US & World News Archives - Page 9 of 91

Lindsey Vonn says she has a ‘successful’ 3rd surgery on broken leg following crash at the Olympics

February 11, 2026

By ANDREW DAMPF - AP Sports Writer

Lindsey Vonn says she had a “successful” third surgery on her broken left leg following her downhill crash at the Olympics. Vonn posted an update on Instagram that included photos of her giving a thumbs up sign in her hospital bed with a metal frame attached to her leg. She says “I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.” The 41-year-old Vonn crashed a few seconds into her race Sunday and was airlifted off the course by helicopter. She said late Monday she had suffered a “complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.”

Homeland Security officials voice concerns about looming shutdown

February 11, 2026

By KEVIN FREKING, MARY CLARE JALONICK and SEUNG MIN KIM - Associated Press

Homeland Security officials are highlighting the potential impact of a shutdown. Among the concerns are delayed reimbursements to states for disaster relief costs and missed paychecks for the agents that screen passengers and bags at the nation’s airports. Congress has provided full-year funding for the vast majority of the federal government, but it only passed a short-term funding patch for the Department of Homeland Security that extends through Friday. Democrats have insisted that any funding bill for the department come with changes to immigration enforcement operations. But Republicans are emphasizing that a Homeland Security shutdown would not curtail the work of the agencies Democrats are most concerned about.

Photos show Oscar hopefuls at the academy’s annual nominees luncheon

February 11, 2026

By CAROLINE BREHMAN, CHRIS PIZZELLO and JORDAN STRAUSS - Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Oscar hopefuls gathered Tuesday for the Academy Award nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

Bernini and the pope who promoted him celebrated as Vatican marks 400 years of St. Peter’s Basilica

February 11, 2026

By NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

A new exhibition in Rome is celebrating one of the most important patron-artist relationships in European history. It’s one that propelled a young prodigy named Gian Lorenzo Bernini into a towering figure of Baroque art and architecture.“Bernini and the Barberini,” which opens Thursday, explores the complex relationship between Bernini and Pope Urban VIII, who ruled from 1623-1644. Urban is credited with discovering Bernini and, with him, embarking on a project to make Rome the artistic center of Christian civilization. Urban is being celebrated in a host of Vatican initiatives this year, since he consecrated the new St. Peter’s Basilica in 1626. Urban also put the finishing touches on its interior, including with Bernini’s famous baldacchino canopy over the tomb of the saint.

New revelations from Epstein files take a toll across Europe

February 11, 2026

By The Associated Press

The fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein saga is rippling through Europe. Politicians, diplomats, officials and royals have seen reputations tarnished, investigations launched and jobs lost. It comes after a trove of more than 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents revealed their ties to the U.S. financier and convicted sex offender who died behind bars in 2019. Some experts note that the reckoning in Europe’s parliamentary democracies has been swifter and more severe for now than in the United States where Epstein built his empire and hobnobbed with many American elites.

Trump administration official says El Paso airspace closure was tied to Mexican cartel drones

February 11, 2026

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas on Wednesday morning, just hours after it announced a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a social media post that it has lifted the temporary closure of the airspace over…

Attorney General Bondi will face questions from Congress on Epstein and investigation of lawmakers

February 11, 2026

The Associated Press,

Attorney General Pam Bondi listens as President Donald Trump speaks at an event on addiction recovery in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi will face questions from lawmakers Wednesday over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein that have exposed sensitive private…

Shooter in Canada kills 9 people and injures 25 others at a school and home

February 11, 2026

The Associated Press,

Premier David Eby of British Columbia speaks on shooting (CNN) VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A shooting at a school in remote northern British Columbia left seven people dead, while two more were found dead at a nearby home, Canadian authorities said Tuesday. A woman believed by police to be the shooter was also found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted…

The Latest: FAA lifts temporary closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas

February 11, 2026

By The Associated Press

The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas, just hours after it announced a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport. The FAA announced in a social media post on Wednesday that it had lifted the temporary closure of the airspace, saying that there was no threat to commercial aviation and all flights would resume. The shutdown was expected to create significant disruptions given the duration and the size of the metropolitan area. El Paso is a hub of cross-border commerce alongside the neighboring city Ciudad Juárez in Mexico.

