It is likely we have only seen the tip of the iceberg compared to what the police have seen. Continue Reading »

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history. Continue Reading »

King releases statement after Thames Valley Police says a man is in custody and officers are searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Continue Reading »

What we know about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Continue Reading »

Ashley Warren, the first person to be prosecuted under XL bully laws, will be sentenced in April. Continue Reading »

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• Fox-Dominion trial delay 'is not unusual,' judge says • Fox News' defamation battle isn't stopping Trump's election lies Continue Reading »

The judge just announced in court that a settlement has been reached in the historic defamation case between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems. Continue Reading »

A settlement has been reached in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation case against Fox News, the judge for the case announced. The network will pay more than $787 million to Dominion, a lawyer for the company said. Continue Reading »

The U.S. trade deficit swelled in December, closing out a year in which the imbalance was essentially unchanged. Continue Reading »

The U.S. has launched a major military buildup in the Middle East is it threatens Iran with potential military strikes. Continue Reading »

U.K. police on Thursday arrested King Charles III's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Continue Reading »

New York Gov. Hochul's proposal saw pushback from labor unions, transit workers and rideshare drivers. Continue Reading »

President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to spur the domestic production of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus. Continue Reading »

Par AFP Par Daniel Lawler © 2026 AFP Il y a un an, le retour dans l'atmosphère d'une partie d'une fusée SpaceX a créé une spectaculaire boule de feu dans le ciel européen, ravissant les astronomes amateurs et incitant des scientifiques à analyser l'événement.Dans une étude publiée jeudi, l'équipe menée par des scientifiques allemands révèle avoir réussi à prouver pour la première fois que ce type de ré-entrée dans la haute atmosphère générait de la pollution.Les chercheurs soulignent l'importance vitale d'en savoir plus sur cette forme peu connue de pollution, au regard du nombre impressionnant de satellites qui seront lancés en orbite dans les prochaines années. "Nous étions enthousiastes à l'idée de tester notre équipement et, nous l'espérions, de pouvoir mesurer la traînée de débris", se souviennent dans un échange de mails avec l'AFP Robin Wing et Gerd Baumgarten, de l'Institut Leibniz de physique atmosphérique, en se remémorant les premières heures du 19 février 2025, lorsque l'étage supérieur de la fusée Falcon 9 est entré dans l'atmosphère.L'équipe souhaitait en particulier en savoir plus sur cette pollution touchant "l'ignorosphère", cette région de l'atmosphère méconnue, comprise entre 50 et 100 km d'altitude, et qui comprend la mésosphère et la partie basse ... Continue Reading »

Par AFP © 2026 AFP L'espoir du cyclisme français Paul Seixas a signé vendredi à 19 ans son premier succès chez les professionnels en remportant la deuxième étape du Tour d'Algarve au sommet de l'Alto da Foia à Monchique.Au terme d'une ascension de 9 kilomètres à 6,2% de déclivité, le coureur de la formation Décathlon CMA CGM a devancé au sprint l'Espagnol Juan Ayuso qui endosse lui le maillot de leader au détriment du Français Paul Magnier, vainqueur la veille de l'étape inaugurale.Après un stage en altitude de deux mois en Espagne, Seixas a décroché son premier succès dès sa première course de la saison. Le Lyonnais prend au passage la deuxième place du général, dans le même temps que le leader de la formation Lidl-Trek. A quatre kilomètres de la ligne, le médaillé de bronze des derniers championnats d'Europe - seulement battu par Tadej Pogacar et Remco Evenepoel - a répondu à une première attaque d'Ayuso qu'il a pu suivre avec le seul Joao Almaida dans sa roue.Le trio, ensuite rejoint par le Britannique Oscar Onley et l'équipier américain de Seixas Matthew Riccitello, s'est disputé la victoire lors d'un sprint que le Français a lancé aux ... Continue Reading »

Par AFP Par Leo MOUREN © 2026 AFP Ne jamais reculer, même face à la tempête médiatique et politique. Plus que jamais LFI, sous l'impulsion de son leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, fait sienne cette maxime en refusant de couper les ponts avec son député Raphaël Arnault, dont trois proches ont été arrêtés dans l'affaire Quentin Deranque à Lyon.Raphaël Arnault ne sera "certainement pas" suspendu ou exclu du groupe LFI à l'Assemblée nationale, a martelé jeudi matin sur franceinfo le coordinateur du mouvement, Manuel Bompard."En vertu de quelles règles un employeur devrait être responsable des actes commis par ses salariés ?", a-t-il ajouté. Si juridiquement l'argument est imparable, politiquement il convainc moins puisque les appels à la démission de Raphaël Arnault se multiplient.Quid des rapports entre LFI et La Jeune Garde, organisation amie et alliée des Insoumis dissoute par le ministère de l'Intérieur pour "violences" en 2025?Ce week-end sur LCI, en disant sa condamnation des violences à Lyon, Manuel Bompard avait indiqué que si l'enquête établissait "une responsabilité directe" du mouvement antifasciste contestée, LFI arrêterait "évidemment" de demander l'annulation de sa dissolution. ... Continue Reading »

Par AFP Par Yassine KHIRI, Antoine BOYER © 2026 AFP En attente du "plan douanes massif" demandé fin janvier par Emmanuel Macron pour "muscler" la lutte contre le narcotrafic, les douanes françaises ont annoncé jeudi avoir saisi plus de 31 tonnes de cocaïne en 2025, un bond de 49% sur un an.Au total, la valeur financière des saisies de près de 109 tonnes de produits stupéfiants représente près de 2,2 milliards d'euros en 2025 - dont plus de 1,5 milliard d'euros pour la cocaïne -, soit une augmentation de 78% comparé à 2024, selon le bilan annuel présenté jeudi."La douane a frappé fort", s'est félicité la ministre des Comptes publics, Amélie de Montchalin, lors d'une conférence de presse.La ministre, qui deviendra lundi première présidente de la Cour des comptes, a par ailleurs salué les 64,17 tonnes de cocaïne saisies "à l'extérieur de nos frontières", grâce au renseignement douanier français.Entre sa nomination fin 2024 et aujourd'hui, Mme de Montchalin fait le constat d'une envolée des quantités saisies: "Ça veut dire d'abord qu'il y a beaucoup plus de cocaïne en circulation. Ça veut aussi dire que les routes ont changé", avec "beaucoup de saisies dans le cargo, par exemple, aérien".Dans leur ... Continue Reading »

Par Jules Lalanne Larrieu C'est le dernier rebondissement de l’affaire Jeffrey Epstein. Le "Zorro Ranch" concentre toute l’attention depuis que la Chambre des représentants du Nouveau-Mexique a approuvé l’ouverture d’une “commission de la vérité”. C'est le dernier rebondissement de l’affaire Jeffrey Epstein. Le "Zorro Ranch" concentre toute l’attention depuis que la Chambre des représentants du Nouveau-Mexique a approuvé l’ouverture d’une “commission de la vérité”.Isolée, au cœur du Nouveau-Mexique, le "Zorro Ranch" a tout d'une propriété d'exception: une piste d'hélicoptère, une piscine, et même un terrain de tennis. Cependant, selon plusieurs médias américains, le domaine est à l'image du manoir de Manhattan, ou de l'île aux Caraïbes, au cœur des accusations qui visent l'ancien producteur de cinéma Jeffrey Epstein, mort en détention en 2019. Il apparaît 4.200 fois, dans les documents rendu publique par la justice américaine.La propriété la plus secrète de Jeffrey EpsteinEn 1993, Jeffrey Epstein s'offre le "Zorro Ranch", pour une somme inconnue. C'est Bruce King, alors ... Continue Reading »

Several governments are ready to deploy peacekeepers to Gaza, US Major-General Jasper Jeffers has said during the ‘Board of Peace’ meeting Read Full Article at RT.com Continue Reading »

Russian athlete Nikita Filippov has won silver in ski mountaineering at the 2026 Winter Olympics, competing under a neutral flag Read Full Article at RT.com Continue Reading »

What’s behind the warning by Hungary and Slovakia that they could cut energy supplies to Ukraine after it halted Russian oil transit? Read Full Article at RT.com Continue Reading »

The 2018 peace agreement between the main political opponents Salva Kiir and Riek Machar has lost its practical relevance for South Sudan Read Full Article at RT.com Continue Reading »

Around two dozen nations are joining Trump’s new Gaza Board of Peace, while major Western countries have declined or limited participation Read Full Article at RT.com Continue Reading »

В 2025 году аграриям удалось собрать чуть больше 11 млн тонн зерна Continue Reading »

В четверг уволили помощника главного тренера команды Игоря Горбенко Continue Reading »

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Североатлантический альянс имеет военную миссию, а Евросоюз - экономическую, отметил глава польского Минобороны Владислав Косиняк-Камыш Continue Reading »

Сергей Парубин назвал важнейшим компонентом такого взаимодействия дислокацию в республике 201-й гвардейской российской военной базы Continue Reading »

KING: LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE -- EVEN FOR BROTHER! (Top headline, 1st story, link) Related stories:WORST NIGHTMARE FOR PALACE...FIRST ROYAL JAILED?STARMER FEELS THE HEAT...UPDATES... Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron Continue Reading »

WORST NIGHTMARE FOR PALACE... (Top headline, 2nd story, link) Related stories:KING: LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE -- EVEN FOR BROTHER!FIRST ROYAL JAILED?STARMER FEELS THE HEAT...UPDATES... Continue Reading »

FIRST ROYAL JAILED? (Top headline, 3rd story, link) Related stories:KING: LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE -- EVEN FOR BROTHER!WORST NIGHTMARE FOR PALACE...STARMER FEELS THE HEAT...UPDATES... Continue Reading »

STARMER FEELS THE HEAT... (Top headline, 4th story, link) Related stories:KING: LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE -- EVEN FOR BROTHER!WORST NIGHTMARE FOR PALACE...FIRST ROYAL JAILED?UPDATES... Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron Continue Reading »

UPDATES... (Top headline, 5th story, link) Related stories:KING: LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE -- EVEN FOR BROTHER!WORST NIGHTMARE FOR PALACE...FIRST ROYAL JAILED?STARMER FEELS THE HEAT... Continue Reading »

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak received Wexner Foundation funds. Years later, he partnered with Epstein. Continue Reading »

Israel is seeking to achieve through paperwork what warfare alone could not. Continue Reading »

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the world “urgently” needs global regulation of fast-evolving AI. Continue Reading »

US Major General Jasper Jeffers said the Gaza “International Stabilization Force” will first deploy to Rafah. Continue Reading »

Trump's tariffs, Greenland and defence spending are testing US-Europe alliance. Continue Reading »

It is likely we have only seen the tip of the iceberg compared to what the police have seen. Continue Reading »

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history. Continue Reading »

King releases statement after Thames Valley Police says a man is in custody and officers are searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Continue Reading »

What we know about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Continue Reading »

Ashley Warren, the first person to be prosecuted under XL bully laws, will be sentenced in April. Continue Reading »

Data released Thursday by the Census Bureau showed the overall trade deficit with the world narrowed, the result of an expanding trade surplus in services. The trade deficit in goods was the highest on record. Continue Reading »

U.S. officials are threatening major changes to a trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that could upend the way business is done and leave Canada on the outs. Continue Reading »

One year in, many producers say tariffs have not helped them, and some countries are rejecting U.S. wine altogether. Continue Reading »

Two dozen journalists. A pile of pages that would reach the top of the Empire State Building. And an effort to find the next revelation in a sprawling case. Continue Reading »

Eight skiers were killed and one other was presumed dead in the deadliest snow disaster in modern California history. Six were found alive. Continue Reading »

The Chinese upstart says it has trained high-performing AI models cheaply, without using the most advanced chips. Continue Reading »

DeepSeek, SoFi and more in the latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom. Continue Reading »

DeepSeek is called “amazing and impressive” despite working with less-advanced chips. Continue Reading »

The LinkedIn co-founder is starting Manas AI with “The Emperor of All Maladies” author Siddhartha Mukherjee. Continue Reading »

Apps can add flexibility and freshness to your routine. Just try not to get injured. Continue Reading »

Israel allowed displaced Gazans to begin crossing a military zone that bisects the enclave after a deadlock over hostage releases was broken. Continue Reading »

Troubles at Vanke raise questions about the continued spread of the property crisis and whether the Chinese state will step in. Continue Reading »

Some of the women were held alone for extended periods and spent eight months in tunnels, an Israeli medical official said. Continue Reading »

The alliance mounted its first coordinated response to a suspected sabotage campaign against critical infrastructure after another cable was severed in the Baltic Sea. Continue Reading »

Residents of Goma reported gunfire and shelling after rebels overran Congolese troops. U.N. officials estimated that more than one million displaced people were now inside the city. Continue Reading »

Last week the New York Times Editorial Board (Left) published an opinion reversing their position on marijuana legalization. Continue Reading »

The US military is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend, though President Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether he'll authorize such actions, sources familiar with the matter tell CNN. The White House has been briefed that the military could be ready for an attack by the weekend, after a significant buildup in recent days of air and naval assets in the Middle East, the sources said. But one source cautioned that Trump has privately argued both for and against military action and polled advisers and allies on what the best course of action is. Top administration national security officials met Wednesday in the White House Situation Room to discuss the situation in Iran, a person familiar with the meeting said. Trump was also briefed Wednesday by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, about their indirect talks with Iran that occurred a day earlier. It was not clear if Trump would make a decision by the weekend. Continue Reading »

There's been no slowdown to the U.S. military buildup around Iran despite both sides engaging in nuclear talks this week. President Donald Trump has threatened the Islamic Republic with direct action if diplomacy doesn't produce the desired results. And with a second aircraft carrier group headed to the Gulf, Trump's warnings that an attack on Iran would go beyond last summer's bombings on nuclear facilities leave a range of options open to the president. There could be new rounds of targeted strikes, assassinations of top leaders or a more sustained military campaign that could resemble something closer to a Third Gulf War. Continue Reading »

A court on Feb. 19 found former South Korean President Yoon Sook Yeol guilty on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating an insurrection in relation to his failed attempt at imposing martial law in December 2024. Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon, 65, to life imprisonment. He is likely to stay at the Seoul Detention Center, the prison where he has been detained. The crime of insurrection carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, a sentence that has not been carried out in South Korea since 1997, following the introduction of a moratorium on capital punishment in 1998. Continue Reading »

The U.S. trade deficit for goods hit a record $1.2 trillion last year, even as the Trump administration pursued a trade agenda with aggressive tariffs and a staunch "America First" approach. Fresh data released by the Commerce Department on Thursday morning showed the full-year total deficit combining goods and services was $901.5 billion, down a smidgen from 2024 but still one of the largest levels in decades. Exports of goods and services rose 6.2 percent to a record $3.4 trillion. Imports rose nearly 5 percent to a record $4.3 trillion. Continue Reading »

President Donald Trump has said that Americans are now paying or will pay "the lowest price anywhere in the world for drugs," thanks to the administration's negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. The administration has announced discounted cash prices for a small number of brand-name drugs. There isn't evidence Trump's deals so far have led to broad decreases in drug prices, nor is it certain they will in the future. Despite these caveats and ambiguities, Trump often has presented lower drug prices as a fait accompli. "We now are paying the lowest price anywhere in the world for drugs," he said in a Jan. 27 speech in Iowa. "Every other president tried for it. They didn't try very hard. They didn't get anything. I got it done." Continue Reading »

President Trump called Rev. Jesse Jackson "a force of nature," and so he was. Jackson, who died Tuesday at 84, was the last great orator of the civil rights movement. He could bring an audience to cheers or to tears with the power of his personality. Advertisement I once accompanied him to a Washington, D.C., public middle school. He admonished the young girls in the all-Black audience not to get pregnant, and to the boys, he said to respect the girls and refrain from sex until marriage. They seemed to hang on his every word. Afterward, I said to him: "That should be your main message if you want to help people out of poverty, not politics." The temptation that is politics, apparently, was too strong and got him the most attention. I invited him to speak at Jerry Falwell's church in Lynchburg, Virginia. At the time, I was working for Falwell. Jackson delivered what is called a "social gospel" sermon, emphasizing the things of this world and its concerns rather than what conser… Continue Reading »

LONDON (AP) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince who was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. While Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his friendship with Epstein, concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor's links to the late financier have dogged the royal family for more than a decade. Thames Valley Police said that a man in his 60s from Norfolk in eastern England was arrested and remained in custody. The force, which covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, did not identify the suspect, in line with standard procedures in Britain, but pointed to the statement when asked to confirm if Andrew was arrested. Continue Reading »

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police confirmed it had arrested a man in his 60s in Norfolk on Thursday and was carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. He remains in custody, it said. King Charles III said the "law must take its course" in response to Andrew's arrest, and that the police has his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation". Police had previously said they were considering investigating Andrew over allegations relating to his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Continue Reading »

British police on Thursday arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, over suspicions of misconduct in public office after accusations that he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy. The arrest was a stunning blow to the British monarchy, which has been rocked by scandals for decades and is now having to endure the spectacle of having one of its members arrested. The move escalated the long-running crisis for Buckingham Palace over the former prince's ties to Mr. Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse of a young woman. Continue Reading »

Mayor Zohran Mamdani conceded Wednesday that the Big Apple does need homeless encampment sweeps — but vowed that his administration will have "better outcomes" than his predecessor. Continue Reading »

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism and questions from advocates for homeless New Yorkers after abruptly reversing his policy pledge to end homeless encampment sweeps. Continue Reading »

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the city will resume clearing makeshift homeless encampments , promising to take a more humane approach to a practice he previously criticized. Continue Reading »

"The only thing that relieves the pain is cannabis." That message came from Jeffrey from Virginia, who is still experiencing debilitating pain from a car accident about 10 years ago. Like many others, he took issue with my recent column on a study showing the current evidence does not support cannabis as a treatment for most medical uses. Sandy from Massachusetts similarly reached out to say that the drug has been a "lifesaver" in addressing her fibromyalgia. Continue Reading »

After years of doubling down on the legalization of marijuana and minimizing its harms, The New York Times has finally broken the seal of truth by admitting that marijuana is far more harmful than most people want to acknowledge. The article, titled "It's Time for America to Admit That It Has a Marijuana Problem," marks a dramatic reversal and walks back years of misleading claims. This shift is significant because, in the past, The New York Times compared restrictions on marijuana to the era of alcohol prohibition and portrayed cannabis as benign, even medicinal. It denied the risk of addiction, as many speculated that legalization would not significantly increase use. The Times was highly influential in shaping public opinion and policy, contributing to the widespread legalization of marijuana across 24 states for recreational use and 40 states for medical use. This week, it quietly began to reverse course. Continue Reading »

These days, it's hard to miss cannabis dispensaries. In the 40 states (plus D.C.) that have legalized medical marijuana, storefronts and advertisements promote cannabis as a treatment for virtually every condition, from chronic pain to anxiety to (ironically) drug addiction. Many consumers appear persuaded. In one survey, more than a quarter of adults in the United States and Canada have tried cannabis for medical purposes. But how well-supported are these claims? A new review published in JAMA, which attempted to examine every high-quality study from the last 15 years alongside guidelines from major medical societies, came to a sobering conclusion: For most uses, the evidence was limited or inconclusive. In many cases, medical organizations recommend against using cannabis because the evidence for harm outweighed potential benefits. Continue Reading »

Suddenly warnings about cannabis are everywhere. At the beginning of February, researchers reported severe mental illness has spiked in young people in Canada alongside access to high-potency cannabis. The next day came the release of "A Killing In Cannabis," a book about a 2019 murder in California — and the violence that plagues the marijuana business and that legalization has not resolved. Then, on Feb. 9, the New York Times dropped its support for full cannabis legalization. Writing that the United States has "a Marijuana Problem," the paper admitted cannabis addiction and psychosis have become a crisis. It called for a ban on THC extracts, a move that would recriminalize much of the legal industry. (THC is the chemical in the plant that gets users high, and vapes offering near-pure hits of THC are now popular among users — and a big driver of industry profits.) Continue Reading »

Ukraine recaptured 201 sq km from Russia between Wednesday and Sunday last week, taking advantage of a Starlink shutdown for Russian forces, according to an Agence France-Presse analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The recaptured area (78 sq miles) is almost equivalent to the Russian gains for the entire month of December and is the most land retaken by Kyiv's forces in such a short period since a June 2023 counteroffensive. The recaptured land is concentrated mainly to the east of the city of Zaporizhzhia, in an area where Russian troops have made significant progress since mid-2025. "These Ukrainian counterattacks are likely leveraging the recent block on Russian forces' access to Starlink, which Russian milbloggers (military bloggers) have claimed is causing communications and command and control issues on the battlefield," said the ISW thinktank. Continue Reading »

Ukraine has made its fastest battlefield gains against Russian forces in two and a half years, according to a new analysis published ahead of a fresh round of U.S.-brokered peace talks. Kyiv retook 201 square kilometers of territory back from Russian troops between February 11 and February 15, the Agence-France Presse news agency reported, citing figures from the U.S.-based think tank Institute for the Study of War. The ISW tracks daily changes to the hundreds of miles of front line snaking through eastern, northern and southern Ukraine. Continue Reading »

As U.S.-backed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva ended without a breakthrough, Kyiv made gains on the battlefield, recapturing territory at its fastest pace in years through localized counterattacks along the southeastern front. The advances come as analysts point to disruptions in Russian battlefield communications and shifting operational dynamics, developments that could strengthen Ukraine's leverage even as talks remain stalled. Continue Reading »

The Atlantic Busted Fabricating Dead Kid Measles Story Last Thursday, The Atlantic published a heart-wrenching story about an 11-month-old child who died of measles. Written in the second person from the perspective of a mother whose two unvaccinated children fell ill with the disease, the story is rich with personal detail; "You plant her on the couch with a blanket and put Bluey on the TV while she drifts in and out of sleep..."  "While the kids are napping, you tap a list of your daughter’s symptoms into Google and find a slew of diseases that more or less match up..." "Her cough wracks her whole body, rounding her delicate bird shoulders. She does not sleep well. And as you lift up her pajama top to check her rash one morning, you see that her breathing is labored, shadows pooling between her ribs when she sucks in air."  Image via NiemanLab Turns out, NONE OF THAT HAPPENED. The Atlantic's Elizabeth Bruenig simply made it up, leading to mass confusion. Elizabeth Bruenig, who fabricated measles scare piece without a disclaimer. As Laura Hazard Owen of NiemanLab - who initially busted Bruenig - writes: When I initially read Bruenig’s story, I was stunned: An Atlantic staff writer’s unvaccinated ... Continue Reading »

Teachers Are Fomenting Anti-ICE Hysteria Authored by Larry Sand via American Greatness, Employees of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been busy lately, working to fulfill their mandate to remove undocumented immigrants. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of ICE’s activities is its alleged presence in public schools across the nation. But is ICE actually going into schools? Absolutely not. While there are a few reports of parents being detained at bus stops near schools and images of ICE agents tackling people on school grounds, they are not actually entering the schools. Tricia McLaughlin, the Homeland Security Department’s assistant secretary for public affairs, explains that agents’ actions in and around schools are intended to protect children. “ICE is not going to schools to arrest children—we are protecting children. Criminals are no longer able to hide in America’s schools to avoid arrest. The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense.” McLaughlin adds, “An arrest might be made at school if a dangerous illegal alien felon were to flee into a school or a child sex offender is working as an employee. But this has not happened.” Nonetheless, teachers are organizing ... Continue Reading »

WTI Extends Geopolitical Risk Gains After Across-The-Board Inventory Draws Oil prices pushed higher Thursday on worries that nuclear talks between US and Iran might not avert a new conflict that could threaten supplies. "Oil is extending its gains, with Brent crude back above $70 a barrel... as fears of a military confrontation between the US and Iran rattled energy markets," said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. "Nuclear talks between the two sides appear to be going nowhere fast, and the geopolitical premium is clearly back in play," he added. On top of that, API reported an across the board draw in energy inventories. “The failure to resolve core areas of contention continues to tip the scales in favor of another military confrontation,” RBC Capital Markets analysts including Helima Croft said in a note. “The massive buildup of US military assets in the region as well as the recent Iranian naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz seem to suggest that the launch sequence for a second military conflict has commenced.” Will the official data confirm API's draws and build (pun intended) on the geopolitical risk premia in crude prices... API Crude -609k Cushing -1.4mm Gasoline ... Continue Reading »

US Coast Guard Seizes $133.5 Million In Illicit Drugs Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Seneca seized more than $133.5 million worth of cocaine and offloaded the drugs at Port Everglades, Florida, the agency said in a Feb. 13 statement. The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter flight crew conduct training evolutions in the Caribbean Sea, on July 15, 2025. Seaman Corrie Gill/U.S. Coast Guard “80 percent of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea. This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting American communities from this deadly threat,” USCG said. In total, 17,700 pounds of cocaine were seized through the interdiction of four drug-transporting vessels in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. One of the drug vessels was boarded by Seneca’s crew on Jan. 25, seizing 4,410 pounds of cocaine. On Jan. 31, crew members boarded three vessels, taking custody of 13,340 pounds of cocaine, the statement said. The detection and monitoring of illegal drug transit by air and sea are conducted ... Continue Reading »

Epstein Funded UCSD Study Of 'Telepathic Autistic Savant' Through Deepak Chopra Connection Jeffrey Epstein was connected with several notable scientists - funding leading research centers, including Harvard, where he donated $9 million, and MIT's Media Lab, which he gave at least $7.5 million (and funneled another $1.2 million to investments under the control of the lab's former director, Joi Ito). He was connected to Stephen Hawking, Marvin Minsky, Steven Pinker and a host of other names.  Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran and Jeffrey Epstein Now we learn that Epstein provided funding to a lab at UC San Diego after lifestyle guru Deepak Chopra introduced the financier to lab director Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran - a neuroscientist who was studying an "autistic savant who displays telepathy," according to the latest DOJ Epstein file dump.  Chopra, a former UCSD family medicine and public health clinical professor, said in late October that he was just helping Epstein with insomnia by teaching him to meditate. "At my suggestion, he also visited Dr. V.S. Ramachandran's lab at [the University of California San Diego] to learn about ongoing brain research," he told CBS News in December.  EFTA01013830.pdf Ramachandran was conducting a study on an "autistic savant who displays telepathy," ... Continue Reading »

Epstein Ally Was Talking To Feds About Flip, Wanted $3 Million To Keep Quiet, Then Backed Off Deal French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel - whose network delivered new girls from around the world to Jeffrey Epstein on a regular basis, was prepared in 2016 to tell U.S. prosecutors what he knew about Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation. According to newly released files from the DOJ, the now-deceased Brunel’s lawyer was negotiating with attorneys for Epstein’s victims about a possible meeting with federal prosecutors in New York in exchange for immunity - and Epstein knew it. And of course, Goldman Sachs (soon to be ex-) General Counsel Kathy Ruemmler is involved. Jeffrey Epstein and Jean-Luc Brunel in an undated photo. Justice Department According to handwritten notes taken by a federal prosecutor in February 2016 state: "One of Epstein’s bfs, Jean Luc Brunel, has helped get girls. He is wanting to cooperate." The notes add: "Brunel is afraid of being prosecuted," the Wall Street Journal reports. Notes by a federal prosecutor in 2016 regarding potential testimony by Brunel. Justice Department The discussions contemplated a date for Brunel to walk into the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan. His lawyer said Brunel had recruited ... Continue Reading »

Blue Owl Plunges After Halting Redemptions At Private Credit Retail Fund Things are getting from bad to worse for Private Credit giant Blue Owl Capital. The last time we looked at the firm's precarious liquidity situation about a month ago, we found that the Blue Owl BDC would allow for 17% redemptions as investors, burned by both the tumbling stock price and the company's massive exposure to ticking private credit time bombs, were storming for the exit.  Blue Owl BDC Allows for 17% Redemptions as Investors Storm Exit: BBG — zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 7, 2026 One month later, it has gotten far worse. On Wednesday, Blue Owl Capital said it will fully restrict withdrawals from one of its retail-focused private credit funds, reversing a previous plan to resume redemptions this quarter as furious investors, fearing many more cockroaches are about to emerge, demanded their money in droves.  The New York private credit firm said that investors in Blue Owl Capital Corp II, known as OBDC II, will no longer be able to redeem shares on a quarterly basis. Instead, the gated fund will return capital through periodic distributions funded by loan repayments, asset sales or ... Continue Reading »

Rep. Khanna To Force Vote On Iran War Powers: 'Another Endless Dumb Foreign War' Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said on Wednesday that he will force a vote on a War Powers Resolution meant to prevent President Trump from attacking Iran without congressional authorization, as required by the Constitution. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Khanna, and several other Democrats back in June 2025 amid the 12-day US-Israeli war against Iran, but a ceasefire was reached before a vote was held. Massie was the original sponsor, and the legislation currently has 77 co-sponsors, all Democrats. CQ Roll Call/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect Americans can contact their House representative and urge them to support H.Con.Res.38 to prevent a disastrous war with Iran, which appears imminent amid the major US military buildup in the region. "Trump officials say there’s a 90% chance of strikes on Iran. He can’t without Congress," Khanna wrote on X. "[Massie] & I have a War Powers Resolution to debate & vote on war before putting US troops in harm’s way. I will make a motion to discharge to force a vote on it next week." The California congressman said that ... Continue Reading »

New OpenAI Funding Round Could Top $100 Billion, Pushing Valuation North Of $850 Billion OpenAI's private valuation could soon top $850 billion, as the first tranche of a new funding round is expected to raise more than $100 billion, giving the ChatGPT maker fresh powder for additional infrastructure spending and faster development of its AI tools, Bloomberg reported. People familiar with the fundraising told the outlet that the ChatGPT maker's valuation could exceed $850 billion, with a reported pre-money valuation of $730 billion. The first phase of the funding round is being led by Amazon, SoftBank Group, Nvidia, and Microsoft, with allocations potentially finalized by the end of this month. A second phase of funding could include venture firms, sovereign wealth funds, and other investors, potentially pushing the total fundraising even higher. UBS analyst Aditi Samajpati told clients earlier that OpenAI's new funding round "highlights the escalating capital intensity of AI development and deepening strategic alignment between OpenAI and Big Tech." Bloomberg hedged the report by indicating the "deal is not yet finalized and the details could change." Shares of SoftBank, which held an 11% stake in OpenAI as of December, jumped as much as ... Continue Reading »

Iran Will Be "Finding Out" Over Next 10 Days, Trump Says, But Asserts "Good Talks" Update(1021ET): As has become typical, President Trump is all over the place - his intentions ever more difficult to interpret - at a moment the media has highlighted Iraq war levels of military build-up in the Middle East with an eye on potential attack on Iran. On Thursday he oversaw the inaugural meeting in Washington DC of the Board of Peace related to Gaza. In televised remarks he surprisingly called tense negotiations with Iran "good talks". But then he immediately pivoted to escalating things a "step further" - which seems a strong hint at launching a regime change war. "Now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not," Trump added later. Then he set somewhat of a timeline, "You’re going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days." Watch the president's fresh remarks: Trump at his "Board of Peace" on Iran: "Now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not. You're gonna be finding over the next probably 10 days." pic.twitter.com/itAUoc2pPH — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 19, 2026 * * ... Continue Reading »

The US Must Be Confident It Has A Plan In Place To Lower Oil Prices Once It Strikes Iran By Michael Every of Rabobank Lots Of Xs Vs Lots Of Ys US vs. Iran: The media today talk of a “90% chance of war” and “as soon as Saturday.” We’ve long stressed there’s a high likelihood of a fresh US-Iran conflict, recent US logistics movements said soon, and an Axios headline yesterday refocused oil markets on it. The balance of risks now tilts to a US strike after market close Friday, even if the materiel moved to the Middle East suggests any attack is likely to last weeks rather than being over by the Monday open. One caveat is Secretary of State Rubio is set to meet with PM Netanyahu in Israel on February 28, hard to achieve if missiles are flying. Yet Israel is preparing for exactly that. Indeed, expectations are Iran will retaliate across the region, potentially via terror cells in the West (including in Europe), and perhaps in Hormuz directly if the regime sees itself as at risk. The broader region is flammable too, with tensions running: Egypt ... Continue Reading »

US Pending Home Sales Hit Record Low Despite Falling Mortgage Rates After plunging in December (biggest drop since COVID), US Pending Home Sales disappointed once again with a modest 0.8% MoM decline in January (+2.0% MoM exp). This left sales down 1.23% YoY... Source: Bloomberg This left the Pending Home Sales Index at a record low... Source: Bloomberg Mortgage rates continued to slide... so WTF is holding buyers back? Source: Bloomberg “Improving affordability conditions have yet to induce more buying activity,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement. Yun cautioned that the mix of lower mortgage rates and a still-tight supply of houses could cause home prices to start rising quickly again, assuming the lower borrowing costs encourage more buyers. “This will put increasing pressure on affordability, which is why it is critical to increase supply by building more homes,” Yun said. Weather could have impacted sales as sales were weakest in the NorthEast and South - where the winter storm was most impactful. Pending-homes sales tend to be a leading indicator for previously owned homes, as houses typically go under contract a month or two before they’re sold. Tyler Durden Thu, 02/19/2026 ... Continue Reading »

PJM Board Approves $11.8BN Transmission Expansion Plan By Ethan Howland Of UtilityDive The PJM Interconnection’s board last week approved $11.8 billion in baseline transmission projects, with Dominion Energy’s Virginia utility landing roughly $4.8 billion in those projects. The projects are part of PJM’s 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Window 1, which is designed to bolster grid reliability that is strained by accelerated load growth in multiple areas across its Mid-Atlantic and Midwest footprint. The projects are also needed to handle new generation in southern Virginia, future generation in western PJM, delays to New Jersey offshore wind projects and increased regional flows toward the eastern parts of PJM’s footprint, the grid operator said Friday. PJM will monitor load and generation in its footprint to make sure needed transmission development is progressing in a timely manner, the grid operator said in its board-approved plan. DataBank’s IAD4 data center under construction in Ashburn, Va “PJM also clarified that siting, routing and regulatory processes, as well as construction, take a long time, and PJM needs the plan to be ready and advanced for the forecasted conditions proactively rather than bringing needed development late, which introduces impediments to development and reliability risks ... Continue Reading »

Bill Gates Pulls Out Of High-Profile Indian AI Summit As Epstein Fallout Accelerates The Epstein fallout continues to spread by the day, with billionaire Les Wexner saying he was "conned" by Jeffrey Epstein and insisting he "did nothing wrong" earlier this week, and with Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) being arrested on Thursday morning over allegations that he shared confidential government trade documents with Epstein. Now, Bill Gates has pulled out of a keynote speech at a high-profile global AI summit in India amid the accelerating Epstein fallout. pic.twitter.com/tGJtEQS97E — Gates Foundation India (@BMGFIndia) February 19, 2026 "After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities, Mr. Gates will not be delivering his keynote address. The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit," Gates Foundation India wrote on X. The $86 billion philanthropic body's last-minute decision to yank Gates out of a keynote address follows the billionaire's involvement with Epstein for several years. The Gates Foundation CEO recently told employees during a town hall event that the Gates-Epstein relationship had deeply tarnished the nonprofit's ... Continue Reading »

