Former CNN host Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to charges related to a protest at a church in Minnesota concerning federal immigration raids. The charges include conspiracy to interfere with religious freedoms. Lemon argued he was there to document the event as an independent journalist.
Key Facts
Don Lemon was charged with conspiracy to interfere with religious freedoms.
The charges are related to his livestreaming of a protest at a church in St Paul, Minnesota.
The protest occurred on January 18 and involved immigration enforcement issues.
Lemon and eight others have been charged, including another journalist.
He claims to have been there as a journalist, not affiliated with protestors.
The protest involved chanting against immigration authorities and was in response to a shooting by a federal agent.
Lemon did not make any statements while entering the court in Minnesota.
President Trump's administration ended the specific immigration enforcement efforts involved.
Key figures in the MAGA movement are criticizing Attorney General Pam Bondi over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and her testimony in Congress. They argue that she failed to address important issues and some are calling for her removal. President Trump supports Bondi, but some Republicans and conservative voices are unhappy with the situation.
Key Facts
Prominent MAGA supporters are upset with Attorney General Pam Bondi's management of the Epstein files.
Bondi faced tough questions and exchanges during a five-hour congressional hearing.
Epstein's survivors attended the hearing, indicating they weren't allowed to testify previously.
Rep. Ted Lieu accused Bondi of lying about Trump and Epstein's relationship; Bondi denied this.
Figures like Nick Fuentes, Erick Erickson, and Kyle Rittenhouse have publicly criticized Bondi and called for her resignation.
President Trump defended Bondi, stating she performed well during the hearing.
A YouGov survey shows Republicans largely support Trump's handling of the Epstein files, while Democrats do not.
President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Venezuela, potentially becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so in nearly 30 years. This announcement follows the U.S. military's abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and subsequent changes in Venezuela's government and oil industry policies.
Key Facts
President Trump said he plans to visit Venezuela, but no date has been set.
He would be the first sitting U.S. president to visit since Bill Clinton in 1997.
The U.S. recently abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former deputy, is now leading the Venezuelan government.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury eased some sanctions on Venezuela's energy sector.
The U.S. seeks $100 billion in foreign investments for Venezuela.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed $1 billion in Venezuelan oil sales since Maduro's abduction.
The UK High Court decided that labeling Palestine Action as a "terror" group was not lawful. Huda Ammori, who co-founded the group, stated that the government's decision to ban the group has not worked as intended.
Key Facts
The UK High Court ruled that calling Palestine Action a "terror" group was unlawful.
Huda Ammori is a co-founder of Palestine Action.
Ammori claims the UK government's ban of the group did not have the desired effect.
The High Court's decision comes after the government tried to proscribe the group.
An investigation has started to see if two immigration agents lied under oath about shooting a migrant in Minneapolis. The agents are currently on leave while authorities look into the case. The incident involved a claim by the Department of Homeland Security that a federal officer was attacked before the shooting.
Key Facts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is looking into claims of "untruthful statements" by two agents.
The agents allegedly lied under sworn testimony about the shooting.
ICE acting director Todd Lyons confirmed the agents are on administrative leave.
Lying under oath is a serious crime.
Federal prosecutors have dropped felony charges against two Venezuelan men involved in the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security reported a federal officer was attacked by three migrants with a shovel and broom handle before the shooting.
The shooting incident occurred on January 14 in Minneapolis.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke at the Munich Security Conference. He emphasized the need to mend the relationship between Europe and the United States, which he described as having a significant divide.
Key Facts
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave a speech at the Munich Security Conference.
Merz described a "deep rift" or division between Europe and the United States.
He called for actions to "repair and revive transatlantic trust."
The speech focused on improving the relationship between Europe and the US.
The Munich Security Conference is an annual event where leaders discuss global security issues.
New information about Jeffrey Epstein's connections with British elites, including a relationship with former UK envoy Peter Mandelson, has come to light. This has created challenges for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein had connections with Britain's elites, including ex-Prince Andrew.
Former UK envoy Peter Mandelson had a close relationship with Epstein.
This information is causing issues for the Labour Party led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The situation has raised questions about the Labour Party's handling of the scandal.
This news is part of a larger release of files related to Epstein.
