The House Oversight Committee paused its private session with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when a photo from the meeting was shared online. Republican Representative Lauren Boebert gave the photo to a conservative influencer, which led to its public release. Committee rules do not allow outside press or photos during depositions.
Key Facts
The House Oversight Committee was holding a closed session with Hillary Clinton.
A photograph from the session was shared publicly, causing the meeting to be paused.
Republican Representative Lauren Boebert provided the photo to an influencer.
The committee does not allow outside press or photos during these depositions.
The deposition is being recorded but will be released only after Clinton's attorneys review it.
The incident involves House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer.
A significant wager was placed on the prediction market Kalshi, betting that the U.S. government will confirm the existence of alien life by the end of 2026. This comes amid increased public interest in aliens following comments from President Trump and former President Obama. President Trump recently instructed the Defense Secretary to release government files on UFOs and alien life.
Key Facts
A $100,000 bet was made on Kalshi for the U.S. to confirm alien life by the end of 2026.
Shortly after, another bet nearly twice the size was placed.
Speculation suggests these bets may have insider information behind them, though this is not confirmed.
President Trump announced efforts to release government files on UFOs and alien life.
President Trump directed the Defense Secretary to comply with an order for disclosure of such files.
Former President Obama commented on the possibility of aliens, stating there was no evidence during his presidency.
The sudden interest follows recent remarks by both Trump and Obama regarding extraterrestrial life.
Hillary Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee, stating she had no new information about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and did not recall ever meeting him. The testimony followed a period of negotiation with House Republicans, who wanted to question both Clinton and her husband about their connections to Epstein. The Clintons denied any wrongdoing and claimed the investigation aimed to distract from President Trump's actions.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton testified that she doesn't remember meeting Jeffrey Epstein.
This is the first time a former first couple testified under subpoena before Congress.
The House Oversight Committee led by Republicans wants to investigate potential ties between the Clintons and Epstein.
Clinton's testimony took place in Chappaqua, New York, and was recorded.
The Clintons were subpoenaed in August, and their testimony was delayed until January.
Democrats describe the committee's actions as politically motivated.
The Clintons advocated for transparency concerning Epstein's files.
Bill Clinton is also scheduled to testify, marking the first appearance of a former president before Congress in over 40 years.
ICE agents detained a student at Columbia University, claiming they were looking for a missing person. The university said the agents did not have the proper legal paperwork to enter campus housing.
Key Facts
ICE agents detained a Columbia University student on Thursday morning.
The agents entered a campus residence hall by claiming they were looking for a missing person.
Columbia University officials stated that the agents misrepresented their purpose to gain access.
The university requires a judicial warrant or subpoena for law enforcement to enter restricted areas on campus.
An administrative warrant, which the agents had, is not considered enough by the university.
Newsweek contacted the Department of Homeland Security for a statement.
Bill and Hillary Clinton will answer questions from the House Oversight Committee about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein. They are being asked about photos involving Bill Clinton and his travels on Epstein's private plane. The hearings aim to understand any possible links between the Clintons and Epstein.
Key Facts
The Clintons agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee after resisting subpoenas.
Photos of Bill Clinton with unidentified individuals have renewed interest in his past association with Epstein.
Bill Clinton traveled multiple times on Epstein’s private plane, supposedly for philanthropy related to the Clinton Foundation.
The plane trips included visits to Europe, Asia, and Africa, linked to work on health and development efforts.
Bill Clinton's office states he had no knowledge of Epstein’s illegal activities during those trips.
Bill Clinton reportedly ended contact with Epstein before Epstein's 2006 indictment.
Lawmakers plan to ask about the nature of the relationships and if there were financial connections with Epstein or Maxwell.
Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist from the UK, visited the US State Department in Washington DC. He was hosted by a senior official in an unofficial capacity. His visit has drawn criticism from UK politicians and concern about implications for free speech and international relations.
Key Facts
Tommy Robinson is a UK far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
He visited the US State Department and was hosted by US official Joe Rittenhouse.
The visit was informal, without official status from the US State Department.
Robinson has a criminal history, including a jail sentence for contempt of court.
Some US politicians and Elon Musk have shown support for Robinson.
The Trump administration released a report criticizing the UK's handling of free speech.
UK politicians expressed disapproval of the US hosting Robinson.
There are concerns about US involvement in UK politics.
Several well-known figures have resigned from their positions due to past connections with Jeffrey Epstein. These resignations occurred after new documents released by the Department of Justice revealed their interactions with Epstein. Some of the people who stepped down include figures from the World Economic Forum and prominent universities.
Key Facts
Børge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, resigned due to ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Harvard president, Larry Summers, resigned from his academic positions following new revelations about his connections to Epstein.
Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Richard Axel resigned from some roles due to his past association with Epstein.
CBS News contributor Peter Attia also stepped down after his exchanges with Epstein came to light.
