Iranian protesters share their experiences of continuing protests against their government. They initially sought change in civil rights after a tragic incident involving a young woman but are now driven by economic hardships and dissatisfaction with their leaders.
Key Facts
Iranian protests reignited due to inflation and economic issues.
A 25-year-old Iranian designer has been a part of these protests.
Protests four years ago followed the death of a young woman in police custody.
Early January saw renewed protests across Tehran.
Demonstrators are now also speaking out against the country's leadership.
This unrest relates to ongoing civil rights and economic struggles.
ISIL claimed responsibility for an attack on Niger's main airport, causing significant damage. The Niger military government reported that 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers were injured. The attack highlights growing ties between Niger and Russia and ongoing tensions with France, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
Key Facts
ISIL claimed they attacked an air force base at Niger's main airport near Niamey.
The attack happened after midnight on Thursday, causing significant damage.
Niger's military killed 20 attackers and reported four soldiers wounded.
ISIL's affiliate in Niger has been active, with recent attacks killing over 120 people.
Niger's military government accused France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack, but no evidence was provided.
General Abdourahamane Tiani thanked Russian troops for their support in defense during the attack.
Russia has been providing military support to Niger, while the country distances itself from France.
Niger's president announced one attacker was French, but this claim lacks evidence.
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The investigation, led by the FBI, examines possible civil rights violations. Two agents involved in the incident are on administrative leave, and the case has sparked protests and political responses.
Key Facts
The DOJ opened a civil rights investigation into Alex Pretti's shooting by federal agents.
The FBI is leading the investigation with help from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.
Alex Pretti was a nurse in Minneapolis and a U.S. citizen.
Two agents involved are on leave during the investigation.
Pretti's shooting occurred amid protests over another recent shooting in the city.
Minnesota officials have called for federal agents to leave the area.
President Trump stated his administration plans to reduce federal force presence in Minnesota if local officials cooperate.
The shooting and subsequent events have caused public outrage and political debate in the U.S.
The New York Yankees are considering signing reliever Michael Kopech, who previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kopech had injury issues last season but performed well when healthy. The Yankees need to fill a bullpen spot after losing closer Devin Williams to free agency.
Key Facts
Michael Kopech is a former reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kopech missed significant time in the 2025 season due to injuries.
When healthy, Kopech had a 1.54 ERA in the regular season for the Dodgers.
Kopech is a free agent because he has not had much attention due to his injuries.
The Yankees ranked 23rd in bullpen ERA last season and need help in this area.
The Yankees lost closer Devin Williams to the New York Mets in free agency.
Kopech's high strikeout rate could enhance the Yankees' bullpen.
The Yankees need to act quickly as spring training approaches.
Two towns on the Arizona-Utah border, once controlled by a polygamous religious sect, have changed significantly. After years of court supervision, they're now functioning like typical towns, free from the sect's influence. The sect's leader, Warren Jeffs, is in prison, and the towns are no longer under court oversight.
Key Facts
The towns are Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah.
They were previously controlled by a polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs.
In 2011, Warren Jeffs was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting two girls.
The court placed the towns under supervision in 2017 to separate the church from local government.
A community board took over the real estate trust previously controlled by the sect.
By last summer, the towns were released from court-ordered supervision.
The towns now have features like sports games, bars, and a winery.
They are learning to operate under a representative form of government.
Three former Los Angeles Dodgers players, Austin Barnes, Craig Kimbrel, and Luis Garcia, have joined the New York Mets for the 2026 season. Barnes and Kimbrel are on minor league contracts, while Garcia signed a one-year major league deal. These signings are part of a broader strategy by the Mets to strengthen their roster after acquiring other key players.
Key Facts
Austin Barnes, Craig Kimbrel, and Luis Garcia, who formerly played for the Dodgers, have joined the New York Mets.
Barnes and Kimbrel have minor league contracts; Garcia has a one-year major league deal.
Barnes, a longtime Dodgers catcher, has had limited recent playing time.
Craig Kimbrel was with the Dodgers in 2022 and had a 3.75 ERA in 60 innings.
Luis Garcia played part of the Dodgers' 2025 season, ending with a 5.27 ERA.
The Mets acquired Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and Freddy Peralta to improve their chances for the 2026 season.
England's cricket captain Harry Brook admitted he lied about being alone during a nightclub altercation in New Zealand. He initially claimed he was by himself to protect his teammates, who were also present. The incident may lead to an investigation by the cricket regulator.
Key Facts
Harry Brook is the captain of England's white-ball cricket team.
The altercation happened on November 1, before a one-day match in Wellington, New Zealand.
Brook initially said he was alone, but later admitted teammates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were with him.
He lied to protect his teammates from being involved in the situation.
Brook was fined and received a warning for his conduct.
