The Original Factory Shop, a discount retailer in the UK, has gone into administration, which may affect 1,180 jobs. The company's stores will stay open as normal for now, although its online store is shutting down immediately. Modella Capital, which owns the store, started the insolvency process due to financial challenges.
Key Facts
The Original Factory Shop has entered administration, impacting 1,180 jobs.
The retailer has 137 stores that will continue to operate for now.
The company's online store is closing immediately.
Rising costs, fewer customers, and government policies have strained the business.
The Original Factory Shop was bought by Modella Capital less than a year ago.
Modella Capital also owns TG Jones and Hobbycraft.
There were issues with the retailer's third-party warehouse and logistics partner.
Higher National Insurance and minimum wage increases have raised costs for the business.
The family of Alex Pretti, who was shot while filming Border Patrol officers, has hired lawyers including one who helped prosecute the George Floyd case. Attorney Steve Schleicher, representing the family for free, previously assisted in convicting Derek Chauvin. Pretti's shooting incident is part of ongoing concerns about law enforcement actions.
Key Facts
Alex Pretti was shot while filming a Border Patrol operation.
Pretti was a nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
Steve Schleicher, a lawyer who helped convict Derek Chauvin, is representing Pretti's family.
Schleicher is working for the Pretti family without charging them.
Videos show Pretti had a handgun, which he was legally permitted to carry.
The incident happened after another shooting involving Renee Good in January.
Pretti's sister has hired a separate lawyer for her legal representation.
Two federal agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti have been on administrative leave since Saturday, according to the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump has indicated he may be open to reducing tensions in Minneapolis after recent clashes involving federal agents.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security said that two agents are on leave after a shooting.
The incident involved the shooting of Alex Pretti.
The agents have been on leave since Saturday.
President Trump has suggested a possible reduction in tensions in Minneapolis.
This comes after a second fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents.
The situation follows ongoing clashes and protests in the area.
The U.S. Department of Justice plans to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein soon, although it missed a legal deadline. Millions of pages are being reviewed to protect sensitive information before making them public.
Key Facts
The Justice Department (DOJ) is reviewing and preparing Epstein-related files for public release.
The DOJ missed a legal deadline for releasing these files, which was December 19.
The delay is due to the large volume of materials, including audio, video, and text documents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials are involved in the review process.
Less than 1% of the files have been reviewed so far.
A judge denied the request to appoint an independent monitor for the review process.
A recent poll shows 69% of U.S. adults think the government is hiding information about Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed individuals connected to Epstein.
Shirley Raines, who founded the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz and gained fame on social media, passed away at age 58. She helped homeless communities in California and Nevada by providing beauty services and meals. The nonprofit announced her death, but the cause was not revealed.
Key Facts
Shirley Raines founded Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit that helped homeless people.
Raines died at the age of 58, but the cause of death was not made public.
She provided beauty services and meals to people in Skid Row, a Los Angeles area known for its homeless population.
Raines started her work after the death of her son.
She won CNN's Hero of the Year award in 2021.
Despite her nonprofit work, Raines held a full-time job and lived in a small apartment.
Her last social media post showed her distributing food to people in need.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a top basketball player, has asked the Milwaukee Bucks for a trade. The New York Knicks are considered a strong candidate to acquire him because of their position in the league and the odds set by betting experts. The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are also in the running to trade for Antetokounmpo.
Key Facts
Giannis Antetokounmpo has requested a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The New York Knicks have high odds of being his new team after the trade deadline.
The trade deadline is February 5, 2023.
Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are other teams interested in trading for him.
Antetokounmpo’s preferred teams include the Knicks, Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Knicks currently have no first-round picks to offer in trades but have future swap options.
New York must trade away a player to match salaries due to budget restrictions.
The Golden State Warriors can offer multiple first-round picks, posing strong competition to the Knicks.
President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany for the governor's race in Wisconsin. This endorsement strengthens Tiffany's position in the Republican primary.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump endorsed Representative Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor.
The endorsement was announced on social media by President Trump.
The race is for an open governor position in Wisconsin.
Tom Tiffany is now seen as a front-runner in the Republican primary.
The endorsement may influence voters in this battleground state.
Two dogs sitting in first class on a Breeze Airways flight became a sensation after their friendly interaction attracted the attention of fellow passengers and internet users. The dogs sniffed, licked, and appeared to enjoy each other's company, which passengers found delightful. The video of their encounter was shared on Instagram, where it quickly gained popularity.
