Iniaes

Leverage rises as stocks reach record highs, increasing liquidation risk

As South Korea’s stock market climbs to record highs, borrowing to invest has surged. The heavier use of leverage is raising concerns that a market pullback could trigger forced selling and rapid liquidations.

Live updates: Trump to highlight the economy in the State of the Union as lawmakers and Cabinet members arrive

President Trump is set to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term to Congress on Tuesday night. After launching an ambitious agenda with a mixed record of successes and setbacks, he has said the speech will be long and that he plans to focus in part on the economy, as lawmakers and Cabinet officials gather for the address.

NYPD Releases Photos of Suspects in Washington Square Park Snowball Assault After Mayor Mamdani Called Attackers ‘Kids’

The NYPD released photos of two suspects wanted for allegedly striking two responding officers in the head, neck, and face with snow and ice during a disorderly gathering at Washington Square Park. The officers were treated at a hospital in stable condition, and the suspects fled. Police said the men are believed to be about 18 to 20 years old and are sought on felony assault charges. The release came after Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the incident as a snowball fight involving “kids” and suggested they should not face criminal charges. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon.

Extreme Weather Is Changing the World’s Rivers, and New Protection Strategies Are Needed

Extreme weather is transforming the world’s rivers. New ways to protect them are needed as floods, droughts, and heatwaves increasingly push river ecosystems toward tipping points, erode biodiversity, and disrupt key functions. Events can cascade through entire river networks and compound in sequence—such as drought followed by flood, or wildfire followed by heavy rain—creating outsized, hard-to-predict damage worsened by pollution, water withdrawals, and habitat fragmentation. Researchers call for a shift from reactive, local fixes to proactive, catchment-scale resilience measures, including restoring habitat and connectivity, giving rivers more space, protecting groundwater recharge areas, and safeguarding or creating refuges that can withstand more frequent extremes.

South Korea’s Ruling Party Pushes Reform Bills Despite Filibuster

South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party is moving to pass a package of eight reform and livelihood-focused bills despite a filibuster, including revisions to three controversial judicial reform measures.

Britain Struggles to Match Europe’s Military Rearmament Despite the Threat from Russia

Britain is struggling to keep up with Europe’s accelerating military rearmament as concerns grow about Russia’s rising threat, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The group says the UK is falling behind on key defence commitments, with notable capability gaps in armoured vehicles, warships, and ground-based air defence, while countries such as Germany increase spending faster. Even if the UK brings forward plans to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2029, it could still lag behind Berlin, as officials also warn of a multibillion-pound funding gap and delays to the government’s defence investment plan.

Democrats hold a ‘People’s State of the Union’ protest on the National Mall as Trump delivers his address

President Trump is set to deliver the first State of the Union of his second term tonight, expected to begin around 9 p.m. EST. Alongside Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s official Democratic response, Democrats are organizing counterprogramming, including a National Mall event billed as a ‘People’s State of the Union,’ with some lawmakers skipping the speech to protest.

Utah redistricting map stays put after GOP challenge fails

A three-judge federal panel in Utah rejected state Republicans’ attempt to overturn a court-ordered redistricting map, so the lines that reportedly help Democrats more than the GOP remain in place.

Snoop Dogg plays a private canteen set before Swansea City debut

Snoop Dogg ran through a batch of classics in a private canteen performance, then headed off to his first Swansea City match, because apparently your average pregame routine was not extra enough.

Blind item alleges Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott hookup after “Astroworld-themed” party

A “Blind Item Revealed” post claims an A-list reality star and her rapper ex hooked up after an Astroworld-themed birthday party described as a “death fetish” event, with the details pointing to Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott. Treat as unverified gossip.

MPs break convention to publicly slam “former prince” with personal anecdotes

Members of Parliament in the House of Commons openly criticised the former prince, sharing personal accounts of meeting him that were unanimously negative, a noticeable departure from the usual polite restraint.

DOJ sues UCLA over alleged hostile environment for Jewish faculty during 2024 protests

The Department of Justice filed suit against UCLA, alleging it allowed a hostile work environment for Jewish faculty and failed its Title VII obligations during pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations in 2024, amid continued Trump administration pressure on universities over antisemitism concerns tied to the protests.

