The Super Bowl 60 will take place on February 8, featuring the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks. NFL legend Jerry Rice predicts the Seattle Seahawks will win. The game will be held at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco.
Key Facts
Super Bowl 60 is scheduled for February 8.
The game will be between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
Levi's Stadium in San Francisco will host the Super Bowl.
Jerry Rice, a former NFL star, predicts the Seahawks will win.
The Seahawks are currently favored by 4.5 points according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jerry Rice has won three Super Bowls and is in the NFL Hall of Fame.
The Seattle Seahawks won their only Super Bowl in 2014.
The Patriots are aiming for their seventh Super Bowl win.
The Chicago Cubs have signed pitcher Trent Thornton to a minor-league deal. Thornton, a veteran who played for the Mariners and Blue Jays, will compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. He joins other new and returning players in the Cubs' efforts to strengthen their team.
Key Facts
The Cubs signed Trent Thornton to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Thornton played seven years in Major League Baseball (MLB) and was a middle reliever for the Mariners last season.
He sustained a torn Achilles injury in July 2023 but has been practicing and hopes to be ready for the new season.
Thornton has a career ERA of 4.38, which measures his effectiveness as a pitcher, with 379 strikeouts across 401 innings.
Other new pitchers joining the Cubs include Charlie Barnes, Corbin Martin, Jeff Brigham, and Collin Snider.
Veteran pitchers Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Jacob Webb, and Hoby Milner have also joined the Cubs.
Caleb Thielbar, a left-handed pitcher, is returning to the Cubs for the 2024 season.
The Cubs lost two key pitchers from last season: Andrew Kittredge and Drew Pomeranz.
A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies warns that the combined number of soldiers killed, injured, or missing in Russia's war on Ukraine could soon reach 2 million. The report states that Russia has experienced the most significant troop losses since World War II. Russian and Ukrainian military casualty figures remain underreported by both governments.
Key Facts
The report forecasts up to 2 million military casualties for both Russia and Ukraine by spring.
Russia is reported to have 1.2 million casualties, with up to 325,000 troop deaths.
Ukraine has between 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.
The report claims Russian military advances are slow, averaging 15 to 70 meters per day.
Russia denies the report's reliability, stating only its Ministry of Defense can provide official figures.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed over 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the war began.
Independent sources like Mediazona have collected names of over 160,000 Russian troops killed.
Russian forces are described as making minimal gains despite heavy losses.
A review found that Glasgow University made an error in a student's grade, leading to his death. The student's mother believes the error shows larger problems at the university. Glasgow University has apologized and accepted the review's suggestions for improvement.
Key Facts
Ethan Brown was a student at Glasgow University studying geography.
He was incorrectly told he did not pass a course and could not graduate.
Ethan was supposed to receive a 2:1 Honours degree, which is a high academic distinction in the UK.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education investigated and confirmed the university's error.
Ethan took his own life on the day he should have graduated.
The university apologized and accepted the review's recommendations for change.
The review found that the university's grade assignment process risked academic standards.
Ethan's mother is calling for a further investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Nicki Minaj has recently shown support for President Donald Trump, leading to criticism that she might be seeking pardons for her husband, Kenneth Petty, and her brother, Jelani Maraj. Both men have criminal records, with Petty convicted as a sex offender and Maraj serving a life sentence for rape.
Key Facts
Nicki Minaj has expressed her support for President Trump, calling herself a big fan.
Critics suggest her support for Trump might be linked to seeking pardons for her husband and brother.
Kenneth Petty, Minaj’s husband, was convicted in 1995 for raping a 16-year-old girl.
Jelani Maraj, Minaj’s brother, was sentenced to 25 years to life in 2020 for raping an 11-year-old.
Minaj has openly responded to criticism regarding her husband’s past.
Minaj was once critical of Trump but has shifted her stance over recent months.
A Russian man named Matvei Rumiantsev has been found guilty of assaulting a woman in London after Barron Trump, President Trump's son, reported the incident to UK police while in the United States. The court heard that Rumiantsev was jealous of the woman's friendship with Trump. Rumiantsev was also convicted of trying to influence the legal process by writing a letter asking the woman to withdraw her allegations.
Key Facts
Barron Trump contacted UK police from the US about the assault.
The woman was attacked by Matvei Rumiantsev in January 2025.
The court found Rumiantsev guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm.
He was found not guilty of other charges, including two counts of rape.
Prosecutors said Rumiantsev was jealous of the woman's friendship with Barron Trump.
Rumiantsev wrote a letter from prison asking the woman to drop the charges.
The incident was reported after Trump saw the assault during a video call.
The judge told the jury not to rely solely on Trump's account for their decision.
Congress is debating funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with a potential government shutdown looming if an agreement isn't reached soon. There's also a push for enforcing reforms on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Additionally, there are discussions about the possible impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Key Facts
Congress needs to pass funding bills to keep the DHS and other agencies operating.