Some Valentine’s Day tips for anyone seeking the perfect match on four wheels

February 11, 2026

By BRADLEY IGER - Edmunds

Romance is in the air this month, but finding the right match can be a tricky and fretful proposition. The same goes for finding the car of your dreams. Thankfully, the experts at Edmunds can help you with the latter. They’ve identified five vehicles with distinct personality traits. With a bit of matchmaking luck, perhaps one of them will be the next automotive love of your life.

FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights

February 11, 2026

AP

The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport. A notice posted on the FAA’s website said the temporary flight restrictions were for “special security reasons,” but the notice did not provide additional details. The closure does not include Mexican airspace. The airport said in an Instagram post that all flights to and from the airport would be grounded from late Tuesday through late on Feb. 20, including commercial, cargo and general aviation flights. It suggests travelers contact their airlines to get up-to-date flight information.

As ICE expands, an AP review of crimes committed by agents shows how their powers can be abused

February 10, 2026

By RYAN J. FOLEY - Associated Press

Investigators say one immigration official abused his girlfriend for years. Another admitted he sexually abused a woman in his custody. A third is charged with taking bribes. A review by The Associated Press found at least two dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020. The wrongdoing includes patterns of physical and sexual abuse and corruption. Most cases happened before Congress gave ICE $75 billion last year to hire more agents and detain more people, but experts say these kinds of crimes could accelerate. A spokesperson says ICE takes allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously” and thoroughly vets new applicants.

Privacy activists call on California to remove covert license plate readers

February 10, 2026

By GARANCE BURKE and BYRON TAU - Associated Press

More than two dozen privacy groups are urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to remove covert license plate readers in southern California. The Associated Press has reported that such devices feed data into a U.S. Border Patrol intelligence program that scans roadways for suspicious travel patterns. The nonprofits Electronic Frontier Foundation, Imperial Valley Equity and Justice and other organizations sent a letter Tuesday asking for an investigation and removal of these devices. The AP’s November report revealed that the Border Patrol hides these readers in traffic equipment. The program monitors millions of drivers to identify suspicious travel, raising privacy concerns. Critics argue this surveillance may violate the Fourth Amendment.

Letters from a WWII soldier to his sweetheart offer an intimate picture of love during wartime

February 10, 2026

By TRAVIS LOLLER - Associated Press

A trove of more than 200 letters from World War II that were found in a Tennessee home offers an intimate picture of love during wartime. Ray Whittaker attended school at the historically Black Meharry Medical College in Nashville. There he met and dated another student, Jane Dean. They lost contact for a time, but he wrote to her in 1942, stating that he was in the Army. Soon he was professing his love. A short four months later, they were married. The letters from their courtship and early marriage were donated to the Metro Nashville archive. Several are now on display digitally through the Nashville Public Library.

Attorney General Bondi will face questions from lawmakers as fallout over Epstein files continues

February 10, 2026

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER - Associated Press

Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to face questions from lawmakers over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein that have exposed sensitive private information about victims despite redaction efforts. Bondi is confronting a new wave of criticism stemming from the political saga that has dogged her term after the release of millions of additional Epstein disclosures that victims have slammed as sloppy and incomplete. It will be the first time the attorney general appears before Congress since a tumultuous hearing in October in which she repeatedly deflected questions and countered Democrats’ criticism of her actions with her own political attacks.

Netanyahu to urge expanded Iran talks during White House meeting as Trump says Tehran wants a deal

February 10, 2026

By FARNOUSH AMIRI and MELANIE LIDMAN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to discuss new nuclear talks with Iran. The longtime Israeli leader is visiting the White House on Wednesday. It comes as both Tehran and Washington are projecting cautious optimism after holding indirect talks in Oman on Friday about how once again to approach negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. It remains unclear how much influence Netanyahu will have over Trump’s approach toward Iran. Trump said Tuesday that he wants “no nuclear weapons, no missiles.” Netanyahu’s office has said he wants Iran talks to include limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for militant groups like the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Buddhist monks’ 15-week walk for peace ends in Washington, DC

February 10, 2026

By TIFFANY STANLEY and DEEPA BHARATH - Associated Press

A group of Buddhist monks has finally reached Washington, D.C., after completing a 15-week trek from Texas that captivated the country. The monks say their aim is to promote mindfulness and inner peace. Their simple message has resonated in the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political division. On Tuesday, nearly 3,500 people packed American University’s Bender Arena for the monks’ first public stop in the nation’s capital. The spectators remained silent as the saffron-robed monks walked into the arena in a sign of respect for them and their quest for peace.

