US & World News Archives - Page 14 of 90

Even small EU nations go big on arms production, sending drones to the Ukrainian front and beyond

February 2, 2026

By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS - Associated Press

Cyprus has become a surprising player in drone manufacturing, with Swarmly producing over 200 H-10 Poseidon drones for Ukraine. These drones have logged more than 100,000 hours in the air over the last three years. Swarmly’s factory also exports to countries like Indonesia and India. The rise of Cyprus’s defense industry reflects a broader trend in Europe, where even small EU countries are developing high-tech defense capabilities. This shift is driven by the need for self-reliance, especially in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU has supported these efforts with significant financial assistance.

GOP leaders labor for support ahead of key test vote on ending partial government shutdown

February 2, 2026

By KEVIN FREKING - Associated Press

Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to carry out President Donald Trump’s “play call” for funding the government is being put to the test. The House is holding a procedural vote Tuesday on a bill that would end the partial government shutdown. Johnson will need near-unanimous support from his Republican conference to proceed. The legislation funds most of the federal government through Sept. 30 and the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks as lawmakers negotiate potential changes for the agency that enforces the nation’s immigration laws, often referred to as ICE. Trump urged lawmakers to back the bill in a social media post.

Trump to host Colombia’s Petro just weeks after insulting him as a ‘sick man’ fueling drug trade

February 2, 2026

By AAMER MADHANI - Associated Press

President Donald Trump is set to welcome Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House for talks. Tuesday’s meeting comes weeks after Trump accused the Colombian leader of pumping cocaine into the United States and threatened military action against his South American country. U.S. administration officials say the meeting will focus on regional security cooperation and counternarcotics efforts. Bad blood between the leaders looms large ahead of the sit-down. Trump, on the heels of an operation to capture Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, warned Petro last month that he could be next. The conservative Trump and leftist Petro are ideologically far apart, but both leaders share a tendency for verbal bombast and unpredictability. That’s giving the visit an anything-could-happen vibe.

Football, politics and protest: This year’s Super Bowl comes at a tinderbox moment in the US

February 2, 2026

By STEVEN SLOAN and STEVE PEOPLES - Associated Press

The NFL faces pressure to take a stance against the Trump administration’s immigration policies ahead of the Super Bowl. Over 184,000 people have signed a petition urging the league to denounce Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s potential presence at the game. The liberal group MoveOn plans to deliver the petition to the NFL’s New York City headquarters on Tuesday. Bad Bunny, the halftime show’s headliner, is expected to address the moment. The Grammy-winning artist has criticized President Donald Trump on various issues. Trump has said he doesn’t plan to attend this year’s game and has derided Bad Bunny as a “terrible choice.”

Trump’s $45 billion expansion of immigrant detention sites faces pushback from communities

February 2, 2026

By DAVID A. LIEB, HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and MORGAN LEE - Associated Press

State and local officials are pushing back against federal plans to expand immigrant detention facilities. President Donald Trump’s administration is scouting locations across the U.S. for new sites, sparking protests and legal challenges. In Minnesota, fatal shootings during immigration enforcement have intensified scrutiny on ICE. In Virginia, a proposed detention center drew hundreds of people to a tense public hearing. Kansas City officials have passed a moratorium attempt to block a new ICE detention site. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s legislature is advancing a bill to ban state and local contracts for ICE facilities. A law Trump signed last year includes $45 billion to expand ice detention facilities.

Intelligence director says Trump requested her presence at FBI search of Georgia election center

February 2, 2026

By ERIC TUCKER - Associated Press

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has told lawmakers that she attended an FBI search of the election center in Fulton County, Georgia, last week because President Donald Trump asked her to be there. She also acknowledged in a letter Monday that she “facilitated” what she described as a brief phone call between Trump and FBI agents who carried out the search but insisted that neither she nor the president issued any directives. The letter marked Gabbard’s first explanation for her unusual presence at an FBI search during which agents seized hundreds of boxes containing ballots and other documents related to the 2020 election.

