Nancy Guthrie's abductor may have left behind digital clues

 Nancy Guthrie's abductor may have left behind digital clues: Forensic Expert (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

Kuwait 'mistakenly' shot down three $31M US fighter jets, all crew safely ejected

 Kuwait 'mistakenly' shot down three $31M US fighter jets, all crew safely ejected: military (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

A crew member parachutes to safely after their fighter jet is shot down. (Reuters)

Texas mass shooter Ndiaga Diagne had Iranian flag and photos of Islamic Republic leaders in his home

 Texas mass shooter Ndiaga Diagne had Iranian flag and photos of Islamic Republic leaders in his home: report (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

Gunman wearing shirt with Iranian flag design kills 2 and wounds 14 at Texas bar | AP News (Thanks to Sam for this one)

Opinions on the War

Opinion | How to Think About Trump’s War With Iran - The New York Times

 Op-ed: What China is thinking about U.S. strikes against Iran

Argentine teens say they identify themselves as non-human animals in latest viral trend

 Argentine teens say they identify themselves as non-human animals in latest viral trend | AP News (Thanks to Louden for this one)

A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red on Tuesday across several continents

 A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red on Tuesday across several continents (Thanks for Louden for this one)

 

Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies in a single-car crash at age 23, police say

Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies in a single-car crash at age 23, police say (Thanks to Louden for this one)

 

‘Scream 7' opens with a franchise-best $64.1 million in box-office win for Paramount

 ‘Scream 7' opens with a franchise-best $64.1 million in box-office win for Paramount (Thanks to Louden for this one)

 

The Warning Signs Flashing From the Tech-Heavy Bloat of the S&P 500

 The Warning Signs Flashing From the Tech-Heavy Bloat of the S&P 500

This shows every company in the S&P 500, sized by its market value. The stock index is made up of 11 distinct sectors, though just a few dominate it.

 

 

Student Remains in Honduras After ICE Vows to Deport Her Again

 Student Remains in Honduras After ICE Vows to Deport Her Again

Any Lucia López Belloza was deported by mistake. A judge ordered her return by Friday. When the Trump administration sent a plane, she decided not to get on.

A photo provided by Any Lucia López Belloza’s lawyer of her at her high school graduation. Photo from the Associated Press

 

What It’s Like to Grow Up With A.I.: The Winners of Our Multimedia Challenge

 What It’s Like to Grow Up With A.I.: The Winners of Our Multimedia Challenge - The New York Times

Pakistan defence minister says country in 'open war' with Afghanistan after strikes

 Pakistan defence minister says country in 'open war' with Afghanistan after strikes (Thanks to Graydon for this one)

 

These low-key US mountains offer ways to avoid getting ‘priced out of skiing’

 These low-key US mountains offer ways to avoid getting ‘priced out of skiing’  (Thanks to Finn for this one)

 

 

A Mayor Needs a Nickname. The Tabloids Are Wavering.

 A Mayor Needs a Nickname. The Tabloids Are Wavering. (Thanks to Haadi for this one) 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been given a bevy of nicknames by New York City’s tabloid newspapers and political class. Which will stick?

 

Pentagon to Curb Ties With Top Universities and Think Tanks

 Pentagon to Curb Ties With Top Universities and Think Tanks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Yale, Princeton, Brown and other elite colleges and think tanks of indoctrinating service members with liberal ideologies.

 

Trump & Pentagon go to war...with Anthropic, maker of Claude AI. OpenAI signs contract with DOW hours later

Statement from Dario Amodei on our discussions with the Department of War  

Trump Orders Government to Stop Using Anthropic After Pentagon Standoff

The company had clashed with the military over how officials wanted to use its cutting-edge A.I. model. The order could vastly complicate intelligence analysis and defense work. 

Pentagon Standoff Is a Decisive Moment for How A.I. Will Be Used in War

The Pentagon’s contract dispute with Anthropic is part of a wider clash about the use of artificial intelligence for national security and who decides on any safeguards. 

What Both Anthropic and the Pentagon Get Wrong  

Anthropic has less than 36 hours before it barrels toward uncharted territory with the US government

• Anthropic and the US government are at a standstill over the use of the company's Claude model.
• The Pentagon is pressing Anthropic to accept its terms or lose its military contract.
• Sources said the government is willing to use 2 levers to compel Anthropic to agree

Silicon Valley Rallies Behind Anthropic in A.I. Clash With Trump

Actions by the president and the Pentagon appeared to drive a wedge between Washington and the tech industry, whose leaders and workers spoke out for the start-up. 