Justin Verlander returns to the Detroit Tigers on a $13 million, 1-year contract

February 10, 2026

AP

Justin Verlander is going back to his first big league team, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers. Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, is looking to rebound from a frustrating year with San Francisco. The deal for the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030. Verlander’s 266 victories are tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and just behind Don Sutton’s 3,574.

Man convicted of killing a traveling salesman becomes first person executed in Florida this year

February 10, 2026

By DAVID FISCHER - Associated Press

A man convicted of killing a traveling salesman during a 1989 robbery has become the first person executed in Florida this year. Sixty-four-year-old Ronald Palmer Heath received a lethal injection Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke. Heath was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the shooting and stabbing of salesman Michael Sheridan in the Gainsville area. The lethal injection follows a record 19 executions in Florida last year. In 2025, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in the U.S. in 1976.

Target CEO reshapes his leadership team in first big move since taking over this month

February 10, 2026

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Retail Writer

Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is reshuffling his leadership team and making other changes shortly after stepping into the top job at the retailer that has struggled operationally. Rick Gomez, the 13-year Target veteran who oversees the chain’s vast inventory of merchandise, will leave the company. And Jill Sando, the chief merchandising officer overseeing a handful of categories like apparel and home and who has been with the company since 1997, will retire. Lisa Roath, who oversaw food, essentials and cosmetics, will take Fiddelke’s previous job as chief operating officer, the company said Tuesday. The changes will allow Target to move with greater speed, Fiddelke said.

Moderna says FDA refuses its application for new mRNA flu vaccine

February 10, 2026

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE - Associated Press

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is refusing to consider Moderna’s application for a new flu vaccine made with mRNA technology. The company announced the news on Tuesday. The FDA’s decision reflects heightened scrutiny under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has criticized mRNA technology. Moderna received a “refusal-to-file” letter, objecting to its clinical trial methods. The FDA said the trial didn’t compare the new shot to the best available standard of care. Moderna has requested an urgent meeting with the FDA and noted it has applied for approval in Europe, Canada and Australia.

How the head of ICE responded to questions in Congress over Trump’s immigration policies

February 10, 2026

By REBECCA SANTANA, LISA MASCARO and MEG KINNARD - Associated Press

The heads of three Trump administration agencies have appeared before Congress to discuss immigration policies. The hearing follows the shooting deaths of two Americans in Minneapolis, which sparked outrage over the president’s agenda. Todd Lyons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement faced sharp questioning about officers wearing masks during arrests. Democrats criticized the practice, while Lyons defended it for officer safety. The hearing Tuesday also addressed the looming shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats threatening to block funding unless changes are made.

U.S. citizens and legal residents sue over aggressive immigration raid at Idaho horse racing track

February 10, 2026

By REBECCA BOONE - Associated Press

Three Idaho families are suing over an immigration raid at a horse racing track last year. They claim state and federal law enforcement used unconstitutional tactics, detaining people because they appeared to be Latino and keeping them in zip ties for hours. The raid involved 200 officers and targeted a family-friendly event popular with the Latino community. The October raid came as part of an FBI-led investigation into allegations of illegal gambling, but only five people at the event were arrested in connection with the gambling investigation. More than 100 others were arrested on suspicion of immigration violations. The families, all U.S. citizens or lawful residents, are seeking class-action status and damages.

Take a ride across frozen sea on Estonia’s ice road

February 10, 2026

By KOSTYA MANENKOV - Associated Press

Temperatures in northern Europe have been so low that Estonians can now drive across a 12 1/2-mile stretch of frozen sea. This “ice road” connects the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. It officially opened Sunday after locals began driving across the frozen sea, risking their safety. Ferries struggled to maintain service due to weeks of temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius, or 14 Fahrenheit. The road is a marked corridor where specialists ensure the ice is thick enough for cars. Vehicles must follow strict rules to prevent damaging the ice. Authorities plan to open more ice routes this week.

Gov. Tim Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end within days

February 10, 2026

By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

Gov. Tim Walz says the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end soon. He spoke with top Trump administration officials, including border czar Tom Homan and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Walz said Tuesday that he anticipates hearing more from the administration soon about the operation’s future. Walz emphasized a “trust but verify” approach, as the situation could change. Walz also hopes for cooperation on joint investigations into the shooting deaths of two Minnesotans by federal officers. The crackdown has impacted local businesses, with employees and customers staying away out of fear.

