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.
The article discusses how many politicians from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK, such as Sajid Javid and Priti Patel, have taken strong stances on immigration. These politicians have held key roles in the Home Office and have implemented strict immigration policies. The article suggests that political parties may choose minority politicians for these roles to help deflect accusations of racism.
Key Facts
Sajid Javid, the UK's first ethnic minority home secretary, stated that current immigration policies would exclude people like his parents.
Javid and other ethnic minority politicians have focused on limiting immigration to skilled workers and enforcing stricter English-language requirements.
Priti Patel introduced a points-based immigration system and planned a program to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Suella Braverman expressed strong support for deportation policies and desired stricter border control.
Despite tougher rhetoric, overall immigration numbers increased during these politicians’ tenures.
The article suggests parties use minority politicians as "reputational shields" to manage perceptions about immigration policies.
This practice is evident in the Home Office, where non-white politicians have frequently been in charge since 2018.
Labour has also appointed Shabana Mahmood, from an ethnic minority, to a key immigration role, reflecting this trend.
A mother sought advice on Reddit after a teaching assistant made a comment about her five-year-old daughter's shirt, causing her to feel upset. The mother was unsure about the assistant's intentions and wondered if she should address the issue. The Reddit community offered mixed advice, with some suggesting speaking directly to the teacher for clarification.
Key Facts
A mother posted on Reddit because a teaching assistant commented on her daughter's shirt.
The daughter's shirt was new, fit well, and was worn about once a week.
The mother was unsure what the assistant meant and felt concerned about potential implications.
Reddit users advised caution, noting young children might not fully convey the context.
Some suggested discussing it with the teacher to understand the situation better.
This situation highlights a larger issue of concerns parents have about school interactions.
Other stories have shared similar parental concerns about interactions between school staff and children.
Lauren Price, a Welsh boxer, will defend her welterweight world titles against Stephanie Pineiro Aquino of Puerto Rico on April 4 at Cardiff's Utilita Arena. This fight, which marks her return to the ring after a 13-month break, will be broadcast live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Price, an Olympic gold medalist, aims to maintain her unbeaten record in front of her home crowd.
Key Facts
Lauren Price will fight Stephanie Pineiro Aquino in Cardiff on April 4.
The match will be shown live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Price won the WBC and IBF belts in March and hasn't fought since.
Price was the first Welsh boxer to win an Olympic gold medal.
Stephanie Pineiro Aquino is undefeated with 10 wins but has not fought outside Puerto Rico before.
A win for Price could move her closer to becoming the undisputed champion.
The event is notable for being among the few boxing matches shown in prime time on BBC in over 20 years.
Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles. His arrest is connected to his reporting on protests at a Minnesota church related to immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles.
Lemon's arrest is related to his reporting on protests at a Minnesota church.
The protests were about federal immigration enforcement and ICE-related shootings.
Lemon livestreamed a protest that took place at Cities Church in St. Paul.
Demonstrators accused a pastor of managing a local ICE field office.
Lemon's lawyer claims the reporting was protected by the Constitution.
The lawyer says the Justice Department should investigate protester deaths instead.
The UK and China are working to improve their economic relationship after a period of strained diplomacy. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited China, aiming to enhance trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. The visit led to agreements in areas like energy, finance, and technology, as well as reduced tariffs on Scotch whisky.
Key Facts
The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited China, aiming to improve UK-China economic relations.
No large free trade deal was made, but several cooperation agreements were reached.
AstraZeneca announced a $15 billion investment in China to expand medicine manufacturing.
Octopus Energy, a UK company, entered the Chinese market to work on renewable energy projects.
China agreed to halve tariffs on Scotch whisky, potentially boosting UK exports by £250 million.
Visa-free travel for British citizens to China for up to 30 days was established.
The UK and China also agreed to work together on stopping migrant-smuggling networks.
The renewed relations help China show it can be a reliable partner, despite global trade tensions led by US policies.
The Premiership Women's Rugby league is facing challenges in finding a title sponsor despite increased popularity and attendance following the successful Women's Rugby World Cup hosted in England. The league wants a sponsor to help grow further, but tough economic conditions make sponsors cautious. Efforts continue to attract investment by enhancing game-day experiences and building fan bases.
Key Facts
Premiership Women's Rugby league is looking for a title sponsor to help with growth.
England hosted the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, boosting attendance and TV viewers.
A man bought a fisherman wool sweater but found it scratchy, so he asked Reddit for help on how to make it softer. Reddit users shared tips on caring for the sweater, suggesting ways to reduce irritation and maintain the material.
Key Facts
A man bought a fisherman wool sweater on the Vinted platform and found it itchy.