Trevi Fountain fee takes effect as Rome seeks to manage tourist crowds

February 2, 2026

By PAOLO SANTALUCIA and NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

Tourists visiting Rome’s Trevi Fountain now pay a $2.35 fee for close access. This new fee structure, which began Monday, aims to raise funds and manage crowds at the iconic site. Tourists seem unfazed by the charge, appreciating the improved access. The fee is part of a broader initiative, including a nearly $6 fee for some city museums, to enhance the tourist experience and support maintenance costs. Officials expect to generate $7.7 million annually. The Trevi Fountain fee follows similar measures at other Italian sites, like the Pantheon and Venice’s day-tripper tax.

Clintons agree to testify in House Epstein investigation ahead of contempt of Congress vote

February 2, 2026

By STEPHEN GROVES - Associated Press

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are agreeing to testify in a House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But the Republican leading the probe says an agreement had not yet been finalized. Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, was advancing criminal contempt of Congress charges against both Clintons Monday evening for defying a congressional subpoena. Attorneys for the Clintons emailed staff for the Oversight panel, saying the pair would accept Comer’s demands and “will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates.” But Comer says an agreement had not been reached to avoid a contempt vote.

MLB to produce local broadcasts for 6 more teams with fate of FanDuel Sports Network uncertain

February 2, 2026

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

Major League Baseball will produce and distribute local broadcasts for six more teams this season. The Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays have all made the switch. These teams ended their deals with Main Street Sports Group after missed rights payments. The Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels are still deciding on their plans. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized the importance of maximizing revenue for teams. The local media landscape is changing, with MLB taking over broadcasts for several teams in recent years.

From southern India to Canada’s far north: New archbishop serves Indigenous Catholics

February 2, 2026

By PETER SMITH - Associated Press

As a teenager in India, Susai Jesu led prayer services in his small Catholic village, helped at Mass and soon began training for the priesthood. Little did he know that this dedication would take him halfway around the world on a vast cross-cultural journey — ministering among Canada’s Indigenous Catholics, learning their language, culture and historical traumas. He hosted Pope Francis when the late pontiff visited Canada in 2022 to apologize for the Catholic Church’s collaboration with an often-abusive system of Indigenous residential schools. And as of Jan. 26, Jesu is now an archbishop for northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He’ll oversee ministry to about 49,000 Catholics dispersed across a region larger than Texas.

FACT FOCUS: Images of NYC mayor with Jeffrey Epstein are AI-generated. Here’s how we know

February 2, 2026

By MELISSA GOLDIN - Associated Press

Images circulating online that show New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child with millionaire financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are generated by artificial intelligence. Many of them also include Mamdani’s mother, filmmaker Mira Nair. But the images all contain digital watermarks identifying them as AI. They first appeared on an account that says it creates AI memes and none are part of the Epstein files released by the Justice Department on Friday.

Collar cams offer a bear’s eye view into the lives of grizzlies on Alaska’s desolate North Slope

February 2, 2026

By MARK THIESSEN - Associated Press

Researchers at Washington State University and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are using collar cams to study a remote population of grizzly bears on Alaska’s North Slope. Twelve bears have been equipped with cameras, capturing their daily activities like playing, hunting and foraging. The footage shows bears eating caribou carcasses, hunting calves, and later shifting to berries and vegetation. These Arctic grizzlies are smaller than their salmon-fed counterparts, weighing up to 350 pounds. The study aims to understand their diet and survival strategies, with plans to expand the research to 36 bears over the next two years.

Attorney says Gabbard is holding up a complaint about her actions, which her office denies

February 2, 2026

By DAVID KLEPPER - Associated Press

An attorney says Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has delayed giving members of Congress a complaint about her conduct. Gabbard’s office said the complaint was reviewed by the office of the intelligence community’s inspector general, which had deemed it not credible. The attorney for the person making the allegations said Monday that he couldn’t offer details about his client or their complaint but that federal law protects whistleblowers in the intelligence community by allowing them to take their complaints directly to Congress. A spokesperson for Gabbard called the complaint “completely baseless” and that the number of classified details in the complaint made the review process “substantially more difficult.”

