Newcastle will face Qarabag in a two-legged play-off for a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. The first matches will occur on February 17-18, 2026, with the return games a week later. Qarabag has never beaten a Premier League team in previous matches.
Key Facts
Newcastle will play Qarabag in the Champions League play-offs.
The play-offs determine who reaches the last 16, featuring teams placed 9th to 24th.
Newcastle recently drew 1-1 with Paris St-Germain.
Qarabag finished 22nd in the league phase.
The first legs of the play-offs are on February 17-18, 2026.
The second legs will be played one week after the first.
Qarabag drew 2-2 with Chelsea, marking their best result against an English team.
The 2025-26 Champions League final will be held at Puskas Arena in Budapest.
An Italian court started a trial for four police officers and two coastguard members over their actions during a 2023 shipwreck that killed at least 94 migrants. The trial, taking place in Crotone, involves charges of involuntary manslaughter and negligent handling of the shipwreck. The boat was coming from Turkiye and carried people from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Syria when it crashed.
Key Facts
The trial is happening in the southern Italian city of Crotone.
The shipwreck took place on February 26, 2023.
At least 94 migrants died in the crash, including 35 children.
The accused face charges of involuntary manslaughter and "culpable shipwreck."
Prosecutors say police failed to provide the coastguard with important information.
The European Union's Frontex agency saw the ship struggling and alerted authorities.
The boat was carrying migrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Syria.
The trial is viewed as a broader critique of the Italian government's immigration policies.
President Donald Trump is seeing a drop in support among Republicans, based on new polling data. The Pew Research Center conducted a broad national survey showing that fewer Republicans are backing Trump's policies and leadership.
Key Facts
The Pew Research Center conducted a national survey involving 8,512 adults.
Support for all or most of Trump's policies among Republicans dropped from 67% to 56%.
Pew Research findings indicate a decline in confidence in Trump's ethical behavior, from 55% to 42% among Republicans.
Republican belief in Trump's respect for democratic values fell from 60% to 52%.
Only 27% of all Americans support all or most of Trump's policies, down from 35% last year.
Confidence in Trump's mental fitness among Republicans decreased from 75% to 66%.
61% of Republicans now say GOP lawmakers do not have to automatically support Trump's policies, up from 55% last year.
The survey was conducted in January 2026 with a 92% response rate.
In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, a measles outbreak has emerged, marking one of the largest in the U.S. since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. The outbreak involves mostly unvaccinated school-aged children, and has stirred concerns as vaccination rates decline, potentially jeopardizing herd immunity.
Key Facts
A measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, involves 789 cases, primarily in unvaccinated children.
It's the largest U.S. measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
The U.S. could lose its "eliminated" status due to outbreaks in several states.
Measles vaccination rates in Spartanburg are about 90% for school-aged children, with some schools having lower rates due to religious exemptions.
The U.S. recommends two MMR vaccine doses for children, which are 97% effective at preventing measles.
Two children died in a Texas measles outbreak last year.
Herd immunity requires about 95% of the population to be vaccinated to prevent the disease's spread.
State Senator Josh Kimbrell has voiced concerns over the outbreak threatening vaccinated individuals.
The Trump administration arrested journalist Don Lemon during a protest in Minnesota, leading to claims that this action violated the First Amendment, which protects press freedom. Lemon was detained with other individuals, but there are disputes about whether he was acting as a protester or reporter at the event.
Key Facts
Journalist Don Lemon was arrested during a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Federal agents connected his arrest to a protest where an ICE office director serves as pastor.
Lemon's attorney argued he was there as a journalist, not as a protester.
Two courts have dismissed charges against Lemon due to lack of evidence.
Legal and media voices claim the arrest threatens press freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
President Trump and his administration have criticized media outlets in the past.
No specific charges against Lemon have been announced.
Democratic lawmakers and fellow journalists have expressed concern over the arrest.
The U.S. Department of Justice released more documents from its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. These documents are part of ongoing disclosures required by law to reveal what the government knew about Epstein's activities and his connections to influential people. The process involves reviewing millions of pages, with some content redacted to protect sensitive information.
Key Facts
The Justice Department released more records related to Epstein, meeting legal requirements.
The release is under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which demands the government reveal what it knew about Epstein.
There are about 5.2 million pages of records being reviewed, including duplicates.
A recent release included photos, interview transcripts, phone logs, and court records.
Documents confirmed Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet in the 1990s.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges.
Epstein previously served jail time in Florida after a guilty plea to state charges in 2008-2009.
Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a large set of its investigative records on Jeffrey Epstein after delays. The release follows the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the DOJ to publish all unclassified materials related to Epstein. The DOJ did not meet the initial deadline, releasing only a small fraction of the documents by that time.
Key Facts
The DOJ released new investigative records on Jeffrey Epstein.
These documents are required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Act became law on November 19 and set a 30-day deadline for releasing documents.
The DOJ missed the deadline and has so far released 12,285 files.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for the slow release of these files.
The documents include millions of pages of records.
Calls for investigations and penalties against the DOJ and its leadership have arisen due to delays.
