Women at a large immigration detention center in West Texas reported poor living conditions, including overcrowding and lack of basic supplies, such as hygiene products. The center is part of President Donald Trump's expanded immigration program, which has faced criticism over its management and conditions.
Key Facts
The detention center is at Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas, and it is currently the largest ICE facility in the U.S.
As of early 2026, the facility holds over 2,700 detainees, though it was originally built for 1,000.
Women in the center reported limited medical care, unsanitary conditions, and confrontations with guards.
Some detainees, including those with permanent U.S. residency, reported lack of access to natural light and basic hygiene products.
Three deaths have occurred at the facility since its opening in August 2025, with two causes under investigation.
The facility was built and is managed by a small Virginia-based business without prior experience in running detention sites.
Emergency services responded to about 90 calls from the center between August and December 2025 for various crises.
ICE data shows a record number of people in U.S. immigration detention, with about 73,000 detainees as of December 2025.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss strengthening economic ties and cooperation. They aimed to find common ground despite existing disagreements and criticism over China’s human rights record. Starmer is accompanied by a UK business delegation and plans to discuss issues like law enforcement collaboration.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer is the first UK Prime Minister to visit China in eight years.
The meeting took place in Beijing, and the discussions were about 40 minutes long.
Strengthening economic cooperation was one of the top agenda items.
UK businesses like HSBC and British Airways are part of Starmer's delegation.
China was the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner in 2025, with $137 billion in trade.
Relations between the UK and China have been tense due to Hong Kong's crackdown.
Starmer and Xi also discussed reducing the trafficking of undocumented immigrants.
President Trump’s tariff war with China has strained UK-China relations.
Wildlife biologists have removed over 100,000 pounds of invasive Asian carp from the Kansas River since 2022. In 2025, these efforts reached their peak with 36,863 pounds removed in a single year to help protect native fish species and reduce dangers to boaters.
Key Facts
Biologists have been removing invasive carp from the Kansas River since 2022.
Over 100,000 pounds of carp have been removed in total by the end of 2025.
The removal in 2025 reached 36,863 pounds, the highest annual amount so far.
The invasive carp species targeted include silver, bighead, and black carp.
These fish were originally introduced for aquaculture and have spread widely.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) uses various methods like electrofishing and gill nets for removal.
In 2025, KDWP expanded their operations 15 miles downstream on the river.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced nearly $19 million for managing invasive carp in 18 states, aiding regional control efforts.
FBI agents carried out a court-approved search at Fulton County's elections office in Georgia. They were looking for ballots and voter data from the 2020 election after past, unsupported claims that the election was unfair. Some Democrats criticized the search, calling it a major event.
Key Facts
The FBI conducted a search at the Fulton County Election Hub in Union City, near Atlanta.
The search aimed to collect ballots and voter data from the 2020 election.
The FBI said they were executing a court-authorized action but gave no further details.
In 2020, there were claims, without evidence, that fraud affected the Georgia election results for President Trump.
Democrats, including Senator Jon Ossoff, criticized the FBI's actions.
The search is part of ongoing disputes over the 2020 election in Georgia.
The Department of Justice previously filed a lawsuit to access sealed election records.
President Donald Trump continues to claim the 2020 election in Georgia was "rigged."
Iran has warned it would respond strongly to any U.S. military strike, which it considers an act of war. This warning comes amid rising tensions after President Trump mentioned the possibility of a military strike. The U.S. has stationed military forces in the region, causing concerns about possible conflict.
Key Facts
An Iranian official said any U.S. strike would be "unprecedented" and amount to starting a war.
President Trump has discussed military action against Iran due to its response to antigovernment protests.
The U.S. has moved an aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, to the Middle East for military drills.
Iran's advisor, Ali Shamkhani, emphasized that a limited U.S. strike is unrealistic and any action would have severe consequences.
There are about 40,000 U.S. soldiers in the Middle East who could be at risk from Iranian missiles or drones.
Iran stated readiness for dialogue with the U.S., which might include limits on its nuclear program and regional influence.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned options for defensive action and regional leadership uncertainty if Iran's regime changes.
The situation remains tense with the possibility of escalation depending on future U.S. actions.
"Balloon-like objects" have entered Polish airspace from Belarus, reportedly carrying illegal cigarettes. This is seen as part of "hybrid" actions, a strategy involving non-traditional warfare tactics, by Belarus, a close ally of Russia.
Key Facts
Balloons from Belarus crossed into Poland carrying illegal cigarettes.
This act is viewed as part of hybrid warfare tactics.
Hybrid warfare includes actions like cyberattacks and information campaigns without direct military conflict.
Poland's military tracked these objects and imposed temporary airspace restrictions.
Poland has previously summoned Belarusian officials over similar incidents.
Police and military have detected and reported numerous smuggling balloons from Belarus.
Similar balloon activities caused Lithuania to temporarily close its main airport in October 2025.
NATO has increased its air presence along its eastern edge following related incidents.
Charles Victor Thompson was executed in Texas for the 1998 murders of his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend. Before his execution, he expressed a wish for the victims' families to find forgiveness. Thompson died by lethal injection and was the first person executed in the U.S. in 2026.
