Protesters in the United States are organizing a nationwide strike to oppose President Trump's immigration policies. They are encouraging people not to work, attend school, or shop on a specified Friday.
Key Facts
The strike is in response to President Trump's immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
Organizers want people to refrain from working, attending school, or shopping as a form of protest.
The strike is planned for a specific Friday.
The call for action comes after the death of Alex Pretti, a nurse who filmed Border Patrol officers.
A federal civil rights investigation into Alex Pretti's death has started.
The Syrian government made a deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that involves integrating Kurdish forces and institutions into the Syrian state. This agreement follows recent clashes and involves the SDF pulling back while the government takes over key territories and resources. The agreement includes guarantees for the rights of Kurdish people and the return of displaced individuals.
Key Facts
The Syrian government and SDF agreed to integrate Kurdish forces into the state.
The agreement follows clashes where Syrian troops took control of SDF-held areas.
The SDF will withdraw, and its members will join the Syrian army.
Prisons, oil, and gas fields previously controlled by the SDF will be transferred to the Syrian government.
The Omar oilfield and Tabqa dam are now under Syrian government control.
The deal includes recognition of Kurdish rights, including making Kurdish a national language.
Displaced Kurdish people are allowed to return to their homes.
This agreement is a significant change since President Ahmed al-Sharaa came to power after the end of Syria’s civil war.
Bangladesh's national cricket team withdrew from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after the IPL excluded one of their players. The situation raised questions about whether there are different rules or standards being applied.
Key Facts
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is currently taking place.
A Bangladeshi player was excluded from the IPL, a major cricket league in India.
Following this exclusion, Bangladesh's national cricket team decided to exit the World Cup.
The incident has sparked discussions about possible double standards in cricket.
The term "double standard" refers to applying different rules to similar situations.
President Donald Trump plans to nominate Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve. Warsh agrees with President Trump's idea that interest rates need to be lowered. He believes that lowering rates would make it easier for people to buy homes and boost the economy.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh is President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve.
Warsh has publicly agreed with Trump's views on reducing interest rates.
Trump wants rates lowered to help Americans afford homes, while some worry this could cause inflation.
Warsh criticized the Federal Reserve for not cutting rates and for its economic policies.
He believes cutting interest rates can help first-time home buyers and boost economic growth.
Warsh previously served as a Fed governor and worked under former President George W. Bush.
Some lawmakers oppose Warsh’s nomination due to ongoing investigations into the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell.
Israel has acknowledged the death toll of around 70,000 people in Gaza, as compiled by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. This acceptance comes after initially dismissing these numbers during the conflict that began in October 2023. The casualty figures include a high number of civilians, many of whom are children and women.
Key Facts
Israel accepted that about 70,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 71,662 deaths by January 27, 2025.
Since the ceasefire on October 10, 2025, 488 more people have died.
Thousands are missing and believed to be under rubble, with estimates exceeding 10,000.
At least 440 people died due to starvation during the war.
Israel previously disagreed with these figures, citing them as exaggerated or manipulated.
Human rights groups and the United Nations support the Gaza Health Ministry’s casualty numbers.
Allegations have been made against Israeli forces for targeting civilians, including reports of over 1,000 Palestinians killed at food distribution sites.
Real Madrid and Benfica, coached by Jose Mourinho, will compete in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in another playoff match. The playoffs are needed because some teams, including Real and PSG, did not automatically qualify for the last 16 due to their league phase results.
Key Facts
Real Madrid will play against Benfica, led by former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
Benfica secured their playoff spot by defeating Real Madrid 4-2, with a last-minute goal from their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin.
The top eight teams from the Champions League league phase automatically advanced to the round of 16; the next 16 teams will play in a two-legged playoff to qualify.
Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in their playoff match.
PSG finished 11th in the league phase, missing automatic qualification due to dropping points late in the competition.
Monaco, currently 10th in Ligue 1, will play against PSG in the European playoff.
The Champions League playoffs will occur in February.
Newcastle United will play Qarabag, Inter Milan will face Bodo/Glimt, Juventus will play Galatasaray, and Atletico Madrid will meet Club Brugge.
A Florida woman shared a video of her car covered in frost during an unusual cold wave in the state. This cold spell is part of a larger weather pattern called a "bomb cyclone" affecting the Southeast United States.
Key Facts
A woman in Tampa, Florida, filmed her car covered in frost, a rare occurrence for the area.
The cold wave is part of an arctic front affecting the Southeast U.S.
Temperatures could drop as low as the mid-20s Fahrenheit in parts of Florida.
Miami may see temperatures as low as the mid-30s Fahrenheit, the coldest since 2010.
The National Weather Service issued freeze warnings across Florida.
Wind chills could be as low as 8 degrees Fahrenheit in Jacksonville.
The cold front is caused by a "bomb cyclone," a rapidly strengthening storm system.
The cold temperatures might persist for up to three nights.