Trump administration plans to hold back grant money for some Democratic-led states

February 10, 2026

By GEOFF MULVIHILL - Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to withhold public health and transportation funds from several Democratic-led states. The administration cites concerns over fraud and mismanagement but hasn’t provided evidence. The targeted states include California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. An official confirmed the cuts would affect over $1.5 billion in grants. Programs impacted include electric vehicle chargers and health research projects. The governors of the affected states say they haven’t been notified. Courts have previously blocked similar funding restrictions by the administration. The targeted states have Democratic governors and have faced federal cuts before.

Gov. Tim Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end within days

February 10, 2026

The Associated Press,

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in St. Paul, denounces President Donald Trump for calling Minnesota’s Somali community “garbage” and dismissing the state as a “hellhole.” MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expects the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota will end in “days, not weeks and months,” based…

FBI search of Georgia offices tied to probe of possible 2020 election ‘defects,’ affidavit says

February 10, 2026

By KATE BRUMBACK, ERIC TUCKER and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER - Associated Press

An FBI search of the elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia, is part of an investigation into possible “deficiencies or defects” in the vote count in the 2020 contest lost by President Donald Trump, according to an affidavit unsealed Tuesday. The allegations outlined in the affidavit are largely based on claims that have long been made by people who assert that there was fraud in the 2020 election. Audits, state officials, courts and Trump’s own former attorney general have rejected the idea that there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election that could have altered the outcome.

Malinowski concedes to Mejia in Democratic US House special primary in New Jersey

February 10, 2026

By MIKE CATALINI - Associated Press

Former congressman Tom Malinowski has conceded to Analilia Mejia in New Jersey’s Democratic primary for the U.S. House special election. Mejia, a progressive activist and former political director for Bernie Sanders, overtook Malinowski by a narrow margin on election night. The Associated Press has not yet called the race. Mejia had endorsements from Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She previously served as deputy director of the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau under President Joe Biden. Mejia would face Republican Joe Hathaway in the special general election on April 16. The district covers parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties.

New Christian artists push genre boundaries with rap, Afrobeats and R&B

February 10, 2026

By CHARLOTTE KRAMON - Associated Press

A new wave of Christian artists from various backgrounds is drawing young audiences to faith-based rap, Afrobeats and R&B. They are making music that hasn’t traditionally been represented in many Christian spaces, which makes it challenging for them to break into the mainstream. However, social media algorithms have helped them reach wider audiences and bigger labels are catching on. Christian rap has been growing for over a decade, but its newer subgenres and counterparts have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic. The artists say their songs help people connect with God when traditional worship and gospel songs don’t resonate.

U.S.-Canada bridge brouhaha deepens as White House says Trump could amend a permit for the project

February 10, 2026

By SEUNG MIN KIM - Associated Press

The White House says President Donald Trump has the right to amend a permit for a new bridge between Canada and Michigan. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Ontario and Michigan, is set to open in 2026. But Trump has threatened to block it, demanding unspecified concessions as the two countries prepare to renegotiate a trade pact. The White House says all international infrastructure permits require a presidential permit, and that Trump would be within his right to change its parameters. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed confidence the issue will be resolved. The bridge, under construction since 2018, is a joint project between Canada and Michigan.

Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranå win gold in mixed doubles curling, beating US pair

February 10, 2026

The Associated Press,

Sweden’s Rasmus Wranaa and Isabella Wranaa celebrate after winning the gold medal mixed doubles curling match against USA, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — At one end of the ice was the brother, pumping his fists. At the other was the sister, jumping up and…

FBI releases first surveillance images of masked person on Nancy Guthrie’s porch

February 10, 2026

The Associated Press,

(FBI) TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie more than a week ago released the first surveillance images Tuesday, showing a masked person on her porch the night she went missing. Authorities searching for the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie have not identified any suspects of persons of interest. FBI Director Kash Patel posted the images on…

King Charles III seeks ‘moral high ground’ with pledge to help police as Epstein scandal deepens

February 10, 2026

By DANICA KIRKA - Associated Press

In an earlier era, Britain’s royal family might have tried to bury the scandal surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Not during the reign of King Charles III. Since October, the king has stripped his younger brother of the right to be called prince, forced him to move out of the royal estate he occupied for more than 20 years and issued a public statement supporting the women and girls abused by Epstein. Then came Monday’s unprecedented announcement that Buckingham Palace was ready to cooperate in the event of a police inquiry into Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein.

