A new poll of the 2026 Florida governor's race shows Republican Representative Byron Donalds slightly ahead of David Jolly, a former Republican now running as a Democrat. Florida has become more Republican over the years, but Democrats are trying to make it competitive again. The poll found some voters are still undecided, which could impact the final outcome.
Key Facts
Byron Donalds leads David Jolly by five percentage points in the poll.
The poll surveyed 1,200 registered voters and has a margin of error of ±2.77 percentage points.
President Trump's endorsement plays a significant role, with 63% of Republicans more likely to vote for a candidate he supports.
David Jolly leads his Democratic primary opponent, Jerry Demings, by 8 points.
Byron Donalds leads in the GOP primary with 33%, ahead of other Republican candidates.
Florida has been moving toward the Republican side, notably supporting President Trump by large margins in the last elections.
Around 17% of voters are still undecided in the governor's race.
Betting odds and political analysts currently favor Republicans to win the governor's race.
President Donald Trump stated that he is unaware of any plans to declare a national emergency related to the upcoming midterm elections. This response came after a report suggested that supporters of Trump were promoting a proposal to increase presidential control over voting due to supposed foreign interference.
Key Facts
President Trump denied having knowledge about a national emergency declaration for the midterms.
Trump was asked about this potential order by a reporter; he questioned the source of the information.
A report from the Washington Post claimed that Trump supporters are pushing a proposal concerning election interference.
The proposal allegedly seeks to enhance presidential authority over election processes.
The story is still developing, with more updates expected.
This news piece was produced with assistance from Newsweek's AI tool, Martyn.
The article describes a promotion by Kalshi, a prediction market platform. New users who register and make $10 in trades on NBA games like the Nuggets vs. Thunder can receive a $10 bonus. The offer requires users to be at least 18 years old and is available across all 50 U.S. states.
Key Facts
Kalshi offers a $10 bonus to new users who register and complete $10 in trades.
The promotion is available for both NBA and college basketball events.
Users must be at least 18 years old to participate.
Participants can make a first-time deposit of at least $1 to start trading.
Kalshi is available in all 50 states in the U.S.
The promotion applies to prediction markets, where users can forecast outcomes of sports games.
Tonight's NBA games include the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder has a higher Net Rate compared to the Denver Nuggets, indicating strong team efficiency.
Alberta, a province in Canada known for its oil industry, is expecting a budget deficit of about C$9.4 billion due to low oil prices and a rapid rise in population. The deficit means Alberta might have to change its financial policies and consider new ideas like charging a sales tax. The province is also addressing issues like immigration and the possibility of secession from Canada.
Key Facts
Alberta predicts a budget deficit of C$9.4 billion.
Low oil prices and increased population growth are main reasons for the deficit.
Alberta is tied to the oil industry, housing the world's third-largest oil reserve.
Alberta does not currently have a sales tax, which might change to address financial issues.
Oil prices need to rise to around $74 to $77 per barrel to balance the budget.
The province is considering limiting immigration through a referendum.
There is a grassroots movement pushing for a referendum on Alberta's secession from Canada.
During a private deposition, former President Bill Clinton stated he never saw any signs of President Donald Trump being involved with Jeffrey Epstein. The deposition took place before the House Oversight Committee in New York, where Clinton was questioned about his own connection to Epstein. Some members of the committee expressed differing views on what Clinton said regarding Trump's involvement.
Key Facts
Former President Bill Clinton testified in a deposition related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton said he never saw any signs that President Donald Trump was involved with Epstein.
Representative James Comer mentioned Clinton demurred on whether Trump should be called to testify.
Representative Robert Garcia disputed Comer's characterization of Clinton's statements.
There are calls to release the full transcript of Clinton's deposition to clarify his comments.
This deposition marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify before Congress.
Clinton denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Clinton stated he saw no indications of sexual abuse related to Epstein.
The Trump administration is reviewing refugees who came to the U.S. during President Biden's time in office. This review affects refugees in Minnesota who are not yet permanent residents.
Key Facts
A family from Venezuela fled due to threats and violence linked to their opposition to the government.
They were granted refugee status and moved to the U.S. in 2021.
The family settled in Minnesota in 2023.
President Trump’s administration is examining refugees who arrived under President Biden.
The focus is on refugees in Minnesota who are not permanent residents, numbering about 5,600 people.
President Donald Trump stated that the United States is discussing options with the Cuban government about possibly having a "friendly takeover" of Cuba. This comes as Cuba faces an energy crisis due to a U.S. fuel blockade.
Key Facts
President Trump is talking with Cuba's government.
There is a severe energy shortage in Cuba.
The U.S. imposed a fuel blockade on Cuba.
The term “friendly takeover of Cuba” was used by President Trump.
