The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) policy started on July 1, 2021, allowing college athletes to earn money from sponsorships and endorsements. This change has significantly impacted college football, as athletes now navigate deals similar to those seen in the NFL. A team called LIFT Sports Management aims to support student-athletes financially and help them develop for future careers.
Key Facts
The NIL policy began on July 1, 2021, allowing college athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness.
Quinn Ewers, a highly rated quarterback, was one of the first to benefit significantly from NIL opportunities.
Ewers attracted sponsorship deals with big brands like EA Sports, Uber, and Hulu.
The change has made college sports resemble a form of NFL free agency, with players moving between schools more freely.
LIFT Sports Management, including figures like Ron Slavin and Rich Scangarello, focuses on helping athletes succeed financially and professionally.
The organization aims to address the challenges quarterbacks face due to frequent transfers and financial pressures.
The NIL policy has altered how college athletes and universities interact, emphasizing revenue generation from endorsements.
A dog named Blue, a shepherd-husky mix, was left in a busy animal shelter in Fresno, California. He is struggling to adjust to the noisy environment, which is affecting his well-being. The video of Blue's situation has gained attention on social media, highlighting the broader issue of homeless pets in U.S. shelters.
Key Facts
Blue is a shepherd-husky mix in a crowded shelter in Fresno, California.
He is having difficulty adjusting to the loud and chaotic shelter environment.
TikTok video of Blue has gone viral, bringing attention to his situation.
Blue is friendly with both dogs and cats but needs time to adjust due to shyness.
He is described as loyal and loving once he trusts people.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that about 6 million homeless pets enter U.S. shelters each year.
In 2024, over 607,000 animals were euthanized in shelters, partly due to space constraints.
Blue has been in the shelter for months despite his positive traits.
Amazon plans to cut 16,000 more jobs, adding to the 14,000 already cut recently. The company is focusing on improving efficiency by reducing staff in certain areas while continuing to hire for other important roles.
Key Facts
Amazon announced it will cut 16,000 more jobs.
This follows a previous reduction of 14,000 jobs three months ago.
The cuts are part of efforts to become more efficient by using fewer employees.
Amazon's recent layoffs affect teams that weren't reorganized in the October cuts.
The company mentions using artificial intelligence (AI) and addressing post-pandemic over-hiring as reasons for the cuts.
Amazon plans to keep hiring and investing in important areas for its future growth.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was sprayed with a foul-smelling liquid during a town hall event in Minneapolis. The incident occurred as she was criticizing federal immigration authorities, including ICE. The man responsible was quickly restrained and arrested.
Key Facts
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall in Minneapolis.
A man rushed the stage and sprayed Omar with an unknown, foul-smelling liquid using a syringe.
Omar was not harmed and continued her event after the attack.
The attacker has been identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak.
Omar had been criticizing immigration authorities when the incident happened.
President Donald Trump has frequently criticized Omar and Somali Americans.
Two US citizens protesting against immigration crackdowns in Minnesota were recently shot by federal officers, raising tensions.
Minnesota hosts one of the largest Somali communities in the United States.
President Donald Trump and the U.S. Treasury are starting a new program called "Trump Accounts." These accounts will give $1,000 to every baby born during his administration as long as their parents set up an account for them. The money will be managed and invested, and children can use it when they turn 18 for things like education or buying a home.
Key Facts
"Trump Accounts" are meant to provide $1,000 to every newborn during the Trump administration if parents open an account for them.
The money is invested in the stock market and managed by private firms.
Children can use the money only when they turn 18 and for specific things like school or starting a business.
The U.S. Treasury is behind this initiative, and President Trump is promoting it as a way to help people, especially children from low-income families, build wealth.
Parents can add up to $2,500 each year to these accounts, similar to how retirement accounts work.
Wealthy individuals and groups, like the Dell family and Ray Dalio, have pledged money to support children with additional funds if they live in lower-income areas.
Only babies born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, can receive the initial $1,000 from the Treasury.