Musk joins his rocket and AI businesses into a single company before an expected IPO this year

February 2, 2026

AP

Elon Musk is joining his space exploration and artificial intelligence ventures into a single company before a massive planned initial public offering for the business later this year. His rocket venture, SpaceX, announced on Monday that it had bought xAI in an effort to help the world’s richest man dominate the rocket and artificial intelligence businesses. The deal will combine several of his offerings, including his AI chatbot Grok, his satellite communications company Starlink, and his social media company X.

Trump says he won’t tear down the Kennedy Center arts venue but it needs to be closed for repairs

February 2, 2026

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

President Donald Trump says he won’t tear down the Kennedy Center. Asked about his Sunday announcement that he wants to close the center for two years, Trump said Monday that the building needs repairs and the work can’t be done while patrons are coming and going from shows and other performances. The Republican president said the work would cost about $200 million, including installation of the “highest-grade marble, the highest-grade everything.” Such a project would mark Trump’s latest effort to put his stamp on a cultural institution that serves as living memorial to Democratic President John F. Kennedy.

Couples at the Westminster show bond over dogs, and each other

February 2, 2026

By JENNIFER PELTZ - Associated Press

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show spotlights bond between people and dogs. But reaching the United States’ premier canine event also can be about another kind of love. Just ask professional dog handlers Bill and Taffe McFadden. He’s a two-time Westminster-winning handler. She handled the second-place winner in 2019. He says it would be very hard to hard to do the job without someone just as vested in it. The McFaddens were back Monday for the 150th annual Westminster show. The multi-round, breed-by-breed competition is underway. Best in show gets awarded Tuesday night.

Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment’ fresco undergoes 3-month cleaning at Sistine Chapel

February 2, 2026

AP

Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” is undergoing its first major restoration in three decades. The imposing fresco of heaven and hell dominates the Sistine Chapel. The chapel will remain open to visitors during the three-month cleaning. The Vatican Museums said in a statement on Monday that the scaffolding will partially obstruct the view of the fresco. The cleaning will remove microparticle buildup on the plaster from so many people visiting each day.

Hundreds pack an Ohio church to back extending protected status for Haitians in the US

February 2, 2026

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO - Associated Press

Faith leaders and hundreds of supporters have gathered at a church in Springfield, Ohio, to support Haitian migrants fearing the end of their Temporary Protected Status in the U.S. The event Monday at St. John Missionary Baptist Church called for an extension of TPS, which is set to expire Tuesday. Last year, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to end TPS for about 500,000 Haitians, citing improved conditions in the Caribbean island country. The Springfield Haitian community remains anxious, fearing deportation and anti-immigrant sentiment. Many are staying home, stockpiling supplies and signing caregiver affidavits that might keep their children out of foster care if they themselves get detained or deported.

Sheriff says ‘we do in fact have a crime scene’ in search for ‘Today’ host Savannah Guthrie’s mom

February 2, 2026

AP

An Arizona sheriff says “We do in fact have a crime scene” as authorities search for the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, who was reported missing over the weekend. Speaking during a Monday morning news conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said there are signs at the home indicating Nancy Guthrie did not leave on her own. Nanos said at a news conference Sunday night that Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at her home in the Tucson area. Her family reported her missing midday Sunday. Nanos says Nancy Guthrie has physical ailments, but no cognitive issues. He says the homicide team is also involved, which isn’t standard for such cases.

Justice Department says it’s taken down Epstein-related files that may have had victim information

February 2, 2026

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press

The Justice Department says it has taken down several thousand documents and “media” that may have inadvertently included victim-identifying information since it began releasing the latest batch of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on Friday. It blamed the release of sensitive information that drew an outcry from victims and their lawyers on mistakes that were “technical or human error.” In a letter to the New York judges overseeing the sex trafficking cases brought against Epstein and confidant Ghislaine Maxwell, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton wrote that the department had taken down nearly all materials identified by victims or their lawyers, along with a “substantial number” of documents identified independently by the government.

Arizona remains No. 1 in AP Top 25, Michigan jumps UConn for No. 2

February 2, 2026

By DAVE SKRETTA - AP Basketball Writer

Arizona remains the unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Michigan jumped to second place after wins over Nebraska and Michigan State. The Wildcats, off to a school-record 22-0 start, earned all 59 votes to stay atop the poll for the eighth week. UConn, Duke and Illinois round out the top five. Kansas climbs three spots to No. 11 after a win over BYU and ahead of a big showdown with Texas Tech. Tennessee returns to the poll at No. 25, replacing Alabama, which had a 42-week poll streak snapped. The Big 12 leads with six teams in the Top 25. Arizona and No. 23 Miami (Ohio) are the only unbeaten teams left in Division I.

