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

The large-scale immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is set to conclude, according to border czar Tom Homan. Speaking at a press briefing, Homan confirmed that he had proposed ending the intensified operation and that the decision had been approved. A significant drawdown of federal personnel has already begun and is expected to continue over the next week, signaling the gradual end of the enhanced enforcement effort in the state. While the surge operation is ending in Minnesota

The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India, who was tragically killed in 2023 when a speeding police officer struck her. Kandula, a master's student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 74 mph (119 km/h) in a 25-mph (40 km/h) zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Though Dave had his emergency lights

A federal judge has sentenced a major fentanyl trafficker to life in prison, concluding a sweeping two-year investigation that dismantled one of the most significant drug distribution networks operating in West Texas. Authorities said the sentence marks the final conviction in Operation Top Shelf, a coordinated law enforcement effort that resulted in dozens of arrests and hundreds of years in combined prison time for those involved. Kurtney Bernard Jones, 38, known by the alias “K

James Van Der Beek, the actor widely recognized for his breakout role on television drama Dawson’s Creek and the sports film Varsity Blues, has died following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 47. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed his death in a message shared on social media, describing his final days as peaceful and marked by courage, faith, and grace as the family gathered around him. In her statement, Kimberly said he faced the end of his life with stren

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

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia’s appointment as the brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, specifically for the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap, has sparked a political storm in Karnataka. This is not an isolated case, as it is a common practice for state governments to appoint prominent celebrities to promote certain sectors. For instance, Samantha was previously appointed as the Telangana handloom brand ambassador. However, Tamannaah’s appointment has triggered a wav

The Indian government has issued a new directive requiring the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram to be sung or played at all official ceremonies and state functions. The rendition, lasting approximately three minutes and ten seconds, will now be mandatory during significant events, including the unfurling of the Tricolour, the arrival of the President at formal gatherings, and before and after their speeches. The government’s decision aims to ensure uniformity and consi

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube are facing serious allegations in a closely watched trial that began Monday in California, with plaintiffs accusing the companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to be addictive for children. The case marks one of the first times a jury has been asked to directly assess whether major technology companies can be held legally responsible for the mental health consequences their products may have on you

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

A 37-year-old Indian-origin information technology professional was killed after unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in at a shopping centre parking lot in Toronto, according to Canadian police officials. The victim, identified as Chandan Kumar, hailed from Bengaluru Rural district in Karnataka and had been living in Canada for the past six years while working with a private technology company. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 7, when poli

A dramatic and heartbreaking moment unfolded at the Winter Olympics 2026 as alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the women’s downhill event, abruptly ending her medal hopes. The incident occurred midway through her run when Vonn lost control at high speed, sending her skidding violently off the racing line and forcing officials to halt the event briefly. Visuals from the slope showed medical teams rushing to her aid before she was airlifted off the mountain as a precau

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a series of major economic and infrastructure agreements aimed at accelerating Syria’s post-war reconstruction and strengthening bilateral ties, marking one of the most significant rounds of cooperation between the two countries in recent years. Officials said the deals span aviation, telecommunications, energy, and development projects, with billions of dollars expected to flow into key sectors of the Syrian economy. The agreements include the l

HOCKLEY, Texas — A suspected gas leak prompted the evacuation of one Waller Independent School District elementary campus and precautionary shelter-in-place orders at two nearby schools Friday morning as emergency crews worked to contain the situation and ensure student safety. According to the Spring Creek Fire Department, elevated gas levels were detected at Roberts Road Elementary School shortly after the start of the school day. Officials determined that conditions inside the

A record number of employees across the United States are expected to miss work on the morning following the Super Bowl, according to a new survey that highlights growing concerns about workplace attendance and productivity after one of the country’s most-watched sporting events. The annual absenteeism survey conducted by workforce management company UKG estimates that approximately 26.2 million workers plan to be absent the day after the game, marking one of the highest projected totals since the study began tracking post-event workplace trends. The findings suggest that many employees are planning their time away in advance rather than calling off unexpectedly. Most respondents indicated they intend to use paid time off or swap shifts with colleagues to accommodate late-night celebrations tied to the Super Bowl. These planned absences reflect a broader effort by workers to manage personal schedules responsibly while still participating in the festivities surrounding the NFL championship. However, the survey also found that not all absences will be scheduled. Roughly five million people reported they may call in sick or simply not report to work without prior notice. Such last-minute absenteeism can present operational challenges for businesses, particularly in industries that rely on hourly employees or strict staffing levels, including retail, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing. Employers in these sectors often experience increased strain when shifts must be covered unexpectedly. Human resources professionals note that the Super Bowl has increasingly become an unofficial national event, with celebrations often extending late into the night. As a result, attendance patterns the following Monday have become a predictable concern. Companies have responded in various ways, including offering flexible scheduling, remote work options, or encouraging employees to request PTO ahead of time to minimize disruptions. These strategies aim to maintain productivity while recognizing the cultural significance of the event. The projected absenteeism figures also underscore broader workplace trends related to employee engagement and work-life balance. Experts say that when organizations provide clear policies and flexible options, employees are more likely to communicate their needs and plan time off responsibly, reducing the impact of unscheduled absences. As millions tune in to watch the Super Bowl each year, businesses may need to continue adapting their staffing and attendance practices to accommodate the reality that the day after the game has become one of the most challenging for workplace attendance nationwide.

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

What is Linea Nigra? Linea nigra is a dark vertical line that appears on the belly of pregnant women. The line typically runs from the belly button down to the pubic area. When Does It Appear? It usually appears during the second trimester of pregnancy, around the fourth or fifth month. Hormonal changes during pregnancy trigger the appearance of this line. Cause of Linea Nigra

India's relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations is evolving into a major trade partnership. In 2024-25, the bilateral trade between India and the six-nation bloc reached a substantial $179 billion, driven by strong exports such as gems, metals, electronics, and chemicals. With an existing free trade pact with the UAE since 2022, and a recent agreement with Oman, India is now focused on formalizing a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the GCC. This new agreement

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, faced a dramatic price drop on February 6, 2026, hitting an intraday low of $60,008.52 during volatile trading. This marks the lowest point for Bitcoin since October 2024. The decline occurred amid a broader selloff across global markets, especially in technology stocks, metals, and other riskier assets, raising concerns about whether Bitcoin could fall below the $60,000 mark in the coming days. After touching this 16-month low, Bitcoin

Saudi Arabia is deploying significant political influence and billions of dollars in financial support in an effort to stabilize Yemen and consolidate control over areas held by the internationally recognized government, marking a renewed regional focus after years of concentrating on domestic reforms. Officials familiar with the strategy say Riyadh aims to unify fragmented armed groups, strengthen state institutions and create conditions that could eventually pressure Houthi rebels into nego