The incident became public more than two months later.
The cricket regulator might investigate the incident.
Brook acknowledged the need to improve his off-field responsibilities as a captain.
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens have both fired their longtime head coaches and hired new ones. They are both interested in hiring Jim Leonhard, a coach from the Denver Broncos, to improve their teams' defensive strategies. Leonhard has interviewed with the Ravens, but not yet with the Bills.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens recently fired their head coaches after disappointing seasons.
Both teams hired new head coaches: Jesse Minter for the Ravens and Joe Brady for the Bills.
The Ravens and Bills are interested in Jim Leonhard, a Denver Broncos' coach, for their defensive coordinator roles.
Jim Leonhard has already interviewed with the Ravens for the open defensive coordinator position.
The Bills want Leonhard to lead their defense, as Joe Brady will focus on offense.
The Ravens did not make the playoffs, while the Bills did not advance past their division in the playoffs.
A strong storm called a bomb cyclone is predicted to affect the entire U.S. East Coast, bringing cold temperatures and heavy snow. This storm could lead to dangerous conditions, like blizzards and low temperatures, from the Ohio Valley to the Southeast. Various states are preparing with weather warnings for snow, wind, and cold.
Key Facts
The storm is expected to become a powerful nor’easter, causing blizzards in some areas.
Cold, Arctic air will affect states from the Ohio Valley to the Southeast.
Florida could experience single-digit temperatures over the weekend.
The National Weather Service issued gale warnings for parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia.
Mid-Atlantic states have storm and winter warnings in place.
New York and other northeastern states have coastal and cold weather advisories.
Airline delays and road travel disruptions are likely due to the storm.
During a visit to China, sanctions were lifted on Baroness Helena Kennedy and other UK parliamentarians who had criticized China's human rights record. The move was part of efforts to improve UK-China relations, though some critics believe not enough was achieved, especially regarding human rights issues like the case of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai.
Key Facts
Baroness Helena Kennedy was sanctioned by China in 2021 for speaking against its treatment of the Uyghur minority.
During the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's visit to China, these sanctions were lifted.
Critics, including Baroness Kennedy, believe the sanctions' removal is insufficient without addressing wider human rights issues.
The UK Prime Minister discussed human rights issues, including the case of imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, with China's President Xi Jinping.
This was the first visit to China by a UK prime minister since 2018.
As a result of the visit, China will halve import taxes on British whisky starting next week.
There is still no agreed start date for a deal on visa-free travel for British citizens to China.
Some UK politicians remain critical of the UK's diplomatic gains from the visit.
Houston voters will hold a special runoff election to fill a vacant U.S. House seat after their representative passed away. Two Democrats, Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards, are running to replace Sylvester Turner. The election will temporarily reduce the Republican majority in the House.
Key Facts
A special runoff election will take place in Houston to fill a U.S. House seat.
Sylvester Turner, a Democratic congressman, died in March 2025, leaving the seat vacant.
Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards are the Democratic candidates in the runoff.
The special election was needed because no candidate won the majority in the initial race.
The election will temporarily decrease the Republican majority in the House.
Voters in the Fort Worth area will also elect a new state senator.
There are currently three other vacant congressional seats in California, Georgia, and New Jersey.
A small Australian town named Licola, located in Victoria, is up for sale because the local Lions Club, which owns it, can no longer afford to maintain it. The sale has caused concern among the town's few residents, especially Leanne O'Donnell, who runs the local general store but may have to leave if the town is sold to developers.
Key Facts
Licola is a very small town with only five residents.
The town includes a general store, caravan park, and petrol station.
The town is owned by a local Lions Club, which decided to sell due to financial difficulties.
Licola has a history of hosting programs for disadvantaged young people.
Leanne O'Donnell and her family are the town's only permanent residents.
O'Donnell fears being evicted if the town is sold to developers.
The Lions Club told O'Donnell that the business has been unprofitable for several years.
O'Donnell offered to help raise funds, but the Lions Club decided to proceed with the sale.
Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines, two top college basketball teams, will face each other in a Big Ten Conference game on January 30, 2026. The game will take place at the Breslin Center, and viewers can watch it on FOX or stream it live on Fubo.
Key Facts
The basketball game features Michigan State Spartans (ranked No. 7) and Michigan Wolverines (ranked No. 3).
The game will occur on January 30, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
The location for the match is the Breslin Center.
The game will be broadcast on FOX and available for live streaming on Fubo.
Michigan State has won their last four games against Michigan.
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. leads the team with averages of 14.1 points and 8.9 assists.
Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg averages 14.2 points per game.
Michigan has a current winning streak of five games.