Key Facts
Charles Victor Thompson was executed in Texas for killing his ex-girlfriend, Glenda Dennise Hayslip, and her boyfriend, Darren Keith Cain.
The murders took place in Houston in 1998.
Thompson had previously escaped custody but was recaptured after three days.
He was given a lethal injection and pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. Central Time.
Before his death, Thompson expressed hope for forgiveness from the victims' families.
Thompson was the first person executed in the U.S. in 2026.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has gone up among people living in large U.S. cities, according to a new Fox News poll. The approval rate rose from 34% to 40% in January, though the majority still disapprove.
Key Facts
The Fox News poll was conducted from January 23-26, 2026, among 1,005 registered voters.
President Trump's approval in urban areas increased to 40%, up from 34% in December.
Disapproval among urban voters fell from 66% to 60%.
The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Urban areas are usually less supportive of Republican candidates, like President Trump.
A shift in urban voter support can affect nearby suburban areas and state election outcomes.
Nationally, President Trump's approval stayed consistent at 44% in the same series of polls.
The polls collected responses through landlines, cellphones, and online methods.
China has executed 11 members of the Ming mafia, a criminal group from Myanmar, for serious crimes like murder and fraud. This group ran scam centers that trapped many people and was involved in the illegal gambling business. Their activities ended after they were captured in 2023 during a civil conflict in Myanmar and handed over to Chinese authorities.
Key Facts
China executed 11 members of the Ming mafia for crimes such as murder and fraud.
A court in Zhejiang province sentenced them last year.
The Ming mafia operated in Laukkaing, Myanmar, controlling casinos and scam centers.
They were caught in 2023 and turned over to China by ethnic militias during Myanmar's civil war.
Their operations forced many trafficked workers to scam people.
The scams involved trafficked Chinese workers and caused significant financial harm.
In total, their illegal activities generated over 10 billion yuan between 2015 and 2023.
The crimes of the Ming mafia resulted in the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun faces pressure from the United States and Israel to disarm Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Hezbollah refuses to disarm unless Israel stops its near-daily attacks on Lebanon, breaching a ceasefire agreement. Aoun's challenge is to navigate these tensions without causing further conflict in Lebanon.
Key Facts
President Joseph Aoun is the leader of Lebanon.
The Lebanese Armed Forces will present a plan for Hezbollah's disarmament in February.
An international conference in support of the Lebanese army will take place in Paris in March.
Israel has intensified attacks on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah’s leader says the group will not disarm unless Israel abides by the ceasefire.
Israel has been accused of violating the ceasefire agreement over 11,000 times.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, is pressuring Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has not attacked across the Israeli border since December 2024.
A woman found an abandoned house in Cleveland, Tennessee, which attracted wide attention online due to unusual stains on its door. The video of this discovery gained significant views, and it prompted discussions on TikTok about what could have caused the markings. The situation highlights a broader issue in the U.S. regarding the large number of vacant homes.
Key Facts
A TikTok user shared a video of an abandoned house in Cleveland, Tennessee, which went viral.
The video showed strange dark red, brownish stains on the front door.
There are national concerns about abandoned homes in the U.S., valued at over $150 billion.
PropertyChecker states there are about six million abandoned residential homes in the U.S.
The U.S. has approximately 15 million vacant homes, with 6.2 million classified as "persistently vacant."
Over 7,000 homes are "zombie foreclosures," which means they were left during foreclosure processes.
TikTok users shared various theories about the stains, ranging from blood to rust or peeling paint.
The Israeli military conducted an operation in al-Batsh cemetery in Gaza City, which led to the excavation and disturbance of numerous graves while searching for the body of an Israeli captive. Families, including Fatima Abdullah, expressed grief as they were unable to properly mourn due to the destruction caused. Human rights organizations have criticized the repeated desecration of cemeteries in Gaza by the Israeli military.
Key Facts
The operation took place in al-Batsh cemetery located in the Tuffah neighborhood of eastern Gaza City.
Israeli military was searching for the body of an Israeli captive, Ran Gvili.
Approximately 250 graves were disturbed using heavy machinery during the operation.
Cemeteries in Gaza have been desecrated multiple times by the Israeli military.
Human rights organizations say these actions violate international humanitarian law.
Fatima Abdullah's husband, Mohammad al-Shaarawi, is buried in the affected cemetery.
21 out of 60 cemeteries in Gaza have been reported as damaged or destroyed.
The situation has left many Palestinian families uncertain about their loved ones' final resting places.
President Donald Trump shared a video on his Truth Social platform that reportedly shows Alex Pretti in a confrontation with federal immigration agents. The video, verified by facial-recognition technology, shows a man identified as Pretti in a scuffle with agents. This comes after President Trump promised an investigation into Pretti's shooting.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump shared a video featuring Alex Pretti on his Truth Social platform.
The video shows a man, said to be Pretti, involved in a confrontation with federal agents.
Facial-recognition technology suggested a 97 percent match of the man in the video to Pretti.
The video was first posted by The News Movement, an online media outlet.
President Trump pledged to investigate Pretti's earlier shooting incident.
