A Reddit user shared an accidental pocket photo taken by a woman's iPhone, showing unexpected blue streaks and glowing white lines. The image stirred discussions online, with users jokingly suggesting it could depict another dimension, though the likely cause involves reflections or motion blur.
Key Facts
A woman accidentally took a pocket photo on her iPhone 16.
The photo shows blue and white streaks, creating a cosmic look.
The image was posted on Reddit and received 50,000 upvotes.
Users speculated in a joking manner about other dimensions.
The actual cause of the photo is likely reflections, motion blur, or interaction with fabric and light.
On average, Americans have about 2,795 photos on their phones, mostly of everyday moments according to a survey by OnePoll.
Apple stopped the release of its latest iOS updates for older iPhones and iPads shortly after they became available. This decision affects devices such as iPhone SE and various iPads, and the updates were meant to address important functionality and security issues. Apple has not explained why the rollout was halted, but there may be issues, including problems with emergency calls on some devices.
Key Facts
Apple released new iOS updates, including versions iOS 18.7.4 and iOS 16.7.13, for older devices.
The updates were designed to maintain device functionality and fix issues like emergency call problems.
By Wednesday, Apple stopped allowing the updates to be installed.
The updates aimed to refresh an expiring security certificate, essential for some services.
Telstra, an Australian telecom company, noted network connection problems affecting emergency calls on some old iPhones.
Apple has not yet announced a timeline for reissuing the halted updates.
iOS 26.2.1 is still available and not affected by this halt.
A home video of Francesca Hennessy running as a child went viral and inspired her journey to become an elite boxer. Now 21, Francesca is preparing for a significant boxing match that could lead to a title opportunity.
Key Facts
Francesca Hennessy was filmed by her father, Mick, running as a child; the video went viral with over four million views on Instagram.
Mick Hennessy is a boxing promoter who also helped guide famous boxers Tyson Fury and Carl Froch.
Francesca learned boxing from her father and started sparring at age 11.
She will fight Ellie Bouttell in a WBC title eliminator, aiming to challenge for a world championship.
Francesca has used boxing to overcome personal challenges, including body-image issues.
She spoke at the Houses of Parliament about how boxing can positively impact young people.
Her upcoming fight will be broadcast live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
A former acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Sandweg, discussed changes in Minneapolis operations after two fatal shootings. Tom Homan, a former ICE director, was appointed to lead operations, and Sandweg believes his experience will bring stability to enforcement practices. Sandweg also highlighted the need for Congress to reform immigration laws to improve ICE's public image and effectiveness.
Key Facts
John Sandweg served as acting ICE Director under President Obama from August 2013 to February 2014.
Tom Homan, a former ICE director, has been deployed to Minneapolis to oversee ICE operations.
Two fatal shootings occurred in Minneapolis during federal enforcement actions in January.
Greg Bovino, previously in charge, was removed; Sandweg criticized his tactics as unsuitable for an urban setting.
Sandweg thinks Homan will bring standard, orderly ICE procedures back to Minneapolis.
Video evidence contradicted the initial official accounts of the shootings.
Sandweg argues against abolishing ICE and urges congressional immigration law reforms.
Public trust in ICE and the Department of Homeland Security has decreased due to recent actions and messaging.
Odessa A’zion, an American actress, stepped down from a film role due to criticism about her playing a character of Mexican heritage. The character, Zoe Gutierrez, is part of a love story adapted from the novel "Deep Cuts." A’zion decided to exit the film after realizing she hadn't fully considered the character's cultural background before accepting the role.
Key Facts
Odessa A’zion was cast in the film "Deep Cuts," based on Holly Brickley’s novel.
Her character, Zoe Gutierrez, has Mexican and Jewish heritage.
A’zion is American with German and Jewish heritage.
She initially auditioned for a different role but was offered Zoe's part instead.
A’zion exited the film 48 hours after facing online criticism.
She admitted to not reading the novel before accepting the role.
A’zion apologized to fans and acknowledged the importance of authentic representation.
The novel's story involves characters Percy and Joe meeting at a campus bar.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stopped a special operation, called "Operation Catch of the Day," in Maine. Senator Susan Collins announced the end of these enhanced activities, and regular ICE operations will continue as before.
Key Facts
ICE had started a special operation in Maine called "Operation Catch of the Day."
The operation aimed to arrest criminal illegal immigrants.
Senator Susan Collins confirmed the end of this special operation.
Collins shared that ICE will maintain normal operations in Maine.
Collins communicated with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about ICE's activities.
Collins has been advising the administration on immigration enforcement in Maine.
New data reveals that Western US states generally have higher grocery bills, while Southern states experience lower costs. Overall food prices in the US rose by 3.1% from December 2024 to December 2025, with meats and dairy products seeing significant increases. Hawaii has the highest grocery costs due to the need to import most of its food.
Key Facts
Western states generally have higher average grocery costs, while Southern states have lower costs.
Hawaii has the highest weekly grocery bill at $157 due to high import costs.
From December 2024 to December 2025, overall food prices increased by 3.1%.
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs saw a 3.9% price increase.