The resignations followed the release of many documents detailing Epstein's network of contacts.
President Donald Trump's approval rating is dropping, with a significant decrease among his strongest supporters. Recent polls show increased disapproval, suggesting potential challenges for Trump as he approaches midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating has been decreasing, as noted in recent analysis by a senior elections analyst.
Polls from Ipsos/The Washington Post/ABC, CNN/SSRS, and American Research Group show his net approval rates are negative.
On average, Trump's approval rating in the Silver Bulletin has fallen to minus 14.9.
The percentage of people who strongly approve of Trump has dropped from 34% to 24% since the start of his second term.
Meanwhile, the percentage of people who strongly disapprove has risen from 31% to 45%.
The decline primarily involves people who used to strongly support Trump, rather than those who had weaker opinions.
White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, emphasized Trump's past election win and claimed historic progress.
Trump's statements indicate surprise at the levels of support shown in the polls.
A 22-year-old man named Maurquise Emillo James has been charged with first-degree murder after the death of Robert Fuller Jr., an 87-year-old philanthropist, at a senior living facility in Maryland. James was an employee at the facility and is accused of shooting Fuller, whose death was ruled a homicide. Police arrested James after a series of investigations linked him to the crime, including video surveillance and ballistic evidence.
Key Facts
Robert Fuller Jr., found dead at his senior living facility, was an 87-year-old millionaire philanthropist.
Maurquise Emillo James is charged with first-degree murder in connection to Fuller's death.
Fuller was known for donating to projects in Maine, such as a YMCA and a hospital.
James was an employee at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility in Maryland.
Surveillance footage showed a masked person entering and leaving the facility around the time of the incident.
Police found ballistic evidence connecting James's gun to the shooting of Fuller.
James tried to flee but was arrested in Rockville, Maryland.
He is being held in Montgomery County pending a bond hearing.
Hillary Clinton testified to U.S. lawmakers that she has no information about Jeffrey Epstein's or Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes. She also said she does not remember meeting Epstein. The testimony is part of a closed-door deposition taking place in Chappaqua, New York.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton spoke to U.S. House lawmakers on Thursday.
She stated she has no knowledge of the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.
Clinton said she does not remember ever meeting Jeffrey Epstein.
The depositions are happening in Chappaqua, New York.
Former President Bill Clinton will also give testimony.
This is the first time a former U.S. president has been required to testify before Congress.
The testimonies are linked to an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of underage girls.
The U.S. Justice Department is checking to see if it held back some documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Reports say these documents might involve accusations against President Donald Trump. Chuck Schumer plans to discuss this matter in a briefing.
Key Facts
The Justice Department is reviewing whether it withheld files from the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Some news groups reported that records about accusations against President Trump were missing.
These claims were made by an unidentified woman about events in the 1980s.
House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is scheduled to speak about this issue.
The missing documents reportedly include FBI interview summaries related to Epstein.
The records were not part of what was released publicly by the Justice Department.
The Department is reviewing files related to those produced in Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal case.
Democrats have gained their largest lead over Republicans in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections, according to a new Emerson College poll. The poll shows Democrats with an 8-point lead over Republicans, which could influence control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Democrats lead Republicans by 8 points in the Emerson College poll for the 2026 midterm elections.
The poll was conducted with 1,000 voters from February 21-22, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Democrats' lead has grown from previous months, when they had a 6-point lead in January and a 2-point lead in December.
In recent U.S. midterm elections, the president’s party often loses seats in Congress.
President Trump’s approval rating is currently at a net -12 points, per the same poll.
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House with 218 seats, while Democrats have 214, with three seats vacant.
Democrats need to gain a few seats to obtain a majority in the House.
Certain House seats held by both parties are seen as competitive and could influence control of the chamber.
The FBI fired approximately 10 staff members involved in an investigation of President Donald Trump concerning classified documents. The staffers were part of an investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, focusing on Trump's handling of classified materials. The FBI Agents Association criticized the firings, stating they could weaken the FBI's effectiveness.
Key Facts
About 10 FBI staffers connected to the Trump classified documents investigation were fired.
The terminations happened shortly after FBI director Kash Patel's comments about subpoenas issued during the investigation.
The staffers were involved in a case concerning Trump's handling of classified documents post-presidency.
The FBI Agents Association expressed concern, suggesting the firings could harm the Bureau's capacity and leadership trust.
President Trump and associates faced indictments in 2023 but the classified documents case was later dropped.
Special Counsel Jack Smith led the federal investigations into Trump.
Trump's justice department fired employees from the investigations upon his return to the presidency.
Efforts were also made to pursue charges against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
A strong winter storm is set to move across 22 states in the U.S. next week, potentially bringing snow and ice from the Midwest to the Northeast. Arctic air from Canada will mix with warm air, leading to hazardous weather conditions. Authorities have not yet issued warnings, but that may change as the storm approaches.
