"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Season 1, Episode 2 will air on HBO and be available on HBO Max on January 25, 2026, at 10 pm ET/PT. The show releases new episodes weekly every Sunday until February 22, 2026. Viewers need an HBO Max subscription to watch the series.
Key Facts
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Episode 2 airs on January 25, 2026, at 10 pm ET/PT.
The show is available on HBO and can be streamed on HBO Max.
Viewers need a subscription to HBO Max to watch the series.
A basic HBO Max subscription costs $10.99 per month with ads; no-ads version costs $18.99 per month.
New episodes are released every Sunday until February 22, 2026.
Series set a century before "Game of Thrones," featuring characters Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg.
Episode times vary by region, for example, 3:00 am BRT, 6:00 am GMT on January 26, 2026.
Norway's prime minister received a message from President Donald Trump concerning tensions over Greenland. Trump mentioned feeling less obligated to focus on peace after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. This situation is part of a larger conflict involving Trump's threats to take control of Greenland and new import taxes on certain European countries.
Key Facts
President Trump sent a message to Norway's prime minister about Greenland-related tensions.
Trump reportedly connected not winning the Nobel Peace Prize to his stance on peace.
Trump announced a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight countries, including Norway.
These countries, which support Denmark and Greenland, opposed the tax.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to reduce tensions, doubting military action.
The conflict concerns Trump's interest in Greenland, a self-governing area of Denmark.
Some teachers in Scotland are unable to find permanent jobs and either stay on the supply list for years or move abroad for work. Many new teachers, especially in primary schools, struggle to get stable employment despite government efforts to increase teacher numbers and reduce workload. Some teachers are facing financial and personal difficulties due to the lack of job security.
Key Facts
Many new teachers in Scotland can't find permanent teaching jobs.
Some teachers have spent years on the supply list without stable positions.
A teacher moved to Dubai for job security and now fears returning to Scotland due to job shortages.
Another teacher has been on the supply list for over nine years and struggled financially.
The Scottish government promised to hire more teachers to reduce workload but did not meet targets.
Statistics show only 25% of newly qualified teachers secured permanent jobs.
About 89% of primary school teachers are in temporary or supply roles.
Teachers expressed concern about the high cost of hiring due to increased pay rates.
A dog experienced distress after being left at a shelter, leading to a self-inflicted injury. The shelter staff found the dog's kennel smeared with blood, assumed to be from broken nails. The dog was later adopted, and a video about her experience went viral online.
Key Facts
A pit bull mix was surrendered to a shelter because her family couldn't care for her.
The dog's first night at the shelter resulted in an injury due to anxiety and stress.
Staff found the kennel smeared with the dog's blood; she appeared scared.
The dog was temporarily moved to the office area of the shelter following the incident.
The dog was adopted shortly after with the new owner working with a trainer for adjustment.
A TikTok video depicting the situation received over 786,000 views and 104,000 likes.
The video aims to raise awareness about the challenges some dogs face in shelters.
The enrichment coordinator urges exploring rehoming options before choosing shelter surrender.
A woman in Los Angeles bought a coat online and found what appeared to be a diamond ring in its pocket. She recorded a video of herself discovering the ring, which was later confirmed to be costume jewelry, not real diamonds. The video went viral on TikTok with many sharing their own thrift store find stories.
Key Facts
A woman named Jaymie Rubin bought a black faux-fur coat for $30 from an online resale site called Poshmark.
While filming herself wearing the coat, she found a ring in the pocket that looked like a diamond ring.
Rubin was unsure of the ring's authenticity, so she went to a jeweler who confirmed it was costume jewelry.
Rubin shared her discovery in a video on TikTok, which was viewed over 860,000 times.
Many people commented on her video, offering advice and sharing their own thrift store finds.
Some viewers suggested looking for markings on the ring to determine if it was real.
Other TikTok users shared stories of finding money or valuable items in thrift store purchases.
