Iniaes

Navalny death claim splashes across papers

Several newspapers led with claims that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed using a dart frog toxin, because nothing says “normal country” like James Bond cosplay with rainforest chemicals.

Philadelphia forecast, rain first, snow as an afterthought

A fast-moving system is set to bring rain and some snow to the Philadelphia region Sunday night, with showers continuing into early Monday.

Obama condemns racist “apes” video shared via Trump account

Former President Barack Obama condemned a video shared on President Donald Trump’s social media depicting him and Michelle Obama as apes. Speaking about it a week later, Obama said most Americans find the behavior deeply troubling and argued social media and television have helped turn politics into a “clown show,” with collapsing decorum and respect for the presidency.

Obama calls Minnesota ICE conduct “rogue behavior”

Obama criticized the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota as “rogue behavior,” warning it resembles tactics seen in authoritarian countries. He also praised Americans for holding peaceful protests and spotlighting actions he said are not typical in the United States.

Minneapolis incident, ICE agents may face charges

Two ICE agents may face charges after investigators said physical evidence does not match their accounts of a Minneapolis incident in which one agent shot a man.

Lowe’s cuts about 600 jobs while shifting staffing priorities

Lowe’s is eliminating roughly 600 positions as it shifts more resources toward frontline store staffing. The company said affected employees will get financial assistance, temporary continued benefits, and career transition support, because nothing says “we value people” like a layoff with a pamphlet.

Opinion, Trump EPA move to rescind 2009 greenhouse gas finding

A column by David Blackmon argues that President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s decision to rescind the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding on greenhouse gases corrects decades of flawed legal precedent. It ties the move to the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright decision ending Chevron deference, claims earlier rulings enabled EPA overreach, says the rescission used formal regulatory procedures that are harder to reverse, and dismisses criticism from climate advocates and major media as politically driven.

Zelensky speaks with Witkoff and Kushner ahead of Geneva talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke by phone with Trump administration envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ahead of next week’s trilateral talks in Geneva with Russia. He said Ukraine hopes the meetings will be genuinely productive and that the negotiating team will present its position in person.

“Married at the Market” returns to Reading Terminal for Valentine’s Day

Seven couples will get married inside Reading Terminal Market as the “Married at the Market” event returns for Valentine’s Day, proving romance is alive and well, and it smells faintly like pretzels.

US Democrats in Munich, reassuring Europe about “America First”

Senior US Democrats traveled to a summit in Munich to reassure European leaders that the “America First” approach is not permanent, arguing Trump will be out of office in three years. The trip also gave opposition figures a stage to pitch an alternative foreign policy and audition for future leadership.

FA Cup highlights roundup

Alex Scott presents highlights from the day’s FA Cup fourth-round ties.

Support Email Delays Resolved

Support email processing delays have been resolved, and all impacted services have fully recovered.

Washington Rediscovers Its Love Language, Mergers

After DOJ antitrust chief Gail Slater was pushed out, companies and deal advisers say Trump’s Washington is suddenly feeling warm and receptive to consolidation. Business-friendly leadership is outmuscling populist skeptics like Slater, Vice President JD Vance, and Steve Bannon, and dealmaking is increasingly shaped by negotiable remedies and lobbying rather than aggressive challenges. Merger investigations have fallen to record lows in 2025. A few trustbusting holdouts remain at the FTC and among some Republican senators, but the signal is clear: faster approvals, more deals, and populists on both the left and right get to be mad together for once.

FA Cup, Newcastle Edge Villa Amid Referee Controversy

Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle United overcame several disputed refereeing decisions to beat 10-man Aston Villa and knock them out of the FA Cup. Nothing bonds football fans like the timeless tradition of everyone agreeing the officiating was, at best, a creative writing exercise.

DHS Funding Lapses, Essential Work Continues, Pay Does Not

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. DHS says essential missions will continue, though many employees will work without pay. ICE and CBP are funded separately through President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” while other components face shutdown impacts. FEMA can keep responding for now, but warns reimbursements and recovery work could be delayed, and a major disaster could strain the Disaster Relief Fund. TSA screeners will keep working without pay, raising staffing and morale concerns. The Coast Guard continues core missions while pausing other activities, deferring maintenance and training, and pausing pay for tens of thousands. CISA retains limited “excepted” staff for imminent cyber threats, but broader cybersecurity services and development will be delayed. The Secret Service expects longer-term effects like delayed contracts, reduced hiring, and stalled programs. Lawmakers left Washington for an 11-day recess after failing to pass a short-term extension, and leadership signaled a near-term return is unlikely, because nothing says “national security” like “see you after vacation.”

