The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, where Vice President JD Vance was seen across the world getting resoundingly booed, was also a ratings smash. According to preliminary Nielsen ratings, viewership for Friday’s opening ceremony in Milan drew more than 21 million viewers for NBCUniversal. This was an increase of about 34 percent from 2022 Beijing opening ceremony, which averaged 15.9 million viewers. The 2026 Milan opening ceremony was also a hit on streaming, with more than 3 million people watching on Peacock, the platform’s largest audience ever for a Winter Olympics opening ceremony, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The increase in viewership is likely due to the favorable time difference for a U.S. audience. The biggest viewership for an opening ceremony over the past three decades was 2002’s Winter Games in Salt Lake City, which drew more than 45 million viewers for NBC. For Milan, the network had to deny that it cut the booing aimed at Vance from its live feed to American audiences. However, the angry reaction was mentioned during Canadian broadcaster CBC’s feed, with commentator Adrienne Arsenault noting: “Those are a lot of boos for him. Whistling, jeering, some applause.”

Iconic rocker Ross “the Boss” Friedman announced that he is suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). “It’s difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong,” the guitar legend said in a statement to fans. Friedman stated that he began having muscle weakness and realized the symptoms were more serious when they persisted after diet changes and physical therapy. The neurodegenerative disease destroys motor neurons, which eventually leads to difficulty in essential, everyday tasks such as eating and breathing. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the famous MLB star, is fatal. The rocker has had a long career, primarily in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as the lead guitarist for the bands Dictators and Manowar. Friedman’s legendary run is renowned among Metal fans. He was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame for his musical contributions, and his 1987 album with Manowar is honored on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.

Valentine’s Day has a way of sneaking up on even the most well-intentioned romantics, like yourself. One minute it’s January; the next, it’s February 13 and you haven’t ordered anything. Now the clock is ticking: cue the frantic search for a gift that can be delivered in the next 24 hours. 1-800-Flowers.com is your last-minute hero. Its extensive collection of stunning bouquets—even when ordered as late as February 13—feels like anything but an afterthought, especially when paired with elevated add-ons like premium chocolates or a thoughtful greeting card.

The New Moon Black Roses are striking, romantic, and unique. Each petal is gently feathered with a rich black hue. This is the bouquet for people who say they “don’t like” flowers.

New Moon Black Roses

Starting price listed

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With roses, Peruvian lilies, and snapdragons, this bouquet features bold red and purple hues. It is thoughtfully composed—even when ordered at the eleventh hour.

Vivid Devotion

Same-day delivery available; starting price listed

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This mix of roses and miniature burgundy calla lilies exudes mystery and allure. Plus, it comes with a box of premium chocolate, adding just enough sweetness to turn this last-minute gift into a true Valentine’s Day moment.

Midnight Romance Bouquet with Chocolate

Starting price listed

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A plane carrying 55 passengers has crashed on the shores of Mogadishu, coming to a halt in the surf with a wing snapped off. The StarSky Aviation Fokker 50 was seen in dramatic images on a beach in the Somali capital on Tuesday, its right wing detached and fuselage listing to the left as the Indian Ocean lapped against it. It had taken off from Aden Adde International Airport just minutes before, bound for the Somalian city of Galkayo. It took off as planned, the Daily Express reports, but the crew detected a technical issue shortly after and attempted to return to the runway. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the stricken twin-prop aircraft came down in a coastal area just outside the perimeter of the airport, AirLive reports. Speaking to the BBC, StarSky spokesman Hassan Mohamed Aden said, “We are relieved to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe. Investigations are underway to establish what caused the technical issue that led to the emergency landing. The pilot’s swift and calm decision-making played a decisive role in ensuring the safety of everyone on board, and we commend him for how he handled the situation.”

