The Red Command gang was the target of the massive raid in Complexo do Alemão and Penha, two low-income neighborhoods long dominated by drug traffickers.

The state public defender’s office said the death toll has climbed to 132, though Rio Gov. Cláudio Castro gave a lower count of about 60, warning the final number could rise.

81 suspects were arrested, and police seized 93 rifles and over half a ton of drugs.

Officials said criminals used drones to drop bombs on police, with Castro calling it “narcoterrorism.”

Human rights groups and the United Nations condemned the scale of violence, calling for a full investigation into the killings.

Schools and universities in the area closed, and 70 buses were commandeered by gang members to block roads.

The bottle was found by Deb Brown and her family during a beach cleanup at Wharton Beach, near Esperance.

The messages were penned by Private Malcolm Neville, who was later killed in action, and Private William Harley, who survived the war.

Despite being soaked, both letters were still legible and have since been returned to the soldiers’ descendants.

Neville’s note asked the finder to deliver it to his mother, while Harley addressed his letter simply to “the finder of this bottle.”

Family members described the discovery as “a miracle” and felt it was as if their ancestors were “reaching out from the grave.”

The strikes followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation that Hamas violated the ceasefire by returning partial remains of a hostage and killing an Israeli-American soldier in Rafah.

Hamas denied involvement, calling the attack a “blatant violation” of the truce and delaying the return of another hostage’s body.

U.S. President Donald Trump defended Israel’s response, saying it was justified and coordinated with Washington.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 253 people wounded, most of them women and children. Hospitals in Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Gaza City were overwhelmed by casualties.

Funeral prayers were held outside hospitals as residents mourned dozens of children killed in the strikes.

Daniel Radcliffe will headline the solo play Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre beginning February 21, 2026, with opening night set for March 12. The limited 13-week run marks Radcliffe’s first return to Broadway since his Tony-winning role in Merrily We Roll Along. Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, the play explores hope and joy through a man’s reflections on “everything that makes life worth living.” Directed by Macmillan and Jeremy Herrin, the production promises Radcliffe in a performance blending humor, heart, and spontaneity. Read More

An Australian woman in her 80s was found dead on Lizard Island after her cruise ship, the Coral Adventurer, departed without her during a 60-day luxury voyage. Police say her death was “sudden and non-suspicious,” as authorities investigate how she went unaccounted for when the ship left port. Read More

Authorities in Heidelberg are searching for three Rhesus monkeys that escaped after a truck carrying research animals overturned on a Mississippi highway. Officials say the monkeys, housed by Tulane University, aren’t infectious but are aggressive and must be captured; the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Read More

The trial has begun in Virginia for Abby Zwerner’s $40 million lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, accused of ignoring multiple warnings that a 6-year-old student had a gun before shooting Zwerner in her classroom in 2023. Zwerner, who survived after six surgeries, claims Parker failed to act despite four separate alerts. Parker’s lawyer argued the shooting wasn’t foreseeable and warned jurors against judging decisions with hindsight. Parker also faces a separate criminal trial next month on eight counts of felony child neglect. Read More

A North Carolina man was arrested after allegedly calling 911 to report that he had killed his four children. Deputies found the remains of three of Wellington Dickens III’s biological children and one stepchild inside the trunk of a car at his home in Zebulon. A 3-year-old boy was found alive in the house. Dickens, 38, appeared in court Tuesday and is being held without bond as authorities seek additional murder charges. Investigators say the children’s remains may have been in the car for a long time, but no motive or cause of death has been released. Read More

A federal judge has disqualified acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli from overseeing several criminal cases in Southern California, ruling he has exceeded the legal time limit for serving in the temporary role. Judge J. Michael Seabright found Essayli has unlawfully remained in office since July 29 but allowed him to continue as First Assistant U.S. Attorney. The decision follows similar rulings against other Trump-appointed prosecutors in Nevada and New Jersey. Despite the setback, Essayli said he remains committed to advancing the former president’s agenda. Read More

The Ford strike group moves to confront drug cartels, joining an already expanded U.S. naval buildup off Venezuela.

That shift means the U.S. will have only one carrier deployed globally, a rare posture for a superpower used to multiple carriers forward-stationed.

Critics warn the move weakens deterrence as violence flares in Gaza and tensions with Iran persist.

The administration frames the deployment as an urgent national security step to stop narcotics; lawmakers worry about bypassing Congress.

Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph) before weakening to a Category 3 over Cuba.

At least 25 people died in Haiti, where flash floods destroyed homes in Petit-Goâve. Dozens more remain missing.

In Jamaica, massive flooding, landslides, and roof collapses left entire communities cut off. Over 25,000 people sought refuge in shelters, and 77% of the island lost power.

Cuba reported major structural damage in Santiago de Cuba and Granma province, where 15 inches of rain caused widespread flooding.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned the storm would worsen the island’s economic crisis amid ongoing power and food shortages.

The U.S. announced rescue and recovery assistance for the affected Caribbean nations.

As of Wednesday evening, Melissa was moving toward the Bahamas with sustained winds of 100 mph, threatening additional storm surge and flooding.

The Grammy-winning artist is set to perform on February 6, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Arts, two days before the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

The concert is part of the NFL’s Super Bowl LX Studio 60 series, organized in partnership with On Location, the league’s official hospitality provider.

Tickets start at $750, with the show promising “appearances by NFL Legends.”

NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said the event adds to “the unmatched level of excitement and creative energy” of Super Bowl week.

Sting, known for hits like “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take,” last performed in San Francisco in November 2024 at the Masonic and earlier that year with the San Francisco Symphony.

He’ll be joined by longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas for the show.

The announcement follows news that Chris Stapleton will perform a Feb. 7 concert at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium as part of the BAHC Live! Series, benefiting the Tipping Point Community.

“War of the Worlds” Broadcast Airs, 1938 – Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds famously stirs panic among listeners who mistake the fictional Martian invasion for real news.

Frozen Peas Hit the Market, 1952 – Inventor Clarence Birdseye revolutionizes food preservation by selling the first frozen peas, changing the way Americans cook and store vegetables.

LeBron James Makes NBA Debut, 2003 – At just 18 years old, LeBron James steps onto the court for his first NBA game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking the start of one of basketball’s greatest careers.