The article discusses the United States' recent actions in Latin America, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. It questions whether President Donald Trump's policies represent a new form of U.S. intervention in the region or continue historical practices.
Key Facts
U.S. forces recently captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
President Trump is increasing U.S. power abroad through direct actions.
The article considers if Trump's actions represent a change or continuation of U.S. policy.
Cuba is potentially a new focus for U.S. actions under Trump.
Peter Kornbluh, a Senior Analyst at the National Security Archive, discusses these topics.
The discussion took place on the show "UpFront," hosted by Marc Lamont Hill.
Los Angeles Dodgers player Miguel Rojas spoke about being unable to join the World Baseball Classic (WBC) due to insurance issues affecting many Latin American players. Team Puerto Rico is also considering withdrawing from the tournament for similar reasons. Rojas plans to end his MLB playing career after the 2026 season and hopes to become a baseball manager.
Key Facts
Miguel Rojas, a Dodgers player, could not take part in the World Baseball Classic because of insurance issues.
Rojas mentioned these insurance problems seem to affect many Latin American players but not those from the U.S. or Japan.
Team Puerto Rico may pull out of the WBC because several players couldn't join due to the same insurance issues.
Dr. Jose Quiles, President of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, hinted that they are almost ready to withdraw from the tournament.
In 2023, Rojas missed the WBC to play a starting role for the Dodgers after a teammate's injury.
Rojas intends to retire after the 2026 MLB season and wants to become a manager in baseball.
He believes his experience as a player will help him guide and coach future baseball players.
Noni Madueke played a key role for Arsenal in their 4-0 win against Leeds. Madueke replaced Bukayo Saka, who was injured before the game, and contributed to two goals. Both Madueke and Saka are contenders for the England national team as the World Cup approaches.
Key Facts
Noni Madueke helped Arsenal score two goals in their match against Leeds.
He was added to the starting lineup just before the game because Bukayo Saka got injured.
Arsenal signed Madueke from Chelsea to strengthen their squad depth.
Madueke is competing with Saka for a spot in the England team for the upcoming World Cup.
Arsenal's victory over Leeds put them seven points ahead in the Premier League.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Madueke for being ready and impacting the team.
Viktor Gyokeres scored his sixth league goal this season in the match, becoming Arsenal’s top scorer.
Arsenal's strong squad depth helped them manage injuries and maintain performance.
A senior Iranian official stated that progress is being made towards starting negotiations between Iran and the U.S. President Trump has ordered a military buildup in the Gulf, but he remains open to diplomatic talks with Iran.
Key Facts
An Iranian security official said negotiations with the U.S. are moving forward.
President Trump has ordered more military forces to the Gulf but is still open to talks.
Iran and the U.S. are reportedly using Russia and other countries to communicate.
President Trump mentioned that Iran is negotiating but has been critical of past talks.
The Iranian foreign minister said Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the U.S.
Iran wants the U.S. to stop threatening military action as a part of negotiations.
Turkey is involved in discussing possible locations and plans for the talks.
U.S. officials are cautious about the likelihood of a diplomatic resolution.
The article explains a promotion offered by theScore Bet. When you sign up using the NEWSWEEK promo code and bet $10 on a UFC 325 fight, you can earn a $100 bonus if your bet wins.
Key Facts
theScore Bet offers a $100 bonus for new users who bet $10 on UFC 325 fights.
Users must use the promo code NEWSWEEK to qualify for the bonus.
The promotion is tied to UFC 325, taking place in Australia and headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes.
Bonus bets are awarded only if the initial $10 wager wins.
The previous matchup between Volkanovski and Lopes was in April 2025.
Several betting options are suggested, including bets on fighters like Benoit Saint-Denis and Tai Tuivasa.
The $100 bonus must be used within 7 days after it's awarded.
Pre-made betting parlays are available for users looking for combined betting options.
The article talks about various promotional offers from sportsbooks for betting on the UFC 325 event featuring the Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes fight. It lists different codes and promotions from multiple sports betting platforms that fans can use to place bets or engage in daily fantasy sports during the event.
Key Facts
UFC 325 features a fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Several sportsbooks are offering promotions for the UFC 325 event.
DraftKings offers a $300 bonus with a $5 bet and specific odds.
BetMGM has a $1,550 welcome offer with stakes refunded in bonuses.
Bet365 offers a $200 bonus with a $5 bet regardless of market outcome.
Caesars Sportsbook provides a $250 bet match offer.
FanDuel offers a $200 bonus with a $5 bet if it wins.
TheScore and BetRivers have specific promotions for various states.
The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are playing a basketball game in Miami on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The Heat recently won a game against the Bulls and hope to continue their winning streak.