Winter Olympics viewers finally have an answer to the strange buzzing sound cutting through the broadcasts—and the culprit has been flying right above the athletes all along. The Olympic Committee is using drones to capture close-up, dynamic shots of snowboarders and skiers as they fly through the air at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. “We strive to offer the best viewing experience whether in the stadium or outside,” International Olympic Committee sports director Pierre Ducrey told the National Post. Ducrey said the committee worked closely with athletes to ensure the drones wouldn’t disrupt their performance. “We believe… that the drones do not impact significantly the experience of the athletes. We have looked into it to make sure it doesn’t,” Ducrey added. Some viewers have been annoyed by the constant high-pitched humming. “I don’t like the sound intruding on events,” wrote one user on X. But officials insist the payoff—sharper viewing quality—is worth the noise.

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As Valentine’s Day approaches, one gift that never gets old is a classic, thoughtfully chosen bouquet. While there are many flower delivery services to choose from, Bouqs is a standout choice. Its flowers are sourced directly from the farm, meaning no middleman, less time in transit, and blooms that stay fresher longer. Each arrangement is cut to order and arrives in bud form, so you and your love can watch the flowers blossom right before your eyes. Not sure where to start?

Supernova Anemones Bouquet

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The Valentine’s Day Arrangement is a stunning mix of pink and red roses, carnations, and alstroemeria. It’s sweet, beautiful, and a meaningful way to let them know how much you love them. If you’re looking for something otherworldly, the supernova of red and pink anemones is an eye-catching piece. Plus, thanks to their extra layer of petals, they look much fuller than regular anemones. Whichever bouquet you land on, don’t wait too long. These arrangements go fast, and you’ll want them there on the big day.

Blake Garrett, a former child star best known for his role in the 2006 film How to Eat Fried Worms, died on Sunday at the age of 33. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed his death to TMZ and said that the family is still awaiting the autopsy results to determine an official cause of death. Carol told the outlet that Garrett went to the emergency room in Oklahoma last week after he had been experiencing intense pain, where he was later diagnosed with shingles. She added that he may have tried to self-medicate to deal with the pain, and thinks his death could have been an unfortunate accident. She also told the outlet that he had been sober and doing well living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born in Austin, Texas, he had a slate of early leading roles in local productions of Aladdin and His Magical Lamp and Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute. In 2006, he played the character Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms, for which he earned a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast.

The Trump administration has quietly removed a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan. The flag’s removal follows new federal guidance issued by the Department of the Interior on Jan. 21 that restricts the display of unauthorized flags at National Park Service sites. Under the order, only U.S. flags or congressionally authorized flags may be raised on NPS flagpoles. Manhattan borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal told The New York Times the Trump administration’s order directly led to the Pride flag’s disappearance from the Greenwich Village site, which marks the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Stonewall became the nation’s first federally recognized LGBTQ historic site in 2016, commemorating the 1969 police raid that sparked days of protests and helped launch the gay rights movement. Hoylman-Sigal said he and other local officials plan to raise the Pride flag again on Thursday, despite potential backlash. “We may be prevented from doing so,” he told the outlet, “but if we don’t seize this moment, and this outrage, I think we’ll let down generations of queer activists.” The Daily Beast has reached out to Brad Hoylman-Sigal for comment.

A new study suggests coffee may do more than help people wake up—it could also support long-term brain health. Research published Monday in JAMA, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found that regular consumption of caffeinated beverages was linked to better cognitive outcomes and a lower risk of dementia. The study followed more than 132,000 adults over roughly four decades, tracking caffeine intake and self-reported memory concerns. Participants who consumed the highest amounts of caffeinated coffee reported fewer memory problems than those who drank little or none. Researchers also found that higher caffeine consumption was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of developing dementia. While the findings point to a meaningful link between caffeine and brain health, researchers cautioned that coffee alone is not a cure-all. Study leader Dr. Daniel Wang of Harvard Medical School told Reuters that caffeinated coffee or tea may be “one piece of that puzzle,” emphasizing that physical activity, diet, sleep, and overall lifestyle also play significant roles in protecting cognitive function.