A study by Cloudwards has identified the top 10 U.S. cities for watching the Super Bowl, based on factors like local football culture, social settings, and food and streaming options. The cities vary in their mix of strengths, such as strong fan culture, bar availability, and internet quality. Atlanta, Georgia, ranks as the top city due to its robust football culture and numerous sports bars.
Key Facts
Cloudwards conducted a study to find the best U.S. cities to watch the Super Bowl.
The study considered football culture, social settings, food access, and streaming quality.
Atlanta, Georgia, ranked first, praised for its strong football culture and sports bars.
Glendale, Arizona, known for hosting Super Bowls, ranked second.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is highlighted for its nightlife and bar scene.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for its strong local football identity.
Tampa, Florida, benefits from recent Buccaneers' success.
Internet speed varied, with Arlington, Texas, having one of the best infrastructures.
Hasan Piker, a streamer known for progressive views, was suspended from Twitch after making comments about ICE actions related to anti-Israel sentiment. It is unclear why Twitch banned him or how long the ban will last. Piker plans to stream on YouTube during the Twitch suspension.
Key Facts
Hasan Piker was suspended from Twitch, a popular streaming platform.
The suspension relates to comments he made linking ICE actions to anti-Israel protests.
Piker used inflammatory language, including phrases like "Zionist pigs."
It is not clear which Twitch rules Piker violated.
Piker plans to stream on YouTube while banned from Twitch.
Twitch's rules prohibit hateful or inflammatory content.
Piker claims he was banned for criticizing Israel.
ICE’s involvement in U.S. immigration actions has been controversial.
Starbucks introduced its spring menu for 2026, which includes new drinks and snacks with various flavor options like ube and coconut. The company also announced changes to its rewards program, featuring a tiered system that will affect how customers earn and use points. The spring menu will start on March 3, 2026, and the rewards program changes will roll out the same month.
Key Facts
Starbucks' new menu offers customizable chai, coconut, and lavender beverage options.
The menu introduces new flavors such as ube and sugar-free caramel.
The spring menu becomes available on March 3, 2026.
Starbucks revamped its rewards program to include Green, Gold, and Reserve tiers.
Members earn Stars based on their tier and purchase amounts, impacting how they redeem points.
The rewards update affects 35.5 million U.S. members.
New rewards features include "Free Mod Mondays" for free drink customizations and extra benefits linked with Delta and Marriott programs.
The updated program was announced at Starbucks' 2026 Investor Day.
Astronomers might have found a new planet similar in size to Earth orbiting a star about 146 light-years away. The planet, named HD 137010 b, is very cold due to its star being cooler and dimmer than our Sun. More research is needed to confirm the discovery.
Key Facts
The planet is called HD 137010 b and is an exoplanet candidate.
It orbits a star similar to the Sun but cooler and dimmer.
The planet's temperature might be around -90 degrees Fahrenheit.
It could lie within a zone where liquid water can form, but its atmosphere must contain a lot of carbon dioxide to retain heat.
HD 137010 b has a 40% chance of being in the "conservative" habitable zone and a 51% chance of being in a more "optimistic" habitable zone.
It was identified using NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope data from a single "transit" event.
Further observations are necessary to confirm if HD 137010 b is an actual planet.
There is a disagreement between the White House and Michael and Susan Dell about a donation to the Trump Accounts. The White House says the Dells' $6.25 billion donation is additional to a $1,000 government contribution for children born between late 2024 and early 2029. The donation is meant to help children who don’t qualify for government funds.
Key Facts
The White House says each American child born after December 31, 2024, and before January 1, 2029, will get a $1,000 government deposit in a Trump Account.
Michael and Susan Dell announced a $6.25 billion donation, giving $250 each to children under 10 in select zip codes.
There is a disagreement about whether the Dells' donation is separate from or in addition to the government funds.
Trump Accounts are set to launch in July and aim to provide financial support to children.
The government estimates Trump Accounts will generate strong returns over time.
The Dells' donation targets children born before qualifying dates for government contributions.
President Trump supports the initiative, highlighting potential long-term benefits.
A viral video shows a senior dog named Hercules helping his owner, Brittany Fisher, reveal the gender of her unborn baby. The emotional event took place at their family home, and many people on TikTok appreciated the inclusion of the beloved pet.
Key Facts
Brittany Fisher used her 14-year-old dog, Hercules, to reveal her baby's gender in a viral TikTok video.
Hercules dug into a dog-friendly cake to show Brittany is having a baby boy.
Brittany lives in Connecticut with her fiancé, Chase Busenbark.
The moment is significant because Hercules has been with Brittany through important life events.
The video has over 125,000 views on TikTok, with many users sharing positive comments.
People expressed how meaningful it is to include a senior pet in such family milestones.
Brittany plans to keep Hercules involved in future family moments, including their upcoming wedding.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to a temporary funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with President Trump's administration. This deal aims to avoid a government shutdown but has upset some progressives who disagree with providing funding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to recent controversies.
Key Facts
Chuck Schumer is the Senate Democratic Leader.
The funding deal aims to avert a government shutdown by temporarily funding DHS for two weeks.
The deal has upset some progressives who oppose funding ICE without reforms.