Sotomayor calls for transparency on Florida lethal injection, execution proceeds

Justice Sonia Sotomayor raised concerns about Florida’s lethal injection process and urged more transparency, while the Supreme Court denied Melvin Trotter’s emergency bid to stop his execution. Sotomayor voted to allow it to proceed, saying he had not shown enough evidence the state would botch the procedure.

“Rice robots” research turns grain behavior into adaptive metamaterials

Researchers found rice weakens under rapid compression but holds up better under slow pressure, then used that speed-dependent behavior to build a metamaterial that changes stiffness automatically. Potential uses include soft robots that adjust rigidity on demand and protective gear that adapts to impact speed.

Figure skating rumor spirals into social media unfollows and a deactivated account

A Twitter rumor claims a former skater cheated on their skater partner with another skater, prompting a chain reaction, layout changes, anonymous callouts, multiple unfollows or blocks, and the partner eventually deactivating their Twitter account. No verification provided.

Mandelson lawyers dispute arrest rationale, deny any plan to flee UK

Mandelson’s lawyers say his arrest stemmed from a baseless allegation that he posed a flight risk, and they insist there is no truth to claims he planned to leave the UK.

NED president interrupted at House hearing after comments on Iran efforts

At a February 24 House oversight hearing, National Endowment for Democracy president Damon Wilson was interrupted after describing NED-backed efforts related to Iran during a period of violence, including supporting about 200 Starlink terminals and pursuing media messaging aimed at challenging the Iranian government.

DHS reinstates 56 Coast Guard members discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusal

The Department of Homeland Security said 56 former U.S. Coast Guard service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine have been reinstated. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said they were removed under a 2021 requirement implemented during the Biden administration.

Mayweather and Pacquiao agree to rematch of 2015 mega-fight

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have agreed to a rematch of their 2015 bout, with the fight expected to take place in Las Vegas later this year.

Firefighters Fight Apartment Building Fire in Lindenwold, New Jersey

Firefighters are battling a fire at an apartment building in Lindenwold, Camden County, New Jersey.

GhostBSD plans to replace Xorg with XLibre to support X11 desktops

GhostBSD, a desktop-focused FreeBSD distribution, says it will switch from the Xorg display server to the XLibre X11 server to better support its main MATE desktop, along with Xfce and the newer Gershwin environment.

National Conference for Women Virtual Event on March 4; Discounted Tickets Available

The National Conference for Women will be held online on March 4. Organizers encourage individuals and teams to register now and take advantage of ticket savings, promoting the event as a chance to invest in career growth and personal development.

Lawsuit alleges Arizona Department of Child Safety failed to act on seven reports before 11-year-old’s death

A lawsuit filed in Maricopa County claims the Arizona Department of Child Safety did not adequately respond to seven reports of suspected abuse involving 11-year-old Chaksa Davis Smith and his younger half-brother, despite warnings from school staff, motel staff, and police dating back to 2017. Chaksa died in 2022 after being found unresponsive at a Scottsdale extended-stay motel, and authorities said both children showed signs of prolonged abuse by their grandmother, Stephanie Davis, and her husband, Thomas Desharnais. The pair face charges including first-degree murder and child abuse, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Sen. Mark Kelly Says He Will Attend President Trump’s State of the Union Address

Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said he will attend President Trump’s State of the Union address, even as some Democrats plan to skip it, arguing that showing up is an obligation of his office. The decision comes amid ongoing friction with the Trump administration, including criticism tied to a video he appeared in addressing military troops.

Local Spotlight: American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on heart health, learn about heart disease prevention, and stay up to date on the latest prevention approaches.

AccuWeather forecasts rain showers with mixed snow early tomorrow in the Philadelphia area

AccuWeather reports a few light snow showers overnight into early Wednesday in the Philadelphia region, with some wet snowflakes mixing in.

U.S. deported a gay asylum seeker to a country where homosexuality is illegal

A 21-year-old Moroccan gay woman identified as Farah says she fled family violence and sought asylum in the United States after traveling through multiple countries, but was detained for months and ultimately denied asylum. Although a U.S. immigration judge issued a protection order barring her removal to Morocco due to risk to her life, she says ICE deported her via Cameroon, where she was detained and told she could not safely stay, before she was flown back to Morocco. Farah is now in hiding, and lawyers say her case is among dozens of third-country deportations carried out despite protection orders, raising concerns about due process and compliance with U.S. and international obligations.

