A viral post on a platform called Threads sparked a debate about behavior on planes. A passenger shared a photo of a woman sitting with her feet on the seat during a flight in India, which led to divided opinions on appropriate conduct in public spaces.
Key Facts
The incident took place on a short internal flight in India from Chennai to Bangalore.
The viral post originated from a user named Maria Mammen on Threads.
The post showed a woman with her bare feet on the airplane seat while on her phone.
The post received over 4,500 likes and sparked various comments on plane etiquette.
Some comments criticized the woman's behavior as lacking civic sense.
Others defended the woman's actions, stating she was within her own space.
Booking.com etiquette guidelines advise against removing shoes during a flight for safety reasons.
Etiquette recommendations also include greeting crew, minimizing noise, and sharing armrests.
U.S. immigration agents attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis but were stopped by consulate staff. Ecuador's government labeled it an "attempted incursion" and protested to the U.S. Embassy. International law protects consulates from such unauthorized entry.
Key Facts
U.S. immigration agents tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis.
Consulate staff stopped the agents and used emergency protocols to protect Ecuadorian citizens inside.
Ecuador's Foreign Ministry called the incident an "attempted incursion".
Ecuador filed a protest with the U.S. Embassy, asking for assurances against future incidents.
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations protects consulates and requires law enforcement to have permission to enter, except in emergencies.
Videos on social media show the consulate staff denying entry to the agents.
The U.S. has ratified the Vienna Convention, which applies international legal protections to consulates.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has sent five prisoners with indefinite sentences to the Court of Appeal for review. These sentences, called Indeterminate Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), were stopped in 2012 but still affect around 2,800 people. The review could lead to changes for those still under these sentences.
Key Facts
The CCRC referred five IPP prisoners to the Court of Appeal.
IPP sentences were stopped in 2012 but affect about 2,800 people.
Originally, IPP sentences were given to those seen as dangerous but not severe enough for life sentences.
The Ministry of Justice supports actions to help these offenders.
Changes in law aim to quickly review these sentences for possible ends.
The referred prisoners were young when sentenced, between 2002 and 2010.
The Court of Appeal might change its approach to these cases, acknowledging changes in maturity over time.
The BBC interviewed Matthew Booth, sentenced at 15, who discussed the sentence's impact on him.
People in parts of Oregon and Montana are being asked to stay inside due to poor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5, has reached levels considered "unhealthy."
Key Facts
Parts of Oregon and Montana have "unhealthy" air quality due to fine particle pollution (PM2.5).
The pollution levels were recorded as of January 28, 2026, according to the EPA's AirNow Map.
PM2.5 are tiny particles, smaller than a strand of hair, that can be inhaled into the lungs or bloodstream.
High levels of PM2.5 can worsen heart and lung conditions and cause symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.
The EPA advises sensitive groups (older adults, children, and those with heart or lung issues) to avoid outdoor activities.
People are encouraged to use air purifiers indoors and avoid burning materials to keep indoor air clean.
PM2.5 can come from sources like wildfires, vehicle emissions, and industrial activities.
The EPA uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to communicate air quality levels, with scores indicating the severity of pollution.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of President Donald Trump, accused Ukraine of crossing a line in a conflict with Hungary. Orban stated that Hungary will not send money to Ukraine or support a ban on Russian oil and gas imports. He also opposes Ukraine's quick entry into the European Union.
Key Facts
Viktor Orban, Hungary's Prime Minister, is a political ally of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Orban accused Ukraine of crossing a line in their conflict with Hungary.
Hungary will not send financial aid to Ukraine, which is currently at war with Russia.
Hungary refuses to support the European Union's plan to ban Russian oil and gas imports by 2027.
Hungary relies heavily on Russian gas for energy needs.
Orban opposes Ukraine's rapid admission to the EU, citing concerns about importing the conflict.
Orban emphasized that decisions for Hungary will not be made in Kyiv or Brussels.