Father of 5-year-old detained in Minnesota disputes government assertion he abandoned the boy

February 2, 2026

By MIKE CATALINI - Associated Press

The father of a 5-year-old boy detained by immigration officers in Texas denies abandoning his son. Adrian Conejo Arias is originally from Ecuador. He tells ABC News he loves his son, Liam, and disputes claims from the Department of Homeland Security that he left his child in a vehicle. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Arias fled on foot, leaving his son behind. Arias claims he was unjustly arrested and is in the U.S. legally with a pending asylum hearing. A federal judge ordered their release over the weekend, and they returned to Minnesota.

A Kremlin official confirms that U.S.-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks are resuming this week

February 2, 2026

By ILLIA NOVIKOV and DASHA LITVINOVA - Associated Press

A new round of U.S.-brokered talks on ending Russia’s war on Ukraine is set to go ahead this week. A senior Kremlin official said Monday that negotiations will take place Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he would send a delegation. The talks reportedly were postponed due to scheduling conflicts. The Trump administration has pushed for compromises, but key issues remain unresolved. Russia wants to keep occupied Ukrainian territories, while its drones and missiles continue to bombard civilian areas. Ukraine is taking steps to prevent Russia from using Starlink satellite services to steer its drones.

NASA fuels its moon rocket in a crucial test to decide when Artemis astronauts will launch

February 2, 2026

By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer

NASA is fueling its new moon rocket in one final make-or-break test before sending astronauts on a lunar fly-around. The launch team began loading the 322-foot rocket with super-cold hydrogen and oxygen on Monday. More than 700,000 gallons have to flow into the tanks and remain on board for several hours. The all-day operation will determine when four astronauts can blast off on NASA’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century. The only thing missing from the action is the crew. The three Americans and one Canadian remain in quarantine in Houston. They could launch as soon as this coming weekend.

2-month-olds see the world in a more complex way than scientists thought, study suggests

February 2, 2026

By LAURA UNGAR - AP Medical Writer

A new study suggests that babies are able to distinguish between the different objects they see around them at 2 months old, which earlier than scientists previously thought. The findings may help doctors and researchers better understand cognitive development in infancy. The study looked at data from 130 2-month-olds who underwent functional brain imaging while awake. The babies viewed images from 12 categories commonly seen in the first year of life, such as trees and animals. Results were published in Nature Neuroscience on Monday,

Louisville rises to 6th in AP women’s Top 25, its best ranking in four years, UConn-UCLA 1-2

February 2, 2026

By DOUG FEINBERG - AP Basketball Writer

Louisville moved up to sixth for its best ranking in four years in The Associated Press women’s Top 25 basketball poll. UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 from the 31-member national media panel. The Huskies are the lone undefeated team in women’s college basketball and kept that streak going Sunday with a 96-66 rout of then-No. 15 Tennessee. UConn has won 39 consecutive games dating to last season. UCLA, South Carolina and Texas remained behind the Huskies in an unchanged top four. The Bruins had an impressive win over then-No. 8 Iowa on Sunday.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announces 2 more arrests in the St. Paul church protest

February 2, 2026

By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced two more arrests in the protest at a church in Minnesota against the immigration enforcement crackdown. Bondi announced the latest arrests Monday. A grand jury in Minnesota has indicted nine people on federal charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers during the protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, where an ICE official is a pastor. The protest generated strong objections from the Trump administration. Those facing federal civil rights charges include independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, who were among four people arrested Friday.

A crisis emerges across the US as ‘forever chemicals’ quietly contaminate drinking water wells

February 2, 2026

By MICHAEL PHILLIS and HELEN WIEFFERING - Associated Press

The roughly 40 million Americans who get drinking water from wells are at particular risk when harmful forever chemicals contaminate the supply. Odorless and colorless, the chemicals known collectively as PFAS are linked to increased risk of certain cancers. While water from a utility will be forced to meet federal PFAS limits, those limits won’t apply to private wells. And well owners are often the last to learn about contamination. At least 20 states don’t test private wells beyond areas where PFAS problems are suspected. When a well is tainted, it can take homeowners years to find a new source of clean water.

