Politics

Starmer Apologizes for Ex-Ambassador Mandelson’s Epstein Ties

Nytimes reports Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and vowed to hold his former ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, accountable after newly released documents detailed their friendship. He accused Mr. Mandelson of “deceit,” saying “he’s betrayed our country,” and expressed sorrow for having

Culture

The Iron Lung movie is scary — for audiences and for Hollywood

Reporting by Polygon notes that Mark Fischbach bypassed the movie industry with his surprising new film. Iron Lung opened in thousands of theaters on Jan. 30, rocketing to a $20 million opening weekend and a #2 spot in the box-office rankings; early in the weekend it briefly seemed like it

Culture

Roll out the red carpet: behind the scenes of a West End theatre

A feature in Theguardian profiles the Red Coat butlers at LW Theatres, which runs venues including His Majesty’s Theatre, The London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The distinctive red tailcoats are a visible part of a VIP service designed to create bespoke experiences and lasting memories for guests.

Culture

The Shape of Water returns to HBO Max nine years after release

Reporting by Movieweb indicates The Shape of Water has returned to streaming on HBO Max nine years after its release and is the fourth most popular movie on HBO Max in the United States per Flix Patrol, a surge the report notes comes as Valentine's Day approaches. The

Tech

The best Samsung tablets of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Zdnet reports that Samsung's 2026 tablet lineup spans flagship S-series models, more affordable FE and Lite options, and rugged tablets, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra named the top pick for its large screen, ultra-responsive S Pen, Galaxy AI features and ability to act as a laptop

Culture

Stacy Martin on risky roles, Oscars tequila and a Jurassic Park dream

A piece in Theguardian reports that Stacy Martin discusses her role in Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee, playing Jane “Mother Jane” Wardley, a leader of the Shaking Quakers who influences Ann Lee. The film is described as a wild movie musical that portrays 18th-century Shaker devotion through

Culture

Melinda French Gates on Trust, Forgiveness and Epstein Emails

In a report from People, Melinda French Gates spoke on NPR’s Wild Card podcast about trust and forgiveness while fielding questions about her ex-husband, Bill Gates and newly released emails involving Jeffrey Epstein. She said growing older taught her the importance of “absolute trust” in relationships and admitted she

Culture

Lochte's girlfriend responds after Kayla Rae Reid's parenting diss

Pagesix reports Molly Gillihan shared pointed Instagram posts after Kayla Rae Reid's People interview, in which Reid said her ex is not the father their children "deserve." Gillihan railed against "harsh unkind people" in her Instagram Stories and posted, 'Don't regret

Science

NASA, University of Texas expand research and workforce development

A report from Nasa says Johnson Space Center in Houston and the University of Texas System signed a collaborative Space Act Agreement on Jan. 9, 2026, to expand research and workforce development partnership opportunities across NASA centers and UT System facilities. The agreement builds upon decades of collaboration between NASA

Tech

Redditor claims to have lucked out on a half-price Walmart RTX 5080

Pcgamer reports a Redditor on the PC Master Race subreddit claims to have picked up an RTX 5080 in-store at Walmart for $562.49, while the cheapest 5080s available online were coming in at over $1,300. The article explains there are said limitations on when Walmart employees can purchase

Crypto

Vitalik Buterin Sells Nearly 3,000 ETH in Series of Small Onchain Swaps

Cointelegraph reports that Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin sold about 2,961 Ether, worth $6.6 million, over a three-day period after previously announcing plans to withdraw some of his holdings. Blockchain tracker Lookonchain said the transactions were executed at an average price of about $2,228 per Ether. Cointelegraph noted

Culture

Hermit and Pig a retro-inspired RPG that's not afraid to innovate

Polygon highlights Hermit and Pig, the debut game from Heavy Lunch LLC, as a charming, retro RPG built around an old man and his truffle‑hunting pig. The pair live off-grid, hunting mushrooms, until a talkative child arrives seeking help after a corporation shut down her town’s factory and

Culture

Pieter Mulier Named New Designer at Versace

Nytimes reports that Pieter Mulier, a Belgian designer who has been creative director at Alaïa for the past five years, was named chief creative officer at Versace and will assume the job on July 1. It is the first time in Versace’s 48-year history that its creative vision has

Culture

Sebastian Stan Unrecognizable in First Look at True-Life Drama Fjord

Movieweb published a first look image from Cristian Mungiu's Fjord that shows Sebastian Stan startlingly unrecognizable alongside Renate Reinsve and their on-screen children. Fjord follows the Gheorghiu family — Romanian father (Stan) and Norwegian mother (Reinsve) — as they settle into a remote Norwegian village and bond with the neighboring

Politics

Why Was Mitch McConnell Hospitalized?