Key Facts
The Miami Heat play the Chicago Bulls at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
The game is on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
The game can be watched on the FanDuel Sports Network Sun, Chicago Sports Network, or streamed on Fubo.
Miami won against Chicago 116-113 in a recent game.
Key Miami players include Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo.
Key Chicago players include Ayo Dosunmu and Nikola Vučević.
The Miami Heat lead the season series with two wins over the Bulls.
Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, known for her roles in "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek," passed away at her home in Los Angeles at age 71 following a brief illness. Many colleagues and public figures have shared tributes to her life and work.
Key Facts
Catherine O’Hara was a Canadian actress born in Toronto.
She died at 71 in Los Angeles after a brief illness.
O'Hara starred in "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek."
She began her career in the 1970s at The Second City theatre.
Her role as Moira Rose in "Schitt's Creek" won her an Emmy in 2020.
Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Macaulay Culkin shared tributes to her.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also paid their respects.
Just before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, figure skating may face significant changes due to issues with music rights. Skaters, including those competing in team, women's, and men's events, might need to alter their routines because of these last-minute music adjustments.
Key Facts
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Milan, Italy.
Figure skating is one of the most popular events at the Winter Olympics.
American skater Ilia Malinin aims to win his first gold medal.
Music rights issues have arisen, potentially forcing skaters to change their routines.
Skaters plan their performances around specific music tracks, so changes can impact their preparations.
Figure skating competitions will begin on February 6 with the team ice rhythm dance segment.
The article explains a special offer from Bet365 where new users can bet $5 and receive $200 in bonus bets. This promotion is timely due to the upcoming UFC 325 event featuring the fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in Australia.
Key Facts
Bet365 offers a promotion using the bonus code WEEK365.
New users can get $200 in bonus bets with an initial $5 bet.
The offer coincides with the UFC 325 event in Australia.
The featured fight in UFC 325 is between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Users can bet on specific fight outcomes, like which round a fighter will win.
Bet365 provides additional betting boosts, offering better returns on certain outcomes.
To participate, users must create a new account and enter the promo code WEEK365.
The $200 in bonus bets must be used within one week.
Kalshi is offering a promotion where new users can register using a promo code to get a $10 bonus for predicting outcomes of the UFC 325 fight card. By making $100 in trades on fights like the Volkanovski-Lopes matchup, users can receive the bonus. Kalshi allows users to make predictions on a variety of markets beyond just UFC fights.
Key Facts
Kalshi offers a $10 bonus for new users who use the promo code NEWSWEEK and make $100 in trades on UFC 325.
The main event is the fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Volkanovski and Lopes previously fought at UFC 314 in April 2025, with Volkanovski winning.
Kalshi allows trading on other markets, like weather and political events, not just sports.
There are 14 fights on the UFC 325 card, with varying odds for each matchup.
To receive the $10 bonus, new users must sign up, enter the promo code, and make the necessary trades.
The service offers a unique trading approach where positions can be sold for a profit during the event, unlike traditional sportsbooks.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will play the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA game on Saturday night. The Timberwolves are on a winning streak, while the Grizzlies have lost their past few games. The game is available to watch on the FanDuel Sports Network and can be live-streamed on Fubo.
Key Facts
The game is on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
It will be aired on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest Extra - Missouri and North.
Viewers can live-stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
The Timberwolves have won their last three games.
The Grizzlies have lost their last five games.
Memphis player Ja Morant is injured and will not play.
Timberwolves recently made 22 three-point shots in their last game.
The Grizzlies won the previous matchup against the Timberwolves in December.
The fourth season of the TV series "Reacher," based on Lee Child's books, will introduce a new villain named Lila Hoth. The season is expected to adapt the novel “Gone Tomorrow,” where Hoth is a terrorist who presents a significant challenge for the main character, Jack Reacher. There is no confirmed release date yet, but it is expected to be in mid-2027 on Prime Video.
Key Facts
"Reacher" Season 4 will introduce a new villain called Lila Hoth.
The season adapts the book “Gone Tomorrow” by Lee Child.
Lila Hoth is a terrorist and known for violent acts.
Agnez Mo, an Indonesian singer and songwriter, will play Lila Hoth.
The previous season's villain was Paulie, played by Olivier Richters.
There is no confirmed release date, but it is expected in mid-2027.
"Reacher" is a series on Amazon's Prime Video streaming platform.
The UConn Huskies are set to play the Creighton Bluejays in an NCAA college basketball game. The game will take place on January 31, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET and can be watched on the FOX channel or streamed on Fubo. UConn is on a 16-game winning streak, while Creighton lost their last game against Marquette.