Fort Wayne Woman Charged After Infant Death

Police in Fort Wayne say Quinzena Rancefer, 31, fell asleep on a couch while holding her 2-month-old daughter in March 2024, and the infant became wedged under a couch cushion and was later found face down and not breathing. The child was pronounced dead, with a reported cause of asphyxia due to overlay and wedging. Rancefer has been charged with neglect of a dependent causing serious bodily injury and is scheduled for an initial court hearing. Investigators also reported finding suspected drugs and paraphernalia in the apartment and said Rancefer tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Rubio to Europe, “We Belong Together”, With Conditions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told European leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 14 that the U.S. is not abandoning the transatlantic alliance, but wants a reset aligned with President Donald Trump’s priorities: stronger borders, increased defense capacity, and renewed industrial strength. Rubio argued the post–Cold War order encouraged misguided assumptions about globalization, borderless politics, and trade, and urged Europe to boost defenses, tighten migration policy, and reduce dependence on rivals by rebuilding manufacturing and securing supply chains.

Tucson Investigation, Unmatched DNA Found, SUV Impounded

Investigators said they found DNA at Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home that does not match her or anyone close to her. Authorities also impounded an SUV as part of the investigation.

AOC sidesteps Taiwan troop question, and 2028 talk too

At the Munich Security Conference, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was pressed on whether the U.S. would, and should, commit troops to defend Taiwan if China invaded. She delivered a long, carefully hedged answer about long-standing U.S. policy and avoiding confrontation, but declined to give a yes-or-no. Separately, she also avoided confirming whether she is considering a 2028 presidential run while discussing support for a wealth tax.

Nine indicted in alleged Louvre ticketing fraud

Prosecutors say a ticketing scam at the Louvre may have cost the museum more than €10 million, and nine people have been indicted in the investigation.

Norfolk councillor renews pledge to quit seat over election postponement

Independent councillor Simon Ring, elected in 2024 for Freebridge Lynn, says he will give up his seat at the next local elections in protest of the postponement of May’s contests in 29 authorities, including Norfolk. He calls the delay an erosion of democracy and says voters should be able to replace representatives who no longer reflect their views. Ministers argue postponements are needed for local government reorganisation and new unitary councils, while critics say millions will miss a ballot this year.

European foreign ministries claim Navalny was killed with toxin from Ecuadorian frog

Foreign ministries from five European countries say Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed using a “deadly toxin” extracted from an Ecuadorian frog. Navalny died in February 2024 at age 47 while imprisoned in Russia, where he was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism-related convictions.

Pennsbury High School lockdown lifted after threat deemed not credible

Pennsbury High School went into lockdown Saturday following a threat of violence targeting the campus. Authorities later determined it was not credible, and the lockdown was lifted.

Cuba faces worsening shortages as fuel constraints hit food distribution and services

Cuba’s food and water supplies are shrinking as reduced imported fuel disrupts food distribution and essential services, including water systems and hospitals. The United Nations warned U.S. efforts to block Cuba’s oil imports are worsening the humanitarian situation, even as Mexico and other countries provide food and emergency aid.

Documents show Epstein corresponded with cybersecurity community, eyed hacker conferences

Justice Department documents indicate Jeffrey Epstein communicated for years with people in the cybersecurity world and expressed interest in attending conferences like DEFCON and Black Hat, though it is unclear if he ever went. Emails suggest he had interests in cybersecurity and cryptography, including search-engine reputation management and network security.

Lockheed’s SR-72 remains a hypersonic concept with an uncertain future

Lockheed Martin’s SR-72 “Son of Blackbird” is still an early-stage concept for a hypersonic aircraft using a turbine-based combined-cycle engine, reaching about Mach 3 on a turbine before switching to ramjet or scramjet propulsion for sustained flight near Mach 6 to Mach 7. The proposed mission is time-critical reconnaissance, but the program remains uncertain and may never progress beyond design work.

Sen. Mark Warner warns U.S. election system faces growing domestic interference risks

Sen. Mark Warner said he is increasingly worried about the condition of the U.S. election system ahead of the midterm elections, arguing that domestic interference now concerns him more than threats from foreign actors like China or Russia.

