Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug program. The league announced the suspension on Saturday but did not disclose the substance involved. This is George's first violation, according to the agreement between the NBA and the Players Association. The suspension will cost him approximately $11.7 million of his salary. George is expected to return on March 25 when Philadelphia faces Chicago. The 76ers are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference. George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season, ranking third on the team.

Meteorologists sometimes warn of a winter storm that could “bomb out” or become a bomb cyclone. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this happens when a storm's central pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm. These rapidly strengthening storms can produce heavy rain and intense winds, creating dangerous conditions. Bomb cyclones mainly occur in fall and winter when Arctic air clashes with warmer air masses. Regions prone to these storms include Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Great Lakes.

President Donald Trump acted quickly to negotiate with Democratic senators on a deal to avert a government shutdown. It was a big change from his stance during last year's record-long standoff, when he refused to budge for weeks during a shutdown. Trump’s urgency reflects a changed political landscape and mounting pressure on the Republican administration. Republicans are still dealing with the fallout from two recent fatal shootings by federal agent shootings in Minneapolis and from the 43-day shutdown last year. Some Republicans are frustrated by Trump's deal with Democrats and are raising the possible of a prolonged shutdown fight when the House returns Monday to vote.

The shooting deaths of white protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis have followed a playbook that is painfully familiar to Black Americans. Authorities quickly moved to disparage the victims, only to be contradicted as more evidence emerged. Black families who have lost loved ones to police violence say the killings in Minnesota have brought back painful memories of their own fights for justice as law enforcement agencies spun up narratives to suggest officers had no other choice but to kill their relatives. Some advocates say the Minneapolis shootings should be a reminder to all Americans that injustice disproportionately impacting Black people can impact them, too.

Emergency power cuts swept across several Ukrainian cities as well as neighboring Moldova, officials said, following a commitment from the Kremlin to U.S. President Donald Trump to pause strikes on Kyiv as Ukraine continues to battle one of its bleakest winters in years. Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Denys Shmyhal, said that the outages had been caused by a technical malfunction affecting several power lines. The shortages follow weeks of Russian strikes against Ukraine’s already struggling energy grid, which have already triggered long stretches of severe power shortages. Moscow has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat, light and running water over the course of the war, in a strategy that Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing winter.”

People use music to set moods, create a desired atmosphere and evoke memories of family and friends. The right song at the right time can have similar effects for some dogs. Pet owners and animal shelter workers sometimes use music as a training tool, a distraction from triggers and to create a relaxing environment for dogs kept in kennels or left alone at home. But researchers say music is context-dependent, meaning the effects vary based on dogs’ temperament, the setting, the type of tune and the volume at which it’s played. Experts say music can be a paw-sitive experience, but it's crucial to know your dog and to stay attuned to signs of distress.

The partial government shutdown is a lot different from the record-long shutdown in the fall. That's mostly because the shutdown that began Saturday may not last long. When the House returns on Monday, lawmakers will try to pass legislation quickly that would end the shutdown. Congress has passed half this year’s funding bills, and that means several important federal agencies and programs continue to operate. Nutrition assistance programs should be unaffected. But funding is lapsing, at least temporarily, for the Pentagon and agencies such as the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation. Essential functions will continue, but workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on.

Air travelers in the U.S. without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification are subject to a new fee starting Sunday. The non-refundable $45 charge isn't a penalty or fine, but payment for non-compliant travelers to use the Transportation Security Administration's new alternate identity verification option called ConfirmID. The process can take up to 30 minutes and doesn't guarantee passengers will make their flight if their identity can't be verified.

Separatists from Pakistan's Balochistan province have claimed responsibility for nearly a dozen coordinated attacks across southern Pakistan. The attacks targeted a high-security prison, police stations and paramilitary installations. At least 11 civilians, 10 security personnel and 67 insurgents were killed, authorities said. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, releasing videos showing female fighters. The attacks began early Saturday and included the destruction of rail tracks, prompting train service suspensions. Authorities said nearly 100 militants have been killed across Balochistan over the past 48 hours. Balochistan has long been the site of an insurgency by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government.

North Carolina and South Carolina have become two hot spots for growth in the United States. North Carolina was the top destination for domestic migrants in the U.S., attracting 84,000 people from other states last year. South Carolina had the highest overall growth rate at 1.5%. Florida, previously a top choice for domestic residents, fell to eighth place as more people chose to move elsewhere. Texas saw a year-to-year decrease in domestic migration, with 67,300 new domestic residents. North Carolina's appeal includes its location, job opportunities and diverse landscapes. Despite changes in domestic migration, Texas and Florida still had the highest number of new residents overall.

More than half a million foreigners are believed to live in Spain without legal permission. Like in the United States and much of Europe, these immigrants work jobs that few nationals want. Many fail to find any work at all, sliding into poverty and homelessness. Now, Spain wants to integrate them. Earlier this week, the government announced it would grant residency and work permits to all foreigners who arrived in the country before Dec. 31, 2025, have lived in Spain for at least five months, and have no criminal records. More than a dozen men and women who are hoping to legalize their status told the AP that Spain’s extraordinary move could allow them to get jobs in the formal economy.

Elena Rybakina has won the Australian Open title with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka that avenged her loss in the championship decider here in 2023. Four years ago she won the first set but lost the final in three. This time, after breaking in the first game and taking the first set, she rallied after losing the second set and going down 3-0 in the third. She won five straight games and then closed out with an ace on her first championship point.

Starbucks revolutionized the United States' coffee culture. But it’s facing unprecedented competition. And that will make it harder to win back customers it's lost to perennial rival Dunkin' and fast-growing drive-thru chains like Dutch Bros and 7 Brew. Seattle-based Starbucks was a small, regional chain when former CEO Howard Schultz acquired it in 1987 and made it a global brand. Now, other small chains are seeing explosive growth. Chinese chains like Luckin Coffee and Mixue also are getting into the mix. The chief operating officer of Starbucks says the company believes the way to stay on top is to open more cafes that offer both convenience and a comfortable place to linger.

Hospitals in Gaza said Israeli strikes killed at least 12 Palestinians early Saturday, one of the highest tolls since an October agreement aimed at stopping the fighting. The strikes hit northern and southern Gaza, including an apartment in Gaza City and a tent in Khan Younis, officials at the Nasser and Shifa Hospitals said. The casualties included two women and six children from two different families. Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions about the strikes. The strikes came a day before a border crossing is set to open in Gaza’s southernmost city, a reminder that the death poll is still rising even as a ceasefire agreement inches forward.

Rebel authorities say at least 200 people were killed in a landslide at coltan mines in eastern Congo. The collapse happened Wednesday due to heavy rains at the Rubaya mines, controlled by M23 rebels. Many victims remain buried in the mud. Several others were injured and taken to health facilities in Rubaya. The rebel-appointed governor has halted mining and ordered relocations near the site. Rubaya is a major source of tantalum, crucial for electronics. The region has long been plagued by conflict, with millions displaced.