OpenAI Reaches A.I. Agreement With Defense Dept. After Anthropic Clash

The deal came hours after President Trump had ordered federal agencies to stop using artificial intelligence technology made by Anthropic, an OpenAI rival. 

Real Despots Hijack Artificial Intelligence 

Trump strikes Iran; Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead; Iran strikes back

Live updates: Trump says more US service members ‘will likely’ be killed before Iran conflict ends (Thanks to Sonia for this one)

What to Know About the U.S. Attacks on Iran

The United States and Israel launched a major assault that reportedly has killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

Mapping the Strikes inside Iran; Mapping Iran's Retaliation 

Trump Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Is Dead, says the bombing will continue

The president’s announcement came after a day of U.S. and Israeli military strikes, and after he pledged to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program and overthrow its government.  

 Iran’s supreme leader killed in US-Israeli strikes

US President Donald Trump called for regime change following the massive American and Israeli attack, which prompted an unprecedented wave of retaliatory strikes by Iran. 

Iranian State Media reports that the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead; Announces the commencement of 40 days of mourning

Diagramming the blow to the leadership of Iran 

Iran Hits Back Across the Mideast, Targeting U.S. Bases and Allies

Waves of retaliatory strikes were reported in Israel and across several Gulf countries on Saturday. The Emirati government said at least one person was killed from falling missile debris.  

Trump ‘Not Happy’ With Iran Talks, but Says He Remains Undecided on Strikes (Thanks to Matte for this)

President Trump said he had not made a final decision about whether to order military action against Iran.

Has Trump Thought Through the Endgame in Iran?
The country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed by U.S. and Israeli strikes, but the conflict is far from over, and has convulsed the Middle East in a spasm of interstate violence. 

Trump says US had identified candidates to take over Iran but they were killed in initial strikes

Watching from a rooftop after a strike in Tehran on Saturday.  

Why Are So Many Teen Girls Still Tearing Their A.C.L.s? A few simple exercises can prevent them

 Why Are So Many Teen Girls Still Tearing Their A.C.L.s? - The New York Times

For years, ligament tears have been a crisis among young athletes — even though a few simple exercises can prevent them.

Evidence supporting programs like FIFA 11+ keeps piling up, yet most young players still aren’t being asked to do them. As one researcher put it: “A prerequisite for using the 11+ is being aware that it exists.” Photo by Dru Donovan/NYT

Kalshi Accuses a ‘MrBeast’ Employee of Insider Trading

 Kalshi Accuses a ‘MrBeast’ Employee of Insider Trading - The New York Times

The prediction-market platform said it had reported the employee to federal regulators. The show’s parent company said it had “no tolerance for this behavior.”

Nvidia’s Quarterly Profit Hits $43 Billion on Strong A.I. Chip Sales

 Nvidia’s Quarterly Profit Hits $43 Billion on Strong A.I. Chip Sales - The New York Times

Total profit for the fiscal year was $120 billion, the company said. Three years ago, it was just $4.4 billion.

Nvidia Details New A.I. Chips and Autonomous Car Project With Mercedes - The New York Times

International Booker Prize Nominees: 13 Books to Get You Talking

 International Booker Prize Nominees: 13 Books to Get You Talking - The New York Times

Novels by Daniel Kehlmann, Olga Ravn and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara are among the 13 titles nominated for the renowned award for fiction translated into English.

Antarctica’s Mineral Riches Exposed as Climate Warms

 Antarctica’s Mineral Riches Exposed as Climate Warms - The New York Times

Mining is banned on the frozen continent. But new research suggests that could change as ice melts and land and valuable minerals are exposed.

What to Know About the Search for Nancy Guthrie

 What to Know About the Search for Nancy Guthrie - The New York Times

Savannah Guthrie offers $1 million for tips leading to her mother’s return.

What We Know About the Gun Battle Off the Coast of Cuba

 What We Know About the Gun Battle Off the Coast of Cuba - The New York Times

Four armed Cubans aboard a Florida-based speedboat died in a gunfight with Cuban border troops on Wednesday, officials said.

Marco Rubio responds

Deal or War? For Trump, Military Strike in Iran Could Serve Symbolic Purpose; Israel waits for war

 For Trump, Military Strike in Iran Could Serve Symbolic Purpose - The New York Times

Some officials in the Trump administration hope an attack would force Iran to give up its nuclear enrichment program. Others have doubts.

Israelis Are Waiting for War With Iran, Again - The New York Times

The national mood is somewhere between anxiety, resignation and anticipation as President Trump considers whether to attack Iran.