Children born before 2025 can still have accounts, but without the Treasury's $1,000 contribution.
A 6-year-old boy named Hunter got his leg stuck in a playground structure in Florida. His mother, Elena, and nearby adults tried to free him but eventually called emergency services for help. Firefighters arrived and used equipment to safely release him, and Hunter was unharmed.
Key Facts
Elena Floyd's son, Hunter, got his leg stuck on a playground structure.
The incident happened in a neighborhood in Florida.
Elena first tried to free Hunter's leg with olive oil.
She then called 911 for professional help.
The Windermere Police Department and Ocoee Fire Department responded quickly.
Firefighters used tools to widen the structure and release Hunter's leg.
Hunter was unharmed and wanted to continue playing.
The family thanked the first responders afterward.
Bill Belichick, a well-known NFL coach, did not get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first try. Many people in the sports community, including Deion Sanders, expressed surprise and disappointment. Some believe Belichick's exclusion might be related to past controversies involving his team.
Key Facts
Bill Belichick has won six Super Bowls as a head coach.
He also earned two Super Bowls as a defensive coordinator.
To get into the Hall of Fame, someone needs support from 80% of the committee members.
Deion Sanders publicly criticized the decision on social media.
The voting process for the Hall of Fame is anonymous, so exact votes are unknown.
Speculation suggests past controversies like "Spygate" and "Deflategate" affected his Hall of Fame chances.
Many notable figures in sports expressed disbelief and support for Belichick.
The article discusses actress Christina Chang's role as Yuna Hollander in the Canadian series "Heated Rivalry." Chang clarifies misconceptions about her character, who is involved in her son’s professional hockey life while dealing with personal family dynamics. The show has gained international recognition since its release, with one episode achieving a high IMDb rating.
Key Facts
Christina Chang plays Yuna Hollander, a hockey mom, in the series "Heated Rivalry."
The series revolves around hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who are secretly in a relationship.
The show is based on the "Game Changer" novels by Rachel Reid, adapted by Jacob Tierney.
"Heated Rivalry" started airing on November 28 on Crave and reached the U.K. in January 2026.
One episode of the series has a perfect 10/10 rating on IMDb.
Chang's character Yuna is often debated for being a "tiger mom," but Chang explains her character as protective and loving.
The series includes emotional moments, such as when Shane comes out to his mother.
A video shared on TikTok shows three horses in a woman's front yard early in the morning. The video gained a lot of attention and highlighted the growing use of home security cameras. Many people are using these systems to keep their homes safe and capture unexpected events.
Key Facts
A woman captured footage of three horses in her yard at 5 a.m. using a security camera.
The TikTok video of the incident received over 383,000 views and 47,000 likes.
Home security cameras are becoming more common, with 59% of surveyed people using at least one.
About 61% of homeowners check their security cameras several times a day.
The FBI reports that a home burglary happens every 25.7 seconds in the U.S.
Many homeowners think security systems should be mandatory in new homes.
35% of surveyed people had experienced a burglary or attempted break-in.
A measles outbreak in South Carolina has quickly grown, with nearly 600 new cases reported in a little over a month. This outbreak is in Spartanburg County, and it has surpassed the number of cases seen during a major outbreak in Texas last year. Nationwide, nearly 20% of all measles cases reported in 2025 have already been confirmed this year.
Key Facts
South Carolina has reported almost 600 new measles cases in just over a month.
The outbreak is focused in northwestern Spartanburg County.
There have been 789 confirmed cases in South Carolina since September.
Last year, Texas reported 762 cases, which experts think might have been undercounted.
A separate outbreak is happening on the Utah-Arizona border.
U.S. measles elimination status is at risk due to these outbreaks.
The CDC has confirmed 416 measles cases nationwide in 2026 so far.
Other states with confirmed 2026 cases include California, Florida, Georgia, and several others.
A millionaire GP, Dr. Faisal Maassarani, is linked to companies that acquired hotels to provide accommodation for asylum seekers in the UK. This led to confusion and distress for some tenants who were asked to vacate their homes for safety reasons, while it was later uncovered that asylum seekers were set to move in. Dr. Maassarani stated he was not involved in the daily operations or tenant communications.