Governors won’t hold Trump meeting after White House only invited Republicans

February 10, 2026

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI, STEVE PEOPLES and STEVEN SLOAN - Associated Press

The National Governors Association is not going to hold a formal meeting with President Donald Trump. This decision comes after the White House planned to invite only Republican governors to the event. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, shared this in a letter to fellow governors on Monday. The NGA’s mission is to represent all 55 governors, so the association will no longer facilitate the event. The NGA is scheduled to meet in Washington from February 19th to 21st. Representatives for Stitt, the White House, and the NGA didn’t immediately comment on the letter.

Small plane makes an emergency landing on a busy Georgia road and strikes 3 vehicles

February 10, 2026

AP

Authorities say a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on a busy road in Georgia, striking three vehicles and leaving two people with minor injuries. Before the landing, one of the two pilots on board told air traffic controllers to let his wife and parents know that he loved them. The Federal Aviation Administration and police say the Hawker Beechcraft Bonanza landed Monday in Gainesville, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta, due to reported engine issues. Police say the plane struck three cars, dislodging a fuel tank into one of them, and two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Pilot Thomas Rogers told WAGA-TV they lost their engine while taking off.

Paramount sweetens offer to Warner Bros shareholders in hostile takeover fight

February 10, 2026

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS - AP Business Writer

Paramount is intensifying its efforts to take over Warner Bros. Discovery. On Tuesday, the company offered Warner shareholders an added “ticking fee” if the deal doesn’t close by year-end. Paramount also pledged to fund Warner’s proposed $2.8 billion breakup payout to Netflix under their merger agreement. Paramount’s offer otherwise remains at the same price of $30 per share in cash. Paramount aims to buy Warner for $77.9 billion but needs more shareholder support — and is again extending the deadline for its tender offer, which is now March 2. Meanwhile, Warner’s leadership has continued to back its $72 billion studio and streaming deal with Netflix. Both deals face tremendous antitrust scrutiny.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledges meetings with Epstein that contradict previous claims

February 10, 2026

By STEPHEN GROVES - Associated Press

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has acknowledged that he had met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. It’s a reversal of Lutnick’s previous claim that he had cut ties with the late financier after 2005. He was questioned by Democrats during a Tuesday subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee. But Lutnick is facing calls from several lawmakers for his resignation after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted Lutnick’s claims on a podcast last year that he had decided to “never be in the room” with Epstein again after a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

Trump set to gut US climate change policy and environmental regulations: White House official

February 10, 2026

By MATTHEW DALY and SEUNG MIN KIM - Associated Press

A White House official says the Trump administration is expected this week to revoke a scientific finding that long has been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency will issue a final rule rescinding a 2009 government declaration known as the endangerment finding. That Obama-era policy determined that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. Legal challenges are certain. The White House official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to confirm the details ahead of the official announcement.

Trump’s immigration chiefs testify in Congress following protester deaths

February 10, 2026

The Associated Press,

Courtesy: Associated Press (file) WASHINGTON (AP) — The heads of the agencies carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda are testifying in Congress Tuesday and faced questions over how they are prosecuting immigration enforcement inside American cities. Trump’s immigration campaign has been heavily scrutinized in recent weeks, after the shooting deaths in Minneapolis of two protesters at the hands of Homeland Security officers….

Susan Collins announces reelection bid in pivotal Maine Senate race

February 10, 2026

By PATRICK WHITTLE and KIMBERLEE KRUESI - Associated Press

Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins has announced her reelection bid, entering a closely watched race that Democrats have targeted in their effort to retake the Senate majority in Congress in this year’s midterm elections. Collins has defended the seat for decades, casting herself as a reflection of Maine’s independent spirit. However, Collins has faced criticism for not condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration tactics. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and oyster farmer Graham Platner are top Democratic challengers. Platner recently outraised both Mills and Collins. Collins previously defeated Democrat Sara Gideon in 2020 despite being outspent.

Retail sales unchanged in December from November, closing out year on a lackluster tone

February 10, 2026

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Retail Writer

Shoppers unexpectedly paused their spending in December from November, closing out the holiday shopping season and the year on a lackluster tone. The report, issued by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, surprised economists who were looking for growth despite mounting concerns about a slowing job growth, uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s tariffs and other economic headwinds. And it raised questions about shoppers’ ability to spend after they have remained resilient for months despite souring consumer confidence, economists said.