U.S. Forces Board Third Sanctioned Oil Tanker in the Indo-Pacific

U.S. military forces boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indo-Pacific Command region on Tuesday after tracking it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon said the vessel, the Bertha, was boarded without incident. The ship was sanctioned by the U.S. government in December 2024 for its role in transporting oil.

Go library maintainer calls GitHub Dependabot a source of excessive, low-value alerts

A maintainer of a Go library is urging developers to disable GitHub’s Dependabot, arguing that the tool generates false positives and floods projects with low-value alerts and pull requests. They warn that this “noise” can create alert fatigue, making teams more likely to miss real security issues.

NYPD says officers hit with snowballs in Washington Square Park

Several NYPD officers were reportedly struck by snowballs, including in the face, after responding to a large disorderly group in Washington Square Park Monday afternoon. Some officers were taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition. The incident is under investigation, no arrests have been made, and police unions are demanding the culprits be identified and prosecuted, because apparently we now live in a society where winter precipitation comes with assault allegations.

“First run the tests” argues test suites are essential for AI-assisted coding

A developer write-up pushes a simple mantra for coding agents, start by running existing automated tests. The idea is that tests force an agent to learn the project’s reality, verify changes, and expand coverage, with the argument that fast test creation and repair makes a solid suite even more central when AI is generating code that should absolutely not be allowed to freestyle into production.

Trump State of the Union preview, economy, costs, immigration, and midterm stakes

President Trump is set to deliver the State of the Union, expected to highlight the economy, cost-lowering steps, immigration enforcement plans, and the midterm political framing. The broader news mix also points to a courtroom fight over potential prosecutor disqualification in the Charlie Kirk case, ongoing analysis as Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, and concerns from friends about President Biden’s fatigue during a cancer battle, because modern politics is a nonstop content treadmill powered by human fragility and cable-news caffeine.

Supreme Court limits Trump’s broad tariff powers

The Supreme Court dealt a major blow to President Trump’s widest tariff actions, curbing his ability to impose new import taxes unilaterally. The ruling narrows presidential discretion, but it is unlikely to end the larger uncertainty and disruption hanging over U.S. trade policy, because nothing says “stable planning environment” like policymaking by vibes.

UK to require ETA for travelers from US, Canada, Australia, and others starting Feb. 25, 2026

Beginning 25 February 2026, travelers from a list of countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK. Travelers may be refused entry without it, proving once again that the future is forms, fees, and a polite “no” at the border if you forgot to click the correct website.

Retailers lock up chocolate as shoplifting surges

Sainsbury’s has started locking some chocolate bars in plastic security boxes, including Cadbury Dairy Milk priced at £2.60, as concerns rise about theft. Tesco and Co-Op have taken similar steps amid warnings that organized criminals are targeting confectionery for resale. Industry groups say chocolate is among the most stolen items, the British Retail Consortium cites 5.5 million detected shoplifting incidents in the past year, and retailers are adding CCTV and AI tools while calling for tougher enforcement. Dystopia update, the candy aisle now has the security posture of a diamond showroom.

Met Police question ex-UK ambassador Peter Mandelson over Epstein links

London’s Metropolitan Police questioned former UK ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson for nine hours regarding his links to Jeffrey Epstein, then released him on bail. Yet another episode in the never-ending saga of powerful people orbiting powerful creeps and acting shocked that anyone noticed.

Winter storm leaves thousands without power in Camden County, New Jersey

A winter storm triggered widespread outages in Camden County, New Jersey, with Atlantic City Electric reporting about 25,000 customers still without electricity. Most service is expected to be restored by Thursday, though heavy damage could leave some residents without power until Saturday, a reminder that the grid’s favorite hobby is taking unscheduled vacations.

Amazon Games kills “King of Meat”

Amazon Games is shutting down King of Meat, an online multiplayer dungeon crawler developed by Glowmade. Another day, another corporate guillotine; may it rest in the great server farm in the sky.