China has removed sanctions on six members of the UK Parliament after discussions between British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping. These sanctions had been placed on four Conservative MPs and two peers in 2021. The UK has not lifted any sanctions on Chinese individuals.
Key Facts
China lifted sanctions on six British MPs and peers.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the change during a visit to China.
The sanctions included bans on travel to China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and freezing of property in China.
The MPs and peers affected include four Conservative MPs and two peers from the House of Lords.
The sanctions were initially imposed in 2021 due to the MPs spotlighting human rights violations in Xinjiang.
The Chinese foreign ministry stated that both countries agreed to resume normal legislative exchanges.
British MPs have expressed they prefer to remain sanctioned rather than be used as bargaining tools.
The UK has maintained its sanctions against Chinese officials.
The Trump administration plans to convert industrial warehouses into immigration detention centers across the United States. This move is facing opposition from local residents, officials, and lawmakers due to concerns about conditions and community impact. The plan aims to increase detention capacity significantly.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration is turning industrial warehouses into immigration detention centers.
There is opposition from local communities and officials across the country.
ICE plans to repurpose 23 warehouses, potentially holding tens of thousands of immigrants awaiting deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security has purchased facilities in Maryland and Arizona for these purposes.
Concerns include potential impact on local infrastructure, zoning issues, and suitability for human use.
Some communities, like those in New Hampshire, have protested these warehouse conversions.
DHS claims facilities will meet federal standards for medical care, recreation, and legal access.
Critics argue the converted warehouses may not be suitable for long-term detention.
Urban Meyer, a well-known college football coach, is worried about a problem in college football called "tampering." Tampering is when people try to contact players who are not officially allowed to transfer to another school. Meyer believes this issue is growing because there are no strict rules to stop it.
Key Facts
More than 6,700 Division I college football players entered the transfer portal this offseason.
Tampering involves contacting players who are not officially in the transfer portal.
Clemson's coach, Dabo Swinney, accused Ole Miss of tampering.
Urban Meyer predicts the number of tampering cases could increase dramatically.
Meyer criticizes the NCAA for not enforcing rules to prevent tampering.
Some suggest appointing a commissioner for college football, but Meyer doubts its effectiveness.
Meyer wants NCAA President Charlie Baker to take action against tampering.
Meyer discusses his concerns on "The Triple Option" podcast, which he co-hosts.
Celtic will compete against Stuttgart, and Nottingham Forest will face Fenerbahce in two-legged play-offs to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League. The play-off matches are scheduled for February 19 and 26.
Key Facts
Celtic will play Stuttgart in a Europa League play-off.
Nottingham Forest will face Fenerbahce in their play-off match.
The first leg for Celtic will be at Celtic Park.
The winners of Celtic's tie will play either Porto or Braga in the last 16.
Forest will play either Midtjylland or Real Betis if they win against Fenerbahce.
The play-off matches will be on February 19 and 26.
Celtic qualified for the play-offs by beating Utrecht 4-2.
Forest secured their play-off spot by defeating Ferencvaros 4-0.
The 2026 Europa League final will be in Istanbul, Turkey.
The U.S. Department of Education missed a deadline to process applications for student loan forgiveness as part of a legal settlement. This could lead to automatic loan forgiveness for some borrowers. The delay affects a group within the Sweet v. Cardona case, with potential financial relief for many people.
Key Facts
The Education Department missed a deadline in a settlement under the Sweet v. Cardona case.
The settlement relates to Borrower Defense to Repayment, a program to cancel loans if schools misled students.
More than 40 million Americans have student loan debt.
Borrowers affected by the missed deadline may get full loan forgiveness automatically.
The missed decision deadline was January 28, 2023.
Forgiveness applies to those who applied before June 22, 2022, and attended specific schools.
The Education Department requested a deadline extension but was denied by a judge.
Current negotiations aim to sort through 207,000 borrower applications.
Tens of thousands of people have been without electricity for six days following a severe winter storm that affected parts of the eastern United States. The Carolinas and Virginia are preparing for another incoming winter storm that could bring significant snowfall and cold temperatures. Mississippi and Tennessee have seen widespread power outages, and officials are working to provide aid to those affected by the cold weather.
Key Facts
Over 230,000 homes and businesses are without power, mostly in Mississippi and Tennessee.
The National Weather Service forecasts heavy snow in the Carolinas, Virginia, and northeast Georgia.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which usually deals with hurricanes, expects 6 inches of snow.
The potential for blizzard conditions exists due to expected strong winds and snow.
Mississippi has opened about 80 warming centers to help those affected by the cold.
The National Guard in Mississippi is distributing meals, blankets, and other supplies.
Tennessee has provided more than 600 units of warming supplies and over 2,200 gallons of fuel.