ICE has faced scrutiny after federal officers shot two American citizens in Minnesota.
The House of Representatives passed the DHS funding bill with limited Democratic support.
Discussions include reforms such as requiring ICE agents to have warrants and wear body cameras.
President Trump supports the deal, encouraging bipartisan cooperation to fund the government.
ICE previously received significant funding under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
A human rights lawyer criticized House Democrats for a social media post that mourned the deaths of two individuals in Minneapolis but did not mention others who died in incidents involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this year. The lawyer argued that all deaths connected to ICE should have equal acknowledgment. Tensions are already high in Minneapolis due to ongoing federal investigations and deportation operations.
Key Facts
Lawyer Qasim Rashid criticized House Democrats for their social media post about two deaths.
The post did not mention other deaths linked to ICE in 2026.
Rashid says nine people have died due to ICE this year.
House Democrats asked for an independent investigation into the two deaths.
Tensions are rising in Minneapolis due to recent incidents and operations.
Rashid and others are calling for more comprehensive public acknowledgment of all ICE-related deaths.
The situation is gaining attention on social media, where users express varying opinions.
A survey by the Partnership for Public Service found low trust in political leadership among employees at U.S. immigration agencies, CBP and ICE, during President Trump's current administration. The survey shows employees lack confidence in leadership integrity and fear retaliation for reporting issues. There is concern about the work culture and employee protections in these federal agencies.
Key Facts
The survey took place from November 10 to December 19, 2025.
Only 21% of CBP employees and 9% of ICE employees trust their political leaders.
Trust levels in leadership at the agencies are about 20% for CBP and 12% for ICE.
Few employees believe they can report issues without fear of retaliation (23% for CBP, 18% for ICE).
Less than a quarter of CBP and about 20% of ICE respondents feel their work quality has improved.
The survey involved 1,121 Department of Homeland Security employees, including 395 from CBP and 56 from ICE.
The survey followed the cancellation of the 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey by the Trump administration.
The White House has distanced itself from administration comments describing a shooting victim as a "domestic terrorist."
A pregnant woman in Mozambique gave birth during severe flooding that has caused widespread displacement. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes, and aid agencies are working to reach those cut off by the water.
Key Facts
Severe flooding in Mozambique has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
A pregnant woman gave birth during the flooding.
Many areas are isolated, making it hard for aid workers to access them.
The flooding has resulted in significant humanitarian needs.
Efforts are underway to provide assistance to affected populations.
NASA is watching several asteroids that will come close to Earth soon. The largest asteroid, estimated to be about 1,640 feet wide, has a small chance of hitting Earth far in the future. Most of these space rocks are too far away to cause any harm now.
Key Facts
NASA tracks an asteroid named 2022 OC3 that is about 24 feet wide and will pass Earth at 311,000 miles away.
A different asteroid, called 2026 BK, will pass at 2,310,000 miles from Earth.
More asteroids will pass Earth soon, including 2023 RX1 within 2,090,000 miles, 2026 BF1 at 2,630,000 miles, and 2025 YQ12 at 2,860,000 miles.
Small asteroids, up to 30 feet wide, hit Earth about once every ten years, usually causing only minor disturbances like bright lights and noise.
An asteroid named 2024 YR4 was previously thought to have a chance to hit Earth in 2032; however, it is now considered unlikely.
Large asteroid Bennu has a one-in-2,700 chance of impacting Earth in 2182, possibly causing severe effects if it did.
Scientists from Pusan National University in South Korea studied Bennu's potential impact, predicting significant environmental changes if a collision occurs.
The U.S. Justice Department has released more than 3 million pages of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, a financier accused of sexually abusing young girls. This release is part of ongoing efforts to disclose what the government knew about Epstein's activities. The documents are being made public under a law created after public and political pressure.
Key Facts
The Justice Department released over 3 million pages of Epstein-related files.
These releases are part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates government disclosure.
The documents include photographs, interviews, call logs, and court records.
Flight logs in the documents show that President Donald Trump flew on Epstein's private jet in the 1990s.
Both Trump and former President Clinton are named in the files but are not accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 after being indicted on sex trafficking charges.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein, was convicted of sex trafficking and is serving a 20-year sentence.
The Justice Department continues to review documents to redact sensitive information before public release.
Amedspor FC, a football club in Turkey's Kurdish-majority region, received a fine from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for "ideological propaganda" supporting Kurdish forces in Syria. The fine was 802,500 Turkish lira (about $18,500), and the club president got a 15-day ban from football activities. The punishment was linked to a social media post featuring a Kurdish slogan.
Key Facts
Amedspor FC is a Kurdish football team based in Diyarbakir, Turkey.
The club was fined about $18,500 by the TFF for making propaganda supporting Kurdish forces.
The club's president received a 15-day suspension from football activities.
The issue involved a 20-second video clip on social media using a Kurdish slogan.
The Kurdish slogan in the video means "Woman, life, freedom" in English.
Hair braiding has become symbolic support for Syrian Kurds amid regional conflicts.
Amedspor FC is at the top of Turkey's second division and could move to the top league for the first time.