Takeaways from investigation into the toxic forever chemical legacy of the South’s carpet industry

February 2, 2026

By The Associated Press

A major investigative collaboration among five newsrooms shows how chemicals used to make carpets stain-resistant have contaminated swaths of the South. In the mills of northwest Georgia, workers treated carpets with these chemicals starting in the 1970s. The chemicals were carried in manufacturing wastewater and spread into rivers and drinking water. The odorless and colorless compounds are called PFAS by scientists and known colloquially as forever chemicals because they take decades or more to break down. The chemicals are everywhere in the region — including in people, where they have been linked to cancer and other health issues. Major carpet companies say they’ve complied with all regulations and have stopped using PFAS.

A mix of hope and fear settles over Venezuela after US-imposed government change

February 2, 2026

By REGINA GARCIA CANO - Associated Press

Thirty days after the U.S. captured then-President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains in turmoil. Many citizens are unsure about the current situation, with fears of further attacks and government repression. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces questions about her autonomy and potential U.S. influence. Despite promises of wage increases, uncertainty prevails. Maduro supporters view his capture as a kidnapping, while opposition leaders cautiously reemerge. Rodríguez’s new oil sector policies mark a shift from a pillar of the self-proclaimed socialist movement that has governed Venezuela for more than two decades. Venezuelans are balancing hope for economic improvement with fear of instability, as they navigate this complex political landscape.

Trump administration to create a strategic reserve for rare earths elements

February 2, 2026

By JOSH BOAK - Associated Press

The Trump administration plans to deploy nearly $12 billion to create a strategic reserve of rare earth elements. This stockpile could counter China’s dominance in these metals, which are crucial for various industries. The White House confirmed “Project Vault” on Monday. It would be funded by a $10 billion loan from the US Export-Import Bank and $1.67 billion in private capital. The reserve aims to protect manufacturers from supply chain disruptions. China controls about 70% of the world’s rare earths mining and 90% of processing, giving it significant leverage in trade talks.

British politician Peter Mandelson faces pressure to quit House of Lords over Jeffrey Epstein ties

February 2, 2026

By JILL LAWLESS - Associated Press

Friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has already cost Peter Mandelson the post of Britain’s ambassador to Washington. Now, Mandelson is facing demands he come clean about his relationship with the late sex offender after new revelations. Mandelson resigned from the governing Labour Party on Sunday following new claims he received payments from Epstein two decades ago. Mandelson said he was stepping aside to avoid causing “further embarrassment,” even as he denied the allegations. The accusations stem from a trove of more than 3 million pages of documents relating to Epstein released by the U.S. Department of Justice. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is urging Mandelson to also resign from the House of Lords.

Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, forecasting 6 more weeks of wintry weather

February 2, 2026

The Associated Press,

Punxsutawney Phi (CNN) PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of wintry weather Monday, a forecast sure to disappoint many after what’s already been a long, cold season across large parts of the United States. His annual prediction and announcement that he had seen his shadow was translated by his handlers in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club at Gobbler’s Knob…

Do you need to control your cortisol? Probably not, doctors say

February 2, 2026

By DEVI SHASTRI - AP Health Writer

Cortisol is the talk of the internet but doctors say most people don’t need to worry about it. Levels of what is known as the stress hormone naturally rise and fall throughout the day. Cortisol disorders are serious, but they are rare and hard to diagnose. Doctors advise people not take matters into their own hands by taking unproven supplements or ordering their own tests. Instead, they recommend talking to a doctor and taking simple steps to manage stress.

Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, forecasting 6 more weeks of wintry weather

February 2, 2026

By MARK SCOLFORO, TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and KATHY McCORMACK - Associated Press

Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers say he’s seen his shadow and is therefore predicting six more weeks of winter weather. Phil’s annual prediction occurred shortly after dawn Monday outside his tree stump in Gobbler’s Knob. The Pennsylvania festivities are among the many Groundhog Day rituals around the U.S. and beyond. Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 comes at the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The tradition has roots in European agricultural folklore. Despite its silliness, the event remains a beloved tradition. Phil’s accuracy is debated, with federal weather officials saying he’s been right only about 40% of the time.