Key Facts
A winter storm is expected to affect 22 U.S. states next week.
It will bring snow and ice to areas from the Midwest to the Northeast.
The storm forms as Arctic air from Canada meets warm air from the west and south.
Some places could see more than 6 inches of snow, especially in southeastern New England.
Cities like Chicago, Detroit, and areas in New York and New England may face travel problems due to the storm.
No weather alerts are currently in place, but this might change as the forecast develops.
People in the affected areas should watch for updates and potential weather advisories.
Hillary Clinton stated she did not know about Jeffrey Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes, as she began depositions in front of U.S. House lawmakers. The depositions, which include her husband Bill Clinton, are taking place in Chappaqua. This marks the first time a former U.S. president is required to testify before Congress.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton spoke to U.S. House lawmakers about her awareness of crimes by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
She claimed she had no knowledge of their criminal activities.
The depositions are happening in Chappaqua, New York.
This event also includes former President Bill Clinton.
It is the first time a former U.S. president has been required to testify before Congress.
The proceedings are part of ongoing oversight by the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee.
A judge decided not to delay Don Lemon's legal case connected to a church protest in Minnesota. The case involves civil rights charges related to protests during a church service. Lemon and other defendants have pleaded not guilty and are pushing for a speedy trial.
Key Facts
A judge rejected a request from the Trump administration to delay Don Lemon's case.
Lemon faces federal civil rights charges related to a protest in a Minnesota church.
The protest occurred during a service where an ICE official was a pastor.
The case involves charges of conspiracy and interfering with worshipper rights.
The government wanted to extend the case timeline by 90 days due to large evidence volume.
The judge allowed a 30-day extension for evidence disclosure instead.
Lemon and others have pleaded not guilty and want a quick trial.
The protest happened amid high tension in Minnesota over immigration issues.
People linked to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement want former Harvard President Larry Summers arrested after he announced he would leave his academic roles. This comes as his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has been under scrutiny, though Summers has not been accused of misconduct.
Key Facts
Larry Summers will leave his Harvard academic roles at the end of the academic year.
His resignation follows scrutiny over his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
People associated with the MAGA movement have called for Summers' arrest.
Epstein-related documents have been released following President Trump signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Appearing in the Epstein files does not mean someone has done anything wrong, and Summers is not accused of wrongdoing.
Summers had previously stepped down from certain roles at Harvard amid investigations.
He served as Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton and had a role under President Barack Obama.
More Epstein-related documents may lead to further scrutiny of high-profile individuals.
A new report shows that Social Security benefits significantly reduce poverty in the United States. In 2024, these payments helped keep over 23 million people, including nearly 17 million seniors, above the poverty line. Without these benefits, the poverty rate among seniors would be much higher.
Key Facts
As of January 2026, the average monthly Social Security payment is $1,926.
Social Security lifted around 23.5 million people above the poverty line in 2024.
Nearly 17 million seniors were lifted out of poverty because of Social Security benefits.
Without Social Security benefits, 37.6% of people aged 65 and older would be in poverty. With benefits, only 10.3% are in poverty.
Social Security reduced the overall U.S. poverty rate to 10.9% in 2024.
In states like Florida, California, and Texas, more than 1 million seniors were lifted out of poverty due to these benefits.
Social Security benefits also helped reduce poverty rates among children and adults aged 18 to 64.
In December 2024, 2.4 million children received Social Security benefits.
Thousands of student loan borrowers will receive payments following a $120 million settlement with Navient. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) accused Navient of directing borrowers into costly forbearance instead of more affordable income-driven repayment plans.
Key Facts
A $120 million settlement was reached between Navient and the CFPB.
Navient was accused of steering borrowers into forbearance, leading to more interest, instead of offering income-driven repayment plans.
Forbearance allows temporary payment pauses, but interest still adds up.
Income-driven plans adjust payments based on income and family size.
Payments to affected borrowers started on February 13 and are automatic.
Navient will pay a $20 million civil penalty and $100 million to harmed borrowers.
Navient no longer services federal student loans as of 2021.
The CFPB's 2024 settlement follows a 2022 multistate action involving $1.85 billion in relief.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyers are asking a judge in Tennessee to drop human smuggling charges against him. They argue that the case is unfairly driven by the Trump administration. Abrego Garcia, from El Salvador, was deported by mistake and brought back to the U.S. because a judge ruled he faced danger in his home country.
Key Facts
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges in Tennessee.
His lawyers are trying to get the charges dismissed, claiming the case is unfair.
Abrego was mistakenly deported and then returned to the U.S.
A 2019 court order prevents his deportation to El Salvador due to gang threats.
He illegally entered the U.S. as a teenager and now has an American wife and child.
Abrego has been living and working in Maryland while monitored by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
