Activists say over 7,000 people have died in Iran due to a government crackdown on protests. The protests and resulting deaths add tension to Iran's ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have discussed how to approach these talks, with Trump pressing for an agreement and suggesting a potential military response if negotiations fail.
Key Facts
Activists report that at least 7,003 people have died in Iran from a crackdown on protests.
Many more deaths are feared, and communication difficulties make verification challenging.
Iran's only official death toll reported was 3,117 people.
The protests increase pressure on Iran's nuclear talks with the U.S.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the need for a stricter deal with Iran.
Trump warned that failing to reach a deal with Iran could lead to military action.
Iran's protests also involve public anger over the suppression of dissent.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency provides updated death tolls based on activists' networks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
NATO allies in Europe and Canada are addressing defense matters without U.S. leaders, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend recent NATO meetings. The meetings are part of the North Atlantic Council, NATO's top decision-making group.
Key Facts
NATO allies in Europe and Canada are focusing on defense efforts without U.S. leadership at recent meetings.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also missed the previous NATO foreign ministers meeting in December.
The meetings are held by the North Atlantic Council, which is NATO's top decision-making body.
It's uncommon for U.S. administration officials to skip these meetings, especially two times in a row.
U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby attended the recent meeting in place of Hegseth.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A teenager suspected in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, had been visited by police in the past due to mental health issues. The suspect killed eight people, including children and a teacher, before taking their own life. The motive for the attack and how they obtained the firearms used remain unclear.
Key Facts
The suspect was 18 years old and had mental health issues that led to police visits.
The attack resulted in eight deaths, including six children and a teacher.
The suspect's mother and step-brother were also killed at a nearby home.
The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities had previously seized guns from the suspect's home two years ago.
Two firearms were found at the scene of the shooting.
Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to visit the town following the incident.
A day of mourning was declared across British Columbia.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is involved in efforts to strengthen Israeli control over the West Bank. This move is seen as a step toward annexing the territory, drawing global criticism. Smotrich's actions are linked to his long-standing goal to assert Israeli claims over this region.
Key Facts
Israel announced new rules to increase control over the West Bank, viewed as paving the way for annexation.
The new rules allow Israelis to purchase land in the West Bank as easily as they do in other Israeli cities like Tel Aviv.
Smotrich used involvement in the West Bank as a condition for joining Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.
Smotrich has a background in the Israeli settler movement and traces his beliefs to religious Zionist teachings.
The move has faced opposition from international communities and neighboring Muslim countries.
Smotrich published a plan in 2017 suggesting Palestinians in the West Bank might face severe choices under Israeli rule.
Smotrich's actions and ideology have become more prominent internationally, especially amid the Gaza conflict that began in 2023.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Sir Chris Wormald has stepped down as the head of the UK's Civil Service and cabinet secretary. His responsibilities will be temporarily divided among Catherine Little, Dame Antonia Romeo, and James Bowler. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had appointed him to the role in December 2024.
Key Facts
Sir Chris Wormald stepped down as head of the Civil Service and cabinet secretary.
He was appointed to the position by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December 2024.
The decision for him to step down was made by mutual agreement, after negative media reports about his performance.
Catherine Little, Dame Antonia Romeo, and James Bowler will share his responsibilities temporarily.
Dame Antonia Romeo is a favored candidate for the role, but her past spending as a consul-general is under scrutiny.
Lord McDonald has suggested starting a full new process to appoint a successor.
Allegations against Dame Antonia Romeo were dismissed as there was no case to answer.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to improve vetting for senior government roles.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A survey by LendingTree showed that men are more likely than women to think having a lot of money makes someone more attractive as a date. The study found that 31% of men compared to 24% of women feel this way. The survey also highlighted generational differences and how financial views vary by age and income level.
Key Facts
A LendingTree survey asked 2,000 Americans, aged 18 to 80, about money and dating.
31% of men said money makes a date more attractive, compared to 24% of women.
44% of Gen Z respondents said being rich makes a date more attractive, while lower percentages were seen in older generations.
Among singles making $100,000 or more, 39% said money made dates more attractive versus 20% of those earning under $30,000.
90% of Americans agree that financial security is at least somewhat important in romantic relationships.
26% of unmarried Americans would consider marriage mainly for financial reasons.
35% of women want a partner who earns more than them, compared to 22% of men.
Open discussions about finances are important in relationships, according to experts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
California expects a big change in its weather with multiple winter storms set to bring heavy rain and snow over the next week. This shift comes after a dry winter, and the storms could improve the snowpack and water reservoirs but also create travel and flood risks.
Key Facts
California will experience a series of winter storms bringing lots of rain and snow.
The storms could deliver almost a month's worth of precipitation.
Up to 10 feet of snow is possible in the Sierra Nevada and into the Rockies.
California's snowpack is currently 59% of the average level.
Heavy precipitation could help water supplies but may cause floods and mudslides.
Travel could be hazardous due to snow and ice on roads.
Weather advisories and warnings are being issued across the affected areas.
There might be a brief break in the storms before more rain and snow hit next week.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Authorities are looking for a man seen with a backpack in a video recorded near Nancy Guthrie's home around the time she disappeared. The footage was taken about five miles from her residence, and investigators want to identify and talk to this man.
Key Facts
The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Office are investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
A man with a backpack appeared on surveillance video near Guthrie’s home.
This video was recorded several miles away from her home.
The footage is from Sunday, February 1.
He was dressed similarly to someone seen in doorbell video footage outside Guthrie's home.
Authorities want to identify and question this man.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nurses and other NHS staff in England and Wales will receive a 3.3% pay increase in the next financial year. This decision affects around 1.5 million staff, including nurses and midwives, but excludes doctors and senior managers. Some health unions have expressed disappointment because the increase is lower than the current inflation rate of 3.4%.
Key Facts
NHS staff in England and Wales will get a 3.3% pay rise.
The increase applies to about 1.5 million staff, such as nurses and midwives.
Doctors and senior managers are not included in this pay increase.
The inflation rate currently stands at 3.4%, which is higher than the pay rise.
Some unions, like the Royal College of Nursing, are unhappy with the increase.
The pay rise is expected to be in effect by the start of April.
The decision on pay for doctors in Northern Ireland has not been made yet.
Talks are ongoing about pay for resident doctors, with a possibility of further strikes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Chicago dog owner named Katrina Coakley discovered through a DNA test that her rescue dog, Maverick, is mostly a Puerto Rican Village Dog. This finding connected her pet to the island’s culture and history, which was also celebrated during a recent Super Bowl halftime show.
Key Facts
Katrina Coakley adopted her dog, Maverick, from a rescue center in Illinois.
She used a DNA testing service called Embark to learn about Maverick's breed.
The test showed Maverick is 64.2% Puerto Rican Village Dog.
Puerto Rican Village Dogs are also known as satos and have lived on the island for thousands of years.
Maverick's remaining ancestry includes breeds like Chow Chow and golden retriever.
Coakley shared the results on her social media, receiving positive responses.
Puerto Rican Village Dogs are described as intelligent and independent.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Parents of children who attended Camp Mystic, including Patrick Marsh, are calling for stronger safety regulations at camps in various states after a tragic incident involving rising floodwaters. Marsh's daughter, Sarah, sadly lost her life, and he believes that better precautions could have prevented this.
Key Facts
Patrick Marsh's daughter, Sarah, died due to rising floodwaters at Camp Mystic.
The tragedy happened when Sarah was 8 years old.
Safety from the floodwaters was just 50 yards away.
Marsh insists the tragedy was "100% preventable."
Parents, including Marsh, are advocating for stricter camp safety regulations in other states.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has been charged with serious corruption linked to connections with Jeffrey Epstein, a known sex offender. Police in Norway investigated and searched several of Jagland's properties. Jagland denies the charges and is cooperating with the investigation.
Key Facts
Thorbjørn Jagland, Norway's former Prime Minister, is charged with "gross corruption."
The charges relate to his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein.
Norwegian police searched three properties belonging to Jagland.
Jagland was immune due to his role at the Council of Europe, but this was lifted to allow the investigation.
Allegations include Epstein covering travel expenses for Jagland, though they do not confirm wrongdoing.
Other notable Norwegian figures are also implicated in the broader scandal involving Epstein.
The investigation involves Jagland's potential request for Epstein's help in obtaining a bank loan.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard involves an intercepted conversation about Jared Kushner that mentioned Iran. The intercept was shared by a foreign intelligence service with the U.S., leading to questions about why access to the report was limited within the intelligence community and Congress.
Key Facts
A whistleblower complaint is aimed at Tulsi Gabbard, who is the Director of National Intelligence.
The complaint involves an intercepted conversation between two foreign nationals.
The conversation mentioned Jared Kushner and involved topics related to Iran.
A foreign intelligence service shared the intercept with the United States.
Questions have arisen about why the report's distribution was limited.
The whistleblower claims Gabbard delayed sharing the intelligence with other spy agencies and Congress.
Some senior officials stated that parts of the allegations were false.
The reference to Kushner drew more attention due to his role in sensitive diplomatic efforts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Thomas McKenna was sentenced to at least 16 years in prison for converting blank-firing pistols into real guns and supplying them to criminals. He was also preparing for what he believed would be a "race war" against Muslims. Police found homemade explosives and weapons at his home.
Key Facts
Thomas McKenna converted pistols into live firearms for criminal groups.
He operated this gun-conversion activity from a caravan in South Ockenden, Essex.
McKenna was stockpiling weapons, including homemade grenades, for a possible "race war."
His actions were linked to a decrease in shootings using converted firearms after he was arrested.
Tina Smith, McKenna's partner, was also jailed for her involvement.
Two associates, Allan Crosby and Ryan Smith, received prison sentences of 10 years and 7.5 years, respectively.
Police found anti-Muslim messages and plans for violence on McKenna's devices.
His arrest followed police stopping a car with a converted gun on its way to the Notting Hill Carnival.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article fact-checks claims made by Jim Ratcliffe about immigration, benefits, and energy costs in the UK. It identifies errors in Ratcliffe's statements regarding population increase and benefits. The analysis includes expert opinions on the economic impact of immigration.
Key Facts
Jim Ratcliffe claimed the UK population grew by 12 million from 2020, but official statistics show it increased by 2.7 million.
Ratcliffe described the UK as being "colonised by immigrants", which received criticism.
Official sources say about 10 million people claimed benefits in Great Britain, with 6.5 million not working.
Ratcliffe's claim of nine million people on benefits is higher than official data.
Net migration to the UK peaked at 944,000 in March 2023 but dropped to 204,000 by June 2025.
Energy prices in the UK are high compared to other countries, with industrial electricity costs among the highest.
Immigration's economic impact varies based on migrants' age, earnings, and use of public services.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Reddit post asked women what they want for Valentine's Day, leading to a wide discussion. Many women said thoughtful gestures matter more than expensive gifts, and they prefer personalized acts of kindness over traditional gifts.
Key Facts
A Reddit user started a thread asking women what they want for Valentine's Day.
Responses showed women value thoughtfulness and effort over expensive gifts.
Many women prefer personalized gestures like planned evenings or handwritten notes.
Some mothers expressed a desire for their partners to plan activities for their children, allowing them some personal time.
Common themes included planning, effort, and initiative from partners.
Suggestions for practical yet meaningful gifts included artificial flowers, cozy clothing, and household items.
Chocolate and jewelry remain popular but should be given with thought and intention.
Newsweek was unable to verify all details of the Reddit discussion.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many people in the United States include pets in their Valentine's Day gift plans, contributing to a significant rise in spending on pet-related presents. This trend includes purchasing toys, treats, and comfortable accessories for dogs, with online platforms showcasing popular products like dog toys, comfortable beds, and special treats.
Key Facts
A survey found that 35% of people plan to buy Valentine's Day gifts for their pets.
Spending on pet Valentine's gifts is expected to be about $2.1 billion.
This amount is $400 million more than last year.
Popular gifts include enrichment toys and interactive food puzzles for dogs.
Comfortable items like doggy sweaters and orthopedic beds are also in high demand.
The Spark Paws Dog Sweater Hoodie received 85% five-star ratings.
Vital Essentials freeze-dried raw treats have high customer approval.
Stainless steel pet bowls and durable leashes are recommended essentials.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israel has revoked the citizenship of two Palestinians accused of attacks, using a new law that allows this action under certain circumstances. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued this order, causing concern among Palestinians who say the law is discriminatory. This is the first time Israel is using this 2023 law, which targets Palestinians convicted of terrorism-related acts.
Key Facts
Israel revoked the citizenship of two Palestinians this week.
Prime Minister Netanyahu signed the order to deport these individuals from Israel.
The 2023 law makes it easier to remove citizenship or residency for Palestinians involved in terrorism-related activities.
This law applies to Palestinian citizens of Israel and those in East Jerusalem with Israeli residency.
One of the individuals affected was released from prison in 2024 after serving 23 years, and the other is serving an 18-year sentence.
Adalah and other groups call the law discriminatory and politically motivated.
Palestinians fear this action sets a precedent for targeting thousands more.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Russia launched missiles and drones targeting Ukrainian cities, causing injuries and damage. Ukraine is ready to join U.S.-brokered peace talks, but Russia has not committed yet. Key issues in negotiations include occupied land and security guarantees.
Key Facts
Russia attacked Ukrainian cities with 219 drones and 24 missiles.
Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa were major targets, with injuries reported in several locations.
Ukraine wants to attend peace talks proposed by the U.S., either in Miami or Abu Dhabi.
Russia has not yet agreed to join the proposed peace talks.
Disagreements over territory and security issues are hindering peace deals.
The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace agreement.
Russia declined a U.S. proposal for an "energy ceasefire" that would stop attacks on infrastructure.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy agree that the current government is facing criticism and needs to make significant changes to better serve the public. Nandy expressed concerns about the government's priorities and the need for a shift in focus. Questions about leadership and appointments, such as Peter Mandelson as ambassador, contribute to the political challenges faced by Starmer.
Key Facts
Lisa Nandy, the UK Culture Secretary, criticized the government for not doing enough for the public.
Nandy believes the Labour Party should focus more on distributing power, not just wealth.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure, with calls for his resignation from some MPs.
Starmer and Nandy agree that the government system needs improvements to help people effectively.
Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador faced scrutiny due to past associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer faces ongoing political challenges and leadership questions within the Labour Party.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claims Labour has lost confidence in Starmer.
There are concerns about Lord Mandelson's financial dealings and his communication as a minister.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