Senate Democrats want changes to ICE before agreeing to fund the DHS.
A partial government shutdown could happen if no deal is reached by Friday.
ICE has enough funding to operate for years due to a previous $75 billion allocation.
House Democrats are considering impeaching DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Impeachment in the House requires a simple majority vote.
Two Republican senators have suggested that Secretary Noem should resign.
The House currently has a close balance of 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats, soon to be 218 to 215 after a special election.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities and reduce reliance on the US. This comes amid tensions in the US-Europe relationship and discussions on Europe's role in NATO. Kallas emphasized the need for a European-led approach to ensure security and cooperation within the continent.
Key Facts
Kaja Kallas is the EU foreign policy chief who is calling for Europe to boost its defense efforts.
Kallas highlighted that Europe is no longer the main focus of Washington's attention.
The US remains a partner, but Europe must not rely entirely on US support.
Tensions arose when President Trump showed interest in acquiring Greenland.
The EU is urged to work more independently while maintaining ties with NATO.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot supports the idea of Europe taking charge of its security.
There is an ongoing debate on whether Europe should increase defense spending and develop its own nuclear capabilities.
The EU consists of 23 nations that are also NATO members, emphasizing joint efforts for security.
The Golden State Warriors are interested in trading for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. They are considering offering multiple draft picks and players to make the trade happen before the NBA trade deadline.
Key Facts
Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to leave the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Golden State Warriors hope to trade for Antetokounmpo.
The Warriors are willing to offer four first-round draft picks.
They are considering adding player swaps in several future seasons.
Milwaukee Bucks might trade Antetokounmpo due to their current situation.
The trade could involve moving players, like Jonathan Kuminga, to change teams.
Antetokounmpo is currently injured and out for several weeks.
The deal involves matching high player salaries to make it work financially.
The New York Yankees traded for pitcher Angel Chivilli from the Colorado Rockies and, in the process, decided to end their short relationship with 26-year-old outfielder Michael Siani. Siani, known for his strong defense and base-stealing talent, did not play any games for the Yankees.
Key Facts
The Yankees traded for Angel Chivilli from the Colorado Rockies.
Michael Siani was designated for assignment by the Yankees.
Siani is known for his defensive skills and speed but struggles with hitting.
Siani spent the last two and a half years with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He did not play any games for the Yankees.
Despite his hitting struggles, Siani is considered a top defensive outfielder.
He is capable of stealing 20 or 30 bases in a season with regular play.
A team is likely to pick Siani soon due to his defensive and speed abilities.
San Francisco Giants' new outfielder Harrison Bader is preparing for the upcoming season, where he will face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bader signed a two-year deal with the Giants and is eager to compete against the Dodgers, who have been successful in recent years. The Giants hope Bader can boost their performance after a less successful 2025 season.
Key Facts
Harrison Bader joined the San Francisco Giants with a two-year, $20.5 million contract.
He aims to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are the World Series Champions.
The Dodgers have a strong record, winning the NL West division 12 out of the last 13 seasons.
In 2025, the Giants finished third in their division with an 81-81 record.
Bader excelled last year with a .796 OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) and career highs in home runs and RBIs.
Defensively, Bader is highly ranked, with seven outs above average and a good fielding run value.
The Giants' outfield struggled in 2025, posting poor defensive stats in MLB rankings.
The U.S. is planning to start the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza. There are concerns about how Israel has handled the first phase of this ceasefire.
Key Facts
The U.S. is involved in launching a ceasefire process in Gaza.
The first phase of the ceasefire aimed to reduce conflict between Israel and Gaza.
Israel faces criticism for not fully meeting the expectations of the ceasefire's first phase.
The next steps in the ceasefire process are being prepared by the U.S.
The goal of the ceasefire is to achieve peace in the region.
Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans will be out for up to ten weeks due to an ankle injury. This adds to the team's existing injury problems, as other key players are also sidelined. The club is looking to bring back Douglas Luiz on loan to help cover for these injuries.
Key Facts
Youri Tielemans, a midfielder for Aston Villa, is expected to miss up to ten weeks with an ankle injury.
Tielemans was injured during Aston Villa's recent 2-0 win against Newcastle.
Other injured players include John McGinn, who is out for two months, and Boubacar Kamara, who will miss the rest of the season.
Aston Villa is trying to bring back Douglas Luiz on loan to strengthen their midfield.
Manager Unai Emery confirmed the club's efforts to manage the midfield situation with the current player injuries.
Ross Barkley, another midfielder, is expected to return soon after being out since November.
Defender Andres Garcia will miss three weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Aston Villa recently signed Tammy Abraham for £18.5 million and will play Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League.
The IRS is facing challenges for the 2026 tax season due to a significant reduction in its workforce and new tax laws. These changes, combined with leadership turnover, may lead to difficulties in helping taxpayers who encounter problems with their tax filings. Despite this, IRS leaders are confident they can manage the season effectively.