Rubin expressed relief that the ring was not real, avoiding the hassle of returning an authentic, possibly lost item.
Three shark attacks occurred in Sydney over two days, leading to serious injuries for a boy and a man. The boy was swimming at a popular beach when a shark attacked, and his friends helped him until rescuers arrived. The man, attacked later, was taken to the hospital with serious leg injuries.
Key Facts
Sydney saw three shark attacks in just over 24 hours.
A 12-year-old boy was attacked at Shark Beach and is in critical condition.
The boy's friends helped him out of the water, which may have saved his life.
The attack on the boy was believed to be by a bull shark, known for being aggressive.
A man was seriously injured in a separate attack at Manly Beach.
Rainfall might have contributed to conditions that attracted sharks closer to shore.
Local authorities closed all beaches in Sydney's Northern Beaches after the attacks.
Australia is known for having many shark attacks, with five fatalities recorded last year.
Scientists have discovered that people over 80 who stay mentally sharp, called "super agers," have genetic differences that help protect against Alzheimer's disease. These individuals are less likely to have a gene that increases Alzheimer's risk and more likely to have one that offers protection.
Key Facts
Super agers maintain strong memory and thinking skills well into their 80s and beyond.
Researchers found that super agers are less likely to have a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's called APOE-ε4.
These individuals are more likely to carry a protective gene variant known as APOE-ε2.
Super agers are 68% less likely to have APOE-ε4 than people over 80 with Alzheimer's.
They are 19% less likely to have the high-risk gene compared to cognitively normal people the same age.
This study involved 18,080 participants from eight national aging studies and included over 1,600 super agers.
The research suggests that understanding super agers may help develop prevention and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's.
A new storm is expected to hit Gaza, affecting many Palestinians living in temporary tents. The harsh winter weather is worsening conditions for those already displaced by ongoing conflict. Aid deliveries to the area have been limited, despite agreements meant to increase support.
Key Facts
An upcoming storm is forecast to hit Gaza, where many people live in temporary shelters.
These shelters are not suitable for winter weather and have been damaged by previous storms.
Nearly all of Gaza's two million residents have been displaced due to conflict.
An average of 145 aid trucks per day are entering Gaza, much less than the expected 600 trucks under a ceasefire agreement.
Winter weather has caused buildings to collapse, resulting in at least 25 deaths since mid-December.
The cold has led to 24 deaths, including 21 children, from exposure.
Hospitals in Gaza are reporting many patients, especially children, with cold-related illnesses.
Gazans are using plastic sheets and burning scraps to stay warm, due to a lack of fuel.
Germany is working to build Europe's strongest conventional army and has passed a law that could make military service mandatory. The country aims to increase its military numbers significantly and spend more on defense, partly due to concerns about Russia.
Key Facts
Germany has passed a law that could require mandatory military service, though currently, joining the military is voluntary.
The German military, known as the Bundeswehr, had 184,000 active troops as of last November and plans to increase this to 260,000 by 2035.
Germany also plans to double its reservists to 200,000 by 2035.
The country is investing 108 billion euros this year to strengthen its military, which is 2.5% of its GDP.
Germany plans to increase its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030.
German public opinion has shifted towards greater support for defense spending due to security concerns with Russia.
Many Germans no longer believe the USA will guarantee Europe’s security, with 84% expressing this view as of December 2025.
Several states in the United States are experiencing heavy snow as a winter storm moves through. The National Weather Service has issued warnings and advisories for areas in Michigan, New York, Montana, Maine, and New Hampshire. Some places could receive up to 4 feet of snow, leading to difficult travel conditions.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service has put parts of Michigan and New York under winter storm warnings.
Northern Herkimer County, New York, expects 6 to 12 inches of snow, while areas near Watertown may see 2 to 4 feet.
Niagara, Orleans, northern Erie, and Genesee counties in New York could see 10 to 20 inches of snow.
Michigan counties, including Lake and Kent, are expected to get 3 to 5 inches of snow with strong winds.