The 10 College Majors With the Lowest Unemployment Rates

These were largely people-focused fields, with programs such as nursing and education among those seeing the strongest employment outcomes.

Man Fatally Shot After Being Ejected From a West Philadelphia Bar, Police Say

Police say a 40-year-old man was shot and killed after being kicked out of a West Philadelphia bar for intoxication. Officers responded around 2 a.m. Saturday to 54th Street and Wyalusing Avenue, where the man was found with multiple gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators say he got into a fight with another man at the intersection and the other man shot him; surveillance video reportedly captured the fight and shooting. The victim has not been identified. The suspect is described as about 6 feet tall, wearing a dark blue hoodie, black pants, and black-and-white sneakers.

Campaigner urges tougher sentences for road crimes after family tragedy

Sarah Hope MBE is calling on the Government to treat road crime like other serious offences and impose tougher sentences, arguing crashes caused by dangerous or impaired driving are preventable. She began campaigning after a 2007 south London collision involving a drunk bus driver that killed her mother, severely injured her, and led to her two-year-old daughter losing a leg. Hope later helped create Transport for London’s “Sarah Hope Line,” which reaches its 10-year anniversary on Monday, to provide immediate support to crash victims and their families.

South Jersey Seniors Receive Unexpected Valentine’s Day Cards

Seniors in South Jersey are being surprised with handmade Valentine’s Day cards arriving from across the country as part of a nationwide campaign meant to help older adults feel loved and remembered.

How authorities obtained Nancy Guthrie camera footage through backend systems

Investigators secured key surveillance video in the Nancy Guthrie case days after their initial efforts to retrieve it failed.

Suffolk hamlet becomes England’s first DarkSky Community, offering exceptional night skies

Thorington Street, a small hamlet of about 40 homes in Suffolk’s Dedham Vale near the Essex border, has become the first community in England to receive International DarkSky Community status. The designation followed a nine-year volunteer effort by local residents, including a lighting management plan and commitments from parish and county councils to avoid installing street lighting. Supported by DarkSky and the National Trust, the area now hosts a DarkSky Discovery Centre for astronomy events and education, and the group plans to develop astrotourism with local businesses.

Offline Cross-Platform Desktop App for Cleaning Development Caches

Reclaimr is a new offline desktop app for macOS, Linux, and Windows that scans for development-related caches and build artifacts—such as node_modules, Rust target directories, Python virtual environments, Docker layers, and Xcode caches—and helps users safely reclaim disk space. Built with Tauri (Rust) plus a React/Tailwind UI, it supports 100+ tools, previews exactly what will be deleted, and assigns risk levels to avoid removing important data. The beta is currently free, includes configurable project search paths, and planned updates include scheduled cleanup notifications and broader support for managed caches like Homebrew and Podman.

Scottish craft beer company BrewDog is being put up for sale

Scottish craft beer brand BrewDog has been put up for sale, with consultants AlixPartners brought in to oversee the process. The sale could result in the business being broken up.

Lidl employee dismissed after drinking a 17p bottle of water without paying

A Lidl worker who had spent more than a decade at the retailer’s Wincanton store was sacked for gross misconduct after drinking a 17p bottle of water left at the checkout without paying. Julian Oxborough said he was dehydrated during his shift and believed the bottle could be written off, but managers cited conflicting explanations and his failure to report it. An employment tribunal in Southampton in October 2025 upheld Lidl’s decision and rejected his unfair dismissal claim.

Trump Says a Change in Power in Iran Would Be the Best Outcome

Donald Trump said a change in power in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen,” speaking soon after confirming the deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier group to the Middle East and following remarks to troops at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Police Search Underway Near Nancy Guthrie’s Home

Police are conducting a search in Tucson, Arizona, near the area where 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was abducted nearly two weeks ago.

Disney’s ‘ZOMBIES’ and ‘Descendants’ Stars Return in ‘Locker Diaries’

Cast members from Disney’s “ZOMBIES” and “Descendants” are reprising their roles in the new series “Locker Diaries,” now streaming on Disney+.

How Olympic athletes eat during the Games and how nutrition supports performance

During the Winter Olympic Games, athletes eat their daily meals in shared dining facilities designed to meet intense training and competition demands. Food choices focus on fueling performance and recovery, with nutrition playing a key role in energy levels, endurance, and results.

