Jersey's retail price index, a measure of inflation on the island, rose by 2.8% in 2025. This increase was due to higher prices in food, leisure, motoring, and household services, despite a significant decrease from its peak of 12.7% in March 2023.
Key Facts
Jersey's retail price index (RPI) increased by 2.8% in 2025.
This RPI measures inflation, or how much prices have risen.
Food prices were a big part of the increase, with beef prices going up by 25.9%.
Coffee and cocoa prices rose by 13.8%, and butter by 12.2%.
Some items like bacon, cereals, and processed fish became cheaper.
Leisure services, including entertainment and off-island holidays, largely contributed to inflation.
Travel costs increased by 5.6% and leisure services by 5.2%.
Motoring costs rose by 4.3%, and household service bills increased by 3.3%.
The Denver Broncos had a strong 2025 NFL season but lost in the AFC Championship Game due to their quarterback Bo Nix's ankle injury. As the offseason approaches, there are rumors about the Broncos being interested in signing wide receiver George Pickens, who had an impressive season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Key Facts
The Denver Broncos finished their 2025 NFL season in the AFC Championship Game, losing to the New England Patriots.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
The upcoming NFL offseason could see the Broncos looking to strengthen their team.
Wide receiver George Pickens, currently with the Dallas Cowboys, is being suggested as a potential target for the Broncos.
Pickens had a standout 2025 season with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Signing Pickens is projected to cost about $122.4 million for a four-year contract.
Other teams also interested in Pickens include the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens.
President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as the head of the Federal Reserve. Warsh, a former Federal Reserve Governor, was chosen after a long search and is expected to face a challenging Senate confirmation. There is controversy around the nomination, with discussions about Federal Reserve independence and ongoing investigations.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to be the next Federal Reserve Chair.
Jerome Powell is the current Chair, and his term ends in May.
The Federal Reserve influences interest rates and regulates banks in the United States.
There is a Senate investigation into Powell and his actions, creating tension around the nomination.
Some lawmakers believe Trump is trying to influence the Fed's independence.
Kevin Warsh has previously served as a member of the Federal Reserve's board.
Warsh has expressed views in favor of lower interest rates.
If confirmed, Warsh’s confirmation process may face significant challenges in the Senate.
Joe Flacco, a 41-year-old NFL quarterback, was selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Flacco has played for multiple teams and will represent the Cincinnati Bengals in the Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco.
Key Facts
Joe Flacco is a quarterback who is 41 years old.
He has played for five different NFL teams since leaving the Baltimore Ravens.
Flacco won a Super Bowl with the Ravens earlier in his career.
He was selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time.
Flacco played for both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals during the latest campaign.
He threw for 2,479 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.
Flacco will participate in the Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco next week.
He will represent the Bengals alongside teammates Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
An owner named Jake Fitz buried his cat, Sweet Pea, after she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Fitz's kitten, Franklin, was seen mourning on the grave, which touched many people when he shared the moment online. Cats, like Franklin, can show signs of mourning when they lose a companion.
Key Facts
Jake Fitz's cat, Sweet Pea, was 18 years old when she passed away.
Fitz buried Sweet Pea in his yard after saying his goodbyes.
The United States and Iran are experiencing rising tensions, and several countries are engaging in diplomatic efforts to prevent a potential conflict. President Trump has threatened military action against Iran unless it curbs its nuclear and missile programs. Tehran, meanwhile, stresses its readiness to defend itself and continues diplomatic talks with neighboring countries.
Key Facts
President Trump has threatened to use military force against Iran to pressure them into limiting their nuclear and missile development.
A US naval fleet, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, has been sent to the Middle East for regional security.
Protests in Iran over economic issues have led to broader challenges against the government, influencing the recent rise in tensions.
Iran has increased its military capabilities by adding 1,000 new drones to its forces.
Tehran has stated it is not willing to negotiate under threats but is open to dialogue if conditions allow.
Iran is conducting diplomatic talks with Turkey and Pakistan to reduce tensions and strengthen ties with neighbors.
Deng Majek, an asylum seeker, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 29 years for murdering Rhiannon Whyte in Walsall, UK. Majek attacked Whyte with a screwdriver at a train station, resulting in her death three days later. The exact reason for the attack remains unknown.
Key Facts
Deng Majek, an asylum seeker, was sentenced to life in prison with at least 29 years before parole eligibility.
He murdered Rhiannon Whyte, a hotel worker, by stabbing her 23 times with a screwdriver at Bescot Stadium railway station.
The attack occurred in October 2024, and Whyte died in the hospital three days later.
CCTV footage showed Majek dancing and laughing afterward.