Southern states like Arkansas and Iowa have the lowest grocery bills, around $111 per week.
Labor costs and the ability to grow food locally contribute to lower Southern grocery bills.
South Dakota experienced a 12.6% increase in grocery costs from the previous year.
The data was collected by Visual Capitalist using information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Iran has announced that it has deployed 1,000 new drones to its army branches in response to potential military threats from the U.S. President Trump sent warships to the Middle East and threatened action if Iran does not engage in talks about its nuclear program.
Key Facts
Iran claims it has 1,000 new drones ready in its military forces.
The drones' details are kept secret to maintain "military secrets."
President Trump sent warships to the Middle East, which he called an "armada."
Trump threatened military strikes in response to Iran's crackdown on protests.
Trump is seeking a broader agreement with Iran, including nuclear issues.
Iran has threatened to retaliate against U.S. targets if attacked.
A possible U.S. target for Iran could be the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard near the airport in Niamey, Niger's capital, with air defense systems reportedly engaging unidentified projectiles. The situation calmed down later, but it is unclear what caused the blasts or if there were any injuries. Niger's government is investigating if this is related to a uranium shipment stuck at the airport.
Key Facts
Gunfire and explosions occurred near the international airport in Niamey, Niger.
Air defense systems were seen engaging unidentified projectiles.
The events began shortly after midnight and lasted about two hours.
Officials say the situation is now under control but provided no details.
There is no information on what caused the blasts or any potential casualties.
The airport includes an air force base and is located near the presidential palace.
Niger is dealing with jihadist threats and has nationalized its uranium mines.
A uranium shipment is stuck at the airport due to legal issues with France.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers almost got a serious injury during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. JJ Redick, a member of the Lakers organization, mentioned concerns about the safety of the court where the game took place, which has reportedly caused injuries before. Doncic was able to return to the game and continue playing, finishing with notable stats.
Key Facts
Luka Doncic awkwardly landed during the game, raising concerns about a potential injury.
Doncic had to leave the game temporarily but was able to return and finish the match.
He scored 29 points, made six assists, and got five rebounds in 30 minutes.
JJ Redick pointed out that the Cleveland court has a history of causing player injuries.
In 2023, the Miami Heat reported issues with the same court after a player injury.
LeBron James and the Lakers previously expressed similar concerns about the court.
The Lakers suffered a significant loss to the Cavaliers with a score of 129-99.
Heavy gunfire and explosions happened near the airport in Niamey, Niger. The cause of the violence is not yet known, and officials have not reported any injuries or deaths.
Key Facts
Gunfire and explosions occurred near Niamey's international airport.
The incident took place on a Thursday.
Videos from the scene show flashes in the sky and burning vehicles.
Authorities have not confirmed what caused the violence.
There are no reports of injuries or deaths at this time.
Many Russian nationals living in Ukraine face difficulties with citizenship processes and mistreatment due to their Russian passports. They must navigate challenging legal and bureaucratic systems to obtain or maintain Ukrainian citizenship, especially amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Key Facts
Over 150,000 Russian nationals live in Ukraine, many of whom are related to Ukrainians or were born in Ukraine.
Some Russian nationals have sought refuge in Ukraine due to dissident views or have volunteered to support the Ukrainian army.
Russian citizens in Ukraine face complex procedures to renew residence permits or obtain Ukrainian citizenship.
Ukraine banned dual citizenship until June 2025, requiring Russian nationals to renounce their Russian citizenship for Ukrainian citizenship.
Russian nationals often have to prove they have no legal issues or financial obligations in Russia to qualify for Ukrainian citizenship.
Problems arise with expiring Russian passports, often requiring multiple trips abroad to renew them.
Some cases have seen Ukraine's migration service refusing to renew residence permits or stripping Ukrainian citizenship when deadlines are missed.
Legal challenges have occurred, with some Ukrainian courts ruling against these decisions by migration services.
A Reddit user shared a photo of a Korean skincare shelf, sparking a discussion among skincare enthusiasts about their favorite products. Users highlighted popular products such as Skin1004 sunscreen and Mixsoon Glacier Water Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Korean skincare brands have gained global popularity due to their focus on hydration and skin-friendly ingredients.
Key Facts
A Reddit user posted a picture of a Korean skincare shelf, asking for product recommendations.
Skin1004 sunscreen was highlighted by users as an exceptional product.
Mixsoon Glacier Water Hyaluronic Acid Serum was praised for its price and effectiveness.
Haruharu Wonder’s cleansers were noted for being gentle on sensitive skin.
The Reddit discussion reflected the popularity of Korean beauty products.
Korean skincare is known for its focus on hydration and gentle ingredients.
Allure magazine has recognized several Korean skincare products for their quality.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a $4.8 billion plan to upgrade health care facilities for veterans across the U.S. This includes work on old infrastructure and updating electronic health records, aiming to improve care for about 9.1 million veterans using these services. Most of the money will be used for fixing and upgrading infrastructure, with some funds allocated for electronic systems and facility upgrades.
Key Facts
The VA will spend $4.8 billion to improve its health care facilities.