The Men’s T20 World Cup almost faced a huge setback when Pakistan said it wouldn't play against India. After several days of tense discussions, both countries resolved their differences, and the match is scheduled to happen on Sunday.
Key Facts
Pakistan initially refused to play against India in the Men’s T20 World Cup.
The decision caused widespread concern in the cricket world.
Urgent discussions took place between officials and governments to resolve the issue.
After days of negotiations, the dispute was settled.
India and Pakistan will play their match on Sunday as planned.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most anticipated matchups in cricket.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the country's first elections after a 2024 uprising. Major countries, including the United States, China, India, and Pakistan, have welcomed the election. There is still interest in how young people in Bangladesh view these election results, as they were key in protesting for change.
Key Facts
The BNP won the recent elections in Bangladesh.
This is the first election since a significant uprising in 2024.
The United States, China, India, and Pakistan praised the election process.
Young people in Bangladesh played a major role in protests before the elections.
The international response to the elections has been unusually unified.
The opinions of young voters about the election results are being closely watched.
Igor Tudor has been named the interim head coach of Tottenham Hotspur for the rest of the season. Known for his intense coaching style, Tudor will lead his first match against Arsenal in the Premier League. He is tasked with improving the team's performance to avoid relegation.
Key Facts
Igor Tudor has been appointed as interim head coach of Tottenham Hotspur.
His first match in charge will be against Arsenal on February 22.
Tudor is known for his intense style, focusing heavily on running and pressing.
He was previously sacked by Juventus in October 2025.
Tottenham is currently five points above the Premier League's relegation zone.
Tudor has managed in multiple countries including Italy, France, and Greece.
He insists on fitness and high effort, stressing that players must run or they will not play.
Tudor had a successful playing career, notably with Juventus, and has also coached teams to top finishes.
ICE has a $38 billion plan to expand detention centers to hold nearly 100,000 people, as a part of President Trump's deportation strategy. The plan involves creating large facilities to increase capacity, but it faces opposition from local communities and some officials.
Key Facts
ICE plans to spend $38 billion to build new detention centers.
The new centers aim to hold nearly 100,000 detainees.
The expansion supports President Donald Trump's deportation goals.
ICE is buying warehouses to convert into detention facilities.
Eight "mega centers" and 16 processing centers are planned.
These centers will hold between 1,000 and 10,000 people each.
Local officials and communities have expressed opposition.
The plan is expected to create over 1,200 jobs in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Don Lemon, a journalist, has pleaded not guilty to charges linked to his reporting at a protest in a Minnesota church against an ICE official. The Department of Justice filed the charges, which relate to a law meant to protect religious freedoms. Lemon claims he was there purely as a journalist.
Key Facts
Don Lemon was charged by the Department of Justice for his coverage of an anti-ICE protest.
He pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
The charges are based on the FACE Act, a law originally intended to ensure access to abortion clinics.
Lemon interviewed protesters and church members during the event.
The protest focused on a pastor who was also an acting ICE field office director.
There are concerns about First Amendment rights, which protect freedom of the press.
Other people, including journalist Georgia Fort, also face charges for their involvement.
Lemon insists he was present in a journalistic capacity, not as a protest participant.
The article discusses the ingredients found in supermarket foods, focusing on ultra-processed foods and chemicals that may cause health problems. It explains why some food ingredients are allowed in certain countries but banned in others and explores what "FDA-approved" means. It also talks about the difference between real health concerns and misinformation on social media.
Key Facts
The article examines ultra-processed foods and chemicals that might be linked to health issues like cancer.
It looks into how making food convenient has changed what we eat.
Some food ingredients are banned in certain countries but allowed in others.
The article clarifies what "FDA-approved" means in the U.S.
There is a focus on separating real health information from misleading social media claims.
The article features insights from a registered dietitian and a food safety advocate.
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University. The lawsuit claims Harvard did not provide necessary data for a civil rights investigation about race in their admissions process. The legal action follows a Supreme Court ruling that affected race-based college admissions policies.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is suing Harvard for not giving data related to race in admissions.
The Department of Justice needs this data to check if Harvard broke laws about considering race in admissions.
Harvard says it has been cooperating with the government and is protecting its rights.
