Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday warned that Russia is expected to continue launching large-scale strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, citing fresh intelligence assessments. The warning comes amid ongoing hostilities in the Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year, and underscores growing concerns in Kyiv about the resilience of the country’s power grid during continued missile and drone attacks. Speaking about the latest intelligence findings, Zelensky

President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to those responsible for the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, stating that federal authorities will pursue the “most severe” penalties if she is harmed. The 84-year-old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie was reported abducted from her residence on February 1, 2026, triggering a nationwide law enforcement response and heightened public concern. In remarks during a recent interview, Trump said the perpetrators would face extrem

Eligible U.S. taxpayers will be able to deduct up to $10,000 in auto loan interest for the 2025 tax year under a temporary tax provision created through President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but financial analysts say the actual benefit for most car buyers will be far smaller than the headline figure suggests. While the deduction may appear generous at first glance, typical loan structures and interest payments mean that most borrowers are unlikely to approach the maximum all

Russia has dismissed recent U.S. threats of tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, while stating it is exploring ways to assist the Caribbean nation amid a deepening fuel shortage. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the government seeks “constructive dialogue” with the United States regarding Cuba’s critical energy needs but stressed that public disputes over the matter are being avoided. He highlighted that Russia’s current trade with Cuba is limited, reducing the likelihood o

US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss a range of strategic issues, with the Iran nuclear deal emerging as a central topic of conversation. The meeting, held amid heightened regional tensions, underscored ongoing diplomatic efforts and disagreements surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme and its broader military capabilities. Following the talks, Trump took to Truth Social to reiterate his administration’s position on nego

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that tariff threats played a decisive role in resolving several international conflicts during his tenure, claiming that economic pressure through trade measures helped prevent violence and bring rival nations to the negotiating table. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump asserted that at least six of what he described as eight wars were settled after he warned countries that they would face higher tariffs if hostilities continued. Among

Job growth at the start of 2026 exceeded expectations, offering reassurance that the U.S. labor market remains resilient despite months of subdued hiring and broader economic uncertainty. Fresh data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, well above economists’ forecasts of 55,000 and marking a notable improvement from December’s revised gain of 48,000. The stronger hiring figures were accompanied by a modest decline in the un

Flight operations at El Paso International Airport were briefly suspended on Wednesday after several drones believed to be linked to a Mexican drug cartel entered United States airspace near the Texas border, prompting swift action from federal authorities and defense officials. According to a senior administration official familiar with the matter, the unmanned aircraft crossed into restricted airspace during the early hours of the morning. Security forces quickly intervened and to

Federal authorities confirmed on Wednesday that unmanned aerial vehicles believed to be operated by Mexican drug cartels crossed into United States airspace near El Paso, Texas, prompting heightened security measures and a temporary halt to flight operations at the city’s main airport. The incident triggered a 10-day suspension of flights ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration, which cited security-related concerns while officials assessed potential risks to civilian aviation and th

Major US technology companies are increasingly turning to the H-1B visa programme to recruit skilled foreign professionals as they accelerate investments in artificial intelligence and related digital infrastructure. New data show that a large share of visa petitions filed by leading firms are tied directly to AI-driven roles, underscoring how access to global talent has become central to their long-term strategy. An analysis of labour condition applications indicates that more than

An Iranian man has reportedly taken his own life after recording and sharing a video message in which he appealed directly to former US President Donald Trump to halt any diplomatic engagement with Iran’s current leadership. The man, identified by activists and Iranian media as Pouria Hamidi, was from the southern port city of Bushehr. His death has drawn renewed attention to ongoing political tensions inside Iran and the wider international debate surrounding Tehran’s relations with Wash

The United States announced a new round of sanctions on Friday targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, hours after indirect diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington concluded in Oman, underscoring the fragile balance between pressure and engagement as both sides attempt to manage tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. The measures, unveiled by the US State Department, apply to 15 entities and 14 vessels that officials say are linked to Iran’s so-called shad

An alleged key participant in the 2012 Benghazi attack has been taken into custody and is expected to face federal charges in the United States, the Justice Department confirmed on Friday. The arrest marks the latest development in a long-running terrorism case stemming from the deadly assault on American facilities in Libya that left four U.S. officials dead, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. Attorney General Pam Bondi, District of Columbia Attorney Jeannie Pirro, and FB

Elon Musk’s long-standing reputation for advancing unconventional technological ideas has taken another ambitious turn, with SpaceX formally proposing to build an orbital network of artificial intelligence data centres powered by solar energy. What initially appeared to be an eccentric concept has quickly moved into the regulatory phase, supported by official filings and public statements that suggest the company is serious about relocating a significant share of AI computing capacity beyon

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is preparing to introduce a Senate resolution that would formally condemn and seek the reversal of a proposed sale of 500,000 advanced artificial intelligence chips annually to the United Arab Emirates, arguing the transaction could threaten U.S. national security and raise serious ethical questions about conflicts of interest. The measure is expected to be brought to the Senate floor on Thursday, where Warren plans to call for lawmakers to block the exp

Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed concerns over Pakistan's threat to boycott their scheduled group-stage clash. Yadav firmly stated that India's preparations for the match remain unchanged, regardless of Pakistan's stance on participation. During a captain's meet ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar emphasized that India's focus remains on the game. "Our mindset is very clear. We haven’t said no to playing them; they are the ones who??