China deployed warships in the South China Sea as the U.S. and the Philippines held joint naval exercises in the region. China claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, overlapping with claims by countries like the Philippines, a U.S. ally. Both the U.S. and China are expected to continue their military presence in the area.
Key Facts
China sent naval forces to patrol the South China Sea.
The U.S. Navy and the Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises.
China criticizes the Philippines for disturbing peace in the region by working with non-regional countries.
The South China Sea is a disputed area with overlapping claims from China and other nations, including the Philippines.
The U.S. and its allies often deploy forces in the South China Sea to support freedom of navigation.
During the exercises, the U.S. and the Philippines used several naval and air units, including ships and aircraft.
The joint exercises occurred in a disputed area known as Bajo de Masinloc to the Philippines and Huangyan Island to China.
Both China and the U.S. aim to uphold their interests and maintain a presence in the region.
Neil Young, a singer and political activist, is giving people in Greenland free access to his online music archives for a year. He hopes this will help reduce stress and threats related to President Trump's interest in Greenland. President Trump has mentioned wanting to discuss Greenland's status but says he won't use force.
Key Facts
Neil Young offers Greenlanders a year's free access to his music archives.
President Donald Trump expressed interest in Greenland due to national security concerns.
Trump has stated he seeks negotiations with Greenland and will not use force.
Young has criticized President Trump and has protested against his policies.
Access to Young's archives typically costs around $25, depending on the package.
Young's offer requires a Greenland registered mobile number for access verification.
In 2020, Young tried to stop Trump from using his music in campaign rallies.
Young has previously criticized Spotify for hosting content he disagrees with.
An online post imagined what the '80s-inspired TV show "Stranger Things" would have looked like with actual 1980s actors. This idea went viral, with thousands of fans sharing their thoughts and support.
Key Facts
A post on Threads showed which 1980s actors could have starred in "Stranger Things."
Millie Bobby Brown's character Eleven was paired with a young Winona Ryder.
Jim Hopper's role, played by David Harbour, was matched with Tom Selleck.
Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, was associated with Michael J. Fox.
Nancy Wheeler was linked to Heather Langenkamp from "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
Other suggested actors included Corey Haim, Sean Astin, and River Phoenix.
The fan-casting post gained over 41,000 likes and many positive comments.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum asked South Korea for more BTS concerts in Mexico after tickets quickly sold out. BTS plans to hold three shows in Mexico City during their world tour, but high demand led to concerns about ticket pricing and resale.
Key Facts
BTS will perform three shows in Mexico City as part of a 79-date world tour.
Tickets for the Mexico City shows sold out in less than 40 minutes.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum asked South Korea for more BTS concerts in Mexico.
Resale platforms were investigated for high ticket prices, with tickets being sold for up to 92,100 pesos.
Ticketmaster sold tickets priced between 1,800 and 17,800 pesos.
Mexico's consumer watchdog sanctioned StubHub and Viagogo for unfair ticketing practices.
About a million young people competed for 150,000 available concert tickets.
BTS's comeback tour follows a hiatus for military service and individual music projects.
President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with recent events in Syria after a Syrian army move against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which had been supported by the United States. President Trump spoke with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The situation has led to a shift in U.S. support away from the SDF, as Syria takes on more responsibility in the region.
Key Facts
President Trump praised developments in Syria after a Syrian army offensive against the SDF.
Trump talked with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who will meet with Russian President Putin.
The Syrian army's advances led to the SDF withdrawing from Raqqa and Deir Az Zor.
The U.S. had consistently backed the SDF but is now scaling down its support as Syria takes control.
There were differing opinions among the residents of the affected Syrian cities about the developments.
The Syrian government reiterated its commitment to national unity and preventing the return of terrorist groups.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria stated the SDF's primary role against ISIS is now diminished.
Russian President Putin and Syrian President al-Sharaa are planning to discuss Middle East issues and bilateral relations in Moscow.