Discussions are ongoing between the U.S. and Cuba.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman supports competitor company Anthropic in its disagreement with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Altman and Anthropic's CEO both refuse to allow the Pentagon unrestricted use of their AI technologies. The DoD wants more control over the AI tools but Anthropic resists, stating concerns over potential misuse.
Key Facts
Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, supports Anthropic amidst their conflict with the DoD.
Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, will not allow the Pentagon unrestricted access to their AI tools.
Anthropic objects to the government's potential use of its AI for domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.
The DoD claims it does not plan to use these technologies for surveillance or weapons but desires any lawful use.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has threatened to use the Defense Production Act if Anthropic does not comply.
OpenAI and Anthropic are competitors in the AI field, but both show concerns over unrestricted government use of AI.
Altman's memo suggests that government actions threaten national security and leadership in AI.
During a Bafta awards event, a racist slur shouted by Tourette's syndrome campaigner John Davidson was broadcast, despite efforts to manage his involuntary tics. The director of the Bafta-winning film "I Swear," Kirk Jones, and others criticized the broadcast as harmful. The BBC issued an apology and started an investigation into the incident.
Key Facts
John Davidson, who has Tourette's syndrome, unintentionally shouted a slur during the Bafta ceremony.
The slur was broadcast on TV, causing controversy and backlash.
Director Kirk Jones expressed disappointment that the incident was not handled better.
The BBC apologized, calling it a "serious mistake," and launched an investigation.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the incident as "unacceptable."
Bafta said it would conduct a comprehensive review of the incident.
The film "I Swear" won three awards at the Bafta ceremony.
Some critics suggested Davidson should not have been invited, but Jones defended his participation.
Connor McDavid spoke out online days after Canada's 2–1 loss to the United States in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the Winter Olympics. Despite the loss, he was named tournament MVP for scoring the most points ever in a single Olympic Games that included NHL players.
Key Facts
Canada lost 2–1 to the United States in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the Winter Olympics.
The game was decided by a goal during 3-on-3 overtime.
Connor McDavid was named the tournament MVP with 13 points in six games.
McDavid's 13 points set a record for the most in a single Olympic tournament with NHL players.
McDavid shared a message on social media thanking Canada for their support during the Olympics.
Connor McDavid previously faced Stanley Cup Final losses with the Edmonton Oilers.
He now ranks second in all-time Olympic points among NHL players, behind Sidney Crosby.
Former President Bill Clinton testified behind closed doors before U.S. lawmakers about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna described Clinton as being cooperative and transparent. Clinton emphasized that no one, including presidents, is above the law and expressed a desire for justice for Epstein's victims.
Key Facts
Bill Clinton testified in private about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
The U.S. House Oversight Committee is investigating people linked to Epstein.
Clinton was mentioned in documents released by the Department of Justice about the case.
Representative Luna reported that Clinton was cooperative and transparent in his testimony.
Clinton stated that his interactions with Epstein ended before Epstein's crimes became public.
Clinton stressed the importance of seeking justice for the victims of Epstein.
Clinton shared a statement emphasizing that no person is above the law, not even presidents.
A temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded at Falcon Dam in Starr County, Texas. If confirmed, this would be the highest winter temperature ever recorded in the United States. The reading surpasses the previous record of 104 degrees set in 1902 in Rio Grande City, Texas.
Key Facts
Falcon Dam recorded a temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit in February.
If confirmed, this would set a new record for the hottest U.S. winter temperature.
The previous winter record was 104 degrees in Rio Grande City, Texas, in 1902.
The average February high in southern Texas is usually in the upper 70s or 80s.
La Puerta, Texas, also recorded a high of 104 degrees, marking the first 100-degree U.S. temperature of 2026.
Weather forecasts predict above-average temperatures in Texas for the next week.
San Antonio, Texas, set a new record high of 95 degrees, surpassing the 91-degree record from 1917.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is causing a shortage in memory components used in smartphones, leading to a predicted decline in smartphone shipments. Memory manufacturers are focusing more on producing memory for AI data centers, causing fewer resources for consumer electronics like smartphones. This situation could affect smaller smartphone companies more severely, while larger companies like Apple and Samsung may benefit.
Key Facts
AI's rapid growth is creating higher demand for memory components.
Memory needed for AI is reducing the supply of memory for smartphones.
Smartphone shipments are projected to decrease by 12.9% in 2026 due to this shortage.
Major memory producers, such as Samsung and SK Hynix, are making more memory for AI purposes.
The shortage has increased prices for DRAM and NAND memory used in smartphones.
Smaller smartphone brands may struggle with rising costs, unlike larger firms like Apple.