Key Facts
UConn Huskies have a 20-1 record and are on a 16-game winning streak.
UConn holds a 10-0 record in the Big East Conference.
The game will be played on January 31, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
It will air on the FOX channel and can be live-streamed on Fubo.
Creighton Bluejays have a 12-9 record.
Creighton lost their last game against Marquette, with a score of 86-62.
UConn won their last game against Providence 87-81.
UConn's key player Solo Ball averages 14.8 points per game.
The United States, represented by envoy Steve Witkoff, held discussions with Russia about the war in Ukraine. The talks aimed at finding a peaceful resolution and involved members from President Donald Trump's administration. Plans for more negotiations to continue in Abu Dhabi were also mentioned.
Key Facts
US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida to discuss the Ukraine conflict.
The meetings were described as "productive and constructive."
President Trump is involved in efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
Officials at the meeting included US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Jared Kushner.
Follow-up talks with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are scheduled in Abu Dhabi.
Trump announced an agreement with President Putin to temporarily stop attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed discussions about a ceasefire on energy attacks.
Some key issues in negotiations include troop withdrawal and potential peacekeeper deployment.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan. Ohtani decided to participate only as a designated hitter to avoid additional stress on his body during the offseason.
Key Facts
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared the news at DodgerFest.
Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
Ohtani has opted to play as a designated hitter instead.
The decision was made to avoid pushing his body to the limit, as he did in the postseason.
Ohtani will prepare for the MLB season and prioritize the durability of his arm.
Roberts mentioned Ohtani would get more rest compared to a regular pitcher.
The Dodgers' pitching rotation details, including Ohtani's role, are still being finalized.
Chris Mazza, a 36-year-old pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for four seasons, announced his retirement from professional baseball on Instagram. He played for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays during his MLB career.
Key Facts
Chris Mazza played in Major League Baseball for four seasons with three different teams.
He announced his retirement in an Instagram post.
Mazza's MLB career included time with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays.
His career record in MLB was 3 wins, 3 losses, one save, and a 5.35 earned run average (ERA).
Mazza was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2011.
He also played in minor leagues and independent baseball teams before his MLB debut.
Mazza appeared in nine MLB games for the Mets in 2019 and nine for the Red Sox in 2020.
His final MLB stint was with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021-2022.
WWE is planning two main events for WrestleMania 42 after the Royal Rumble. Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns, who both won their respective matches, are expected to headline the events scheduled for two nights in Las Vegas.
Key Facts
The Royal Rumble winners, Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns, are now set for WrestleMania 42 main event matches.
WrestleMania 42 will take place over two nights in Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.
Liv Morgan might aim for the "Raw" women's championship, facing Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez, or both.
On the men's side, Drew McIntyre, who holds the WWE undisputed title, may face Cody Rhodes or Jacob Fatu in a match.
Roman Reigns is likely to face CM Punk in Sunday’s main event, continuing their storyline for the heavyweight championship.
WrestleMania is a major annual event in the WWE, with the Royal Rumble serving as a lead-in to its storylines.
A federal judge decided not to stop the ongoing immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota while a lawsuit against it continues. The lawsuit claims that the federal government’s actions violate constitutional protections, but the judge did not find enough support to halt the operation for now.
Key Facts
A federal judge in Minneapolis declined to stop the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.
The lawsuit against the surge argues it violates the Constitution's 10th Amendment.
The federal government calls the lawsuit "legally frivolous."
The operation, called "Operation Metro Surge," aims to remove criminal immigrants from the streets.
State officials say the operation harms local resources and has shuttered schools and businesses.
The judge was influenced by a recent appeals court decision related to immigration enforcement.
Despite denying the injunction, the judge noted the operation's significant impact on Minnesota residents.
U.S. Attorney General and the Homeland Security Secretary praised the court ruling.
Roman Reigns won the men's Royal Rumble match at WWE's 39th annual event in Riyadh. With this victory, Reigns can choose which world title to challenge for at "WrestleMania 42" in Las Vegas.
Key Facts
The Royal Rumble event took place in Riyadh and it was WWE's 39th annual show.
Roman Reigns won his second men's Royal Rumble match.
Reigns can now decide which championship title to compete for at "WrestleMania 42."
The current champions are Drew McIntyre with the Undisputed WWE Championship and CM Punk with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Bron Breakker, one of the match favorites, was quickly eliminated after being attacked by a masked man.
Reigns' final opponent in the match was Gunther, whom he eliminated by delivering a move called the Spear.
Former AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs, now known as Royce Keys, also participated in the match.
The event featured several surprises, including the involvement of former rivalries and unexpected eliminations.