President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. will stop supporting Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki becomes the Prime Minister again. Maliki, who previously served as Iraq's Prime Minister from 2006 to 2014, was backed by a group of Shia-led parties for the position. The U.S. is concerned about Maliki's connections to Iran and potential influence on Iraq.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened to end U.S. support to Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki is chosen as Prime Minister.
Maliki was Iraq's Prime Minister from 2006 to 2014, a period marked by violence and chaos.
Maliki has strong ties to Iran and was recently selected by Shia-led parties as their nominee.
Iraq's parliament delayed electing a president, which is a step needed to nominate the Prime Minister.
The U.S. is worried about Iran's influence in Iraq, as voiced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump's comments come amid historical U.S. interventions in other countries' elections.
Maliki's past tenure saw increasing sectarian violence and the rise of the Islamic State group.
Intrusive thoughts are unexpected, often unsettling ideas that many people experience occasionally. For some, these thoughts can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Around 1-4% of people have OCD, and it often begins during adolescence or early adulthood.
Key Facts
Intrusive thoughts are unexpected ideas that can suddenly enter a person's mind.
Most people experience intrusive thoughts occasionally, and they can usually ignore them.
For some, intrusive thoughts become obsessions, leading to compulsive actions aimed at relieving anxiety.
Intrusive thoughts often contradict a person's values or identity, focusing on distressing topics like harm or illness.
OCD affects about 1-4% of the population and is now a prevalent mental health issue among young adults in England.
OCD typically starts in adolescence, but some people are diagnosed later in life.
There may be genetic and stress-related factors that increase the risk of developing OCD.
Effective management of OCD can involve professional help and daily techniques like labeling intrusive thoughts.
On January 28, fighting in Ukraine saw several Ukrainian regions attacked by Russian forces, leading to casualties and damage. Ukraine faces an ongoing energy crisis due to Russian strikes, while negotiations involving global leaders continue to seek solutions to the conflict. The EU is providing support with generators, and discussions involve significant geopolitical players like China and the U.S.
Key Facts
A Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, killed four people and injured two more.
In Odesa, a Russian attack on a building resulted in three deaths and 25 injuries.
Russian forces claim to have seized two Ukrainian settlements, but Ukraine disputes this.
710,000 people in Kyiv, Ukraine, are without electricity due to the energy crisis.
The European Union is sending 447 generators to help Ukraine with power shortages.
President Trump reports progress in negotiations to end the war but provides no details.
Finland's prime minister suggests China could influence Russia to help end the conflict.
An ICE agent tried to enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis without permission. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry stopped the agent and sent a protest to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador.
Key Facts
An ICE agent attempted to forcibly enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis.
Consular staff prevented the agent from entering and activated emergency procedures.
Ecuador's Foreign Ministry filed a protest with the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador.
Consulates and embassies are generally protected by international law, requiring permission for entry by outside agents.
Tensions in Minnesota are high due to recent incidents involving federal agents and local residents.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not provided a comment regarding the incident.
President Trump is signaling efforts to tone down ICE activities in Minneapolis.
Abena Christine Jon'el, a Ghanaian-American model and writer, recently walked in a fashion show in Ghana to highlight the visibility of people with disabilities. She has faced challenges since childhood, including losing her leg to cancer, and has been active in advocating for the rights of disabled individuals both in the U.S. and Ghana. Her move to Ghana in 2021 connected her more deeply with her heritage and identity.
Key Facts
Abena Christine Jon'el is a 33-year-old model and writer with a prosthetic leg.
She participated in a fashion show in Ghana to raise awareness about people with disabilities.
Abena became disabled at the age of two due to cancer, leading to the amputation of her leg.
She grew up in Chicago, USA, and later became a writer and public speaker.
Abena felt a deep connection to Africa and decided to move to Ghana in 2021.
Her visit to historic sites in Ghana strengthened her sense of identity.
Abena advocates for the visibility and rights of disabled people in both the U.S. and Ghana.