Key Facts
Two dogs were seated in first class on a Breeze Airways flight.
The dogs interacted by sniffing and exchanging licks during the flight.
Passengers and people online were entertained by the dogs' behavior.
The Instagram video showing the dogs collected over 852,000 views and 59,100 likes.
Some questioned airline regulations about pets flying in the cabin.
Airlines have different rules, but they must allow service animals in the cabin.
Traveling with pets can be stressful for them due to new sights, sounds, and routines.
The Trump administration dismissed criticism from Bruce Springsteen about a new song he released. The song talks about federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Springsteen dedicated it to local residents and two people who died during immigration operations.
Key Facts
Bruce Springsteen released a song criticizing federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
The song is called "Streets of Minneapolis."
Springsteen dedicated the song to Twin Cities residents and two people killed in immigration operations.
The Trump administration responded by calling the song “irrelevant” and inaccurate.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the administration wants Democrats to help with removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens.
The song is considered Springsteen’s latest criticism of President Donald Trump.
Chris Kaba, who was unarmed, was shot and killed by Metropolitan Police officer Martyn Blake. The officer faced misconduct proceedings, which have now been paused by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). This pause is due to expected changes in legal standards for bringing charges against officers.
Key Facts
Chris Kaba was shot by a police officer in September 2022 in London.
The officer, Martyn Blake, was previously cleared of murder in a trial.
The IOPC has paused misconduct proceedings against Blake due to upcoming legal changes.
Kaba's family expressed disappointment and frustration over the pause.
Legal changes will affect how charges are brought against officers using force.
Blake was due to face misconduct proceedings, welcomed by Kaba’s family.
The Metropolitan Police Federation and force bosses opposed these proceedings.
The IOPC is awaiting new guidance before proceeding with the case.
Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea by mutual agreement, ending his contract early. He played for Chelsea for three-and-a-half years after his transfer from Manchester City in 2022. Sterling is now looking for new opportunities in football.
Key Facts
Raheem Sterling's contract with Chelsea ended 18 months early through mutual agreement.
He originally joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5 million.
Sterling had a £325,000-a-week contract and played 81 games for Chelsea.
He last played a competitive match for Chelsea in May 2024.
Sterling had been training separately from the main team at Chelsea's Cobham base.
Several clubs, including Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, showed interest in him, but no move happened.
Sterling is open to playing for clubs both in London and abroad.
DraftKings is offering a special deal where new users can place a $5 bet and potentially earn $300 in bonus bets. The promotion is tied to NBA games, including the Lakers vs. Cavaliers matchup and other notable games. The offer applies to specific betting conditions and includes options for betting on the upcoming Super Bowl as well.
Key Facts
DraftKings has a promotion where you can bet $5 and possibly get $300 in bonus bets.
The promotion is available for new sportsbook accounts.
You must bet on a market with odds of at least -500 to qualify.
Notable NBA games in the promotion include Lakers vs. Cavaliers and Knicks vs. Raptors.
The promotion also covers Super Bowl 60 betting options.
Super Bowl bets include special markets for player performances.
A deposit is required to place the initial $5 bet.
President Trump has suggested that the U.S. is prepared to launch an attack on Iran. He mentioned this in the context of Iran needing to comply with his requests or face possible military action.
Key Facts
President Trump stated the U.S. is ready to attack Iran.
He compared the potential action to a previous U.S. approach with Venezuela.
Trump has given Iran an ultimatum to meet his demands.
This statement has increased concerns about U.S.-Iran relations.
The situation between the U.S. and Iran remains tense.
The Atlanta Braves have signed Jordan Groshans, a former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, to a minor-league contract. Groshans is set to play for the Braves' Triple-A team and is not expected to replace injured shortstop Ha-Seong Kim directly on the main roster.
Key Facts
Jordan Groshans was a first-round pick for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.
He has played 560 professional games but only 17 in the major leagues.
Groshans has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves.
He will initially play for the Braves' Triple-A team, Gwinnett.
The Braves are dealing with an injury to shortstop Ha-Seong Kim.
Jorge Mateo has been signed for the major league roster as a potential replacement for Kim.
In his previous season, Groshans had a batting average of .284 in Double-A and Triple-A games.
Jordan Groshans briefly played for the Miami Marlins and has also been part of the Athletics and Yankees organizations.
President Trump showed signs of wanting to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting by federal immigration agents. Despite this, there were no major visible changes in the situation on the streets.
