Judd Trump, the world number one in snooker, advanced to the quarter-finals of the Masters with a 6-2 victory over Ding Junhui. Trump made three century breaks during the match at Alexandra Palace and will next face Mark Allen.
Key Facts
Judd Trump is ranked as the number one snooker player in the world.
Trump defeated Ding Junhui with a score of 6-2 at the Masters snooker tournament.
Trump achieved three century breaks, which are scores of 100 points or more in one visit to the table.
Trump has won five matches in a row against Ding.
Ding Junhui won the Masters title in 2011.
Trump will play against Mark Allen in the quarter-finals.
All matches in this year's Masters tournament so far have ended with a 6-2 scoreline.
Trump expressed confidence in his recent performances, having reached several finals.
The San Francisco 49ers won against the Philadelphia Eagles in a close game, but their victory was overshadowed by a serious injury to their tight end, George Kittle. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles, which will sideline him for the rest of the playoffs and much of the 2026 NFL season.
Key Facts
The 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 in the wild card round.
George Kittle, a tight end for the 49ers, was injured during the game.
Kittle has a torn Achilles, a serious leg injury.
He will miss the rest of the playoffs and a significant part of the 2026 season.
Kittle is an important player and leader for the 49ers.
His wife shared her emotional response to his injury on social media.
The 49ers will next face the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round.
Shaun Wane has stepped down as England's head rugby league coach, nine months before the Rugby League World Cup. Wane, who took the role in 2020, decided to leave after "careful reflection" to allow new leadership to take over. England's rugby team had mixed results during his tenure, including a semifinal exit in the 2022 World Cup and losing all Ashes Tests to Australia last year.
Key Facts
Shaun Wane stepped down as England's head rugby league coach.
He became the coach in February 2020, replacing Wayne Bennett.
England reached the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup but lost to Samoa.
England won matches against Tonga and Samoa but lost the Ashes series to Australia last year.
The Rugby Football League plans to make the coaching position part-time now.
England's next World Cup begins with a match against Tonga in October 2026.
Tottenham has signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £35 million. Gallagher, who previously played for Chelsea, joined Tottenham on a long-term contract after leaving Atletico, where he transferred in August 2024.
Key Facts
Conor Gallagher has joined Tottenham from Atletico Madrid.
The transfer fee for Gallagher was £35 million.
Gallagher is an England midfielder.
He previously played for Chelsea before moving to Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher transferred to Atletico for about £33 million in August 2024.
Joao Felix moved from Chelsea to Atletico as part of the earlier transfer involving Gallagher.
Gallagher expressed excitement about joining Tottenham and continuing his career there.
Dylan Raiola, a college football quarterback, has decided to transfer to the University of Oregon. He plans to redshirt for a year, staying out of games to learn and improve before becoming the starting quarterback. Raiola's transfer decision follows Dante Moore's choice to remain at Oregon for another year.
Key Facts
Dylan Raiola is a college quarterback who initially played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Raiola is transferring to the University of Oregon.
He plans to redshirt, meaning he will not play games for a year and will focus on learning and developing his skills.
Dante Moore, another quarterback, decided to stay at Oregon, influencing Raiola’s decision.
Raiola is preparing for potentially entering the NFL Draft in 2028.
Other schools like Miami and Ole Miss have shown interest in Raiola.
The transfer portal, which allows athletes to switch schools, closes on January 16, 2026.
DraftKings offers a promotion where new users can bet $5 on NBA games and potentially win $300 in bonus bets. The offer applies when the initial bet has certain odds and is successful. Additional profit boosts and promotions are available for various sports, including NFL and NBA games.
Key Facts
DraftKings offers a $300 bonus bet opportunity for new users who place a $5 bet.
The $5 bet must have odds of at least -500 and must win to receive the bonus.
This promotion has been increased from a previous $250 bonus offer.
Other promotions include profit boosts for NBA, EFL Cup, college basketball, NHL, PGA, and NFL games.
Users can place various types of bets, like prop bets or parlays, to use the boosts.
New users must register, provide personal information, and make a deposit to participate.
The $300 bonus must be used within one week after being credited.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through links in the article.
The New England Patriots signed former Houston Texans pass-rusher Darrell Taylor to their practice squad. This move comes before their playoff game against the Houston Texans, possibly to strengthen their defense after some recent injuries.
Key Facts
The Patriots won against the Los Angeles Chargers with a score of 16-3.
The Patriots' defense held the Chargers to 207 total offensive yards.
New England's defense got six sacks and recovered one fumble in their recent game.
Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and cornerback Christian Gonzalez are questionable for the upcoming game.
To boost their defense, the Patriots signed Darrell Taylor, a former Texans player.
