A private jet with eight people on board crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night. The crash happened while the area was experiencing heavy winter storms. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
A private jet crashed at Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night.
The aircraft was a Bombardier Challenger 600, designed for nine to eleven passengers.
Eight people were on the jet, but their conditions are not yet known.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are looking into the crash.
The crash took place during severe winter weather affecting much of the eastern U.S.
Bangor International Airport closed after the crash, which happened during takeoff.
The airport offers direct flights to several major cities in the U.S.
Roughly 12,000 flights were canceled and 20,000 delayed in the U.S. due to the storm.
The UK Met Office has issued severe weather warnings as Storm Chandra approaches. This storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain, with the potential for flooding and damage in various parts of the UK.
Key Facts
Storm Chandra is the third major storm to hit the UK this month, after Storms Goretti and Ingrid.
The UK Met Office has named this storm and issued an amber wind warning for parts of Northern Ireland.
Wind speeds could reach up to 75mph (120km/h), especially in coastal areas, leading to large waves.
Significant rainfall is expected, with 60-80mm predicted on higher ground in southwest England.
Flood risks are heightened due to saturated ground from previous storms.
Yellow warnings for rain and wind cover multiple UK regions, including Northern Ireland, southwest England, and Wales.
The storm is expected to exacerbate conditions caused by earlier storms, potentially weakening structures and affecting power lines.
The Met Office names storms with potential "medium" or "high" impacts, following an alphabetical list starting in September each year.
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi group supported by Iran, warned of "total war" if Iran is attacked, as the U.S. increases its military presence in the region. The group's leader urged fighters to be ready to support Iran, highlighting growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Key Facts
Kataib Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed group in Iraq.
Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the group's leader, warned of a "total war" if Iran is attacked.
The U.S. is sending more military forces to the Middle East amid rising tensions.
President Trump recently suggested support for Iranian protesters and sent military assets to the region.
Kataib Hezbollah is part of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces, formed to combat ISIS.
In a conversation with Iraq's Prime Minister, the U.S. Secretary of State urged Iraq to distance itself from Iran.
Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may return to power in Iraq after over a decade.
The social media company Meta has made a change to Instagram that hides the follower and following lists for users in Iran. This change is meant to protect Iranian users from government surveillance during a period of protests and violence in the country.
Key Facts
Meta altered Instagram to hide follower and following lists for users in Iran.
Iranian government officials reportedly used Instagram data to monitor and target protesters.
The updates aim to protect users during significant political unrest in Iran.
Iranian protests are led by civilians who are often under 30 years old.
Rights groups report thousands killed in protests due to government crackdown.
Social media is crucial for Iranians to connect and communicate during protests.
Elon Musk changed the Iranian flag on social media to support protesters.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported nearly 4,500 protest-related deaths.
Hip-hop artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, apologized for past antisemitic remarks in a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal. He attributed his behavior to an undiagnosed brain injury and bipolar I disorder, claiming they contributed to his actions but did not excuse them.
Key Facts
Ye apologized for antisemitic comments in the Wall Street Journal.
He stated, "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people."
He described his past remarks as "reckless."
Ye linked his behavior to a brain injury from a 2002 car accident.
He said the injury was not diagnosed until 2023.
Ye claimed this injury contributed to his bipolar I disorder.
He expressed regret and said it does not excuse his actions.
Israel has recovered the remains of the last hostage taken by Hamas, which allows them to move to the next stage of the ceasefire with Hamas. The ceasefire aims to eventually rebuild Gaza and disarm Hamas. Israel plans to open the Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza and Egypt, following the recovery.
Key Facts
Israel's military found the remains of the final hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, in Gaza.
Gvili was killed during an attack led by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Recovering all hostages was crucial for the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The next phase of the ceasefire will focus on issues like changing Gaza's governance and disarming Hamas.
Israel intends to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt after the recovery.
The crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, except briefly in early 2025.
The conflict began with an attack that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages.
Palestinians hope the crossing's opening will allow travel and medical evacuations.
A major winter storm affected a large part of the United States, bringing heavy snow to states from New Mexico to Maine. Some areas experienced snow totals as high as 31 inches, and the storm created challenging conditions with freezing temperatures and power outages.
Key Facts
The storm impacted regions from New Mexico to Maine, affecting approximately 190 million people.
The National Weather Service reported the storm would intensify in the Northeast.
New Mexico recorded the highest snowfall with 31 inches at Bonito Lake.
Tennessee's Memphis saw the least snowfall in the report, with 3.5 inches.
States like Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado also saw snowfall exceeding 20 inches.
Bitter cold temperatures are expected after the storm, worsening conditions in affected areas.
Power outages and blocked roads are anticipated to become more serious threats due to the cold weather.
A woman shared her experience of misunderstanding her kitten's behavior on TikTok, highlighting the importance of researching before getting a pet. Her story and the reactions emphasize that many new pet owners may mistake normal behaviors as problematic due to a lack of preparation. Organizations like Cat’s Protection offer advice to help new cat owners care for their pets properly.
