Republican Senator Thom Tillis reacted to President Trump calling him a "loser" by critiquing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller. This occurs amid controversy over immigration enforcement tactics following two recent shootings involving federal agents. There are calls for Noem to resign after these incidents, while President Trump defends her performance.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis responds to President Trump's insult by critiquing Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller.
Controversy arises over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics after two shootings.
Kristi Noem faces calls for resignation after a fatal shooting by immigration agents.
Another recent shooting involved ICE officer actions, raising safety concerns.
Senators Tillis and Lisa Murkowski join Democrats in seeking Noem's removal.
President Trump labels both Tillis and Murkowski as "losers" and supports Noem.
Trump asserts that the U.S. border has improved and supports Noem's handling of DHS.
Details about Grayson Waller's participation in WWE's Royal Rumble 2026 event are uncertain. He was initially scheduled for other WWE events, but now Santos Escobar is taking his place, leaving Waller's involvement in the Royal Rumble unclear. Waller often appears on WWE "Monday Night Raw" and has a connection with popular tag team The New Day.
Key Facts
Grayson Waller's status for Royal Rumble 2026 is currently unclear.
He was originally set for "NXT" live events this weekend.
Santos Escobar is now replacing Waller at the "NXT" events.
Waller is seen regularly on "Monday Night Raw."
He has a close connection with the tag team The New Day.
Waller acts more as a manager but also wrestles in the ring.
In a recent "Raw" episode, Waller supported The New Day and faced a superkick from Jey Uso.
Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, scored a goal in the 98th minute, helping Benfica win 4-2 against Real Madrid. This victory secured Benfica a spot in the last 16 play-offs of the Champions League based on goal difference.
Key Facts
Benfica won 4-2 against Real Madrid.
Anatoliy Trubin, Benfica's goalkeeper, scored a goal in the 98th minute.
The goal was crucial for securing Benfica's spot in the Champions League last 16 play-offs.
The win was determined by the goal difference rule.
Real Madrid was the opposing team in this Champions League match.
At least five people died when Storm Kristin hit Portugal, causing flooding, landslides, and major damage. This storm disrupted schools, damaged buildings, and knocked out power for over 850,000 people. The storm also caused transport issues across the country and prompted emergency warnings.
Key Facts
Storm Kristin caused at least five deaths in Portugal.
The storm led to flooding, landslides, and widespread damage in central and northern regions.
Strong winds up to 178 km/h (110 mph) were recorded at Monte Real air base.
Over 850,000 people lost electricity due to the storm.
A Ferris wheel overturned and cars were damaged after part of a building's roof blew off.
Roads and railways were blocked by debris; a main motorway linking Lisbon to the north was affected.
Dangerous sea conditions led to a red weather warning with waves up to 14 meters high.
Portugal stayed on high alert, with officials advising residents in affected areas to stay indoors.
A severe winter storm named Winter Storm Fern caused massive power outages in Mississippi and Tennessee. Over 400,000 people lost electricity due to ice, downed trees, and power lines, with continued cold weather slowing repair efforts. Emergency crews are working to restore power as hazardous conditions persist.
Key Facts
Winter Storm Fern affected Mississippi and Tennessee, leading to more than 400,000 power outages.
Over 175,000 people in Tennessee, including about 120,000 in Nashville, are without power.
Mississippi might take until the weekend to restore power due to significant damage, including broken poles and downed power lines.
Crews face delays from icy roads, cold temperatures, and strong winds.
Tennessee reported 189 broken power poles, with workers on long shifts to fix outages.
Warming shelters opened, but people are advised to stay off dangerous roads.
The storm impacted more than a dozen states and caused at least 29 deaths.
Utility companies are attempting repairs, but full power restoration could take days.
In 2025, threats against members of the U.S. Congress, their families, and staff increased significantly. The U.S. Capitol Police reported nearly 15,000 cases of threats, marking a 60% rise from the previous year. The report follows recent assaults on Congress members, including Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Maxwell Frost.
Key Facts
Capitol Police investigated nearly 15,000 threat cases against Congress members in 2025.
This was a 60% increase from the 9,474 cases in 2024.
An attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar occurred at a town hall, where a man sprayed her with liquid from a syringe.
The attacker of Rep. Omar was arrested and charged with third-degree assault.
Rep. Maxwell Frost was punched at the Sundance Film Festival the same week.
Threats have been rising over the years, from under 4,000 in 2017 to over 8,600 in 2020.
The data was released by the Capitol Police shortly after these incidents.
Threat levels often rise during election years, according to Capitol Police.
A plane with 15 people on board went missing in northern Colombia. The Beechcraft 1900 lost contact just before it was due to land in Ocaña, near the Venezuelan border. Colombian authorities have started a search operation in the mountainous area to find the plane.