On This Day, Feb. 14: YouTube Was Founded

On Feb. 14, 2005, former PayPal employees founded the video-sharing site YouTube. About a year and a half later, Google bought the company for $1.65 billion.

Famous birthdays for February 14: Karol G and Phill Lewis

Famous birthdays for February 14 include musician Karol G turning 35 and actor Phill Lewis turning 58.

Louis Rees-Zammit’s Relationship History, Including Links to a Manchester United Legend’s Daughter and a Strictly Star

Louis Rees-Zammit returns to Six Nations action this weekend, with his current partner set to watch him play, amid renewed attention on his past relationships, including reported links to the daughter of a Manchester United legend and a former Strictly Come Dancing star.

Scotland vs England: Kickoff time and TV channel for the Six Nations

Scotland and England are set to face each other in the Six Nations, with broadcast details confirming the match’s start time and the TV channel showing it.

Ireland vs Italy: TV Channel and Kick-off Time for the Six Nations Match

Ireland and Italy will face each other in the Six Nations this weekend, with broadcast details confirming the kick-off time and the TV channel for the clash.

Historic Kent Village with a Vineyard, River Walks, and Notable Famous Residents

A picturesque Kent village known for its historic character offers a local vineyard and scenic riverside walks. It also has an intriguing link to a well-known painter and was once home to a Hollywood star.

Munich Security Conference: Rubio to Speak as Leaders Meet

Leaders are gathering at the Munich Security Conference for three days of discussions on global security, the war in Ukraine, and the future of transatlantic relations, with Rubio scheduled to deliver a speech.

Guido’s Most Read Stories This Week

Guido drew 918,075 visitors across 883,353 visits, generating 904,582 page views. The most read and shared items included claims of a major Cabinet Office redaction effort linked to Mandelson files; Streeting accusing No. 10 of briefing attacks, alongside the release of alleged Mandelson WhatsApp messages; a new Mauritius corruption scandal said to threaten the Chagos deal; and a widely read piece involving a Green councillor.

Couples and Friends Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend in Philadelphia

Valentine’s weekend began in Philadelphia on Friday night, with couples and groups of friends packing restaurants to celebrate love and friendship ahead of the holiday.

AccuWeather forecasts a mild Valentine’s Day weekend

AccuWeather says the Valentine’s Day weekend should be mild, with a chance of a few overnight flurries and a mix of rain and snow arriving late Sunday.

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Reelection Prospects

Host Tamala Edwards and a panel discussed Mayor Cherelle Parker’s speech at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce mayoral luncheon, the sizable campaign fund she has built in her second year in office, and whether someone like District Attorney Larry Krasner might run against her.

Black-Owned Philadelphia Agency Marks Decades of Advocacy

A Black-owned marketing agency based in Philadelphia is celebrating more than 35 years of work focused on reducing social and health disparities across the United States.

Police Collect Unidentified DNA From Nancy Guthrie’s Home as Investigation Continues

Police say they have collected DNA from Nancy Guthrie’s property that does not match her or anyone known to have been in close contact with her, and they are working to identify its source. Guthrie, the mother of TV presenter Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home about two weeks ago, and the FBI has joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in the search. Sheriff Chris Nanos denied reports that a specific glove was found at the home and disputed claims of conflict over where evidence was sent for analysis. Investigators also released a suspect description, identified a black Ozark Trail backpack, and increased the reward to $100,000.

Woman Charged in Alleged Eagles Autism Foundation Ticket Scam in Montgomery County

A woman has been charged in Montgomery County after investigators identified Kaityn Faust as the suspect in an alleged ticket scam. Authorities say she offered fans discounted tickets, claiming the purchases would benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation, but never delivered the tickets.

What to Know About the Partial Homeland Security Shutdown Expected This Weekend

A partial federal government shutdown affecting parts of the Department of Homeland Security is expected to begin this weekend as lawmakers argue over proposed new limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.

Federal Agent Injured and Hospitalized During Anti-ICE Protest in Downtown Los Angeles

A federal agent was attacked and injured during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles on Friday and was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police said marchers blocked traffic, vandalism was reported, including at the Federal Building, and objects were thrown at officers. Suspects who assaulted the agent allegedly blended into the crowd. The demonstration was linked to a student walkout, and it was not clear whether any arrests were made or which federal agency the injured agent worked for.