The memory shortage could cause lasting changes in the smartphone market and prices may not stabilize until mid-2027.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Israel soon, as President Donald Trump expresses dissatisfaction with ongoing US-Iran talks. Rubio's trip will focus on relations with Iran and Lebanon, and implementing Trump's plan for Gaza. Meanwhile, tensions rise as Trump hints at possible military action against Iran if negotiations falter.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, plans to visit Israel from March 2 to 3.
President Trump is unhappy with the progress of negotiations with Iran.
The trip will address US relations with Iran, Lebanon, and the situation in Gaza.
This is Rubio's fifth visit to Israel as Secretary of State.
The US and Iran held a recent round of indirect nuclear talks in Switzerland.
President Trump has suggested a willingness to use military action if needed concerning Iran.
US military presence near Iran has increased, including two aircraft carriers.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has allowed embassy staff in Israel to leave due to safety concerns.
Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl, singing in Spanish. His show challenged traditional ideas of mainstream music and highlighted cultural changes in how artists gain global importance.
Key Facts
Bad Bunny topped Spotify's streaming charts for four years.
He performed at the Super Bowl, singing entirely in Spanish.
His Super Bowl performance challenged traditional mainstream music norms.
Streaming platforms and global audiences influence global artist relevance.
Bad Bunny uses his music to make political statements, such as his views on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The discussion on Bad Bunny's rise includes political and cultural tensions.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts a significant drop in smartphone shipments by 12.9% in 2026 due to a memory shortage affecting the consumer electronics industry. The shortage is expected to impact small businesses and low-end smartphone vendors the most, while major brands like Apple and Samsung may increase their market share. Some regions, including the Middle East and Africa, could see a larger decline in smartphone shipments.
Key Facts
IDC predicts smartphone shipments will fall by 12.9% in 2026.
A memory shortage is causing problems for the entire consumer electronics industry.
Small businesses and low-end smartphone makers will be the hardest hit.
Major brands like Apple and Samsung are expected to handle the crisis better.
The Middle East and Africa could see a 20.6% decrease in smartphone shipments.
Memory prices should stabilize by mid-2027, but are unlikely to return to previous levels.
The entry-level market (phones under $100) is expected to become unsustainable.
The smartphone average selling price (ASP) could rise to $523 this year.
The financial technology company Block is laying off more than 4,000 employees to focus on using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its business operations. This decision by CEO Jack Dorsey caused Block's stock to rise sharply. AI is seen as a way to make the company more efficient and profitable.
Key Facts
Block is laying off over 4,000 of its more than 10,000 employees.
CEO Jack Dorsey stated that AI is a key reason for the layoffs.
Block's share price increased by more than 20% in premarket trading after the announcement.
The company's stock rose to nearly $69 in after-hours trading, up from $54.53.
Block's fourth-quarter gross profit increased by 24% compared to the previous year.
Block operates in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan.
Other companies like Amazon and UPS have also announced recent layoffs.
Bill Clinton testified to a House committee, saying he didn't know about Jeffrey Epstein's activities when he flew on his plane. He stated he saw nothing wrong during his interactions with Epstein. The inquiry is part of an investigation into Epstein's connections with notable figures.
Key Facts
Bill Clinton testified in a closed-door session about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton said he would have reported Epstein to police if he had known about any illegal activities.
He mentioned Epstein had hidden his activities very well.
Clinton flew on Epstein's plane several times in the early 2000s.
Documents released include photos of Clinton with women whose faces are obscured.
The House panel is also investigating Epstein's involvement with the Clintons' charitable foundation.
Republicans have not accused the Clintons of any wrongdoing in the inquiry.
Democrats want President Trump to testify, citing his previous social interactions with Epstein.
Finn Balor is set to face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at the WWE Elimination Chamber event on February 28, 2026. Balor has chosen not to use his "The Demon" persona for this match, focusing on proving himself through his own skills.
Key Facts
Finn Balor will compete against CM Punk at WWE Elimination Chamber on February 28, 2026.
The event will take place at the United Center in Chicago.
This is Balor's first singles match on a premium live event since October 2024.
Balor opted not to use his "The Demon" alter ego for this match.
He expressed that "The Demon" persona is a mental process beyond just body paint.
Balor aims to win the championship as himself, without supernatural elements.
His last appearance as "The Demon" was against Edge at WrestleMania 39.
Balor has found success as part of the Judgment Day faction recently.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are arguing over how many people have died in recent cross-border attacks. Both countries claim they are winning in what Pakistan describes as an "open war."
Key Facts
Pakistan and Afghanistan are involved in cross-border attacks.
Both countries are reporting different numbers of casualties.
Pakistan refers to the situation as an "open war."
Conflicting reports make it unclear how many people have died.
Each country claims to be more successful than the other in these conflicts.