Key Facts
A TikTok user posted a video of her kitten, thinking its behavior was unusual.
The video showed the kitten acting playfully, which the owner mistook as feral behavior.
After consulting a vet, she learned the kitten was just playful, not feral.
This discussion mirrors a larger trend where 24% of U.K. pet owners did no research before getting a pet.
The PDSA warns that lack of preparation can risk animals' long-term health.
Cat’s Protection offers tips like providing a quiet space, balanced diet, and microchipping.
The video went viral with nearly 900,000 views, sparking discussions among pet owners.
New cat owners are advised to learn about their pets to avoid misunderstandings.
India is dealing with an outbreak of the Nipah virus in West Bengal, with five confirmed cases so far. The virus is carried by fruit bats and currently has no specific treatment or vaccine.
Key Facts
The Nipah virus outbreak is in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.
Five people are confirmed infected, and approximately 100 people are in quarantine.
The virus started spreading in a private hospital in the city of Barasat.
Three of the infected people are medical professionals treating patients.
Nipah is a serious virus originating from fruit bats and can infect animals and humans.
There are no specific treatments or vaccines available for Nipah virus.
Symptoms include cough, fever, headache, and can develop into severe brain inflammation.
The Nipah virus has a high mortality rate, with 40-75% of cases potentially resulting in death.
NASA is keeping an eye on two asteroids passing near Earth today. The smaller one, named 2026 BB4, is the size of a house and will come closest at 844,000 miles away. The larger one, 2026 BJ1, is about the size of a plane and will pass within 3.07 million miles.
Key Facts
NASA is monitoring two asteroids, 2026 BB4 and 2026 BJ1, near Earth.
2026 BB4 measures about 54 feet across and will come within 844,000 miles of Earth.
2026 BJ1 is about 220 feet wide and will pass 3.07 million miles from Earth.
Asteroids are small rocky bodies from the solar system's formation, located mainly between Mars and Jupiter.
Near-Earth objects are asteroids that come within 120 million miles of the sun.
Potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) are those passing within 4.6 million miles of Earth's orbit.
Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, denied that soldiers assaulted Barbara Kyagulanyi, the wife of opposition leader Bobi Wine, despite her reports of being attacked during a raid on their home. Bobi Wine stated that the military continues to surround their house and search for him after he rejected Uganda's recent election results. The military chief claims they are focused on finding Bobi Wine, not his wife.
Key Facts
Barbara Kyagulanyi, Bobi Wine's wife, was reportedly assaulted by soldiers during a raid at their home.
Bobi Wine, an opposition leader, claimed the military surrounded his home and is actively searching for him.
Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, denied that the military assaulted Barbara Kyagulanyi.
Kainerugaba stated that they are pursuing Bobi Wine, not his wife.
Bobi Wine rejected the latest election results, which declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner.
Museveni has been in power since 1986 and was recently re-elected.
Since the election, Wine's opposition party alleges targeting of its supporters by security forces.
The Uganda Law Society condemned violence and disappearances of opposition figures by security forces.
Two charities in the South East of England received nearly £300,000 to help older residents facing financial difficulties. The funds aim to improve the financial situations and living conditions of older people, particularly those who rent homes privately in coastal areas.
Key Facts
The total funding awarded is approximately £300,000.
Citizens Advice Swale received £149,997 from Independent Age.
Age UK East Sussex received £150,000 from the same source.
The funding targets older residents in financial hardship, especially private renters in coastal communities.
Independent Age focuses on improving financial wellbeing and housing safety for elderly people.
Hannah Lison of Independent Age stated the funding will help continue and expand the charities' support efforts.
A California woman reunited her golden retriever, Kermit, with his mother and siblings for his first birthday. The gathering of the dog's family was shared on TikTok and quickly gained popularity online.
Key Facts
A woman named Mary Graham organized a birthday surprise for her golden retriever, Kermit, by reuniting him with his mother and siblings.
Mary Graham shared the reunion on TikTok, where the video gained tens of thousands of views.
Kermit turned one year old on January 17.
The puppy owners had been in contact since acquiring their dogs and remained connected through a Facebook group created by the breeder.
Despite scheduling challenges, a reunion was planned for Kermit's first birthday with all dogs and their owners meeting at a central location.
The dogs, including Kermit's mom, recognized each other and spent two hours playing together.
This reunion was the first for the breeder to witness a full litter reunion.
The video of the event attracted widespread engagement on TikTok, with many users commenting on the joyful scene.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani told New Yorkers to stay home due to heavy snow and suggested passing the time with activities like reading. Mamdani shared how the city prepared for the storm, including converting sanitation trucks into snow plows and holding remote classes for students. His approach received mixed reactions online, with some people praising his communication style and others questioning his visibility during the storm.
Key Facts
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani advised New Yorkers to stay indoors during a snowstorm.
Mamdani encouraged reading through the public library during the storm.
The mayor discussed converting sanitation trucks into snow plows.
All school classes were set to be held remotely due to the storm.