Airlines Offering Unique In-Flight Meals from Around the World

Some airlines are serving standout in-flight dishes that go beyond standard airplane food, including options like Malaysian satay skewers and Korean bibimbap.

Noem Says She Remains in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Friday that she is still leading DHS even as White House border czar Tom Homan takes a larger role in President Trump’s immigration agenda. Her comments come amid criticism following two fatal shootings involving immigration officials in Minneapolis that triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny of enforcement operations.

Juvenile Shot in the Leg in Philadelphia’s Germantown Neighborhood

Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting in the Germantown neighborhood after a juvenile was shot in the leg on Friday night.

A Taiwan War Could Determine the Future of the Aircraft Carrier

A Taiwan conflict is framed as a major test of U.S. carrier survivability. Compared with 1996, carriers would face a much tougher threat environment from China’s A2/AD network—anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles, submarines, satellites, and long-range sensors—reducing reaction time and increasing risk. Carriers would still matter, but would likely operate farther east and rely more on long-range aircraft, aerial refueling, standoff weapons, and tighter emissions control.

College baseball player dies and 32 others are injured in Iowa bus crash, officials say

Officials say a bus carrying a community college baseball team crashed in rural Iowa, killing a 19-year-old player from South Dakota and injuring 32 other team members. Authorities identified the victim on Thursday.

Philadelphia School District Reaffirms Student Protections Amid Concerns About ICE Activity

Amid regional concerns about ICE raids, the School District of Philadelphia sent a letter to families on Friday reaffirming its policies to protect student privacy and safety if ICE agents operate near schools. The district said it has received no verified reports of ICE activity on school property.

ServiceNow Acquires AI Analytics Firm Pyramid Analytics

ServiceNow has acquired Pyramid Analytics, an Israeli data science and data preparation company, about two weeks after CEO Bill McDermott said the company would avoid any “large scale” M&A this year. A spokesperson described the purchase as a “tuck-in,” aimed at adding more context and semantics to ServiceNow’s software stack.

Why the U.S. Coast Guard Boarded an Oil Tanker Bound for China

U.S.–China tensions rose after the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the oil tanker Skipper in international waters near Venezuela, detained about 30 crew members, and seized the vessel while it was en route to China. China condemned the action as unlawful and accused the United States of “bullying,” disputing both the interdiction and the sanctions-related justification cited for the seizure.

Man indicted in Flagstaff, Arizona, on charges related to the deaths of two officers

A Flagstaff, Arizona, grand jury indicted Terrell Storey on murder and 58 additional charges in connection with the deaths of two officers after a police helicopter crashed.

Hasbro R2-D2 Toy Robot Upgraded With New Electronics and Sensors

A nonworking Hasbro R2-D2 toy robot was rescued and rebuilt with modern electronics. The upgraded droid responds to voice commands, plays Star Wars audio, and can be controlled by a phone app. New hardware includes microphones, PIR motion sensing, light sensing, smoke and CO2 detection, computer vision, and ultrasonic ranging, plus additional LEDs and servos, while reusing some original motors and the speaker. The rebuild also swaps the original batteries for a LiPo pack, requiring modifications to the plastic body.

2025 AI Darwin Awards Results: Tesla Full Self-Driving Takes First Place

The 2025 AI Darwin Awards results have been released, with Tesla Full Self-Driving winning first place with a score of 92.5. A full breakdown and detailed analysis are available.

Abington Senior High School Principal Placed on Administrative Leave Over Alleged Social Media Posts

The principal of Abington Senior High School in Montgomery County has been placed on administrative leave after allegations surfaced of inappropriate posts made on social media.

New Jersey man convicted of killing brother’s family and setting fires to hide the crime

A New Jersey man was found guilty Friday of killing four relatives, including his brother and his brother’s family, then setting fires to cover it up. Prosecutors said the murders and arson stemmed from a business relationship that had turned bitter.

North Korea’s Most Significant Contribution to Russia’s War in Ukraine Is Artillery, Not Troops

Early reports emphasized possible North Korean troop deployments near Russia’s Kursk region and fears of mass infantry assaults, but the larger impact is industrial and logistical. North Korea is described as supplying Russia with millions of artillery shells, rocket munitions, missiles, and related systems, helping Russia sustain its war effort in Ukraine.

How Martin Luther King Jr. Used Basketball to Build Community and Inspire Change

The filmmakers behind “Hoops, Hopes & Dreams” explain how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used basketball as a practical tool to bring people together, strengthen community ties, and create connections that supported broader social change.