Key Facts
A plane with 15 people, including 13 passengers and 2 crew, has disappeared in Colombia.
The plane is a Beechcraft 1900 operated by state-owned airline Satena.
It was supposed to land in Ocaña at 12:05 local time, but contact was lost at 11:54.
The aircraft took off from Cúcuta, which is about 100 kilometers from Ocaña.
Colombian armed forces are involved in the search for the plane.
A hotline has been set up for the relatives of those on board.
A Colombian lawmaker might have been among the passengers.
The search area includes regions controlled by the ELN guerrilla group.
A woman discovered that T-bone steaks brought by her father-in-law had been frozen since 2014. Despite being safe to eat according to the USDA, the long storage time affected their quality, making them unappetizing. The incident spurred discussions online about food storage, taste degradation, and proper labeling.
Key Facts
A father-in-law brought frozen meat, including T-bone steaks, found to have been frozen since 2014.
The USDA states that meat can be safely frozen indefinitely if kept at 0°F.
Frozen meat's taste and texture can degrade severely with long storage.
Experts say chemical reactions continue slowly at frozen temperatures, impacting food quality.
The USDA recommends using uncooked steaks and roasts within 4 to 12 months for the best quality.
Despite being safe, the woman and her partner chose not to cook the meat.
Coleman Natural Foods warns freezer burn affects texture, making meat dry and leathery.
Online reactions included disbelief and humor, with some recalling similar experiences.
Israel’s Supreme Court has delayed a decision on allowing foreign journalists independent access to Gaza. The court gave the government until March 31 to respond to a petition from the Foreign Press Association, which wants the ban lifted. This ban has stopped international reporters from entering Gaza according to their own plans for over a year, needing them to be with the Israeli army.
Key Facts
Israel’s Supreme Court postponed its decision on foreign media access to Gaza.
The government must respond by March 31 to the Foreign Press Association's petition.
Foreign journalists have been banned from independently entering Gaza for over a year.
To report in Gaza, journalists must embed with the Israeli army.
The court expressed frustration with the government's use of security risks as a reason.
Gaza had a ceasefire in 2025, but attacks have continued, causing over 400 deaths.
The Foreign Press Association represents 370 journalists from 130 media outlets.
This is the ninth delay in the court’s decision process since September 2024.
France now supports the European Union's move to label Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group. This decision follows Iran's actions against antigovernment protests. EU foreign ministers are meeting to discuss sanctions.
Key Facts
France supports designating Iran's IRGC as a terrorist group along with the EU.
The decision is connected to Iran's crackdown on antigovernment protests.
The EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to finalize these sanctions.
Italy is leading the push for labeling the IRGC as a terrorist group in the EU.
The IRGC, formed after Iran's 1979 revolution, is part of Iran's military.
France had concerns about the impact on diplomatic relations with Iran.
The protests in Iran began due to high inflation and economic issues.
Former US President Trump labeled the IRGC a terrorist group in 2019.
Iran has warned of serious consequences if the EU follows through with this plan.
Tommaso Ciampa, a former WWE wrestler, made his debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the show "Dynamite." This follows the expiration of his WWE contract, allowing him to join AEW as a free agent and accept a match challenge for an upcoming event.
Key Facts
Tommaso Ciampa is a former WWE wrestler who recently left the company.
His WWE contract expired, allowing him to join other wrestling promotions immediately.
Ciampa made his debut on AEW's "Dynamite" show.
Current TNT Champion Mark Briscoe issued an open challenge, which Ciampa accepted.
The open challenge comes with a condition that challengers cannot be part of the Don Callis Family.
The challenge acceptance sets up a match for AEW's "Collision" show in Arlington, Texas.
During a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, U.S. officials discussed actions taken in Venezuela, including military operations and removing Nicolás Maduro from power. Senator Marco Rubio argued that these actions were necessary for Venezuela's future prosperity and security. The U.S. plans to control Venezuelan oil profits to aid in the country's recovery.
Key Facts
A U.S. Senate hearing was held to discuss actions in Venezuela, including military operations.
The U.S. military removed Nicolás Maduro and he is facing charges in the U.S.
Senator Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela.
The U.S. plans to manage Venezuelan oil profits to support recovery efforts.
Oil profits are initially held in an account in Qatar and will move to a U.S. account.
U.S. officials believe these actions will lead to stability and prosperity in Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government must request use of oil funds for specific needs approved by the U.S.
President Donald Trump stated that his administration aims to "de-escalate a little" the current tensions in Minneapolis following a shooting by federal immigration agents. Local protests continue after a U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, was shot, and a video challenges the initial government claims about the incident. Democratic Representative Ihan Omar was also attacked at a local event amid the ongoing unrest.
Key Facts
President Trump mentioned plans to reduce tensions in Minneapolis.
Protests are happening after federal agents shot a U.S. citizen named Alex Pretti.