A Minnesota gubernatorial candidate is suspending his campaign after his daughter was fatally stabbed. Jeff Johnson, a Republican and former St. Cloud City Council member, left the race after his daughter, 22-year-old Hallie Tobler, was stabbed on Saturday. Authorities suspect her husband, Dylan Tobler, 23, is responsible for the stabbing. Police responded the night of Feb. 7 to reports of a medical emergency at the couple’s locked apartment, where they found Hallie Tobler dead and her husband suffering from what are believed to be self-inflicted stab wounds. “Based on the investigation, it is believed that (the husband’s) injuries are self-inflicted and that he is the person responsible for Hallie’s injuries and death,” St. Cloud police said. Dylan Tobler was hospitalized and is in stable condition. “There are no words that can adequately express the sorrow we feel for Jeff and his family,“ the Republican Party of Minnesota wrote on Facebook. “The loss of a child is unimaginable, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve this devastating tragedy.”

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This Valentine’s Day, go beyond the default chocolate and uninspired rose bouquet, and opt for a gift that lets you and your partner explore deeper pleasure, communication, and intimacy (and that doesn’t die in a week or give you a stomach ache). The Lover Set from Lovense is guaranteed to make sparks fly, toes curl, and beds rock—this Valentine’s Day and beyond.

This six-piece kit comes with three toys and three accessories. The Lush 4 delivers slow, deliberate G-spot stimulation, while the hands-free Gush 2 penis massager is perfect for teasing and edging. Then, there’s the Kraken Masturbator, which is soft and endlessly flexible, wrapping every inch of the penis for enhanced sensation. To really add some magic to the mix are the feather tickler, wrist cuffs, and blindfold accessories.

The Lover Set

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Take turns giving in, hands restrained and vision stolen, using the feather tickler for teasing foreplay before the toys take over. Both the Lush 4 and Gush 2 can be controlled via an app, unlocking endless ways to play like syncing with music, sound, and even video for a fully immersive experience.

For a limited time, the Lover Set is just $249—normally priced at $629 (that’s a whopping 60 percent off). But don’t let the fun end there. Lovense is running a Valentine’s Day sale, offering up to 58 percent off sitewide.

A small plane landed on a busy road in Georgia on Monday and crashed into three vehicles, dislodging a fuel tank into one of them. The single-engine 2010 Hawker Beechcraft BE-36 made an emergency landing around 12:10 p.m. at an intersection in Gainesville, Georgia, due to engine issues, the Associated Press reported. According to Gainesville Police Capt. Kevin Holbrook, two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries following the emergency landing. “The fact that no one was seriously injured or killed is just astonishing,” Holbrook said about the crash. Authorities said the plane was carrying an experienced pilot and a student pilot, neither of whom was injured. Pilot Thomas Rogers told WAGA-TV that the landing occurred after they lost their engine on takeoff and “realized we weren’t going to make it back given how far out we were, so we came down the road.” The airplane had taken off from Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport, approximately 8.8 miles from Browns Bridge Road, where it landed. The Daily Beast has contacted the Federal Aviation Administration and Gainesville police for comment.

Journalists plan to strike after a calamitous commentator made a slew of embarrassing errors at the Milano Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony. RaiSport director Paolo Petrecca’s stint on the mic on Friday featured an astonishing series of mistakes, including forgetting who people were and which city they were in. He welcomed viewers of the Italian network to Stadio Olimpico in Rome, even though the event was at San Siro in Milan. He thought well-known Italian actress Matilda De Angelis was the U.S. singer Mariah Carey, and even claimed that Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry was the daughter of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. RaiSport’s internal union said in a statement Monday that journalists would strike for three days after the Games and wouldn’t put their bylines on stories. “We have all been embarrassed, no one excluded, and through no fault of our own,” it said. “It is time to make our voices heard because we are facing the worst-ever figure of RaiSport in one of the most eagerly awaited events ever.” According to the Associated Press, Petrecca, who was only included because the first choice had already resigned, has been removed from the February 22 closing ceremony schedule.