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 report that the FBI recently searched the Fulton County, Georgia election hub and seized records related to the 2020 election, prompting Fulton County officials to prepare a lawsuit challenging the legality of the warrant and seeking the return of the seized materials. The county aims to protect voter information and limit the scope of the search, potentially requesting forensic accounting and keeping the documents sealed within Georgia.

Multiple news sources report that the FBI recently searched the Fulton County, Georgia election hub and seized records related to the 2020 election, prompting Fulton County officials to prepare a lawsuit challenging the legality of the warrant and seeking the return of the seized materials. The county aims to protect voter information and limit the scope of the search, potentially requesting forensic accounting and keeping the documents sealed within Georgia.

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, approximately one million people missed the January 31st deadline to file their UK tax returns with HMRC and now face penalties, including an initial £100 fine, even if no tax is owed. While millions filed on the final day, HMRC urges those who missed the deadline to submit their returns as soon as possible to minimize further penalties and interest charges.

Drawing from multiple news sources, approximately one million people missed the January 31st deadline to file their UK tax returns with HMRC and now face penalties, including an initial £100 fine, even if no tax is owed. While millions filed on the final day, HMRC urges those who missed the deadline to submit their returns as soon as possible to minimize further penalties and interest charges.

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 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.

Multiple news sources report that the House is voting on a funding package to end the partial government shutdown, which includes funding for several departments and a short-term extension for Homeland Security, despite Democratic concerns over immigration enforcement. While some conservatives pushed to attach an elections-related bill requiring proof of citizenship to the package, Republican leaders appear to have quelled the effort, as it threatened to derail the funding agreement and faced opposition in the Senate.

Multiple news sources report that the House is voting on a funding package to end the partial government shutdown, which includes funding for several departments and a short-term extension for Homeland Security, despite Democratic concerns over immigration enforcement. While some conservatives pushed to attach an elections-related bill requiring proof of citizenship to the package, Republican leaders appear to have quelled the effort, as it threatened to derail the funding agreement and faced opposition in the Senate.

Multiple news sources report that Jelly Roll, after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, expressed gratitude to Jesus and his wife, Bunnie XO, while also stating he avoids political commentary due to his self-proclaimed ignorance stemming from a challenging upbringing and disconnection from current events. He admitted to being a "dumb redneck" and said people shouldn't care about his political opinions because of his lack of knowledge.

Multiple news sources report that Jelly Roll, after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, expressed gratitude to Jesus and his wife, Bunnie XO, while also stating he avoids political commentary due to his self-proclaimed ignorance stemming from a challenging upbringing and disconnection from current events. He admitted to being a "dumb redneck" and said people shouldn't care about his political opinions because of his lack of knowledge.