accusations of ceasefire violations, the peace deal is holding.
