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.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye missed the start of practice before the Super Bowl due to a shoulder injury. While considered precautionary, any injury at this stage is significant, especially with Maye's important role in the team's success this season.
Key Facts
Drake Maye plays quarterback for the New England Patriots.
He missed the start of practice due to a shoulder injury.
The injury is seen as precautionary for now.
Maye is a key player and has played a major role in getting the team to the Super Bowl.
He has had an outstanding season with 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
The Patriots are preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
Journalist Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents after he covered a protest at a Minnesota church against ICE. Despite a judge rejecting an earlier attempt to prosecute him, there was significant backlash from conservative figures.
Key Facts
Don Lemon, a journalist, was arrested by federal agents in Minnesota.
The arrest happened after Lemon covered an anti-ICE protest at a church.
A judge previously rejected the Department of Justice's attempt to charge Lemon due to lack of evidence.
Lemon faced criticism from conservative politicians and influencers after his coverage.
His lawyer criticized the arrest, calling it an attack on free speech.
The statement mentioned that federal agents had previously killed two protesters in Minnesota.
Lemon's arrest is seen by his lawyer as a diversion from other issues facing the administration.
This is a developing story, with updates expected.
Carlos Alcaraz won a dramatic match against Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semi-final. During the match, Alcaraz took a medical timeout, which led to some controversy as Zverev accused officials of favoritism. Alcaraz denied breaking any rules and advanced to his first Australian Open final.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz played against Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semi-final.
Alcaraz took a medical timeout for what appeared to be cramping, which is usually not allowed for just muscle spasms under Grand Slam rules.
Players can take a three-minute timeout for injuries or illness but not for cramping, which is seen as a conditioning issue.
Alcaraz lost the third set but eventually won the match in five sets.
Alexander Zverev was upset about the medical timeout but later acknowledged the quality of the match.
Alcaraz will compete in the final against either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest man to win the career Grand Slam, which means winning all four major tournaments in tennis.
Don Lemon, a former CNN host, was arrested for entering a church in Minnesota with protesters who were against immigration enforcement. He was later detained by federal agents in Los Angeles.
Key Facts
Don Lemon is a former host on CNN.
He was arrested after entering a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, with protesters.
The protest at the church was against a pastor believed to be an ICE official.
Lemon was taken into custody in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards.
His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, stated Lemon plans to contest the charges in court.
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. government agency.
The news on this incident is still developing, with more details expected.
Catherine O'Hara, an actress best known for her roles in "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek," has died at 71. Her manager confirmed her death, but the cause has not been shared publicly.
Key Facts
Catherine O'Hara was an actress known for "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek."
She passed away at the age of 71.
Her manager confirmed her death to People and Variety.
The cause of her death has not been released.
Tributes for O'Hara are appearing on social media.
This is a continuing news story, and updates may become available.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke at a charity event in Spain. He showed support for Palestinian children in Gaza and criticized the lack of global response to their suffering.
Key Facts
Pep Guardiola is the manager of Manchester City, a soccer team.
He spoke at a charity event in Spain.
During the event, Guardiola wore a keffiyeh, a scarf often associated with Palestinian solidarity.
He expressed support for Palestinian children in Gaza.
Guardiola criticized global silence regarding the issues faced by Palestinian children.
Florida is preparing for unusually cold weather, including possible snow flurries, as winter storms hit many parts of the United States. While Florida is less affected compared to other states, residents and wildlife are taking precautions due to the cold temperatures.
Key Facts
Florida expects cold weather this weekend, with temperatures potentially dropping into the 30s Fahrenheit in South Florida.
There's a 10 to 20% chance of snow flurries in the Tampa Bay area, though no major accumulation is expected.
The cold weather is part of a larger winter storm affecting the Midwest and South, including a cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean.
Residents in South Florida are advised to wear layers and limit time outdoors due to the cold.
Despite the cold, events like the Gasparilla Pirate Fest and a hockey game in Tampa are still scheduled to occur.
Many attractions, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, will remain open, though their water parks will be closed.
Florida zoos are taking measures to protect animals from the cold, such as providing heaters and moving animals indoors.
Non-native animals like iguanas may enter a torpid state or fall from trees due to the cold.
Jon Gruden, who once coached the Las Vegas Raiders, denied he was offered a job as the New York Jets offensive coordinator. The Jets are searching for a new offensive coordinator after a poor 2025 season and are considering other candidates. Frank Reich is a top candidate for the role.
Key Facts
Jon Gruden was a former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gruden left the NFL in 2021 after his resignation due to a leaked emails scandal.
He denied receiving a job offer from the New York Jets for the offensive coordinator position.
The New York Jets are looking for an experienced offensive play caller to improve their performance.
The Jets struggled offensively in the 2025 season and are undergoing staff changes.
Frank Reich, a former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, is a leading candidate for the Jets' offensive coordinator position.
The Jets must comply with the Rooney Rule, which ensures minority candidates are considered for head coaching jobs.
The National Weather Service has issued extreme cold warnings in Florida due to an arctic blast. This cold wave could help control invasive species like Burmese pythons that harm local ecosystems. Animals like iguanas and alligators may also be affected by the freezing temperatures.
Key Facts
Florida is experiencing an arctic blast that will lower temperatures significantly.
This weather event can help reduce the number of Burmese pythons, a harmful invasive species in Florida.
Burmese pythons negatively impact the local wildlife, including raccoons and bobcats.
The cold can cause iguanas to lose muscle control and fall from trees.
Alligators become less active at temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
The extreme cold could feel like single digits when wind chill is factored in.
Cold temperatures may break records in some Florida areas.
People need to take precautions to protect themselves, pets, and plants from the cold.