Medical experts warn that extended exposure to cold can lead to hypothermia, even in healthy individuals.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place this Sunday with a diverse lineup of performers and presenters. There are notable artists like Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar, who has nine nominations, and others from genres such as K-pop and country music. The event will have performances, award presentations, and an "In Memoriam" segment.
Key Facts
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled for this Sunday.
There are 18 or 19 performances planned for the event.
Lady Gaga, who is the second most nominated artist this year, will perform.
Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations and could be the third rapper to win Album of the Year.
If Bad Bunny wins Album of the Year, it will be the first time an all-Spanish-language album has won.
No K-pop artist has won a Grammy, but there are several nominations from this genre.
The Academy has split the country music awards to include Best Contemporary and Best Traditional Country Album.
Trevor Noah will host the ceremony, airing on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Israeli airstrikes and military actions in Gaza have resulted in at least five fatalities and injured 11 people, despite a ceasefire. The strikes affected locations like the Maghazi refugee camp and Rafah, a key border town with a crossing into Egypt. The ongoing violence continues amid both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
Key Facts
Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least five people and wounded 11 others.
These events occurred at the Maghazi refugee camp and the city of Rafah in Gaza.
Rafah is a strategic location with a border crossing to Egypt, crucial for aid.
Israeli officials reported killing three individuals they identified as "terrorists" in Rafah.
Israeli gunboats fired on fishing boats near Rafah, with no reported injuries.
The al-Mawasi refugee camp, labeled a ‘humanitarian zone,’ also experienced shelling.
Since the ceasefire began in October, 492 Palestinians have died, and 1,356 have been injured.
The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., has been active for over three months, but both sides claim violations.
Shelisa Demuth, the daughter of Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, publicly criticized her mother's Facebook post that condemned anti-ICE protesters. Shelisa's comment highlighted the role of protests in securing civil rights and questioned the political framing of dissent. This family disagreement occurred against the backdrop of increased protest activity in Minnesota.
Key Facts
Lisa Demuth is the Minnesota House Speaker and a gubernatorial candidate.
She criticized protesters who disrupted a church service in St. Paul over immigration enforcement.
Lisa Demuth’s Facebook post emphasized freedom of speech and religion.
Her daughter, Shelisa Demuth, responded by highlighting the importance of protests in civil rights.
Shelisa Demuth expressed her views to Newsweek, emphasizing respectful disagreement.
The incident occurred amid increasing protests over federal immigration actions in Minnesota.
Lisa Demuth is aligned with President Donald Trump and supports law-and-order policies.
Newsweek did not receive a comment from Lisa Demuth's office at the time of publication.
The New York Knicks are no longer a top choice for trading with Milwaukee Bucks star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are asking for a high price that the Knicks might not be able to match, especially after trading away many future draft picks. Other teams like the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are now seen as more likely options for acquiring Giannis.
Key Facts
The New York Knicks were once a preferred option for Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may be open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Knicks are ranked low as a potential trade partner by CBS Sports.
The Knicks traded away many future draft picks, making it hard to meet the Bucks' demands.
Other teams like the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are now getting more attention in the trade talks.
The Knicks have strengthened their team with players like Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges.
Despite trade talks, the Knicks remain strong contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Twenty penguins at the Long Island Aquarium in New York were moved indoors due to extremely cold weather. The penguins, native to warm climates, cannot handle the freezing temperatures caused by an Arctic cold front hitting the area.
Key Facts
The Long Island Aquarium brought their penguins inside because it got too cold.
Temperatures in Riverhead, Long Island dropped to 20 degrees below zero.
The U.S. National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory due to the chill.
The penguins at the aquarium are South African black-footed penguins that prefer warmer climates.
These penguins already spend nights indoors, so they are comfortable with the indoor setting.
Guests can still see the penguins inside through special programs.
The penguins have features like waterproof feathers and flippers, suited for swimming.
A storm is expected to bring snow and strong winds to eastern Long Island.
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist, was arrested by federal agents after covering an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota. The arrest has raised questions about press freedom and First Amendment rights, with concerns about the Trump administration's actions.
Key Facts
Georgia Fort is an independent journalist based in Minneapolis.
She was arrested at her home after covering a protest against ICE at a church in St. Paul.
Fort shared a video showing agents at her door and mentioned her concerns about press freedom.
Other journalists and activists, including Don Lemon, were also involved in the protest coverage.
The Trump administration launched a civil rights investigation into the protest.
Fort is expected to make a court appearance and her lawyer expects her release.
The protest targeted the local ICE field office after an ICE-related shooting incident.
The FACE Act is being used by the DOJ and FBI to charge some protestors.
Israel plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday for limited movement of people. This opening is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal to help stop the war between Hamas and Israel and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Key Facts
Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing on Sunday after nearly two years.
The crossing connects Gaza with Egypt.
Only limited movement of people will be allowed at the crossing.
The opening is part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
The goal of the reopening is to assist in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Gaza has about 2 million displaced people who need food, shelter, and medicine.