The Latest: Partial government shutdown drags as debate over ICE deepens

February 2, 2026

By The Associated Press

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces tough days ahead trying to muscle a federal funding package to passage and prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown as debate intensifies over the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration enforcement operations. Johnson signaled he is relying on help from President Donald Trump, who struck a deal with senators to separate Homeland Security money from a broader funding package amid outrage over shooting deaths during protests in Minneapolis. The Senate-approved plan would fund DHS temporarily through Feb. 13, setting up a deadline for Congress to try to find consensus on new restrictions on ICE operations.

The Latest: Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter

February 2, 2026

AP

Punxsutawney Phil, the legendary groundhog that lives in a tree stump in rural Pennsylvania, has issued the most highly anticipated weather forecast of the season: six more weeks of winter. The groundhog’s forecast was announced Monday by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club in rural Pennsylvania. When Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he hadn’t seen his shadow, that would have foretold the early arrival of spring. The event at Gobbler’s Knob dates back over a century and has ties to ancient European farming traditions. The festivities have grown since the 1993 movie ‘Groundhog Day.’

Son of Norway’s crown princess arrested before his trial on rape and other charges

February 2, 2026

AP

Police said that the eldest son of Norway’s crown princess has been arrested just before his trial opens on charges including rape in a case that has been an embarrassment to the royal family. Police said Monday that Marius Borg Høiby was arrested on Sunday evening and is accused of assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order. They requested four week’s detention on grounds of risk of reoffending. He’s due to go on trial at the Oslo district court on Tuesday. The indictment includes 38 counts including rape, abuse in a close relationship against one former partner, acts of violence against another and transporting 3.5 kilograms or 7.7 pounds of marijuana. Other charges include making death threats and traffic violations.

ACCESS Newswire Launches Free Education Platform as Research Reveals PR Students Feel Unprepared to Enter the Workforce

February 2, 2026

ACCESS Newswire

Hands-on experience with professional tools remains limited in PR classrooms nationwide due to perceived cost barriersGAINESVILLE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / February 2, 2026 / While 90% of PR students believe experience with professional tools is essential before entering the workforce, only 52% feel prepared for their first day on the job. That concern is shared by educators, with just…

Genius Gourmet® Builds Momentum with SKIPPY®-Inspired Protein Snacks Across Grocery and Convenience

February 2, 2026

Business Wire

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb 2, 2026–Following the successful introduction of its three SKIPPY ® -inspired protein snack items earlier this year, Genius Gourmet ® is building momentum as the lineup gains traction across key grocery retailers and expands into the convenience channel.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202458734/en/The SKIPPY®-inspired lineup (Graphic: Genius Gourmet)The SKIPPY ® -inspired…

Speaker Johnson faces tough choices on partial government shutdown and debate over ICE

February 2, 2026

By LISA MASCARO - AP Congressional Correspondent

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces tough days ahead trying to pass a federal funding package and prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown. Democrats are demanding changes to rein in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations after the deaths in Minneapolis. But Republicans are making their own demands in support of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. A partial shutdown started over the weekend when funding lapsed for several agencies. Trump struck a deal with senators, who approved new funding, but only temporarily for Homeland Security until Feb. 13. That would give Congress time to consider new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Johnson needs Trump to help push that deal through the House.

Bank AI Uses Cases Examined in Latest Bankers as Buyers Research Highlight & Expert Panel Report™

February 2, 2026

Business Wire

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb 2, 2026–William Mills Agency, the nation’s leading fintech public relations and marketing firm, has published a new issue of its Bankers as Buyers™ Research Highlight & Expert Panel report exploring what today’s most common artificial intelligence (AI) use cases reveal about the future direction of the banking industry. Download the free Bankers as Buyers Research Highlight & Expert…

Takeaways from the AP’s reporting on PFAS contamination of private drinking water wells

February 2, 2026

By MICHAEL PHILLIS and HELEN WIEFFERING - Associated Press

The Associated Press’ reporting on the vulnerabilities of private water well owners to contamination by harmful forever chemicals shows how some well owners are left stranded. The chemicals are known to scientists as PFAS. While water utilities can typically treat the chemicals in one place, restoring a safe supply for well owners must be done household by household. That leaves some owners out as regulators, lawyers and companies strike deals over who gets help. And finding all the affected wells can be laborious, costly and time consuming. In North Carolina, PFAS has stretched from one chemical plant nearly 100 miles down the Cape Fear River.