A woman bought a wardrobe at a Goodwill store, but when she returned to pick it up, it was gone because someone had re-priced and sold it to another buyer. Although her money was refunded, she was disappointed with the experience. The incident highlights challenges with Goodwill's system for selling large items, as stores sometimes have problems marking sold items clearly.
Key Facts
A 19-year-old woman purchased a wardrobe from a Goodwill store, which was later sold to another person.
The wardrobe had no price tag initially, so a store employee priced it for her.
When she returned to collect the wardrobe, it was missing because someone else bought it.
The Goodwill store refunded her payment, but the situation left her upset.
Goodwill stores can hold paid items for up to 24 hours, but if they are not marked as sold, they might be mistakenly resold.
Goodwill explained that items are sold "as-is" with no returns, and policies vary by region.
The story shows an issue with marking and securing sold items in resale stores.
The article discusses a promotional offer from Bet365, where users can sign up using the bonus code WEEK365 to receive $200 in bonus bets after placing an initial $5 bet on NBA games. The article highlights the Pistons-Warriors game as a major matchup among the nine NBA games scheduled. The promotion allows users to make various types of bets without being concerned about the outcome of their initial wager.
Key Facts
Bet365 is offering a bonus where users receive $200 in bonus bets after betting $5.
The promotion is tied to NBA games, including the Pistons vs. Warriors game.
Users must register with the code WEEK365 to access this offer.
The promotion includes betting on game winners or individual achievements, called prop bets.
The initial $5 bet automatically unlocks the $200 bonus without needing to wait for the bet result.
There are boosted odds for certain player achievements and team wins.
Users must use their bonus bets within one week to avoid expiration.
Signing up involves entering personal details and making a first deposit.
The Senate passed a funding package to keep most of the U.S. government running until the end of September. This decision followed an agreement between President Trump and Democrats to separate Homeland Security funding temporarily and discuss new limits on immigration enforcement. The deal prevents an immediate government shutdown.
Key Facts
The Senate voted to keep the federal government funded through September.
President Trump and Democrats agreed to separate Homeland Security funding for now.
The agreement allows for a debate on new rules for immigration raids.
Homeland Security will be funded at current levels for two weeks.
The Senate passed the measure with a 71-29 vote.
The funding package now goes to the House for consideration.
There is still a chance of a partial government shutdown until the House acts.
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the shooting death of a nurse named Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. More arrests have been made in Minnesota related to protests, as nationwide discontent with immigration enforcement increases.
Key Facts
The Justice Department is looking into the death of Alex Pretti, who was a nurse.
Alex Pretti was shot and killed last weekend in Minneapolis.
There are ongoing protests in Minnesota where more people have been arrested.
The protests are linked to a broader national reaction against immigration enforcement actions.
The public response has been growing across the country.
President Trump chose Kevin Warsh to be the next leader of the Federal Reserve. Warsh has experience advising past presidents and served on the Federal Reserve Board. He would replace the current chair, Jerome Powell, if confirmed.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve chair.
Warsh was an advisor to President George W. Bush.
He served on the Federal Reserve’s Board from 2006 to 2011.
Jerome Powell is the current chair of the Federal Reserve.
If confirmed, Warsh will replace Powell when his term ends in May.
The announcement was discussed in an interview with David Wessel.
A judge decided that federal prosecutors cannot pursue the death penalty against Luigi Mangione and dropped murder and weapons charges. Additionally, a large number of homes in the Southern U.S. are still without power due to a winter storm. Russia announced a brief pause in attacks on Ukraine's capital.
Key Facts
A judge ruled against seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione.
Murder and weapons charges against Mangione were dismissed.
Nearly 230,000 homes and businesses in the Southern United States have been without electricity for six days.
The power outage is due to a winter storm that occurred last weekend.
Russia announced a temporary stop to attacks on Ukraine's capital, ending on Sunday.
As the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina approach, the United Nations and event organizers are calling for a global ceasefire. This plea continues an ancient tradition from Greece aimed at pausing wars during the Olympic Games. Despite the truce's endorsement, conflicts like the ongoing fighting in Ukraine often continue, showing the challenge of enforcing these peace efforts.
Key Facts
The United Nations and Olympic organizers are calling for a 7-week pause in global conflicts, starting before the Winter Olympics.
This tradition is based on an ancient Greek practice where warring states paused conflicts during the Olympics.
The modern Olympic truce was revived in 1994 during the Lillehammer Winter Games.
A 1994 Olympic truce allowed aid delivery to Sarajevo during the siege.
Despite calls for peace, conflicts, including in Ukraine, continue, revealing the difficulty of implementing the truce.
In 2024, there were 61 active armed conflicts globally, the highest recorded for any year.
The "Doomsday Clock," indicating global danger levels, recently moved closer to midnight.
U.N. truce resolutions often pass easily, but signatory countries frequently break the ceasefire agreements.