Mamdani posted a video that showed him talking about storm preparations.
Online reactions included praise for his clear and engaging communication.
Some people saw his storm response as effective, while others criticized his lack of visibility.
A post defending Mamdani's efforts received over 46,000 likes on social media.
Episode 3 of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" Season 1 will be available on HBO and HBO Max on February 1, 2026. New episodes come out every Sunday until February 22, 2026, and viewers need an HBO Max subscription to watch.
Key Facts
Episode 3 airs on February 1, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max.
An HBO Max subscription is required to watch the series.
The series airs new episodes every Sunday until February 22, 2026.
Basic HBO Max subscription costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 annually.
A no-ads HBO Max subscription is $18.99 per month or $184.99 annually.
Episode 3 will be available on HBO Max at 10 pm ET/PT.
Episode runtimes are between 42 and 33 minutes.
The series is set 100 years before "Game of Thrones" and follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle challenged President Trump after he made comments about NATO's role in the Afghanistan War. Trump later praised the UK's military efforts in the conflict. This incident comes amid ongoing visa-related discussions about Prince Harry's residency in the United States.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle responded to President Trump's comments on NATO’s involvement in the Afghanistan War.
Trump suggested European NATO forces, including Britain's, were less active on the front lines.
Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, highlighted the sacrifices of British military personnel, mentioning 457 soldiers who died.
Meghan supported Harry’s response with an Instagram post about his military service.
Trump later acknowledged the bravery of UK soldiers, referencing their casualties in Afghanistan.
Prince Harry's immigration status in the U.S. has been under scrutiny due to past drug use mentioned in his autobiography.
The Heritage Foundation attempted to access Harry’s immigration records, claiming public interest.
A judge ruled to protect Harry’s privacy, siding with the government's argument over the Freedom of Information Act case.
A mayor in the southern Philippines survived an attack when his armored vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The attack happened in Shariff Aguak, an area known for political violence. Three suspects were killed in a shootout with police and the army.
Key Facts
The attack occurred in the town of Shariff Aguak in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines.
The mayor, Akmad Ampatuan, survived when the rocket hit his armored car.
This was the fourth attempt on Ampatuan's life since 2014.
The suspects fled the scene but were later involved in a shootout with authorities, resulting in the deaths of three of them.
The leader of the attack was identified as Budtong "Rap-Rap" Pendatun, who had three outstanding arrest warrants.
The attack happened in an area classified as an election hotspot due to its history of violence.
Two security personnel of the mayor suffered minor injuries.
The police and military are investigating if there were security failures.
Israel plans to reopen the Gaza Strip's Rafah crossing with Egypt after searching for the body of the last Israeli hostage taken by Hamas. A military operation is underway in Gaza to locate the remains of police officer Master Sgt. Ran Gvili. The crossing will open once this search is complete, as part of the ongoing peace efforts mediated by the U.S.
Key Facts
Israel has agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt, linked to retrieving the body of an Israeli hostage.
The Rafah crossing has remained mostly closed since May 2024.
The search for Master Sgt. Ran Gvili's body is taking place in northern Gaza.
The operation includes specialized units like rabbis and dental experts with mobile X-ray machines.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a limited reopening for pedestrian passage, pending a full Israeli inspection.
Hamas has provided information on the possible location of Gvili's body.
The move to reopen the crossing is part of President Trump's peace plan for Gaza.
The plan involves a ceasefire, release of hostages, and a new Palestinian government for Gaza.
A woman in Spain bought a secondhand purse that contained vintage cosmetics from the 1940s to 1970s. This unexpected find went viral on Reddit, attracting attention as thrifting gains popularity worldwide. Experts advise against using old makeup due to health risks.
Key Facts
A woman in Spain bought a secondhand red purse and found vintage cosmetics inside.
The cosmetics included old nail varnishes and makeup from brands like Christian Dior.
The items are estimated to be from the 1940s to the 1970s.
The discovery gained over 16,000 upvotes on Reddit.
Thrifting is popular for being budget-friendly and offering unique finds.
A survey indicated 66% of Americans thrift to save money, and many enjoy searching for unique items.
Experts warn against using old cosmetics due to potential for bacteria, mold, and other risks.
Common signs that makeup should not be used include strange smells, changes in texture, and separation.
A TikTok video showing a dog and a cat with matching fur coats walking together has gained over 2 million views. The video highlights how pets of different species can live together peacefully when introduced properly.
Key Facts
A TikTok video shows a dog and a cat with nearly identical orange-and-white fur coats walking side by side.
The video has gotten more than 2 million views and over 679,000 likes.
Meagan Chandler, the pet owner, did not choose the dog to match the cat's appearance.
Around 42% of U.S. pet owners have both dogs and cats, according to Pew Research Center.
Experts suggest that dogs and cats can live peacefully if introduced slowly and carefully.
Dr. Travis Arndt notes that there is no innate reason for dogs and cats to dislike each other.
The Animal Humane Society recommends gradual steps when introducing cats and dogs, like keeping them separate initially and then using positive reinforcement.