This is the largest single-year investment in VA infrastructure.
The funding is for fiscal year 2026.
$2.8 billion will go to repairing and updating infrastructure in medical facilities.
$1 billion is for electronic health record systems, preparing them for future updates.
$500 million will upgrade major building features like elevators and electrical systems.
$500 million is for modernizing medical centers to meet current and future care needs.
The Full Cost of War Act, a bill introduced by Congress members, aims to ensure VA funding is considered in military decisions.
Texas is investigating three North Texas businesses for allegedly misusing the H-1B visa program, which allows companies to hire skilled foreign workers. The investigation is still early, with no criminal charges announced yet, and the companies have not been identified publicly. Texas has also paused new H-1B applications, an extension of federal efforts to tighten rules around these visas.
Key Facts
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading the investigation.
The focus is on three businesses accused of creating fake offices to fraudulently sponsor H-1B visas.
No criminal charges have been filed, and the businesses have not been named.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused new H-1B applications until May 2027.
H-1B visas are used to hire foreign workers in specialized fields like technology and engineering.
A fee of $100,000 for certain H-1B petitions was imposed under the Trump administration.
Efforts to tighten regulations around H-1B visas have been supported by some and criticized by others.
Police in Western Australia are investigating a possible terrorist act after a man allegedly threw a homemade explosive device at an Indigenous rights protest in Perth. The device did not explode, and no one was hurt. The suspect has been charged with making and possessing explosives and attempting to cause harm.
Key Facts
The incident happened at an Indigenous rights protest in Perth, Australia, known as an "Invasion Day" rally.
The protest was attended by thousands of people on January 26, 2026.
A 31-year-old man was charged with throwing an improvised explosive device.
The explosive device included nails and metal ball bearings but did not explode.
Police are investigating the act as a potential terrorist incident.
The suspect’s home was searched, and materials for making explosives were reportedly found.
Indigenous leaders and human rights groups have called for a thorough police investigation.
The Human Rights Law Centre suggested the act could be a hate crime or terrorism based on its nature.
Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, shared advice for the next person who will take his position, emphasizing staying out of politics and regularly communicating with Congress. His time as chair was marked by tension with President Donald Trump, who often criticized Powell's decisions on interest rates. The Federal Reserve recently decided to keep interest rates the same, and Trump is set to choose a new chair soon as Powell's term ends in May.
Key Facts
Jerome Powell is the outgoing chair of the Federal Reserve.
Powell advised his successor to stay out of politics and work closely with Congress.
President Trump frequently criticized Powell, especially when he didn't cut interest rates.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged in its latest policy meeting.
Concerns about the Fed's independence have increased due to recent legal actions.
President Trump has not yet announced who will replace Powell.
Rick Rieder, from BlackRock, is a leading candidate for the new Fed chair position.
Alameda County in California has decided not to allow ICE agents in its public buildings. This decision is part of creating "ICE-free zones" to prevent federal immigration actions on county property and ensure immigrants have access to public services without fear.
Key Facts
Alameda County banned ICE agents from public buildings.
The county created "ICE-free zones" to limit ICE enforcement.
These zones cover buildings, parking lots, and spaces owned or controlled by the county.
The decision follows recent incidents involving ICE and aims to protect immigrant access to services.
Signs and barriers will enforce the policy in these areas.
A rapid-response plan will help coordinate efforts with other nearby jurisdictions.
Local leaders and civil rights groups support this move as a stand against federal raids.
The California Nurses Association supports the action, advocating for further ICE reform.
Ford’s partnership with Red Bull in Formula 1 faced a setback during testing in Barcelona due to a crash involving driver Isack Hadjar. Meanwhile, Ford is investing heavily in electric vehicle technology as part of its strategy linked to F1, while GM's Cadillac team is also entering the competition with a different approach.
Key Facts
Ford and GM are competing in Formula 1 racing in 2026.
Ford is working with Red Bull to develop a new race car engine.
A crash during testing in Barcelona involved Ford's teammate Isack Hadjar, leading to delays.
Ford is investing $50 billion in electric vehicle development, which includes F1 technology.
GM's Cadillac team utilizes a Ferrari engine for its new team.
GM Executive Dan Towriss commented that Ford's role is mostly marketing.
Ford's executive chairman, Bill Ford, countered GM's comments, emphasizing Red Bull's champion team.
A pit bull named Oliver went viral on TikTok after seeing his first-ever backyard in his new home. The dog's joyful reaction highlights a growing trend among pet owners seeking pet-friendly living spaces. An Apartments.com survey shows pet-friendly policies are major factors in housing decisions for renters.
Key Facts
A pit bull named Oliver became popular on TikTok after exploring his first backyard.
The video of Oliver's reaction has over 267,000 views and more than 62,300 likes.
Oliver's previous home was an apartment without outdoor space.
Many people commented on the joy Oliver showed when running in the new yard.
An Apartments.com survey found nearly 90% of renters have a pet, while over 80% consider pet-friendly policies important.
Oliver's new home in Charlotte, North Carolina, is double the size of his old apartment and includes a yard and patio.