Darrell Taylor is a former second-round pick and has played for several NFL teams.
Taylor has played 69 career games with stats including 24.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles.
The article covers a promotional offer from the Sleeper app using the promo code NEWSWEEKXL. This offer provides bonuses for NBA and NFL fantasy sports picks, allowing users to select between an instant $20 bonus or a $100 deposit match. Users can participate in various fantasy plays for upcoming NBA games and the NFL Divisional Round.
Key Facts
Sleeper app offers a promo code, NEWSWEEKXL, for fantasy sports.
Users can choose between a $20 instant bonus or a $100 deposit match.
The promo is available for NBA games and the NFL Divisional Round.
The app lets users pick player performances to potentially earn payouts.
NBA games featured include matchups like Cavaliers vs. 76ers and Nuggets vs. Mavericks.
The app offers a choice between max and flex payout options for entries.
Max payout requires all picks to be correct; flex offers payout with partial accuracy.
Users need to register to use the promo code and make their picks.
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after a skirmish occurred post-match at the FA Cup game where Villa won 2-1. The clubs have to respond to these charges by Friday.
Key Facts
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa face misconduct charges from the Football Association (FA).
A confrontation happened between players from both teams after Villa's 2-1 victory.
The FA charges claim the clubs failed to ensure players acted properly after the game.
The match was part of the FA Cup, a knockout football competition.
Villa led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers.
Wilson Odobert scored for Spurs after half-time, but they were eliminated.
Aston Villa is scheduled to play Newcastle United in the next round.
The San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, is reportedly a top candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching job after the NFL playoffs. Known for his strong leadership and defensive skills, Saleh is attracting interest from multiple teams in the league.
Key Facts
Robert Saleh is the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
The Las Vegas Raiders are considering him for their head coaching position.
Saleh previously coached the New York Jets and improved the 49ers' defense.
ESPN predicts he could become a head coach due to his current success.
Nine NFL teams are looking for new head coaches this offseason.
Saleh has not yet received official job offers or made public statements.
The 49ers might see a change in defensive strategy if Saleh leaves.
Nick Waites, a Middlesbrough football fan, has attended every competitive game since 1996, marking a streak of 1,400 matches. He has faced challenges like illness and travel issues but remains committed to attending each game. He also adjusts his personal schedule around the team's matches.
Key Facts
Nick Waites has not missed a Middlesbrough competitive football match since 1996.
His streak includes league games, the FA Cup, league cup, and European matches, but not pre-season friendlies.
The last match he missed was in 1992, due to attending his brother's wedding.
Despite obstacles like illness, Waites continues attending matches, sometimes under challenging circumstances.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was not allowed to attend games in person.
Waites plans his holidays to avoid missing any Middlesbrough games.
He reached the milestone of 1,400 consecutive games during an FA Cup match against Fulham.
The Toronto Blue Jays released pitcher Justin Kelly from their Double-A team, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Kelly, 27, struggled with a high ERA this past season and had several injuries over the last two years.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays released Justin Kelly, a right-handed pitcher.
Justin Kelly is 27 years old and played in Double-A level for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Kelly began playing with the Blue Jays' organization in 2021 as an undrafted free agent.
He successfully pitched with a 1.80 ERA in High-A Vancouver in 2023.
In 2024, Kelly had a promising start with a 2.30 ERA but later struggled with a .591 ERA.
Kelly faced injuries and missed the last two months of the 2024 season.
Despite struggles, he has experience and some success against future major league players.
Kirk Cousins, a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, announced he will work as a guest analyst for CBS during the NFL playoffs. The Falcons did not make the playoffs this year. Cousins will be part of CBS's coverage of the divisional round and the AFC Championship game.
Key Facts
The Atlanta Falcons did not qualify for the NFL playoffs, finishing the season with an 8-9 record.
Kirk Cousins took over as the team's starting quarterback in Week 12 after Michael Penix Jr. had a season-ending injury.
Cousins announced he will be a guest analyst for CBS during the divisional round and AFC Championship game.
The Falcons are making changes in the offseason, including firing their general manager and head coach.
Matt Ryan, a former Falcons quarterback, has been hired as the President of Football and will help find a new GM and head coach.
The Falcons restructured Cousins' contract to free up money for the 2026 season.
Cousins has previous television experience, having worked with ESPN for playoff game coverage last year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to replace Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after a 19-season career. They have asked to interview two Los Angeles Rams coordinators, Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula, for the position. Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl win and multiple playoff appearances, and the team hopes to find a strong candidate to follow.
Key Facts
The Steelers ended the 2025 season with a 10–7 record and won the AFC North division.