Russia can’t attack NATO this year but plans to boost its own forces, an intelligence chief says

February 10, 2026

By EMMA BURROWS - Associated Press

A senior European intelligence chief says Russia cannot launch an attack on NATO this year or next but is planning to increase its forces significantly along the alliance’s eastern flank, depending on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. The head of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service suggested Moscow is playing for time in talks with Washington. Kaupo Rosin, the head of the service, said his comments were based on intelligence his country gathered from “Russian internal discussions.” Rosin said Russia’s plan involves creating new military units and multiplying the prewar force along its border with NATO by two to three times. Russia continues to bombard Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and damaging energy infrastructure.

UK leader Starmer averts a leadership challenge for now but remains damaged by Epstein fallout

February 10, 2026

By JILL LAWLESS - Associated Press

Keir Starmer has secured a temporary respite after fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files threatened his leadership. The British prime minister was saved by a fightback and hesitation among Labour Party rivals about the consequences of a coup. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Tuesday that Labour lawmakers decided to unite behind Starmer. The crisis stems from Starmer’s decision to appoint Epstein friend Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to Washington. Starmer has apologized and said that Mandelson had lied about his ties to Epstein. Starmer’s leadership remains shaky despite firing Mandelson. Many lawmakers are concerned about their reelection chances.

Trump’s immigration chiefs are set to testify in Congress following protester deaths

February 10, 2026

By REBECCA SANTANA - Associated Press

The heads of agencies enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda are set to testify before Congress. This comes amid scrutiny over the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by Homeland Security officers. Todd Lyons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Rodney Scott of Customs and Border Protection, and Joseph Edlow of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will appear before the House Committee on Homeland Security. Critics argue ICE and CBP officers use excessive force and violate rights. Lyons, who has led ICE since March, defends his officers’ tactics. The administration’s mass deportation strategy faces growing criticism and declining public support.

Photos show hunger and water scarcity as drought grips northern Kenya

February 10, 2026

By PATRICK NGUGI - Associated Press

TURKANA COUNTY, Kenya (AP) — Prolonged drought has left millions of people struggling to find food and water in parts of northern Kenya, where livestock deaths have deepened the crisis for pastoral communities. Images show residents lining up for food aid, sharing rations after distributions and children and women fetching scarce water for households and surviving animals. The northeastern regions,…

SCOPE’s Ultra-Luxury Residential Performance Underscores Strong Investor Confidence in Thailand’s Prime Market

February 10, 2026

Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – Amid heightened volatility across global luxury real estate markets driven by geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, and persistent inflationary pressures, Thailand’s ultra-luxury residential sector continues to demonstrate notable resilience. Within this context, SCOPE, a Bangkok-based ultra-luxury residential developer, reported total sales exceeding THB 2.6 billion in 2025, underscoring sustained…

Misery deepens in the West Bank as Israel provides few Palestinian work permits

February 10, 2026

By SAM MEDNICK - Associated Press

Many Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are struggling to get by after losing their permits to work inside Israel. Israel revoked around 100,000 permits after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in the Gaza Strip. Confined to the West Bank, where jobs are scarce and wages far lower, some Palestinians have sold their belongings or gone into debt. Others have paid steep fees for black-market permits or tried to sneak into Israel, risking arrest or worse. Israel, which has controlled the West Bank for nearly six decades, says it is under no obligation to allow Palestinians to enter for work and says it revoked the permits because of security considerations.

New Zealand mosque shooter always planned to admit his crimes, his former lawyers tell appeals court

February 9, 2026

By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY - Associated Press

Brenton Tarrant, the white supremacist who murdered 51 Muslims in New Zealand’s deadliest mass shooting, wanted to be described as a terrorist and always intended to admit to his crimes, his former lawyer says. The Australian man was sentenced to life without parole for terrorism, murder, and attempted murder after the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. Tarrant claims solitary confinement and harsh prison conditions made him mentally unfit to plead guilty. His former lawyers say they didn’t believe his prison conditions affected his decisions. New Zealand’s Court of Appeal is considering his case. The judges will release their decision later.

Knowing Your Neighbor: Harry Welty

February 9, 2026

Violette VueHansen,

DULUTH, Minn. — Harry Welty has lived in Duluth for over 50 years, spending time on the school board, but he’s better known for his snow sculptures outside his house. Welty’s work can be seen, driving up 21st Ave. He’s been making snow sculptures for 38 years. Welty said that his mother was an artist and wanted him to be…