Key Facts
Dr. Faisal Maassarani's companies acquired hotels to house asylum seekers.
Over 100 tenants faced eviction threats as buildings were repurposed.
The evictions were claimed to be due to urgent fire safety issues.
Asylum seekers were moved into the buildings once tenants left.
Dr. Maassarani stated he did not manage daily operations or tenant notices.
In 2022, Maassarani’s company spent £3.5 million on a hotel for asylum seekers.
HM Home Office planned to pay landlords a fixed monthly amount for housing asylum seekers, though no final agreement was signed.
Communication to tenants lacked clarity on eviction permanence, leading to tenant distress and objections.
ASML, a major technology company, announced record orders for its chip-making machines, highlighting strong demand related to artificial intelligence (AI) growth. The company saw a sharp increase in orders and reported a rise in sales and profit for 2025, while forecasting further growth in 2026. In response to business needs, ASML plans to cut around 1,700 jobs to improve efficiency.
Key Facts
ASML reported orders worth 13.2 billion euros in the last quarter of 2025 for its chip-making equipment.
Over half of these orders were for ASML's advanced EUV lithography machines.
ASML's net sales in the last quarter were 9.7 billion euros, and total sales for 2025 were 32.7 billion euros.
ASML's net profit in 2025 was 9.6 billion euros, up from 7.6 billion euros in 2024.
ASML forecasts 2026 net sales to be between 34 billion and 39 billion euros.
The company plans to cut about 1,700 jobs, mostly in leadership roles, to improve work processes.
ASML has a dominant position in the production of machines used by major companies like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel for AI chip production.
ASML's stock price increased nearly 6 percent following the announcement of record orders.
The U.S. government risks a partial shutdown as Senate Democrats oppose a spending package that includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has stated that the budget will not pass unless funding for ICE is removed. The Senate has until January 30 to approve the budget to avoid the shutdown.
Key Facts
A partial government shutdown may occur if the Senate doesn't approve the budget by January 30.
Senate Democrats oppose a $1.2 trillion spending package that includes $10 billion for ICE.
The budget needs 60 votes to pass in the Senate; there are currently 53 Republicans, so at least seven Democrats are needed.
Recent shootings involving ICE have increased opposition to its funding.
House approval is required to strip DHS funding from the budget, but House members are on recess until February 2.
The last U.S. government shutdown lasted from October 1 to November 12, 2025.
ICE and other agencies could still operate during a partial shutdown due to the GOP's "One Big Beautiful" bill.
Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, want the DHS budget rewritten before they agree to pass it.
Attacks on fertility clinics in Gaza have affected many Palestinians trying to become parents. These attacks, along with supply shortages, threaten reproductive healthcare in the region. A UN report suggests these actions may prevent births among Palestinians.
Key Facts
Israel has destroyed nine out of ten fertility clinics in Gaza.
Embryos still in Gaza are at risk due to fuel shortages and lack of liquid nitrogen, which is needed to store them.
A UN report says Israeli attacks on fertility clinics are part of efforts to prevent Palestinian births, considered a genocidal act.
In 2024, a UN Commission found Israel carried out four acts that the UN considers genocidal during the war on Gaza.
The destruction of these clinics has led to a 41% drop in births in Gaza in the first half of 2025 compared to previous years.
The blockade on medical supplies and food by Israel further harms newborns and affects birth rates.
A fertility doctor in Gaza hopes to resume work once conditions improve.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage ranked 14th on ESPN's Top 100 Prospects list, despite strong playoff performances. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel justified the ranking based on Yesavage's pitching style and the challenges right-handed pitchers face. Yesavage's unique pitching could help him succeed in the majors.
Key Facts
Trey Yesavage is a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.
He debuted in the major leagues in September.
Yesavage was the No. 2 starter for the Blue Jays in the recent playoffs.