In a report from People, Sen. Mitch McConnell checked himself into a hospital on Feb. 2, 2026 after experiencing "flu-like symptoms," his spokesperson said. The statement said his prognosis was "positive," that he sought treatment "in an abundance of caution," and that he is

Business

William Shatner Pitches Raisin Bran in Super Bowl Commercial

Nytimes reports WK Kellogg will run its first Super Bowl ad for Raisin Bran, featuring William Shatner and pitching the cereal as a way to get over “gut regret” after indulgent eating. The article notes that sales of breakfast cereals have been declining. In the cheeky spot, “Will Shat,” also

Politics

Venezuela plan to turn notorious prison into cultural centre draws criticism

A report from Theguardian says acting president Delcy Rodríguez has announced plans to shut El Helicoide and convert the vast Caracas complex into a "sports, cultural and commercial centre for police families and neighbouring communities", a move Rodríguez presents as proof the government has turned the page since

Business

European Central Bank Set to Hold Rates as Markets Await Lagarde’s Guidance

Beincrypto reports the European Central Bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold at its two-day meeting, with the policy decision to be announced on Thursday. The main refinancing operations, marginal lending facility and deposit facility are expected to remain at 2.15%, 2.4% and 2% respectively,

Culture

15 Best 2020s Comedy Shows So Far, Ranked

Collider's "The 15 Greatest Comedy Shows of the 2020s So Far, Ranked" surveys sitcoms, animated series, and more that have been well-received for their writing, characters, and heart. Highlights include Murderbot, a sci-fi action comedy starring Alexander Skarsgård as a humanoid robot who obsesses over binge-watching

Sports

Arsenal face nightmare schedule ahead of north London derby

Goal reports Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware has come at a significant cost, with Mikel Arteta’s side facing a brutal fixture pile-up this February after reaching the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22 and having their original trip to Wolves moved into an already congested calendar. The

Sports

Why Jérémy Jacquet may be the ‘heir to Virgil van Dijk’ for Liverpool

A report from Theguardian says Jérémy Jacquet has been signed by Liverpool for £60m after being recalled by Rennes from a loan at Clermont Foot and recovering from 18 months out with growth-related injuries. At Rennes Jacquet emerged from a talented 2005 generation and overcame a year in which he

Culture

Rethinking Shakespeare in Shanghai

Nytimes reports that a recent bilingual production of "Othello" in Shanghai reimagined the play's racial dynamics: the American actor Thomas Caron performed Othello in English while Cao Jifeng played Iago in Chinese, and the action was relocated to an island at the mouth of the Yangtze

Business

What the software stock sell-off says about your job security

Businessinsider writes that a sell-off in software stocks amid renewed AI fears has put job security in focus and prompted a rethink of how to future-proof careers. BI's Ana Altchek notes a new AI plugin from Anthropic that automates tasks like tracking compliance and reviewing legal documents spurred

World

2 Dead After Police Helicopter Crashes in Arizona

Nytimes reports that two people died Wednesday evening when a patrol helicopter crashed near Flagstaff, Ariz., while responding to a shooting involving the police. The helicopter had been deployed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety to assist the Flagstaff Police Department. A pilot and a paramedic trooper on board

Sports

Parade of Nations in four locations for 2026 Winter Olympics

Reporting by Nbc notes the Parade of Nations at the 2026 Winter Olympics will be conducted in four locations due to the spread-out venues across northern Italy, with the primary Opening Ceremony events and one branch of the parade held at Milan’s San Siro Stadium. It has been decided