Initial claims by the government described Pretti as a "domestic terrorist," but video evidence disputes this.
Democratic Representative Ihan Omar was attacked at a local event in Minneapolis.
Thousands of federal immigration agents, known as ICE, are still present in Minnesota.
Discussions are ongoing about whether the administration can reduce the current unrest.
The report comes from the Americast podcast by BBC News.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, but was not allowed inside by consulate staff. In response, Ecuador's foreign minister issued a formal complaint to prevent such incidents from happening in other U.S. consular offices.
Key Facts
An ICE agent attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis.
Consulate staff denied entry to the ICE agent.
Ecuador activated emergency protocols following the incident.
Ecuador's foreign minister lodged a formal protest against the intrusion.
The incident was caught on video, according to the Ecuadorian government.
Ecuador seeks to prevent similar attempts at its other U.S. consular offices.
The assisted dying bill in the UK is facing difficulties in becoming law due to opposition in the House of Lords. Lord Falconer, a supporter of the bill, says it can't pass without changes in the Lords' approach. The use of the Parliament Act is being considered to force the bill through despite resistance from peers.
Key Facts
The assisted dying bill needs approval from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords to become law.
Lord Falconer supports using the Parliament Act to bypass the Lords if they block the bill.
The Parliament Act allows a bill passed by the Commons to become law even if the Lords reject it twice.
Opponents of the bill worry it might be unsafe for vulnerable people.
Government sources doubt the bill will pass without compromise.
The Parliament Act has only been used seven times since 1911.
Lord Falconer has proposed amendments to address concerns around the bill.
The Prime Minister may need to get involved if the situation escalates.
Reports suggest that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have paused their wedding planning, leading to speculation about their relationship. The delay is linked to Kelce's retirement considerations and external pressures, but rumors also point to possible issues like prenup negotiations and legal involvements. Family activities indicate the couple's families are still closely connecting.
Key Facts
Reports claim Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have paused wedding planning.
Kelce is considering retirement, which may be influencing the decision.
Rumors suggest prenup negotiations might not be going smoothly.
Questions have been raised about Kelce’s charity and financial transparency.
Speculation exists that Swift might have to appear in court due to a lawsuit.
Both families, including Swift's and Kelce's mothers, are reportedly growing closer.
Some believe the news may be a strategic misdirection to keep plans private.
LeBron James returned to Cleveland with the Los Angeles Lakers for a game against the Cavaliers. A special tribute was held for him, which made him emotional, sparking more discussion about his future in the NBA. Reports suggest his relationship with the Lakers might be strained, and he could consider returning to play for Cleveland.
Key Facts
LeBron James played a game in Cleveland with the Los Angeles Lakers against the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers held a special tribute for James, honoring his contributions to the team.
James became emotional during the tribute, shedding tears on the bench.
There is speculation about whether this could be James's last appearance in Cleveland as an NBA player.
Reports indicate tensions between James and the Lakers, with uncertainty about his contract extension.
James has already had two stints with the Cavaliers, including a championship win against the Golden State Warriors.
Some believe James might return to the Cavaliers for his final NBA season.
The Lakers are reportedly focusing on building their future team around another player, Luka Doncic.
A survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace shows that many young Americans believe China has as much or more global influence than the U.S. About 68% of people aged 18-29 say China has equal or more power compared to the U.S., while older generations are less likely to share this view. Economic pressures and exposure to other countries' systems are influencing young Americans' perceptions of global power.
Key Facts
25% of young Americans think China is more powerful globally than the U.S.
Only 12% of Americans aged 65 and older share this view.
Around 68% of people aged 18-29 believe China has equal or greater influence than the U.S.
Many young Americans see the job market and inflation as significant issues.
Cultural exchanges, like those involving TikTok, impact perceptions of China.
Older Americans tend to view the U.S. as more powerful due to Cold War experiences.
63% of Americans think China has a technological advantage over the U.S.
47% of all Americans think China is or will soon be more powerful than the U.S.
A plane carrying 15 people, including a Colombian lawmaker and an election candidate, went missing in Colombia near the border with Venezuela. The plane, operated by the government airline Satena, lost communication during its flight from Cucuta to Ocana. Search efforts are challenged by dense jungle terrain in the region, which is also known for its active conflict and drug trade.
Key Facts
A plane with 15 people disappeared in Colombia near the Venezuela border.
The passengers included a Colombian congress representative and an election candidate.
The flight was operated by Satena, a government-run airline.
The plane lost communication 11 minutes before it was due to land in Ocana.
Dense jungle and adverse weather conditions complicate search-and-rescue efforts.
The region, Catatumbo, is known for drug trade and is a conflict zone.
In January 2022, the area saw violent clashes displacing over 50,000 people.
The Cucuta to Ocana flight route started operating in June last year.