South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, is facing several legal charges, including bribery and stock manipulation. Kim is involved in various controversies, like receiving luxury gifts and allegedly falsifying her credentials. Her trial marks the first time in South Korea that a presidential spouse has been indicted while in detention.
Key Facts
Kim Keon Hee, married to former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, faces multiple legal charges.
Charges include bribery, stock manipulation, and political interference.
Prosecutors claim Kim earned over 800 million won from a stock scheme with Deutsch Motors.
She is accused of accepting expensive gifts from the Unification Church for business favors.
Kim allegedly received numerous free political opinion polls as bribes.
Her trial will be the first time a presidential spouse in South Korea is indicted while detained.
Before her husband’s presidency, Kim faced allegations of faking educational credentials.
Secret footage showed Kim receiving a luxury handbag, raising questions about illegal gifts.
President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. will stop supporting Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki becomes Iraq's prime minister again. Al-Maliki, who has ties to Iran, was nominated by a major Shia group in Iraq's parliament. The U.S. prefers not to see Iranian influence grow in Iraq.
Key Facts
President Trump said the U.S. would not support Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki is reinstated as prime minister.
Al-Maliki has connections to Iran, which is a long-time rival of the United States.
Al-Maliki was nominated by the Coordination Framework, Iraq's largest Shia parliamentary group.
Trump criticized al-Maliki's previous leadership, linking it to chaos and poverty in Iraq.
U.S. representatives stated that the choice of prime minister is Iraq's decision, but the U.S. will act in its own interest.
Trump has threatened sanctions on Iraq if its new government includes groups supported by Iran.
During his previous term as Iraq's prime minister, al-Maliki clashed with Sunni and Kurdish rivals.
Iraq's oil revenue is held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, giving the U.S. financial influence over Iraq.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico will continue to support Cuba, despite reports of stopping oil shipments. Mexico is a key oil supplier to Cuba, which is dealing with a U.S. trade embargo and an energy crisis. President Trump mentioned that Cuba may soon face failure as Venezuela stopped sending oil.
Key Facts
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico stated her country will keep supporting Cuba.
Reports say Mexico stopped an oil shipment to Cuba planned for January.
Mexico is an important supplier of oil to Cuba, helping it manage a U.S. trade embargo.
President Donald Trump indicated Venezuela is no longer sending oil to Cuba.
Venezuela was a major provider of discounted oil to Cuba before these changes.
In the past year, Mexico supplied Cuba with about 5,000 barrels of oil daily.
The Mexican government is reconsidering future oil shipments to Cuba due to U.S. concerns.
Sheinbaum emphasized that decisions about oil supplies are determined by Pemex or the government for humanitarian reasons.
The British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is visiting China for three days to meet with President Xi Jinping and discuss the UK's relationship with China. Accompanying him are about 60 business and cultural leaders. The visit aims to rebuild ties, despite tensions over human rights and security concerns.
Key Facts
This is the first visit to China by a British prime minister since 2018.
The prime minister will meet President Xi Jinping during the trip.
The group includes major British businesses like HSBC and cultural leaders.
UK aims to "reboot" its relationship with China, despite challenges.
Human rights concerns in China are noted, including treatment of Uyghurs.
There are worries about China's espionage activities in the UK.
Prime Minister argues for a consistent strategy with China for national interest.
President Trump is expected to visit China in April.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian oil minister, is on trial in London. She is accused of accepting bribes and living a luxurious lifestyle funded by payments from businessmen connected to the oil industry. Alison-Madueke denies the charges of bribery and conspiracy.
Key Facts
Diezani Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria's oil minister from 2010 to 2015.
She is accused of accepting bribes from individuals seeking oil contracts with Nigeria's state-owned petroleum company.
Prosecutors allege she spent over £2 million at Harrods, a luxury department store in London.
Alison-Madueke reportedly lived in expensive properties and used private jets and chauffeur-driven cars in the UK.
Her expenses, including household staff, were allegedly paid for by business owners with oil contracts in Nigeria.
She denies five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
The trial is taking place at Southwark Crown Court in London.