Whyte was on her way home after finishing her work shift when the attack happened.
No motive for the attack was established during the trial.
Majek arrived in the UK three months prior to the attack on a small boat.
Nikola Jokic, a player for the Denver Nuggets, plans to return to the court on Friday after recovering from a knee injury. The Nuggets will play against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have been performing well recently. Jokic had been a leading candidate for the MVP award before his injury.
Key Facts
Nikola Jokic will return to play for the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Jokic was recovering from a knee injury he suffered on December 29.
Before his injury, Jokic was a favorite for the MVP award.
The Nuggets have played well without Jokic, recording a 9-5 record during his absence.
The Nuggets currently hold the third seed in the Western Conference with a 32-16 record.
The Los Angeles Clippers, their opponents on Friday, have won nine of their last ten games.
A win against the Clippers could move the Nuggets to the second seed in the conference.
Alexander Zverev criticized officials for allowing Carlos Alcaraz to take a medical timeout during their long semifinal match at the Australian Open. Alcaraz received treatment for a leg issue, which Zverev believed was just cramping. Alcaraz eventually won the match, advancing to the tournament final.
Key Facts
Alexander Zverev lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open semifinal.
The match lasted five hours and 27 minutes.
Officials allowed Alcaraz a medical timeout for a leg issue during the match.
Zverev argued that Alcaraz's issue was cramping, which usually doesn't permit timeouts.
Alcaraz won the match in five sets with scores of 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), and 7-5.
Zverev expressed his frustration during the match and in a post-match news conference.
This match was particularly demanding physically for both players.
Zverev reflected on his performance, hoping for a better year ahead.
Lindsey Vonn, a U.S. skier, crashed during a race in Switzerland and was taken to the hospital. The race was called off due to safety concerns after multiple skiers had accidents. Vonn stated her goal to compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics remains unchanged.
Key Facts
Lindsey Vonn crashed during a race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
The race was part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
Adverse conditions led to the race being cancelled.
Vonn injured her left knee but aims to compete in the Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympics will start on February 6, with the downhill event on February 8.
Vonn had previously returned to skiing after several injuries and surgeries.
Another skier, Marte Monsen, also crashed and needed assistance.
The governing body FIS stopped the race due to safety concerns and poor visibility.
A shoe company known for making baby shoes worn by British royal children is close to shutting down due to high costs and low demand. The company's owners are trying to find a buyer to keep the business going. The firm, which has been operating for over 70 years, struggles with increasing expenses and economic challenges.
Key Facts
The shoe company produced shoes worn by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The business is based in Leicester, UK, and known for the brands Early Days and Baypod.
The company faces financial trouble due to decreased customer demand and higher business costs.
The owners, Paul Bolton and his brother, are seeking a buyer to save the company.
The firm previously saw a sales boost when Prince George was pictured wearing its shoes.
Rising energy costs, material prices, wage increases, and taxes are adding financial pressure.
The company once employed over 100 people but now only has 10 employees.
Current shoe prices start at £12.99, with royal-endorsed shoes priced at £32 a pair.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering a significant trade to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. To make the trade happen, the Lakers might offer draft picks and players like Austin Reaves and others. The success of the trade depends on Giannis's interest in joining the Lakers and the Bucks' evaluation of the offered players.
Key Facts
The Lakers previously made a major trade to get Luka Doncic by trading a first-round pick and Anthony Davis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a highly sought-after player, with many teams interested in trading for him.
The Lakers would need to offer all their draft picks and swaps available to the Bucks.
Young player Austin Reaves might be included in the trade, although his willingness to move is essential.
Other players like Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and Maxi Kleber would also be part of the trade deal.
The Lakers would potentially acquire Giannis along with his brothers Thanasis and Alex.
The NBA trade deadline is set for February 5 at 3 p.m. ET.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kyiv for talks but refused to visit Moscow or Belarus for a meeting. Zelenskyy described Russia as an aggressor and called Belarus a partner in their actions. Talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the US, are ongoing with efforts focused on de-escalation.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy invited President Putin to Kyiv for talks.
Zelenskyy refused to go to Moscow or Belarus for a meeting.
US-mediated negotiations are happening between Ukraine and Russia.
A second round of these talks is planned for Sunday but the date and location might change.
President Trump requested Putin not to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure for a week during cold weather, and Putin agreed.
Russia wants Ukrainian forces to withdraw from a part of the Donetsk region.
There’s discussion about deploying international peacekeepers in Ukraine after the war.
John Harbaugh, after being let go from the Baltimore Ravens, has become the head coach of the New York Giants. He may bring some former Ravens players to the Giants, including All-Pro offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum. The Giants are looking to improve their offensive line, which struggled last season.
