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World News Roundup: FIFA Boss Apologizes, Kennedy Center Faces Closure, Groundhog Day, Trevi Fountain Fee, and Epstein's Tech Connections
Several notable events unfolded across the globe on February 2, 2026, ranging from controversies in the sports and political arenas to cultural traditions and revelations about past connections.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued an apology to British football fans following a joke he made regarding arrests during the World Cup. According to Sky News, Infantino's comment, "For the first time in history... no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really really special," drew criticism, with the Football Supporters' Association labeling it a "cheap joke."
In Washington D.C., President Donald Trump announced plans to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for two years. Sky News reported that Trump cited the building's "dilapidated" state as the reason for the closure. However, critics alleged that the decision was motivated by a desire to deflect attention from cancellations that followed Trump's decision to rename the memorial to JFK. The Kennedy Center, a national cultural center, was opened in 1971 and named after President John F. Kennedy by Congress as a "living memorial" to the assassinated president.
Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, emerged from his burrow in Pennsylvania and predicted six more weeks of winter. Euronews reported that the annual Groundhog Day event, which dates back to 1887, drew a large crowd to Gobblers Knob. Tradition holds that if the groundhog sees his shadow, winter will persist; if not, an early spring is on the horizon. The event has roots in European farming customs.
In Rome, city authorities implemented a two-euro fee for tourists seeking closer access to the Trevi Fountain. Euronews stated that the fee aims to manage crowds and generate revenue for local museums. Timed tickets will regulate entry to the popular Baroque landmark, made famous by the film "La Dolce Vita." The city anticipates the measure will generate several million euros for maintenance. Early footage showed smaller crowds, with people posing in the sun and taking photos without being pressed by others.
Meanwhile, emails released by the Justice Department revealed that Jeffrey Epstein arranged a meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and former Windows head Steven Sinofsky. The Verge reported that the emails suggest Sinofsky relied on Epstein to connect with Apple's CEO. The emails from the Epstein files appear to show how Steven Sinofsky consulted Jeffrey Epstein for help in securing his 14 million retirement.
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