Falls Bridge and Kelly Drive Reopen in East Falls After Nearby Train Fire

Falls Bridge and sections of Kelly Drive and Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia’s East Falls neighborhood reopened Friday afternoon following a nearby train fire.

Elisabeth Moss to Star in Hulu Legal Drama "Conviction"

Elisabeth Moss, known for roles in "The Handmaid’s Tale," "Mad Men," and "The West Wing," has signed on to star in Hulu’s new legal drama series, "Conviction."

A Small Group of Republicans Challenges Trump’s Control of Congress

President Donald Trump’s efforts to keep congressional Republicans in line through pressure and intimidation are becoming less effective, as a small group of GOP lawmakers increasingly breaks with him. Their varied motivations are fueling more frequent legislative rebellions, complicating party leaders’ plans to tightly manage the agenda in an election year and unsettling other Republicans under pressure to remain loyal to Trump.

TikTok Footage From Algeria Suggests Russia May Have Its First Su-57 Export Customer

A TikTok video circulating online appears to show a Russian Su-57 stealth fighter flying over Algeria, adding early visual support to reports that Algeria could be the first foreign buyer of the aircraft. Estimates suggest Russia may have produced only about 21 Su-57s by late 2025, which would make a reported 14-jet Algerian purchase a significant share of total output.

ICE Says Agents May Have Lied About Minneapolis Shooting

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said two federal agents may have lied about a Minneapolis incident last month in which one of them shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg. The Justice Department is investigating both officers.

Stephen A. Smith Says He Is Not Planning a 2028 Presidential Run but Has Not Ruled It Out

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said he has no desire to become a politician and is not planning a 2028 presidential campaign, but added that he is not completely ruling out the possibility.

Rumor Links Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez to Condé Nast and the Met Gala

A rumor claims that Jeff Bezos will use cost savings tied to cuts at The Washington Post to help Lauren Sánchez buy Condé Nast, with the aim of gaining control over the Met Gala and its associated museum fundraiser.

Trump Says Zelensky Should Act Quickly on a Possible Deal With Russia

President Trump told reporters that President Volodymyr Zelensky should move quickly, saying Russia wants to make a deal and warning that Ukraine could miss what he called a major opportunity.

Judge Drops Charges Against Men Accused of Assaulting an ICE Officer

A federal judge dismissed charges against two men accused of assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during a scuffle in Minnesota last month that ended with one of the men being shot in the leg. U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson granted a motion from federal prosecutors to dismiss the case.

Weekend Snow and Ice Warnings as Temperatures Drop

Snow and ice warnings are in place for the weekend as temperatures are set to fall sharply, with a new weather front raising the risk of more snowfall.

Nottingham Forest Hire Yet Another Manager

Vitor Pereira has signed on to manage Nottingham Forest until the end of next season, becoming the club’s fourth manager of the current campaign. Because nothing says “long-term strategy” like speed-running coaches.

Amazon’s Ring Backs Away From Police Surveillance Partnership

Amazon-owned Ring is canceling its planned partnership with police surveillance firm Flock Safety after criticism reignited by a Super Bowl ad, with privacy concerns flaring over expanding neighborhood camera networks.

Germany Warns the Rules-Based Order Is Failing

Germany’s Chancellor Merz told the Munich Security Conference that the rules-based international order is no longer functioning, warning that freedom is not guaranteed in an era dominated by major powers.

Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Barred After Helmet Appeal Rejected

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych will not compete at the Winter Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed his appeal to wear a helmet featuring images of athletes killed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Researchers Develop Sunlight-Storing Material That Releases Heat Later

Chemists at UC Santa Barbara, led by Associate Professor Grace Han, reported in Science that they developed an organic material that captures sunlight, stores it in chemical bonds for years, and can release it later as heat on demand, potentially reducing reliance on bulky batteries or the electrical grid.

Philadelphia Water Main Break Floods Bustleton Area

A water main break in Philadelphia’s Bustleton neighborhood sent water gushing down an overpass, flooding the area below.

Radio Show Falsely Reports Dick Van Dyke’s Death, Then Corrects

A UK breakfast radio show mistakenly announced that Dick Van Dyke had died, confusing him with James Van Der Beek. Co-host Jamie Theakston quickly corrected the error, noting Van Dyke is alive at 100. The report also said Van Der Beek died on Feb. 11 at 48 from colorectal cancer, with a family statement describing his death as peaceful.