They lost in the Wild Card Round to the Houston Texans.
Mike Tomlin resigned as head coach after leading the team for 19 seasons.
Tomlin's tenure included a Super Bowl victory and a .628 winning percentage.
The Steelers are considering Rams' Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula for the head-coaching role.
Nate Scheelhaase has been praised for his work with the Rams' passing game, which was top in the league.
Chris Shula has been recognized for strong defensive performance and is seen as a top defensive coach.
The Rams continue with their playoff run, highlighting the effectiveness of their coaching staff.
Newsweek is offering a promo code for Underdog fantasy sports app users. By using the code "NEWSWEEK," users can get $75 in bonus entries after making a $5 fantasy entry. This offer can be used for making picks in NBA and NFL games.
Key Facts
Newsweek provides a promo code "NEWSWEEK" for the Underdog fantasy app.
A $5 fantasy entry unlocks $75 in bonus entries.
This offer is available for NBA and NFL games this week.
Users can make picks on specific stats for players like Donovan Mitchell and Joel Embiid.
The Underdog app also covers NFL Divisional Round games.
Alongside the bonus, there are various profit boosts available for different sports.
Newsweek might earn a commission if users sign up via their links.
Tony Romo, a football commentator and former NFL quarterback, faced criticism for his performance during a recent Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars playoff game. He mentioned feeling unwell during the broadcast, as did others on the CBS team. Despite the negative feedback, Romo continues to participate in football commentary and will cover an upcoming game.
Key Facts
Tony Romo is a sports commentator for CBS during NFL games.
He faced criticism for his commentary during the Bills vs. Jaguars playoff game.
Romo explained he was not feeling well during the broadcast.
Other CBS crew members also felt unwell at the time.
Criticism came from fans on social media and sports media insiders.
Romo acknowledged that dealing with both praise and criticism is part of his role.
Romo is scheduled to commentate on the upcoming AFC Divisional Game between the Bills and the Broncos.
The Boston Red Sox reportedly signed pitcher Tayron Guerrero, who is known for his fast fastball reaching nearly 102 mph. Guerrero previously played in Japan and has a history of control issues with his pitches.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox reportedly signed Tayron Guerrero, a relief pitcher.
Guerrero is 6-foot-8 tall and can throw a fastball at almost 102 mph.
He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan during the 2025 season.
Guerrero has pitched 106 innings in Major League Baseball (MLB) before.
He struggles with control, giving up many walks over his career.
He originally signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent in 2009.
Guerrero is now 35 years old and aiming to make a successful return to MLB.
The Atlanta Braves lost player Vidal Bruján to the Minnesota Twins after the Twins claimed him off waivers. Bruján was a versatile player, but the Braves had recently filled his role with other players. Bruján hopes for more opportunities with the Twins.
Key Facts
The Minnesota Twins claimed Vidal Bruján from the Atlanta Braves off waivers.
Bruján joined the Braves after being claimed from the Baltimore Orioles in August.
The Braves traded for Mauricio Dubón and re-signed Ha-Seong Kim, making Bruján's role redundant.
Bruján has played for four different teams in two seasons.
In his MLB career, Bruján has a batting average of .199.
Bruján was once considered a top prospect with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Bruján brings positional versatility but has struggled with base stealing.
The Twins designated Mickey Gasper for assignment to make room for Bruján.
The article discusses a promotion by Kalshi, a sports prediction market, where new users can earn a $10 bonus after making $100 in trades. The promotion targets NBA and NFL games, allowing users to make predictions and potentially earn money by buying and selling positions. The focus is on how users can participate and meet the requirements to receive the bonus.
Key Facts
Kalshi offers a $10 bonus for new users who make $100 in trades using the promo code NEWSWEEK.
The promotion applies to NBA games like Cavaliers-76ers and Nuggets-Mavericks.
NFL Playoffs are part of the prediction options, with the Divisional Round happening this weekend.
Kalshi allows users to buy and sell their prediction positions at any time.
Users must trade a total of $100 to unlock the $10 bonus.
Participants need to input identifying information and make a deposit to start trading.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through links provided in the article.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced important dates for their spring training. The first workout for pitchers and catchers is on February 13, and the whole team meets on February 17, both at Camelback Ranch in Arizona.
Key Facts
The Dodgers will start spring training camp in less than a month.
Pitchers and catchers have their first workout on February 13.
The full team workout is scheduled for February 17 at Camelback Ranch, Arizona.
The Dodgers begin Cactus League play on February 21 against the Los Angeles Angels.
The team has made three significant player signings this offseason.
The Dodgers are reportedly trying to sign free agent Kyle Tucker.