Western Chippewa County, Michigan, forecasts 4 to 9 inches of snow with higher amounts possible.
Winter weather advisories are in place for parts of Montana, Maine, and New Hampshire with lighter snow expected.
Travel may be difficult or dangerous in many of these areas due to heavy snow and wind.
Researchers found higher levels of a radioactive substance called iodine-129 in the waters west of the Philippines. This material likely came from sources in countries like China and Eastern Europe and traveled south through ocean currents. The findings help scientists study how radioactive materials move across regions, though the detected levels are not a danger to people or marine life.
Key Facts
Iodine‑129 is a radioactive substance used to study past nuclear activities.
Higher levels of iodine‑129 were found in the West Philippine Sea, according to recent research.
This isotope mainly comes from nuclear fuel reprocessing, weapons testing, and nuclear accidents.
The detected levels in the study are not harmful to human health or animals in the area.
Researchers traced the isotope's origins to places like China, Kazakhstan, and Europe.
The findings show that ocean currents transport radioactive materials over large distances.
The study was published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin and funded by Philippine research councils.
Russian media has expressed approval of President Donald Trump's effort to buy Greenland, suggesting it could weaken NATO. The Kremlin noted that if Trump succeeded, it would be historically significant. Trump's intentions include imposing tariffs on several European countries that oppose the Greenland acquisition until an agreement is reached.
Key Facts
President Trump aims to acquire Greenland, which is owned by Denmark, a member of NATO.
Russian pundits believe this effort could damage NATO, as it involves territory disputes between member countries.
The Kremlin commented that Trump's success in acquiring Greenland would make history but did not label it as good or bad.
President Trump plans to impose tariffs on several European countries starting on February 1 if they oppose his plan.
The Russian media, including state-affiliated outlets, have mainly reacted positively to Trump's actions.
European Union leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss how to respond to Trump's tariff threats over Greenland.
Russian figure Kirill Dmitriev publicly stated that Trump's actions signal the end of the transatlantic alliance.
Prince Harry is suing the publisher of the Daily Mail over allegations of phone hacking and illegal practices. His lawsuit claims these acts occurred in 14 articles published between 2001 and 2013. Associated Newspapers, the publisher, denies the allegations and is contesting the lawsuit.
Key Facts
Prince Harry claims the Daily Mail made him feel paranoid and isolated.
The lawsuit covers 14 stories published by the Daily Mail from 2001 to 2013.
Harry attended the trial in person at the High Court in London.
Harry alleges that his private information was unlawfully obtained and used by the newspaper.
Specific allegations include obtaining flight details of Harry's ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy.
The case documents claim the intrusion strained Harry’s relationships and caused distrust.
Other public figures, including Sir Elton John, are also suing the same publisher alleging similar issues.
Associated Newspapers denies all allegations and dismisses them as pre-planned smears.
A woman named Christina found a five-week-old kitten outside her home in Nebraska. After hearing the kitten's cries and eventually finding it under a bird bath, she cared for it and named it Romeo. Christina shared photos of the kitten online, which quickly gained popularity.
Key Facts
Christina found a kitten outside her Nebraska home.
The kitten was about five weeks old.
Christina heard the kitten crying for two days before finding it.
She named the kitten Romeo and cared for it by giving it a bath and removing fleas.
Christina shared photos of Romeo on Reddit, where they became viral.
The Reddit post received over 20,000 votes and more than 160 comments.
Romeo has bonded with the family's dogs but is not yet accepted by the other cats.
The online community reacted positively to Christina's adoption of the kitten.
A fire at a shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan, has resulted in at least 14 deaths. Authorities are still searching for over 50 people who are missing. The fire began on Saturday and took around 36 hours to control, but the building remains unstable.
Key Facts
A fire in a Karachi shopping mall has killed at least 14 people.
Over 50 people are still missing, and authorities are using phone data to help find them.
The fire started late on a Saturday at the Gul Plaza shopping mall.