Trump Visit to Fort Bragg to Recognize Special Forces

Trump and the first lady will visit Fort Bragg on Friday to recognize Special Forces members involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and to meet with soldiers and military families.

Justice Department Sues Harvard Over Admissions Data Request

The Department of Justice sued Harvard University in federal court in Boston, alleging the school has withheld admissions-related data sought by the Trump administration to assess compliance with the Supreme Court ruling that barred affirmative action in college admissions. The lawsuit says Harvard has not turned over requested documents for more than 10 months.

AI and VR “Digital Twin” Aims to Improve Zero-Energy Building Design

Researchers have developed an AI-powered digital twin for building design that combines rule-based symbolic AI with VR, offering real-time visualization and simultaneous evaluation of energy performance and indoor thermal comfort during the design stage of Zero-Energy Buildings.

Mask Bans Proposed for Law Enforcement Amid Expanded ICE Operations

Cities and states are proposing bans on law enforcement officers wearing masks following a rise in ICE operations. St. Paul, Minnesota, where thousands of ICE agents have deployed under Operation Metro Surge, is considering a local prohibition on officers covering their faces.

Don Lemon to Face Arraignment in Minnesota Church Protest Case

Journalist and former CNN host Don Lemon, now operating independently, is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Minnesota on Friday in connection with a church protest case.

Philadelphia Closures After Freight Train Fire Near East Falls

Falls Bridge and a section of Kelly Drive in Philadelphia’s East Falls neighborhood were closed Friday morning while crews worked to extinguish a nearby freight train fire.

China Leans on State Firms to Buy Foreclosed Homes to Stabilize Property Slump

State-owned companies in China are buying foreclosed homes nationwide as Beijing tries to steady a prolonged property downturn that has dragged on growth and consumer spending. Analysts say the purchases could help prevent further price declines, while some economists argue widespread mortgage defaults are unlikely as long as home prices avoid sharp falls, since many buyers put down large deposits, often over 30% in major cities.

Philadelphia Students Protest ICE

Students from Northeast High School in Philadelphia participated in a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday afternoon.

Renewables Keep Surging as the US Moves to Roll Back a Major Climate Determination

Renewables are accelerating across much of the world even as the U.S., historically the largest emitter, moves to roll back a major domestic climate determination that the White House says raised consumer energy costs. Africa’s solar capacity grew 17% last year and 20 countries set import records, while new data suggest China’s emissions may already be declining, due largely to massive clean-power investment. The International Energy Agency projects renewables and nuclear will supply nearly half of global electricity by 2030.

IBM and PwC Push Back on “AI Kills Entry-Level Jobs” Predictions

IBM says it will triple entry-level hiring this year, and PwC says it won’t automate many basic tasks, countering predictions that AI will erase junior white-collar roles. While some tech leaders warn AI could automate much of professional work soon and research shows hiring declines among younger workers in areas like tech and customer service, IBM argues AI can boost junior staff productivity, and PwC says an early-career talent pipeline still matters.

Check Point Beats Earnings, Announces Three Israeli Cybersecurity Acquisitions

Check Point reported a strong 2025 earnings beat and announced it is acquiring three Israeli cybersecurity companies: Cyata, Cyclops, and Rotate.

DHS Shutdown Risk Rises as Funding Talks Stall Over Immigration Enforcement Limits

A shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security appears increasingly likely after funding negotiations between the White House and Democrats stalled. Both sides have exchanged proposals in recent days, with Democrats pressing for limits on President Donald Trump’s broad immigration enforcement efforts as part of any agreement.

UK Speeds Up Hypersonic Missile Plans with New £12 Million Contract

Britain is accelerating hypersonic missile development after the Ministry of Defence awarded a new £12 million contract to Amentum UK, supported by Ebeni and Synthetik, to advance the design of a sovereign hypersonic system. The work aims to enable flight testing and support a long-range hypersonic strike demonstrator by the end of the decade, with the MOD tying the effort to the Strategic Defence Review and NATO deterrence needs. Announced 13 February 2026, the MOD also highlighted faster procurement, with the deal awarded 31 days after the tender invite, and noted that since July 2024 it has issued 22 hypersonics-related contracts worth an estimated £48 million, involving 124 suppliers, including many SMEs.