He turned to Reddit to ask for advice on making the wool less harsh.
Reddit users suggested soaking the sweater in cold water with hair conditioner.
They advised against wringing the garment to prevent damage to the fibers.
Some recommended using special wool care products like Sonett Wool Care.
Outback Gold and Unicorn Fibre also make products to condition and soften wool.
On Friday, 16 teams will find out their opponents for the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw. The event starts at 11:00 GMT in Switzerland and pairs teams based on their league phase standings to form seeded and unseeded matchups. The play-off winners will move on to the last 16 stage, where they will face the top eight teams from the league phase.
Key Facts
The draw involves 16 teams who finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase.
Top eight teams from the league phase have already qualified for the last 16.
The draw will determine which pathway, either silver or blue, the teams will follow.
Seeded teams, ranked ninth to 16th, will be paired with unseeded teams, ranked 17th to 24th.
The first legs of the play-offs are on 17 or 18 February, with the second legs a week later.
Play-off winners will advance to face top eight teams in a knockout format.
Upcoming key dates are 27 February for further draws and 30 May for the final.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to increase the power of Ukraine's military to ensure 50,000 Russian losses each month. Ukraine is using drones more effectively and rewarding troops for their military actions. The war, which started in 2022, is currently at a standstill, but Ukraine aims to push back Russian forces further.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy wants to cause 50,000 Russian losses each month to weaken Russian forces.
As of December 2025, Ukraine confirmed 35,000 Russian losses, including those killed or badly injured.
The war between Russia and Ukraine began with a full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022.
Casualty estimates suggest 1.2 million Russian and up to 600,000 Ukrainian victims.
The war is currently at a stalemate, with Russia holding some Ukrainian territories.
Ukraine has improved drone warfare, with drones hitting 80% of their targets.
Ukraine has a reward system for military personnel that includes financial incentives.
Mykhailo Fedorov was appointed as Ukraine's new defense minister to enhance drone production and other military strategies.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has shared its February weather predictions for different regions across the United States. It expects that most areas will experience warmer than usual temperatures, except for the Southeast, Florida, and the Ohio Valley, which might be cooler. Specific weather events such as snowstorms, rain, and sunny periods are predicted at various times throughout February in each region.
Key Facts
The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts warmer-than-usual temperatures for most of the U.S. in February 2026, except in the Southeast, Florida, and Ohio Valley.
The Northeast is expected to have snow, rain, and sunny days with mild weather throughout the month.
The Atlantic Corridor may see a mix of rain, sunshine, and snowstorms, with varying temperatures.
In the Appalachians, snow is predicted in the north and rain in the south, changing to sunny weather with mild temperatures mid-month.
The Southeast will likely experience heavy rains followed by sunny and cooler conditions later.
Florida should expect periods of rain and heavy episodes, with a mix of mild and cooler temperatures.
The Lower Lakes region can anticipate rain and snow showers with mild conditions early in the month, turning chilly later.
The Ohio Valley might face heavy snow and cold weather initially, followed by sunshine, rain, and warmer phases.
A man ordered jeans online from Dillard's, labeled at $59.99 each, but received them with tags showing a price of $37.49. He contacted Dillard's customer service for a price adjustment but did not receive a clear response. He eventually received a refund and bought similar jeans elsewhere at a lower cost.
Key Facts
A customer bought jeans online from Dillard's for $59.99 each.
When the jeans arrived, the tags showed a price of $37.49.
Customer service provided an unclear response about a possible refund or price match.
Reddit users suggested returning the jeans for a price adjustment.
Stores often fulfill online orders from local store inventory, which can lead to price discrepancies.
Customers may be entitled to a refund of the price difference if they act quickly, often within 14 days.
Some credit cards offer partial refunds if the item goes on sale soon after purchase.
The customer eventually received a refund and bought cheaper jeans elsewhere.
Visa has partnered with President Donald Trump to offer a new investment account for children called the "Trump Account." This initiative allows Visa cardholders to direct credit card rewards into these accounts, aimed at building savings for children. The announcement has sparked online criticism and calls for a boycott, with some accusing Visa of political alignment with Trump.
Key Facts
Visa is collaborating with President Trump on a new investment account for children called the "Trump Account."
The account allows cardholders to use credit card rewards to save for their children's futures.
The announcement was viewed over 11 million times on X and received mixed reactions.
Some social media users are calling for a boycott of Visa, claiming political alignment with Trump.
The Trump Accounts are for children born in the U.S. between 2025-2028 and come with an initial $1,000.
Visa states this initiative supports financial inclusion and education.
The Trump Account initiative has received bipartisan support and is IRS approved.
The accounts aim to promote long-term investments and financial security for children.