John Fury fined after failing to name Mercedes driver

John Fury, boxing trainer and father of Tyson Fury, was ordered to pay £1,574 after magistrates found he failed to identify who was driving his Mercedes when it was recorded by motorway cameras on the M6 in July 2024. He did not respond within the 28-day deadline under the Road Traffic Act 1988, pleaded not guilty, and did not attend the hearing. A separate allegation about driving in a closed lane was dismissed.

Jenrick backs visa pressure on countries that refuse criminal returns

Robert Jenrick said Reform UK would warn Pakistan that the UK should stop issuing visas if it does not accept the return of Pakistani nationals convicted of serious crimes in Britain, including those linked to grooming gang offences. He backed Zia Yusuf’s wider proposal to bar visas for multiple countries that refuse to take back criminals and people deemed to be in the UK illegally, and argued it should come with tougher enforcement, including detention and deportation and withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. He also blamed past Conservative and Labour governments for failing to control migration.

Greece celebrates Clean Monday with Galaxidi “flour war”

Galaxidi marked Clean Monday with its annual “flour war,” as crowds threw dyed flour into the air and at each other in a colorful farewell to the carnival season. Local tradition, zero respect for laundry.

Basel carnival begins with 4 a.m. lantern parade, Trump satire included

Basel’s 700-year-old carnival opened with the 4 a.m. Morgenstreich, when the city’s lights were switched off and masked musicians marched with glowing lanterns, including satirical designs lampooning Donald Trump.

Montenegro pitches itself as a luxury tourism alternative

Montenegro, population about 620,000, is promoting itself as a luxury alternative to destinations like Spain and Croatia. The government says it is pursuing a quality-focused strategy and already draws around 2.5 million visitors a year.

UK announces new humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Ukraine

Britain announced a new package of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Ukraine, timed to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Poland says Hungary is blocking major Ukraine loan and new Russia sanctions

Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said Hungary is escalating obstruction of a proposed €90bn loan for Ukraine and a new Russia sanctions package, arguing it benefits Vladimir Putin. He urged Europe to act decisively as US support for Ukraine appears to be weakening.

Updates on Joe Biden’s cancer treatment and schedule

People close to former president Joe Biden say he has remained active while being treated for an aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, though some have noticed increased fatigue. Several say they have not received detailed updates, while others describe him as engaged and optimistic about treatment. Aides say the 83-year-old is working on a memoir and planning appearances, including a South Carolina trip on Feb. 27. Reported treatment includes radiation therapy in Philadelphia and hormone therapy, and he publicly marked the end of his radiation course in October 2025.

Oldest known fragment of Earth’s crust, a 4.4-billion-year-old zircon

On Feb. 24, 2014, scientists announced confirmation that a tiny 4.4-billion-year-old zircon crystal from Australia is the oldest discovered fragment of Earth’s crust.

Birthday roll call

Feb. 24 marks birthdays including actor Billy Zane turning 60 and actor O’Shea Jackson Jr. turning 35.

Scheduled Network Maintenance in IAD (Washington, DC)

Scheduled network maintenance will take place in the IAD (Washington, DC) data center on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 05:00 to 11:00 UTC. No downtime is expected, but brief increased latency or packet loss may occur; support is available via a ticket in the Linode Manager.

U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team Declines Trump Invitation to State of the Union

The U.S. women’s hockey team, fresh off winning gold, has politely declined President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

Coast Guard Commandant Condemns Hate After Swastika Found at Training Center Cape May

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating after a swastika was discovered at its training center in Cape May, and the service’s commandant condemned the act and reaffirmed opposition to hate.

AccuWeather warns of overnight refreezing

AccuWeather says slush and standing water on untreated surfaces could refreeze into ice overnight as temperatures drop into the 20s.

U.S. Ambassador to France Barred From Government Access After Missing Foreign Ministry Summons

The U.S. ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, was barred from French government offices after he failed to appear for a Foreign Ministry summons. France had called him in to address Trump administration remarks about the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque.

Philadelphia Man Charged with Killing His Wife in Rockledge, Pennsylvania

A Philadelphia man, Jose Luna, has been charged with murdering his wife in Rockledge, Pennsylvania. Court documents say he told investigators they had attended a party earlier that day, and that he became angry after he believed she disrespected him in front of others.

Cleanup and Damage Assessment Begin in Philadelphia After Snowstorm

Cleanup and damage assessments are underway in Philadelphia following a snowstorm, as city officials warn the impact on the city’s tree canopy could last well beyond winter.