Pretti was described variously online, with some calling him a "domestic terrorist."
The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the video.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings for Michigan, South Dakota, Wyoming, and New York starting Thursday, January 29. These states could see up to 12 inches of snow, which may lead to difficult travel conditions.
Key Facts
Michigan, South Dakota, Wyoming, and New York are under winter storm warnings.
Up to 12 inches of snow are possible, causing hazardous travel, especially during commute times.
Michigan's Alger County may see up to 5 inches of snow by Thursday evening.
South Dakota's northern Black Hills could get 6 to 9 inches of snow by Friday evening.
Wyoming's Black Hills might receive up to 9 inches or more snow.
New York areas such as Orleans, Monroe, and Wayne counties might face 6 to 12 inches of snow until Saturday.
The NWS advises drivers to travel with emergency kits and stay cautious due to the weather conditions.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he will not run for any elected office again. He decided to step back from politics after withdrawing from his third-term gubernatorial race, following a fraud scandal in the state.
Key Facts
Tim Walz is the current Governor of Minnesota.
Walz stated he will not run for elected office in the future.
He recently withdrew from the race for a third term as governor.
A fraud scandal in Minnesota occurred under his administration.
Walz wants to focus on defending Minnesota residents instead of political interests.
This announcement was made in an interview with MSNow.
A video on Instagram shows a mouse entering actress Luna Mansour's house in Dubai, only to be confronted by her cats. Mansour and her husband caught the mouse and released it safely before the cats could harm it. The video quickly gained popularity online.
Key Facts
A mouse entered Luna Mansour's home in Dubai looking for food.
Mansour has seven cats, three of which were trying to catch the mouse.
Mansour and her husband managed to catch and release the mouse unharmed.
The video of the event went viral, receiving over 7.7 million views.
Cats have natural hunting instincts to catch small animals like mice.
The video was shared under Mansour's Instagram username, @lunamansour.
Tesla reported its first-ever drop in annual revenue, with a 3% decrease to $94.8 billion in 2025. The company's profits also fell significantly, and Tesla announced a $2 billion investment in Elon Musk's AI start-up, xAI. Meanwhile, other tech giants like Microsoft and Meta reported strong earnings.
Key Facts
Tesla’s annual revenue for 2025 was $94.8 billion, down from $97.7 billion in 2024.
In the last quarter of 2025, Tesla's revenue fell by 3% to $24.9 billion.
Tesla's net profit for the fourth quarter fell 61% to $840 million.
For the entire year, Tesla’s profit was $3.8 billion, down from $7.1 billion in 2024.
Tesla announced a $2 billion investment in Elon Musk's AI venture, xAI.
Tesla shares increased by about 2.2% in after-hours trading.
Microsoft announced a 60% increase in profit for the final quarter, with revenue of $81.3 billion.
Meta reported a profit of $22.8 billion on revenue of $59.9 billion, with a 6% increase in stock value after hours.
A video showing a miniature dachshund meeting her new puppy sibling for the first time has gone viral on TikTok. The owner, Holly, shared that the older dog, Florence, is usually nervous around other dogs but showed unexpected enthusiasm for the newcomer, Jud. The TikTok video has been viewed more than 658,000 times and has received over 108,000 likes, with many people sharing similar pet stories.
Key Facts
Florence is a miniature dachshund who is nearly 5 years old.
Florence typically feels nervous around new dogs but was very excited to meet Jud, a 5-month-old puppy.
The dog's owner, Holly, shared a video of the first meeting on TikTok.
The video quickly became popular, gaining over 658,000 views.
Online commenters shared their own experiences of pets meeting new siblings.
The dogs' meeting occurred in Yorkshire, England.
The TikTok account for the dogs is @littlemissflo_masterjud.
Chinese President Xi Jinping subtly criticized President Donald Trump's policies during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing. Xi emphasized the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation, contrasting with Trump's approach of using American power to achieve goals. The visit is part of a broader effort by U.S. allies, like the U.K., to strengthen ties with China.
Key Facts
President Xi Jinping of China criticized unilateralism and protectionism during his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Xi stated that international laws are effective only when all countries follow them and hinted that major countries should lead by example.
President Trump has shifted U.S. foreign policy by pulling back from multilateral institutions and using forceful tactics internationally.
Recent U.S. actions include a military raid in Venezuela and efforts to buy Greenland, alongside imposing tariffs.
Traditional U.S. allies, including the U.K., Canada, and France, are visiting China to improve relations.
Xi and Starmer discussed supporting multilateralism and free trade.
Keir Starmer stated that the U.K. does not need to choose between aligning with the U.S. or China.
Aryna Sabalenka, ranked number one, will face Elina Svitolina in the women's singles semifinals at the Australian Open. The match will be broadcast on ESPN and available to stream for free on FuboTV.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka is the current number one player and defending champion.
Sabalenka has not lost a set in this tournament and aims for her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
Elina Svitolina enters this semifinal after defeating Coco Gauff.
This is Svitolina's first time reaching the Australian Open semifinals.
The match will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, around 4:40-5:00 AM ET.
It will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.
The match can also be streamed for free via FuboTV.