He had a 3-1 record and struck out 39 batters in 27 2/3 playoff innings.
ESPN ranked him 14th on their Top 100 Prospects list.
The ranking was explained by Yesavage's pitching style and typical challenges for right-handed pitchers.
Yesavage's high release point and pitching motion make him unique in the league.
Nurse Mandy Park from England experienced a sudden headache at work, which turned out to be a ruptured brain aneurysm. She received immediate medical care since she was already at a hospital, underwent surgery, and is now in recovery. Park now uses social media to raise awareness about brain aneurysms.
Key Facts
Mandy Park is a nurse from England who had a sudden, severe headache at work.
This headache was caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm, a type of stroke where a weak part of an artery in the brain breaks.
Park was at a hospital when it happened, which helped her get quick treatment.
Doctors operated on her for five hours to repair the aneurysm.
After the surgery, Park experienced severe pain, memory loss, and fatigue during recovery.
She is now using TikTok to educate others about brain aneurysms and their symptoms.
Brain aneurysms cause many deaths worldwide each year and can be mistaken for less serious headaches.
Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is facing calls to resign after two people protesting deportation policy were shot and killed in Minneapolis. Many leaders and advocacy groups, including Democrats in Congress, are urging her to step down. Few Republican leaders have shown support for her in this situation.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Two protesters were shot and killed in Minneapolis.
These protesters were against deportation policy.
Democratic leaders and advocacy groups want Noem to resign.
There is a lack of support from Republican leaders for Noem.
The Trust and credibility of the Trump administration are being questioned.
House representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar issued a statement criticizing the Department of Homeland Security.
A viral TikTok video shows two dogs, a husky mix named Sky and a Rottweiler-Kelpie mix named Bolt, reacting differently to freezing temperatures in Ontario, Canada. Sky enjoys the snow, while Bolt refuses to stay outside due to the cold. The video has received over 4.2 million views and has sparked a positive response from online users.
Key Facts
The video was shared on TikTok by dog owner Tabitha Running.
It features Sky, a 4-year-old husky mix, and Bolt, a 2-year-old Rottweiler-Kelpie mix.
Sky enjoys being outside in minus 28-degree weather, reflecting typical husky behavior.
Bolt quickly retreats indoors due to the cold, preferring to play in the snow at milder temperatures.
The video has over 4.2 million views and 549,700 likes on TikTok.
Huskies have thicker coats suited for cold climates, helping them retain heat.
Many TikTok users shared similar experiences with their pets in the comments.
The clip has generated more than 900 comments, with users praising the dogs' contrasting reactions.
A nurse at VCU Health in Richmond was fired after posting videos on social media that referenced Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a paralytic drug. The health system stated that the videos were inappropriate and did not align with its values. This incident is part of a broader pattern of disciplinary actions against public-facing workers for online posts related to ICE.
Key Facts
A nurse from VCU Health was fired for social media videos about ICE.
The videos included mentions of a paralytic drug and comments framed as resistance.
VCU Health put the nurse on administrative leave before firing them.
The content of the videos was described as inappropriate by VCU Health.
VCU Health involved the police in their investigation.
The health system has fulfilled all legal reporting obligations.
This incident is similar to other recent actions against workers making ICE-related posts online.
Three young brothers died after falling into an icy pond near their home in Bonham, Texas. Their mother tried to save them but was unable to due to the breaking ice. Emergency workers and a neighbor eventually retrieved the boys, but they did not survive.
Key Facts
Three brothers, aged six, eight, and nine, died after falling through ice in a pond in Bonham, Texas.
The boys' mother attempted to rescue them, but the ice kept breaking.
A neighbor and emergency workers helped retrieve the children from the water.
The youngest boy fell in first, and his brothers followed trying to save him.
Local authorities identified the boys as Howard Doss, Kaleb Doss, and EJ Doss.
The incident occurred during a severe winter storm impacting Texas and other parts of the U.S.
The boys attended a local school, which offered counseling to grieving students and staff.
The storm has caused widespread issues, including disrupting flights and power outages.