HD Hyundai Delivers Philippine Navy Warship Five Months Ahead of Schedule

HD Hyundai delivered a Philippine Navy warship five months earlier than planned, strengthening its reputation for timely defense shipbuilding and supporting its push to expand in Southeast Asia’s defense market.

Cisco uses unusual imagery to explain a new hardware design as Pure Storage rebrands

Cisco is promoting a refreshed hardware design using marketing imagery like titanium spoons and sand dunes. Meanwhile, the company formerly known as Pure Storage is rolling out a rebrand with a more water-themed name and branding, with both firms publishing designer-and-marketer explanations for the changes.

Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir recounts survival after learning of years of drugging and rape

‘I am the enemy of death’: Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir is a tale of survival, tracing how she learned in November 2020—at nearly 68—that her husband, Dominique, had drugged and raped her for at least nine years and enabled assaults by dozens of other men. The book revisits her childhood losses, marriage, and family life, showing how the revelations forced her to reinterpret her entire past, navigate rifts with her children, and reclaim agency, including by pushing for a public trial to shift shame onto perpetrators and stand in solidarity with other survivors.

Calls Increase for Quakertown Police Chief to Resign After Clash at Protest

Calls are growing for the Quakertown police chief to resign following a confrontation at a protest. Police say students were disruptive, including kicking cars and damaging property, and three days later the children involved remain in detention.

Wall Street panics over an AI “doomsday” memo, because markets love a good fainting couch

A 7,000-word scenario from Citrini Research spooked investors with the idea that rapidly improving AI could gut white-collar costs, spark mass layoffs, and set off financial contagion. The note’s bigger claim is a “global intelligence crisis,” where human intelligence stops being scarce, which could be great for the real economy and terrible for profits. Stocks tied to software, payments, and productivity trades fell, trade-policy uncertainty piled on, and the Dow sank 822 points as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also dropped.

UK records first birth after deceased-donor womb transplant

A baby boy is reportedly the first in the UK born following a womb transplant from a deceased donor. His mother, Grace Bell, who was born without a viable womb, called him “simply a miracle.”

Coast Guard investigates swastika found at New Jersey recruit training center

The U.S. Coast Guard opened an internal investigation after a swastika was discovered on a bathroom wall at a primary recruit training center in New Jersey. The symbol is associated with Nazi ideology and the Holocaust, and it was found in a restroom at the facility.

Manchester United win at Everton keeps Champions League hopes alive

Striker Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens helped Manchester United to a crucial Premier League away win at Everton, boosting their push for Champions League qualification.

Philadelphia-area schools shift plans after snowstorm: closures, delays, remote learning

Following the weekend snowstorm, schools across the Philadelphia area announced closures, delays, and remote learning for Tuesday, February 24. The School District of Philadelphia will hold virtual instruction for all students, while Archdiocesan parish and regional schools will close buildings and use a Flexible Instruction Day. Families are advised to check local updates.

Mexico cartel operation leaves over 70 dead, violence continues in aftermath

More than 70 people were killed during Mexico’s attempt to capture a notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, with additional deaths linked to violent fallout after his reported death.

Michigan Democratic candidate says “spite” after breakup fueled her run, then clarifies it as “spite for good”

Shelby Campbell, running in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District Democratic primary, said a breakup a decade ago pushed her to chase major goals, including a U.S. House run, describing it as doing things “out of spite.” She later reframed it as determination and growth after trauma. The race includes incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar and challenger Donavan McKinney, and Campbell has also faced scrutiny over past social media remarks and a settled trademark dispute tied to Campbell Soup-style campaign imagery.

Bill Maher swats back at Trump’s “nervous at dinner” account

Comedian Bill Maher responded after President Trump criticized him in a social media post, claiming Maher had “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and seemed nervous and lacking confidence during a past Oval Office dinner. Maher dismissed Trump’s version of events.

Florida Rep. Neal Dunn says he will finish his term, denies early-exit rumors

Rep. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, will not resign early and plans to complete his term, according to his spokesperson, pushing back on rumors that his departure could endanger the GOP’s narrow House majority.