Key Facts
John Harbaugh was fired by the Baltimore Ravens and is now the head coach of the New York Giants.
The Giants had a challenging season and need to rebuild their team.
Tyler Linderbaum, an All-Pro offensive lineman, is a potential target for Harbaugh to bring to the Giants.
Linderbaum has performed well and been selected for the Pro Bowl three times.
The Giants' offensive line allowed 48 sacks last season, indicating a need for improvement.
Jaxson Dart is the Giants' rookie quarterback, and better protection from the offensive line is crucial for his success.
Harbaugh values strong performance in the offensive line, which is important for the Giants' future success.
New files from the Justice Department and FBI include tips and allegations about President Donald Trump and others related to Jeffrey Epstein, but most were not found credible. The documents mention Trump over 80 times, and investigators found that many claims were not backed up by evidence and resulted in no charges.
Key Facts
The Justice Department released documents related to allegations tied to Jeffrey Epstein, mentioning President Trump over 80 times.
Many of the allegations involving Trump were deemed not credible and led to no legal action.
The records were part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act release.
Claims against Trump included allegations of sexual misconduct, but investigators could not corroborate them.
The documents were made up of tips submitted to the FBI's National Threat Operations Center, which are often unverified.
Deputy Attorney General stated the department is not protecting President Trump during the release of these files.
No charges were brought against Trump based on the allegations in these documents.
Other public figures were also named in the documents, but no actionable charges emerged.
Shedeur Sanders, a rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, spent much of his first NFL season as a backup. Former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, now with the Falcons, praised Sanders' development despite him not getting many first-team practice reps. Both Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel had to learn quickly with limited practice time, affecting their performance.
Key Facts
Shedeur Sanders was a fifth-round rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders did not receive many first-team practice reps because Dillon Gabriel was the starting quarterback.
Kevin Stefanski was the Cleveland Browns head coach and is now with the Atlanta Falcons.
Stefanski publicly praised both Sanders and Gabriel for their growth during their rookie seasons.
Both quarterbacks faced challenges in learning complex NFL playbooks with limited practice time.
Sanders and Gabriel had to develop timing and chemistry with the team under challenging conditions.
The Browns lost several games with both Sanders and Gabriel playing as quarterbacks.
Congress is working quickly to pass budget bills to avoid a government shutdown. A proposed law, the End Government Shutdowns Act, aims to keep the government running automatically if Congress doesn't finish the budget on time. This law would gradually reduce funding until all budget bills are passed.
Key Facts
Congress faces a deadline to pass budget bills to avoid a government shutdown.
There is disagreement over the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
Government shutdowns have previously cost taxpayers nearly $4 billion.
Shutdowns can reduce the economy's growth rate by 0.2% each week.
Political disagreements often stall budget agreements.
The End Government Shutdowns Act would allow continued funding at reduced levels.
Funding would decrease by 1% every 30 days without a new budget.
The proposed law aims to maintain government services while Congress negotiates a long-term solution.
Analysts warn that Israel faces a challenging future due to internal divisions and demographic changes. They suggest that political polarization and economic challenges could threaten Israel's stability if the country continues on its current path. Some experts highlight that without significant change, Israel might not remain the same type of state in the coming decades.
Key Facts
Analysts predict that Israel's current path could lead to instability and possible changes in its state structure.
Political polarization within Israel is contributing to these concerns.
Many secular Israelis, including tech industry leaders, are leaving the country.
The religious Zionist and ultra-Orthodox communities are growing rapidly but contribute less economically compared to secular groups.
A loss of confidence from investors both domestically and internationally is noted.
Former Israeli officials suggest Israel might not reach its 100th anniversary if current trends continue.
Key societal divisions are among liberal secular Jews, religious Jews, and those advocating equal rights for Jews and Palestinians.
Maintaining a strong core workforce in technology and other sectors is considered crucial for Israel's future.
Lindsey Vonn, an American Alpine skier, was injured in a crash during a pre-Olympic event in Switzerland. She hurt her left knee but hasn't ruled out competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. She is currently being evaluated by doctors and has shared her determination to make a comeback.
Key Facts
Lindsey Vonn crashed during a World Cup downhill race in Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Her left knee was injured when she lost balance during the race.
Vonn was one of three skiers who crashed, and the event was canceled due to poor lighting and conditions.
Vonn was airlifted for medical observation but completed her run despite the injury.
She has won three Olympic medals and is a four-time World Cup overall champion.
Vonn expressed her hope to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics and is undergoing further medical exams.