Key Facts
The IRS workforce has decreased by 27% since the start of the Trump administration.
New and complex tax laws were introduced after President Trump signed a tax measure.
National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins reported these challenges to Congress.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano expect a smooth tax season.
Bisignano announced new priorities and leadership reorganization within the IRS.
Concerns remain due to staffing at October 2021 levels and unprocessed tax returns.
The IRS processed over 165 million tax returns in 2025, with 94% filed electronically.
Barron Trump made an emergency call to London police after witnessing an assault during a video call. This led to the conviction of Matvei Rumiantsev, who was found guilty of assault and trying to interfere with justice. Rumiantsev admitted to attacking his girlfriend due to jealousy over her online friendship with Trump.
Key Facts
Barron Trump witnessed an attack during a video call and called London police.
Matvei Rumiantsev, a Russian national, was convicted of assault.
The incident involved jealousy over the woman's online friendship with Trump.
Rumiantsev was also found guilty of attempting to interfere with justice.
Barron Trump did not testify in the court case.
Rumiantsev was found not guilty of more serious charges like rape.
Rumiantsev remains in custody, awaiting sentencing.
Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce is looking forward to a specific matchup in Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. He is particularly interested in the competition between Seahawks' receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Patriots' cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Both athletes are top players on their teams and could influence the game's outcome.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs won't play in Super Bowl LX.
The Super Bowl LX game features the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
Travis Kelce is excited about the matchup between Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Christian Gonzalez.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays as a receiver for the Seahawks.
Christian Gonzalez is a cornerback for the Patriots.
Both Smith-Njigba and Gonzalez are 23 years old.
Smith-Njigba is expected to win the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Gonzalez is seen as a future contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Brooklyn Beckham, the son of David and Victoria Beckham, has publicly shared grievances about his relationship with his family, alleging issues like being pressured to sign away rights to his name. Tensions have also emerged around his wife Nicola Peltz, with claims of conflict during their wedding and rumors about her family's wealth. The situation portrays a high-profile clash between the Beckham and Peltz families.
Key Facts
Brooklyn Beckham publicly expressed his strained relationship with his family on Instagram.
He accused his family of pressuring him into signing away rights to his own name.
Brooklyn stated he does not wish to reconcile with his family and is standing up for himself.
Conflict arose when his mother, Victoria Beckham, allegedly did not provide a wedding dress for Nicola Peltz.
Nicola Peltz comes from a wealthy family; her father is billionaire Nelson Peltz.
There is a rumor Nicola receives a $1 million monthly allowance from her father, though it is contested.
Online discussions have accused Nicola Peltz of seeking fame and contributing to family tensions.
The Milwaukee Bucks are considering a major team change after Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly expressed interest in leaving. Jae Crowder, a former Bucks player, criticized the team's hiring of Doc Rivers, blaming it for the team's recent struggles. The Bucks are currently not performing well and may use the upcoming trade deadline to reset and plan for the future.
Key Facts
Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown interest in leaving the Milwaukee Bucks.
Former player Jae Crowder blamed the hiring of Doc Rivers for the team's problems.
The Bucks replaced coach Adrian Griffin with Doc Rivers.
Under Griffin, the Bucks had a strong 30-13 record early in the 2023-2024 season.
With Rivers as coach, the Bucks' current record is 18-27.
The team has made the playoffs in the last two seasons but did not advance past the first round.
The trade deadline is seen as a chance for the Bucks to start rebuilding.
The Bucks' future plans regarding Giannis and others on the team remain uncertain.
Rising NXT star Sol Ruca might participate in the 2026 women's Royal Rumble match. There are talks that she could be a surprise entrant, extending her storyline with Bayley from a previous event. Ruca is recognized for her impressive finisher moves, and WWE may highlight her in the Royal Rumble event.
Key Facts
Sol Ruca is a performer in WWE's NXT division.
There is speculation she will appear in the women's Royal Rumble 2026 as a surprise entrant.
Ruca previously had a notable victory over WWE star Bayley.
Her finishing move, the Sol Snatcher, is well-regarded for creating standout moments.
If she appears, it could be her first time participating in a Royal Rumble match.
WWE has been promoting NXT stars to the main roster recently.
The New York Yankees lost pitcher Kaleb Ort to the Los Angeles Angels, who claimed him off waivers. Ort did not get the chance to play for the Yankees before this change. The Angels made room for Ort by designating outfielder Wade Meckler for assignment.
Key Facts
Kaleb Ort was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels from the New York Yankees.
Ort has a record of 5 wins and 7 losses with a 5.00 ERA in his career.
He played in 118 games over five major league seasons with the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros.
In 2025, Ort achieved 2 wins and 2 losses with a 4.89 ERA during a career-high 49 games.
The Yankees let Ort go when they picked up outfielder Michael Siani from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Angels designated Wade Meckler for assignment to make room for Ort on their roster.
Ort is the second right-handed pitcher the Angels added to their bullpen this week.