Former senior FBI official Dave Sundberg runs for Congress in Maryland

Dave Sundberg, who previously led the FBI’s Washington Field Office and was later pushed out after President Trump returned to office, announced Monday that he is running to succeed Rep. Steny Hoyer in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. Sundberg said he is campaigning on support for the rule of law over the power of any single leader.

Researchers develop a heat-based technique to improve next-generation AI semiconductors

A team led by Professor Taesung Kim at Sungkyunkwan University has introduced a “thermal constraining” method that uses heat to precisely shape a semiconductor’s internal structure, likened to pressing fish-shaped pastries in a mold. The researchers say the approach boosts performance for next-generation AI hardware, enabling faster processing of complex computations while using significantly less electricity. The work was published in ACS Nano.

U.S. AI companies accuse Chinese competitors of large-scale data theft

U.S. AI firms are accusing Chinese rivals of stealing data and know-how after Anthropic said it uncovered coordinated efforts by three Chinese AI companies to illicitly extract capabilities from its Claude chatbot, calling it industrial-scale intellectual property theft.

Boebert Urges Tony Gonzales to Resign Amid Allegations of an Affair

Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado became the first House Republican to publicly call for Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas to resign following allegations that he had an affair with a congressional staffer. Boebert posted “@RepTonyGonzales, RESIGN!” on X as scrutiny of Gonzales intensified after a report from the San Antonio Express-News.

Poll: Many Americans Want Trump to Focus on the Economy in the State of the Union

Nearly half of respondents in a new Scripps News/Talker Research poll say they most want to hear President Trump address the economy in Tuesday night’s State of the Union. The survey found 47 percent ranked the economy as their top topic of interest.

Indiana School Secretary Cries During Police Interview After Alleged Sexual Relationship With Student

Newly released police interview footage shows Alicia Hughes, a 31-year-old Indiana school employee, crying as she acknowledged a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student after she was reportedly found in bed with him on Valentine’s Day. Investigators also confronted her with a separate allegation involving a 17-year-old student; Hughes admitted meeting him and sending photos but denied having sex, then asked for an attorney. She was arrested on five counts of child seduction, jailed on a $25,000 bond, and suspended from her job pending the legal process, with court hearings scheduled ahead of a June 15 trial date.

Taylor Frankie Paul will meet 22 contestants on Season 22 of "The Bachelorette"

Twenty-two men will compete for Taylor Frankie Paul when Season 22 of "The Bachelorette" premieres on ABC in March.

Report Claims Ariana Grande’s Team Deleted a Private Eating-Disorder Account Soon After It Became Public

A report alleges that a private account linked to Ariana Grande and focused on an eating disorder became publicly known and was deleted by her team roughly 20 minutes later.

Which guests will attend Trump’s State of the Union address?

President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday is expected to highlight accomplishments from the first year of his second term, with an emphasis on affordability, election security, and immigration enforcement. The speech is not his first address to Congress since returning to the White House, and it comes amid ongoing political and legislative tensions.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Life Will Be Featured in an Upcoming Comic Book, “FAME: Jimmy Kimmel”

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is the subject of a new comic book titled “FAME: Jimmy Kimmel,” highlighting key moments from his life and career, with preview pages now available.

Air Côte d'Ivoire confirms cyberattack after ransomware claim

Air Côte d'Ivoire says hackers breached its systems on February 8, after the INC ransomware group claimed it stole 208 GB of airline data.

Global regulators warn generative AI firms about imitating real people

Data protection authorities around the world issued a joint warning to generative AI companies about generating outputs that imitate or recreate real individuals, after the Grok chatbot reportedly generated and spread millions of sexually altered images of real people—yes, the internet found a new way to be awful at scale.

North Carolina woman found alive after 20 years missing

Officials say Michelle Hundely Smith has been found alive two decades after disappearing following a trip to go Christmas shopping.

Welsh Rugby Union headed for extraordinary general meeting

The Welsh Rugby Union is expected to face an extraordinary general meeting after the Six Nations, amid questions about whether removing the current chair would lead to real change in how the organisation is run.

FBI Director defends Olympic hockey celebration, promises reimbursement if needed

FBI Director Kash Patel defended attending the Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game between the U.S. and Canada after videos showed him celebrating with Team USA in the locker room, drinking beer, and briefly wearing a player’s gold medal. Patel said he was in Italy for law enforcement meetings tied to Olympic security, and that lessons would aid U.S. planning for the FIFA World Cup. Amid scrutiny over whether taxpayer funds covered any personal costs, he posted an email saying any personal portion would be reimbursed.

