Multiple news sources report that Luigi Mangione, accused of the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will not face the death penalty after a federal judge dismissed charges that would have made him eligible, marking a legal victory for Mangione who has pleaded not guilty to multiple state and federal charges related to the alleged assassination. This decision follows a previous dismissal of terrorism-related state charges and comes despite the Justice Department's initial intention to seek capital punishment under a directive to resume pursuing the death penalty.

Multiple news sources report that Luigi Mangione, accused of the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will not face the death penalty after a federal judge dismissed charges that would have made him eligible, marking a legal victory for Mangione who has pleaded not guilty to multiple state and federal charges related to the alleged assassination. This decision follows a previous dismissal of terrorism-related state charges and comes despite the Justice Department's initial intention to seek capital punishment under a directive to resume pursuing the death penalty.

A Rutgers University study published in Injury Epidemiology examined changes in firearm-related intentions and behaviors following the 2024 presidential election, revealing that Black-identifying individuals reported increased intentions to purchase and carry firearms, while those with liberal beliefs showed greater impulses to carry firearms and store them more accessibly. These findings, drawn from a nationally representative sample, suggest that perceived threats from the new administration's policies may be driving these behavioral shifts.

A Rutgers University study published in Injury Epidemiology examined changes in firearm-related intentions and behaviors following the 2024 presidential election, revealing that Black-identifying individuals reported increased intentions to purchase and carry firearms, while those with liberal beliefs showed greater impulses to carry firearms and store them more accessibly. These findings, drawn from a nationally representative sample, suggest that perceived threats from the new administration's policies may be driving these behavioral shifts.

Multiple agreements in Asia this week, including those between the UK and China, Vietnam and the EU, and the EU and India, signal a push for stability and stronger ties amidst global uncertainty. While not explicitly stated, Donald Trump's past policies and the resulting shifts in the global order are a significant, though unmentioned, factor driving these nations to seek new partnerships and reduce reliance on the US.

Multiple agreements in Asia this week, including those between the UK and China, Vietnam and the EU, and the EU and India, signal a push for stability and stronger ties amidst global uncertainty. While not explicitly stated, Donald Trump's past policies and the resulting shifts in the global order are a significant, though unmentioned, factor driving these nations to seek new partnerships and reduce reliance on the US.

TechReviewsAccessory ReviewsThe latest Instax printer is a pricey but worthy upgradeBetter contrast, color, detail, and sharpness.If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.by Thomas RickerJan 31, 2026, 8:00 AM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.

TechReviewsAccessory ReviewsThe latest Instax printer is a pricey but worthy upgradeBetter contrast, color, detail, and sharpness.If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.by Thomas RickerJan 31, 2026, 8:00 AM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.

'A vaccine against murder'? Israel split over return of death penalty2 hours agoShareSaveYolande KnellMiddle East correspondentShareSaveBBCDr Valentina Gusak's daughter Margarita was killed by Hamas on 7 October 2023Israel has only twice used the death penalty against a convicted prisoner. The last time was more than sixty years ago, to hang the notorious Nazi war criminal, Adolf Eichmann.But in the wake of the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, Israel's deadliest ever day, there is a political push to pass a highly controversial new capital punishment law, targeting Palestinians convicted by Israeli courts of fatal terrorist attacks."It's another brick in the wall of our defence," the far-right chair of the parliamentary national security committee, Zvika Fogel tells me.

'A vaccine against murder'? Israel split over return of death penalty2 hours agoShareSaveYolande KnellMiddle East correspondentShareSaveBBCDr Valentina Gusak's daughter Margarita was killed by Hamas on 7 October 2023Israel has only twice used the death penalty against a convicted prisoner. The last time was more than sixty years ago, to hang the notorious Nazi war criminal, Adolf Eichmann.But in the wake of the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, Israel's deadliest ever day, there is a political push to pass a highly controversial new capital punishment law, targeting Palestinians convicted by Israeli courts of fatal terrorist attacks."It's another brick in the wall of our defence," the far-right chair of the parliamentary national security committee, Zvika Fogel tells me.

