From a record-breaking public health crisis in South Carolina to a stunning archaeological find in Mexico, here are the major developments you need to know this afternoon, alongside a look at how global politics is reshaping daily life from Havana to your local coffee shop.
Federal officials have issued provisional approval to relocate 30 beluga whales and four dolphins from the shuttered Ontario park to accredited U.S. aquariums, averting an immediate euthanasia threat pending final health and care plans.
The Department of Homeland Security has significantly softened its initial characterization of the events leading to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by border agents, now describing the scene as involving 'several civilians' rather than a riot, raising questions about the justification for the use of deadly force.
A multi-agency search operation is underway for 19-year-old Matthew Packard-Asai, who was swept into the ocean while fishing on a rocky Kauai shoreline last week. One companion was rescued.
Charles Broomfield, who once wore a '#1 Dad' lanyard, now faces murder charges after allegedly confessing to shooting his fiancée and her two teenage sons in their Grand Rapids home, while his own young child was spared.
Brendan Banfield's murder trial reaches its climax Friday with closing arguments after he testified he shot a man he found stabbing his wife. Prosecutors allege an elaborate murder-for-hire plot, while the defense claims a tragic act of self-defense.
A routine online marketplace transaction ended in tragedy when a 19-year-old man allegedly stabbed a pregnant mother dozens of times during a vehicle sale, prosecutors revealed. The victim's family describes the attack as 'pure evil' as they mourn a life built on kindness.
A new Fox News survey reveals Democrats leading Republicans 52% to 46% in a generic congressional ballot for the 2026 midterms, the highest level of support recorded for either party in this poll series. Voter priorities and sharp partisan divides on key issues shape the early political landscape.
In a new court filing, Hunter Biden's legal team moves to dismiss a contempt motion brought by the mother of his 7-year-old daughter, arguing his relationship with the child is legally irrelevant and denying violations of their 2023 support agreement.
Nissan Motor Co. faced a 4.4% decline in global sales for 2025, with a sharper 6.7% drop in December, as weakness in key markets like China and Europe offset gains in North America.
German defense giant Rheinmetall has inked a significant, multi-year framework agreement to supply the Dutch armed forces with a range of hand grenades, deepening a strategic partnership that now spans artillery shells to infantry ordnance amid heightened European security concerns.
Tesla is discontinuing its flagship Model S sedan and Model X SUV, a strategic shift underscored by plummeting sales figures and Elon Musk's pivot toward robotics and autonomy.
Foreign women detained in Syria's Roj camp, linked to the Islamic State group, see a potential path to freedom following a government offensive that weakened their Kurdish guards. As political dynamics shift, their hopes for amnesty or repatriation collide with international reluctance and an uncertain future for the camps.
In a significant tactical shift, Islamist militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) utilized armed drones in a pre-dawn assault on a Nigerian military base in Borno state, resulting in multiple casualties. The attack underscores the growing sophistication of insurgent groups in the region's long-running conflict.
In a departure from long-standing restrictions, approximately 1,500 Israeli Jews held morning prayers at the contested Joseph's Tomb in Nablus. A senior settler official called the event a move toward cementing Israeli sovereignty over the site, which lies in an area under Palestinian administrative control.
While the crypto market navigates volatility, two assets priced under $2—XRP and Sui—are drawing institutional interest and possess specific catalysts that could drive significant growth in the coming year.
A major redevelopment of Newcastle University's Castle Leazes student village is moving forward, with contractor Bowmer + Kirkland appointed to deliver over 2,000 new affordable rooms, replacing 1960s-era facilities.
Taiwan's economy surged 8.6% in 2025, its fastest growth since 2010, driven by a global AI boom and a landmark trade agreement with the United States. While analysts project a moderation in 2026, the island's pivotal role in the tech supply chain has delivered record profits for its leading firms.
Ethereum enters February 2026 under pressure, testing key support near $2,690 after a historically weak January. Analysts are divided on whether seasonal trends or shifting on-chain dynamics will dictate the month's direction.
BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin's recent downturn is a symptom of a broader $300 billion contraction in U.S. dollar liquidity, driven by Treasury cash management and tighter financial conditions, rather than crypto-specific weakness.