David Rush sets dice stacking speed record

Serial Guinness World Records holder David Rush, joined by family and friends, set a new record for the fastest time to stack 20 dice into towers—humanity’s best argument that free will was a mistake.

Abbott urges Texans to monitor Mexico travel warnings after reported cartel leader killing

Texas Governor Greg Abbott urged Texans to stay alert and watch U.S. State Department travel warnings as violence and instability continue in Mexico following Sunday’s reported killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.

Proposal calls for U.S. Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the Trump years

A proposal argues that after Trump, the United States should establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to build a complete public record of the Trump years, so the country’s history is not written mainly by those who gained power under his administration.

UK minister accused in smear claims appears to leak WhatsApp update, then deletes it

Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, facing calls to be dismissed over alleged involvement in a smear campaign against journalists, reportedly posted and then deleted a message in a Labour MPs’ WhatsApp group summarizing inquiries into him. The message said he was told the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team found no ministerial code breach, while Keir Starmer would ask ethics adviser Laurie Magnus for a fast further review. Simons is accused of authorising a £36,000 PR investigation into journalists and later sharing information with GCHQ while alleging Kremlin links. He has not publicly commented.

Appeals court backs Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments displays in classrooms

The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Louisiana over a law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom, ruling a lower court’s injunction was premature because the displays have not yet been posted.

Anthropic CEO to meet Defense Secretary amid dispute over military use of Claude

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is scheduled to meet Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon as Anthropic and the Defense Department continue talks, and disagreements, over terms for military use of the Claude AI model.

England face a globe-trotting summer tour

England will fly roughly 25,000 miles to play South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina—a punishing itinerary that forces hard choices on selection, recovery, and planning.

Metropolitan Police officer dismissed over discriminatory comment

A Met Police officer has been sacked after a disciplinary hearing concluded he made a discriminatory remark.

WNBA champion Kara Braxton dies at 43

Kara Braxton, a former Georgia player who won two WNBA titles with the Detroit Shock, has died, the league said. She was 43.

GitHub data shows AI is reshaping programming language choices

GitHub reports that AI tools are influencing what developers build with, not just how fast they code. In August 2025, TypeScript became the most-used language on GitHub for the first time, with year-over-year growth of 66%, while JavaScript grew 24%. GitHub says 80% of new developers try Copilot in their first week, lowering the perceived cost of more complex tooling by handling boilerplate and syntax. It also cites a 206% jump in shell scripting usage in AI-generated projects, and advises teams to standardize patterns, use clear constraints like strong typing, and test AI-generated code more rigorously.

FIFA considers mandatory one-minute sideline rule after on-field treatment

FIFA is weighing a rule that would require any player treated on the pitch to leave and stay off for at least one minute before returning.

Labour pressed on SEND funding and rising support needs

GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope questioned Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson about Labour’s plan to add £4 billion for special educational needs and disabilities support and make state schools more inclusive. Hope cited forecasts suggesting EHCP numbers may remain similar by 2033 to 34, and that one in five children could have individual support plans, asking why need is so high. Phillipson argued demand will keep rising due to long-standing unmet need and reduced early support, and said the funding would strengthen early-years help and council provision.

Australia backs removing Prince Andrew from the line of succession

Australia has supported removing Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession. He remains eighth in line despite having been stripped of his titles.

South Caucasus power balance shifts as U.S. diplomacy re-enters the region

After years of Russian dominance in the South Caucasus, the balance is shifting following Trump administration diplomacy with Armenia and Azerbaijan—a change made more significant by both countries’ borders with Iran. The U.S. has also begun steps to revive relations in the region while urging caution in dealings with Georgia’s current leadership.

Mexican forces kill cartel leader “El Mencho,” reprisals follow

Mexican forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, in an operation in Jalisco supported by U.S. intelligence, according to U.S. officials. Authorities said seven people died in total. Afterward, the cartel launched violent reprisals with roadblocks and vehicle fires, largely shutting down Guadalajara and disrupting its international airport before most blockades were cleared.