Key Facts
President Trump talked about easing tensions in Minneapolis.
This followed a second deadly shooting by federal immigration agents.
There were ongoing clashes and protests in Minneapolis.
Trump sent his top border advisor to lead immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
The president made positive remarks about Minnesota's governor and mayor.
Trump and Governor Tim Walz had a phone call and found some agreement.
Trump also had a good discussion with Mayor Jacob Frey, mentioning progress.
President Trump recently criticized Minnesota officials, raising tensions that had briefly eased after attempts to reduce conflict following two deadly incidents involving federal agents. Trump's comments about Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Representative Ilhan Omar have added to the unrest. Despite some federal agents leaving the state, political disagreements continue, including Governor Tim Walz's skepticism about the effectiveness of current federal measures.
Key Facts
President Trump criticized Minneapolis officials on social media, saying Mayor Jacob Frey was "PLAYING WITH FIRE!"
Trump also made comments about Representative Ilhan Omar, claiming without evidence that she staged an attack against her.
Federal agents were sent to Minnesota after two deadly shootings involving them, leading to public outcry.
The White House faced criticism from both parties for the federal agents' actions and later announced changes to their operations.
Some federal agents, including the Border Patrol chief, started leaving Minnesota this week.
The operation is now overseen by Tom Homan, focusing on targeted enforcement.
Governor Tim Walz expressed cautious optimism after communicating with Homan but noted no substantial changes had yet occurred.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also faced criticism related to the situation.
The New York Jets fired over one-third of their assistant coaches after a disappointing season with a 3-14 record. The team ranked low in both offense and defense under head coach Aaron Glenn. They quickly hired Brian Duker as the new defensive coordinator.
Key Facts
The New York Jets ended the season with a 3-14 record.
They secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
The team ranked 29th in total offense and scoring offense.
They ranked 25th in total defense and 31st in scoring defense.
Head Coach Aaron Glenn fired over one-third of the assistant coaches.
Nine out of 23 assistant coaching positions need new hires.
Brian Duker was hired as the new defensive coordinator.
Brian Duker previously worked with the Miami Dolphins and has history with Aaron Glenn.
The U.S. is debating a spending bill that includes significant funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. If the Senate does not approve the bill, a partial government shutdown could start on Saturday. ICE's budget is now larger than the annual military budgets of several countries.
Key Facts
ICE's annual budget now exceeds $29 billion.
This budget is higher than the entire defense budgets of countries like Denmark and Romania.
Seven House Democrats and Republicans supported a $64.4 billion spending bill for Homeland Security, including $10 billion for ICE.
The Senate has not yet approved the spending bill; failure to pass it by Saturday could lead to a government shutdown.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act increased ICE funding to around $75 billion over four years.
ICE has expanded its operations, increasing detention capacity and hiring more agents.
ICE's current budget allows flexible spending, with the majority being "unobligated," meaning it can be used as needed.
A small commercial plane with 15 people on board disappeared while flying over northeastern Colombia. The plane lost contact during its flight from Cúcuta to Ocaña and vanished from radar in a mountainous area known for the presence of illegal armed groups.
Key Facts
A small commercial plane, Flight NSE 8849, was going from Cúcuta to Ocaña in Colombia.
The plane went missing on Wednesday while flying over northeastern Colombia.
The last communication with the plane was at 11:54 a.m. local time.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 1900, was carrying 13 passengers and 2 crew members.
Among the passengers were lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo.
The area where the plane disappeared has illegal armed groups like the National Liberation Army.
Colombian aviation and military authorities have started a major search operation.
A new winter storm is forecast to hit the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. this weekend, following the recent Winter Storm Fern. Weather predictions suggest the storm will bring snow and strong winds, particularly impacting areas like North Carolina and Georgia. No advisories have been issued yet, but weather offices are issuing hazards outlooks as the storm approaches.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service has released maps showing the path of an incoming winter storm.
The storm is expected to affect the U.S. Southeast and Eastern Seaboard this weekend.
Areas hit by last weekend's storm, such as Texas and Tennessee, will likely see less impact this time.
The storm is expected to start impacting the South and Mid-Atlantic by Friday.
On Saturday, South Carolina and North Carolina have a 95% chance of severe weather impacts.
The storm will move along the East Coast and start exiting the U.S. by Monday.
Weather offices are issuing hazardous weather outlooks but no official advisories or warnings yet.
There is potential for snow and low temperatures, with wind chills possibly dropping below zero.