A Deal or War? Crucial Talks Begin Between U.S. and Iran. - The New York Times

President Trump has kept up a steady drumbeat of threats and built up U.S. troops in the region. Iran’s task is to give him a win but also preserve some semblance of nuclear enrichment.

Some officials in the Trump administration hope an attack would force Iran to give up its nuclear enrichment program. Others have doubts.

A professor challenged the Smithsonian. Security shut the gallery

 A professor challenged the Smithsonian. Security shut the gallery.

Resignations and arrests continue amid Epstein fallout

See Who Has Faced Fallout From the Epstein Files - The New York Times

Peter Mandelson, Ex-Ambassador to the U.S., Is Released After U.K. Arrest Amid Epstein Accusations - The New York Times

World Economic Forum President Resigns Over Epstein Ties - The New York Times

Former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey Resigns From Monolith Amid Epstein Emails - The New York Times

 Larry Summers resigns from Harvard amid Epstein fallout

Leader of Columbia Brain Institute Quits Over Friendship With Epstein - The New York Times

The Nobel laureate Richard Axel is not accused of wrongdoing but called his association with Jeffrey Epstein a “serious error in judgment.”

With Epstein Deposition, Hillary Clinton Is Again Answering for Bill Clinton’s Actions - The New York Times

The former first lady, senator and secretary of state had no dealings with Jeffrey Epstein but is once again under pressure to answer for the actions and relationships of her husband.

Epstein Files Are Missing Records About Woman Who Made Claim Against Trump - The New York Times

Documents released by the Justice Department briefly mention a woman’s unverified accusation that Donald J. Trump assaulted her in the 1980s, when she was a minor. But several memos related to her account are not in the files.

4chan knew about Jeffrey Epstein's death 38 minutes before the rest of the world. The FBI tried to figure out how.

Panama seizes 2 key canal ports from Hong Kong operator | AP News

 Panama seizes 2 key canal ports from Hong Kong operator | AP News

A look at Trump's false and misleading claims ahead of the State of the Union

 A look at Trump's false and misleading claims ahead of the State of the Union | AP News (Thanks to Sam for this one)

2026 Winter Olympics medal count

 2026 Winter Olympics medal count - The Athletic

Photos of more than 200 gold medalists in the 2026 Winter Olympics - The Athletic

Ten of the weirdest and wildest moments we saw at the Milan Cortina Olympics - The Athletic

Nazgul, a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, runs the home stretch of the cross country race

6 planets will be visible at end of February; Penguins get to see Ring of Fire eclipse (be jealous)

 6 planets will be visible at end of February | AP News (Thanks to Joe for this one)

Related: First solar eclipse of 2026 will be a 'ring of fire' over Antarctica | AP News

Yes, you should be jealous of the penguins who will get to see it!

Alysa Liu Wins Gold in Figure Skating at Winter Olympics to End Team USA’s 24-Year Drought

 Alysa Liu Wins Gold in Figure Skating at Winter Olympics to End Team USA’s 24-Year Drought (Thanks to Joe for this one)

Team USA defeats Canada in overtime for first gold in men's hockey since 'Miracle on Ice' Olympics | NBC Olympics

 Team USA defeats Canada in overtime for first gold in men's hockey since 'Miracle on Ice' Olympics | NBC Olympics (Thanks to Joe for this one)

USA wins Olympic women's hockey gold over Canada on Megan Keller's OT goal: Live updates and reaction - The Athletic

El Mencho killed followed by violence by armed gangs in Puerto Vallarta and across Mexico

'Greater calm' after violence erupted over killing of drug lord 'El Mencho,' Mexico's president says - ABC News (Thanks to Joe for this one)

 Operation That Killed Cartel Boss 'El Mencho' Left Dozens Dead, Officials Say: Live Updates - The New York Times

A military raid targeted “El Mencho,” the head of a powerful criminal organization, and set off violence across the country. Officials said at least 62 people died in the operation and its aftermath.

Drug Lord ‘El Mencho’ Was Killed in Mexico. What’s Next for the Cartel He Led? - The New York Times

The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes dealt a major blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, but few believe it spells the end for the powerful group.

What to Know About the Killing of ‘El Mencho’ - The New York Times

The Mexican government has killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the longtime leader of one of Mexico’s most powerful gangs, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Puerto Vallarta Jolted By Violence After Cartel Boss Killing - The New York Times

When violence broke out after the killing of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel boss, vacation spots ordinarily spared from the drug wars were also targeted.

A screen shot from a Mexican TV shows an image of Mr. Oseguera.

Firefighters extinguishing a burning bus in Jalisco state, Mexico, on Sunday. Organized crime groups set fire to buildings and vehicles across the country in response to the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes.