Report: Apple’s Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook in ‘Fun’ Colors to Launch in March

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Lead: Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says Apple will unveil a lower-cost MacBook in March that uses an A18 Pro chip and comes in several bright color options. The device is reported to feature a display just under 13 inches and a new, cost-saving aluminum shell process rather than a plastic case. Early price estimates center … Read more

Nancy Guthrie search enters third week as task force awaits forensic results

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The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, entered its third week as investigators await forensic confirmations from evidence recovered miles from her Tucson home. Authorities say no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly named, and a federally assisted task force is balancing field searches with lab analysis. … Read more

Students Across U.S. Stage Walkouts Over ICE; Texas Threatens School Sanctions

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Lead: On Feb. 15, 2026, students in more than three dozen states staged walkouts to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation tactics, disrupting classes in cities from Salt Lake County, Utah, to coastal Maine. Demonstrations included coordinated exits from multiple schools, marches that halted traffic and public gatherings on bridges and school parking … Read more

Hoodwinker Sunfish, One of the World’s Rarest, Washes Ashore at California Beach

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Lead On a wind-brushed Sunday in September at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, Sonoma State University professor Stefan Kiesbye discovered an unusually large, slab-shaped fish during a routine beach cleanup. The animal measured roughly six feet long and three feet across and was later identified by experts as Mola tecta, the rarely seen “hoodwinker” sunfish. … Read more

The IOC’s ban of a Ukrainian athlete over his helmet reveals troubling double standards – The Conversation

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Lead: On Feb. 12, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) barred Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing after he wore a helmet bearing portraits of fellow Ukrainians killed since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The ruling invoked the IOC’s athlete-expression rules and Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which limit political demonstrations in Olympic areas. The decision … Read more

Berlinale defends Wim Wenders after Arundhati Roy quits over ‘jaw‑dropping’ comments

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In the opening days of the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, organisers issued a lengthy defence of their jury after remarks by jury president Wim Wenders about art and politics sparked a media backlash and prompted Indian author Arundhati Roy to withdraw on Friday. The festival said a “media storm” had swept the Berlinale in … Read more

Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’

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Lead: On 15 February 2026 the Israeli cabinet approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as ‘state property’, a move driven by ministers from the political right and described by critics as a step toward formalizing Israeli control over Palestinian land. The measure was submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich … Read more

Minneapolis Indigenous Patrols Watch for ICE as History Echoes

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This winter, volunteers in south Minneapolis took up community patrols after federal immigration teams repeatedly operated in the city, stopping people across neighborhoods that include a concentrated Native American corridor. Residents and organized groups such as the Many Shields Society scanned streets, bus stops and online alerts for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, deploying … Read more

This Is What Destroying the Vaccine Market Looks Like – The Bulwark

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Lead: In early February 2025, Moderna disclosed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had issued a “refuse to file” notice for the company’s mRNA seasonal-flu vaccine application, saying the submission did not meet newly articulated standards. The decision—sent on February 3—halted formal review even after earlier consultations in 2024 during which FDA career reviewers … Read more

Report: Reddit, Meta and Google Shared Anti‑ICE User Data with DHS

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Lead: A New York Times–based report says that, in recent months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued administrative subpoenas to major tech platforms and that Reddit, Meta and Google voluntarily complied with some requests for identifying information about users who had posted criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The requests arrived as part … Read more

Winter Olympics 2026: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo wins record ninth gold medal in cross-country skiing – BBC

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Lead Johannes Høsflot Klæbo became the Winter Olympics’ most decorated athlete after claiming a record ninth Olympic gold on Sunday at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Games. The 29-year-old anchored Norway to victory in the men’s 4×7.5km relay, securing his fourth title of these Games alongside teammates Emil Iversen, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Einar Hæge­gård. Norway finished … Read more

South Carolina women’s basketball: Rapid Reaction – LSU – On3

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South Carolina extended its winning streak against LSU to 18 games with a 79-72 victory on Saturday, a game that combined competitive heat with personal subplots. The matchup featured former teammates MiLaysia Fulwiley facing her old roster and produced few overt confrontations, though competitive edge was evident. The Gamecocks leaned on their starters while a … Read more

Eleven Palestinians die in Israeli strikes in Gaza, rescuers report

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Lead: Rescuers and Gaza health officials say Israeli strikes on Sunday morning killed 11 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip. Palestinian emergency services reported at least six deaths in a northern tent encampment and five in a separate southern strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes targeted militants it said had violated a ceasefire … Read more

Mini‑Sabbaticals to Adult Gap Years: More Workers Take Extended Breaks

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Lead Across the United States, more employees are stepping away from steady work for weeks or months — calling it a mini‑sabbatical, adult gap year or micro‑retirement — to recover from burnout, pursue projects or travel. Research teams and career coaches say the resurgence spans people who self‑fund leaves, those who negotiate unpaid time with … Read more