Firefighters brought the fire under control after about 36 hours.
The building is now unstable and could collapse.
Initial reports suggest an electrical fault may have caused the fire, but the cause is not confirmed.
Karachi has a history of fires caused by poor safety rules and illegal building practices.
Protests in Iran, which began in late December over economic issues, have led to several thousand deaths, according to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Conflicting reports exist between the Iranian government, President Trump, and foreign observers about the cause and responsibility for these deaths. Internet access has been significantly restricted during the protests, limiting information flow.
Key Facts
Protests began on December 28, starting with shopkeepers in Tehran and spreading nationwide.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed "several thousands" of deaths during the protests.
The protests were initially about economic issues and later included broader political grievances.
The nights of January 8 and January 9 were reported as particularly deadly.
Iranian authorities implemented an internet blackout, cutting off communication during key protest periods.
The Iranian government claims foreign powers like the US and Israel supported violent opposition.
Foreign-based groups allege that Iranian state forces are responsible for a large number of deaths.
Internet access is being slowly restored, but many Iranians still face uncertainty.
A TikTok video by Cathy Pedrayes warns about the risks of using hot tap water for drinking and cooking due to potential lead exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises using cold water because hot tap water can dissolve lead from pipes more easily, increasing the risk of lead contamination in homes, especially older ones. Health experts recommend using cold water, certified filters, and updating plumbing to reduce lead risks.
Key Facts
Cathy Pedrayes shared a TikTok video viewed over 130,000 times about the risks of hot tap water.
Hot water can dissolve lead from plumbing more quickly than cold water.
The EPA advises against using hot tap water for drinking or cooking.
Homes built before 1986 are likelier to have lead pipes, but newer homes may also be at risk.
Even low levels of lead can harm infants, children, and pregnant individuals.
Experts suggest using cold water, certified filters, and updating plumbing to reduce risks.
The EPA's updated Lead and Copper Rule requires actions to reduce lead pipes nationwide.
Chile's President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two southern regions due to severe wildfires. These fires have led to the evacuation of over 50,000 people and resulted in at least 18 deaths. Challenging weather conditions are making it difficult to control the fires, which have consumed significant areas of land.
Key Facts
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the Nuble and Biobio regions of southern Chile.
More than 50,000 people have been evacuated due to the wildfires.
At least 18 people have died because of the fires.
Firefighters are battling 24 active fires across the country.
The fires have burned nearly 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land.
Strong winds and high temperatures have helped the fires spread.
Parts of Chile are experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 38C (100F).
Chile has faced increased wildfire threats recently, which experts link to climate change effects.
A ceasefire has been agreed upon in Syria between the government and the Kurdish-led SDF. This agreement ended nearly two weeks of fighting, leading to celebrations in the country.
Key Facts
The ceasefire is between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
This agreement ended almost two weeks of fighting.
The fighting was described as deadly.
People have been celebrating the ceasefire in cities like Damascus.
The ceasefire raises hopes for peace and national unity in Syria.
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet with Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to reinforce a ceasefire agreement after recent conflicts in northern Syria. The ceasefire comes after the Syrian government forces reclaimed territory from the SDF, leading to an agreement that integrates SDF fighters into the Syrian state. The United States remains involved due to its focus on preventing an ISIL resurgence in the region.
Key Facts
President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria plans to meet Mazloum Abdi, the SDF leader, to discuss the ceasefire.
The meeting was delayed from Sunday to Monday due to bad weather.
The ceasefire was agreed after Syrian government forces retook large areas in the northeast from the SDF.
Mazloum Abdi accepted the ceasefire during a televised address and plans to discuss the agreement details after returning from Damascus.
The agreement allows for SDF fighters to be integrated into Syrian state institutions.
The United States is involved, focusing on preventing ISIL from re-emerging in the area.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the need to eliminate terrorism from Syria.
The Syrian Ministry of Defence announced a ceasefire, ensuring safe return routes for civilians.