US Trade Deficit Unexpectedly Worsens As Exports Slump Again In December For the second month in a row, US exports declined and imports rose in December, pushing the US trade balance significantly deeper into deficit. Imports rose (+3.6% vs +0.1% MoM exp) and exports fell (-1.7% vs +0.1% MoM exp) for the second month in a row... Source: Bloomberg Industrial Supplies appears to have seen the biggest shift in trade... Gold imports fell back near their lowest since 2019... The result of all this is a second monthly decline in the trade balance (worsening deficit)... ...dramatically worse than the Trump-bragged-about October highs. Tyler Durden Thu, 02/19/2026 - 08:51 Continue Reading »

Futures Slide As Iran War Risks Add To Growing AI Disruption Fears; Oil Surges Equity futures and global markets are lower, ending a modest rebound in US stocks as concerns about a possible war with US and simmering angst over AI dent the fragile optimism seen on Wednesday. Oil extended its rally after its best day since 2021. Tech and small caps underperform which to JPMorgan's market intel desk "feels more like profit-taking and position squaring as US / Iran tensions spike with Trump saying a deal is preferred but that a strike may occur as soon as this weekend." As of 8:00am ET, S&P futures are down 0.2%, erasing an overnight gain, while Nasdaq futures drop 0.3%, with premarket weakness across all sectors ex-Energy and Aerospace/Def and tech came under renewed pressure; most Mag 7 members dropped in premarket trading. Futures dropped after the head of the UN nuclear watchdog warned that Iran’s window for diplomacy is at risk of closing. As for AI, IG’s chief market analyst Alexandre Baradez says there “seems to be no long-short strategy at play,” with hyperscaler capex and disruption to software firms both causing concern. WTI crude continues to rise and ... Continue Reading »

Initial Jobless Claims Tumble Back Near Multi-Decade Lows Despite the ongoing worsening trend in some labor market condition indicators - Payrolls revisions ugly, JOLTs are tumbling, Survey-based data showing jobs hard to get far worse than jobs plentiful - the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the first time fell to 206k (from 229k the prior week)... Source: Bloomberg That is back near multi-decade lows and at the lowest end of the range of the last five years. Continuing jobless claims rose modestly (from 1.852mm to 1.869mm) but remains well below the 1.9mm Maginot Line... So, should we just be ignoring surveys completely now? Or are we solidly back in the 'no hire, no fire' economy? Tyler Durden Thu, 02/19/2026 - 08:36 Continue Reading »

US Is Rapidly Expanding Its Nuclear Supply Chain: It's Not Nearly Fast Enough As we have repeatedly highlighted (most recently here), the much-hyped resurgence in US nuclear power is notable for one thing: the lack of actual new reactors. In fact, according to the latest Goldman Nuclear Nuggets monthly report, while China is currently building 38 new nuclear reactors - and both India and Russia have 6 reactors under construction - the US is not even on the chart. Indeed, despite splashy announcements, like November’s agreement for Japan to fund a $80 billion plan to build as many as 10 big reactors in the US, no new commercial-scale facilities are actually under construction. Meanwhile in China, work has started on 10 new sites since the beginning of 2025 (for the full list see the February Nuclear Nuggets report). And even if reactors were being built in the US right now (which they aren't) it’s unclear how they would be fueled. As Bloomberg writes, almost all of the uranium going into the current US nuclear fleet is imported, and there’s only enough enrichment capacity to supply about one-third of domestic reactors. If next-generation atomic reactors eventually get built, they’ll need a new type ... Continue Reading »

"Law Must Take Its Course": King Charles Responds To Arrest Of Former Prince Andrew Update (0810ET): King Charles has released his first public statement regarding Andrew's arrest. He said: I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R. The official release from Royal Communications: BBC News has learned that the Prince and Princess of Wales support King Charles's statement regarding the arrest of Andrew. Trump in 2015.  “You raised the question of Jeffrey Epstein…that island was, really a cesspool…Just ask Prince Andrew. He’ll tell you about it” In the wake of Andrew Windsor’s arrest, a 2015 video has resurfaced where President Trump ... Continue Reading »

"The Plan Was To Kill Off Gold As Money..." Authored by Alasdair Macleod via VonGreyerz.gold, For years, bulls of gold and silver have complained about how derivatives have been used to suppress their prices. Their dreams of the practice ending could be coming true... Introduction If you think about it, there is a simple reason that derivatives for speculating or hedging gold is fatally flawed. It is because in nearly every nation’s common law, gold is money, and currencies are inferior credit, which is where payment risk actually lies. That the Western financial establishment is ignorant of this fact does not change the facts. There is a good reason why this matters. Gold has lasted as legal money, and credit has been separately acknowledged to be deferred payment in money since Roman law. Since then, there have been many instances of governments denying these facts and promoting their currencies in the place of gold, which have always ended in their collapse. In any price relationship involving a medium of exchange, there is an objective value and a subjective one. The objective value is always in the medium of exchange, and the subjective value is ... Continue Reading »