Multiple news sources report that Civitai, an AI content marketplace backed by Andreessen Horowitz, facilitates the creation of celebrity deepfakes, including pornographic images circumventing site bans, through the buying and selling of custom instruction files (LoRAs). A study by Stanford and Indiana University researchers found that a significant portion of user requests on Civitai targeted women for deepfakes, often specifying details to create realistic and exploitative content.

Multiple news sources report that Civitai, an AI content marketplace backed by Andreessen Horowitz, facilitates the creation of celebrity deepfakes, including pornographic images circumventing site bans, through the buying and selling of custom instruction files (LoRAs). A study by Stanford and Indiana University researchers found that a significant portion of user requests on Civitai targeted women for deepfakes, often specifying details to create realistic and exploitative content.

Multiple sources report that Nomad, known for its luxury tech accessories, is having a sale with discounts up to 80% on various items. WIRED-approved products like iPhone and iPad cases, wireless chargers, Apple Watch bands, and leather accessories are included in the sale, offering savings on items featured in their best-of guides.

Multiple sources report that Nomad, known for its luxury tech accessories, is having a sale with discounts up to 80% on various items. WIRED-approved products like iPhone and iPad cases, wireless chargers, Apple Watch bands, and leather accessories are included in the sale, offering savings on items featured in their best-of guides.

Multiple news sources report that the Senate passed a bill to fund most of the government through September, following a deal between President Trump and Democrats to temporarily extend Homeland Security funding while Congress debates potential restrictions on federal immigration raids in response to recent events in Minneapolis. This bipartisan agreement, though facing Republican pushback, aims to avert a government shutdown, but a temporary partial shutdown is still possible until the House votes on the bill.

Multiple news sources report that the Senate passed a bill to fund most of the government through September, following a deal between President Trump and Democrats to temporarily extend Homeland Security funding while Congress debates potential restrictions on federal immigration raids in response to recent events in Minneapolis. This bipartisan agreement, though facing Republican pushback, aims to avert a government shutdown, but a temporary partial shutdown is still possible until the House votes on the bill.

Multi-source news update

Multi-source news update

Multiple news sources report that retired NFL star Tyrann Mathieu, formerly known as "Honeybadger," admitted on his podcast that he drank bleach in an attempt to manipulate a drug test during his time at LSU to preserve his college football eligibility, a decision he now regrets. Mathieu also described other attempts to circumvent drug testing, highlighting the extreme measures he took to avoid suspension before entering a drug rehabilitation program and eventually achieving NFL success.

Multiple news sources report that retired NFL star Tyrann Mathieu, formerly known as "Honeybadger," admitted on his podcast that he drank bleach in an attempt to manipulate a drug test during his time at LSU to preserve his college football eligibility, a decision he now regrets. Mathieu also described other attempts to circumvent drug testing, highlighting the extreme measures he took to avoid suspension before entering a drug rehabilitation program and eventually achieving NFL success.

Multi-source news update

Multi-source news update

Following the death of Catherine O'Hara, known for roles in *Home Alone* and *Schitt's Creek*, co-stars like Macaulay Culkin, Seth Rogen, and Pedro Pascal, along with Brooke Shields, shared heartfelt tributes and memories across social media, as reported by various news sources. Even Chicago O'Hare International Airport, featured in *Home Alone*, posted a message of condolence, highlighting O'Hara's widespread impact and the deep affection felt for her.

Following the death of Catherine O'Hara, known for roles in *Home Alone* and *Schitt's Creek*, co-stars like Macaulay Culkin, Seth Rogen, and Pedro Pascal, along with Brooke Shields, shared heartfelt tributes and memories across social media, as reported by various news sources. Even Chicago O'Hare International Airport, featured in *Home Alone*, posted a message of condolence, highlighting O'Hara's widespread impact and the deep affection felt for her.