The lawsuit does not claim Harvard discriminated or seek money damages.
This follows a 2023 Supreme Court decision that race-based admissions are unconstitutional.
The lawsuit asks for a court order to make Harvard share the documents and comply with future requests.
Harvard says it changed admission procedures after the Supreme Court ruling.
In the past, President Trump stopped federal funding to Harvard, which led to previous legal disputes.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made changes to senior staff in the health department, replacing two top officials. Jim O'Neill, who was running the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and general counsel Mike Stuart are leaving their roles.
Key Facts
Jim O'Neill and Mike Stuart are leaving senior roles in the health department.
O'Neill was the second-ranking official at the Department of Health and Human Services and the acting director of the CDC.
Chris Klomp, the current Medicare director, will become the chief of staff under Kennedy.
Klomp will continue to manage Medicare while taking on the new role.
Klomp previously led drug price negotiations and managed issues in Medicare Advantage.
Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham, deputy FDA commissioners, will become senior counselors.
The Health and Human Services department has not clarified who will replace O'Neill as the CDC's acting director.
Bad Bunny's latest album saw a significant jump in the UK music charts following his performance at the Super Bowl and a notable Grammy win. His album climbed to number two on the UK albums chart, and his single DtMF reached number four in the singles chart. He made history as the first artist to perform entirely in Spanish during the Super Bowl half-time show.
Key Facts
Bad Bunny's album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" climbed 42 places to number two on the UK charts.
His single "DtMF" rose to fourth place in the UK singles chart.
Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl half-time show, entirely in Spanish.
His set included guest appearances from artists like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
He won a Grammy for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," becoming the first to win album of the year for a Spanish-language record.
The album faced competition from artists such as Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar.
Bad Bunny dedicated his Grammy award to immigrants pursuing their dreams.
The Super Bowl is typically the most-watched TV event in the US.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is accused of sharing a confidential Treasury document with a business contact, Jonathan Rowland, in 2010. This document was about issues between the UK and Iceland regarding banking problems. Authorities are currently assessing whether to investigate this for possible misconduct in Andrew's public role.
Key Facts
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly shared a Treasury document with Jonathan Rowland, a business contact.
The document contained information about banking issues between the UK and Iceland.
The information was requested by Andrew while he was the UK's trade envoy.
Jonathan Rowland's father took over part of an Icelandic bank and Rowland was involved with Banque Havilland.
The Cabinet Office is not denying the authenticity of the emails but will not comment further.
Thames Valley Police is considering launching an investigation into potential misconduct by Andrew.
The Epstein files suggest Andrew forwarded official documents to Jeffrey Epstein as well.
Russia and Ukraine will hold more talks in Geneva next week, organized by the United States. These discussions aim to address issues related to the ongoing conflict, which has been happening for nearly four years without any agreement on territory changes.
Key Facts
Russian and Ukrainian representatives will meet for talks in Geneva on February 17-18.
The talks are facilitated by the United States and follow earlier meetings in Abu Dhabi.
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in thousands of soldier and civilian deaths since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
The Donbas region remains a key area of dispute, with Russia wanting Ukraine to withdraw from parts it controls.
Ukraine desires security promises from the West to prevent future Russian attacks if a ceasefire occurs.
Previous talks considered issues like a military buffer zone and ceasefire monitoring.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that the US set a June deadline for reaching an agreement.
German Chancellor and NATO leaders have expressed views on the need for Russia to commit to serious peace discussions.
The U.S. Congress has asked Lord Peter Mandelson to help with their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's illegal activities. Congress members want Mandelson to answer questions because of his close connections with Epstein. U.K. police are also investigating Mandelson regarding claims he shared sensitive information with Epstein.
Key Facts
U.S. Congress members want Lord Mandelson to answer questions about Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson is not forced to cooperate, but Congress strongly encouraged it.
Mandelson has expressed regret about his relationship with Epstein.
U.K. police are investigating Mandelson over claims he shared sensitive information with Epstein.
Mandelson denies wrongdoing, stating he was not motivated by money.
Congress wants to know more about Epstein's operations and any helpers he might have had.
Congress asked Mandelson to respond by February 27.
Similar requests were previously made to other individuals connected to Epstein.
