Multiple news sources report a large fire at the Jannat bazaar in western Tehran on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, causing significant smoke plumes and prompting evacuation; while no injuries were immediately reported, firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading, and the cause remains unclear with online explosion reports unverified.

Multiple news sources report a large fire at the Jannat bazaar in western Tehran on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, causing significant smoke plumes and prompting evacuation; while no injuries were immediately reported, firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading, and the cause remains unclear with online explosion reports unverified.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince, is on trial in Oslo facing 38 charges, including rape, domestic violence, assault, and drug possession, to which he pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges but admitted guilt to some lesser offenses. The trial, expected to last until March 19th, involves testimony from seven alleged victims, and prosecutors emphasize that Høiby will be treated equally under the law despite his royal family connection, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince, is on trial in Oslo facing 38 charges, including rape, domestic violence, assault, and drug possession, to which he pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges but admitted guilt to some lesser offenses. The trial, expected to last until March 19th, involves testimony from seven alleged victims, and prosecutors emphasize that Høiby will be treated equally under the law despite his royal family connection, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Multiple news sources report that Israeli troops reopened the Rafah crossing, allowing Palestinians through, but continued attacking Palestinian areas despite a ceasefire deal. Separately, a 13-year-old Australian boy swam for four hours through rough seas to get help after his family was swept out to sea off the coast of Western Australia.

Multiple news sources report that Israeli troops reopened the Rafah crossing, allowing Palestinians through, but continued attacking Palestinian areas despite a ceasefire deal. Separately, a 13-year-old Australian boy swam for four hours through rough seas to get help after his family was swept out to sea off the coast of Western Australia.

Humans are reportedly infiltrating Moltbook, a social platform for AI agents, by posing as bots and influencing conversations, raising questions about the authenticity of AI-generated content. This infiltration highlights potential security vulnerabilities and challenges the perception of genuine AI interaction, sparking debate about the nature of online identity and the future of AI communication.

Humans are reportedly infiltrating Moltbook, a social platform for AI agents, by posing as bots and influencing conversations, raising questions about the authenticity of AI-generated content. This infiltration highlights potential security vulnerabilities and challenges the perception of genuine AI interaction, sparking debate about the nature of online identity and the future of AI communication.

Google Home now supports programmable buttons, enabling users to trigger smart home automations and control devices with a physical press. This update, released February 2nd, introduces "Switch or button pressed" as a new automation starter, offering a more tactile alternative to voice and app control with potential to significantly improve user experience and expand the functionality of the Google Home ecosystem.

Google Home now supports programmable buttons, enabling users to trigger smart home automations and control devices with a physical press. This update, released February 2nd, introduces "Switch or button pressed" as a new automation starter, offering a more tactile alternative to voice and app control with potential to significantly improve user experience and expand the functionality of the Google Home ecosystem.

Multiple news sources highlight a dire situation: a study covering 23 global conflicts reveals that international humanitarian law is failing, with over 100,000 civilian deaths and widespread war crimes, while simultaneously, Sudanese families displaced from El Fasher are desperately seeking food aid. The Geneva Academy's "War Watch" report emphasizes the urgent need for action to prevent the complete erosion of laws designed to protect civilians during wartime.

Multiple news sources highlight a dire situation: a study covering 23 global conflicts reveals that international humanitarian law is failing, with over 100,000 civilian deaths and widespread war crimes, while simultaneously, Sudanese families displaced from El Fasher are desperately seeking food aid. The Geneva Academy's "War Watch" report emphasizes the urgent need for action to prevent the complete erosion of laws designed to protect civilians during wartime.

Multiple sources indicate that in the current high-interest rate environment, home equity loans and HELOCs offer a more affordable borrowing option for homeowners compared to personal loans and credit cards, with average rates around 7-8% as of February 2026. While these rates are subject to change based on market conditions and individual factors, leveraging substantial home equity can provide access to large sums of money at a comparatively lower cost, especially with potential future rate decreases.

Multiple sources indicate that in the current high-interest rate environment, home equity loans and HELOCs offer a more affordable borrowing option for homeowners compared to personal loans and credit cards, with average rates around 7-8% as of February 2026. While these rates are subject to change based on market conditions and individual factors, leveraging substantial home equity can provide access to large sums of money at a comparatively lower cost, especially with potential future rate decreases.

Drawing from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, particularly after fatal incidents involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures may have prevented door operation. The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, mandate mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for door handles, potentially impacting the global car industry as other regions also investigate or consider similar rules.

Drawing from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, particularly after fatal incidents involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures may have prevented door operation. The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, mandate mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for door handles, potentially impacting the global car industry as other regions also investigate or consider similar rules.

Multiple news sources report that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins on February 7th with 20 teams competing, including co-hosts England and the West Indies, who are aiming for their third title. India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format.

Multiple news sources report that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins on February 7th with 20 teams competing, including co-hosts England and the West Indies, who are aiming for their third title. India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format.

Drawing from multiple news sources, speedskater Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympics gold, and bobsledder Frank Del Duca, the first bobsledder in 70 years to do so, have been chosen by fellow athletes to jointly carry the U.S. flag at the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony. For Del Duca, an Army sergeant with Italian heritage, the honor is especially meaningful as the games are being held in Italy, connecting his family's roots with his service to the United States.

Drawing from multiple news sources, speedskater Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympics gold, and bobsledder Frank Del Duca, the first bobsledder in 70 years to do so, have been chosen by fellow athletes to jointly carry the U.S. flag at the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony. For Del Duca, an Army sergeant with Italian heritage, the honor is especially meaningful as the games are being held in Italy, connecting his family's roots with his service to the United States.

Multiple sources report that Texas A&M University is discontinuing its Women's and Gender Studies certificate program after reviewing over 5,400 course syllabi to ensure compliance with university policies, a move praised by education advocates who see it as eliminating race or sex discrimination. This action, along with similar restrictions at Texas Tech, is viewed by some as part of a broader effort, potentially influenced by Donald Trump, to reduce "woke ideology" in higher education.

Multiple sources report that Texas A&M University is discontinuing its Women's and Gender Studies certificate program after reviewing over 5,400 course syllabi to ensure compliance with university policies, a move praised by education advocates who see it as eliminating race or sex discrimination. This action, along with similar restrictions at Texas Tech, is viewed by some as part of a broader effort, potentially influenced by Donald Trump, to reduce "woke ideology" in higher education.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Detective Sergeant Chris Johnson of Bartlett, Illinois, experienced a life-threatening aortic dissection, a rare and often fatal condition involving a tear in the body's main artery. Thanks to his wife's quick action and rapid medical response, including a six-hour open-heart surgery, Johnson survived the ordeal, highlighting the critical importance of timely treatment for this condition.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Detective Sergeant Chris Johnson of Bartlett, Illinois, experienced a life-threatening aortic dissection, a rare and often fatal condition involving a tear in the body's main artery. Thanks to his wife's quick action and rapid medical response, including a six-hour open-heart surgery, Johnson survived the ordeal, highlighting the critical importance of timely treatment for this condition.