Good Fortune Is Here: A Bottom-Basement Discount to Own Equity in Elektros Inc. – for Billionaires, Millionaires, and Everyone in Between

February 2, 2026

ACCESS Newswire

Company Retains Ludlow Consulting to Elevate Institutional-Grade Messaging, Media Relations and AI-Enabled Investor EngagementSUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / February 2, 2026 / Elektros Inc. (OTC PINK:ELEK), a hard-rock lithium mining developer with operations in Sierra Leone, today announced it has retained Ludlow Consulting as its strategic communications advisor to enhance corporate messaging, media visibility, and shareholder engagement.The…

Gaza’s border crossing to Egypt reopens in a key step for truce but only few Palestinians can cross

February 2, 2026

By SAMY MAGDY and JOSEF FEDERMAN - Associated Press

Egyptian and Israeli security officials say Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt has reopened for limited traffic, a key step as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. However, it’s a mostly symbolic development on the ground as few people will be allowed to travel in either direction. An Egyptian official said 50 Palestinians are expected to cross in each direction on Monday, the first day of the crossing’s operation. But within the first couple of hours of the opening, no one was actually seen crossing in or out of Gaza. The current ceasefire has halted more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas that began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The Blessing of Good Fortune Is Here: Own Equity in a Lithium Mining Company – Elektros Inc. – at a Bottom-Basement Discount, Right Here, Right Now

February 2, 2026

ACCESS Newswire

Company Retains Ludlow Consulting to Elevate Institutional-Grade Messaging, Media Relations and AI-Enabled Investor EngagementSUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / February 2, 2026 / Elektros Inc. (OTC PINK:ELEK), a hard-rock lithium mining developer with operations in Sierra Leone, today announced it has retained Ludlow Consulting as its strategic communications advisor to enhance corporate messaging, media visibility, and shareholder engagement.Elektros…

Kapsch TrafficCom introduces Market-Ready Connected Tolling Platform

February 2, 2026

ACCESS Newswire

Connected Tolling Platform to be demonstrated at 5GAA meeting in Sacramento in FebruaryCombines 5G Network V2X reach with 5.9GHz C-V2X direct communication precisionDemonstrates secure “communication-agnostic” tolling with integrations from Verizon and ValeoDULUTH, GA / ACCESS Newswire / February 2, 2026 / Kapsch TrafficCom, a global industry leader in tolling and traffic solutions, will unveil its unified connected tolling platform via…

White Castle Invites America to Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Its “Love Castles”

February 2, 2026

Business Wire

COLUMBUS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb 2, 2026–Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Many people, for example, choose to enjoy the holiday at White Castle, where love is best celebrated with Sliders, smiles and something a little out of the ordinary.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202267355/en/White Castle offers one of the most unique and…

Edimakor V4.6.0 Boosts Creativity Through AI Motion Tracking and Image Enhancer

February 2, 2026

HitPaw Edimakor

– Edimakor’s new AI Motion Tracking feature introduces a smarter way to add text to videos – NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — HitPaw Edimakor officially releases version 4.6.0 — bringing powerful new AI-driven upgrades to video and image editing. This major update focuses on smarter automation, smoother workflows, and higher-quality results — helping content creators, businesses,…

Elevate, Dark Matter Technologies’ servicing platform, gains momentum with new signings and technology enhancements

February 2, 2026

Dark Matter Technologies

– Client growth and ongoing enhancements strengthen Elevate’s role across the servicing lifecycle – JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced continued client momentum that includes a multi-year renewal with Arbor Bank and a new client signing with Covey Financial, as well as tighter integration of…

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