• Iran Says No Date Set for Next Round of US Talks
  
  Qatar-based Al Jazeera cited Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying that no new date was currently set for the next round of nuclear talks with Washington, a day after the two sides held talks in Oman.
• Report: Russia to Interrogate Suspects in Attempted Killing
  
  Two suspects in the attempted assassination of top Russian military intelligence official Lt. General Vladimir Alexeyev "will soon be interrogated," the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on Saturday, citing a source close to the investigation.
• Anti-China Group Launches D.C. Ad on 2026 Farm Bill
  
  The Protecting America Initiative, a group that says it focuses on countering Communist China's influence in the U.S., launched a new TV and digital ad campaign urging Congress to pass a new farm bill in 2026, arguing that lawmakers have not enacted one since 2018.
• After Boos for Vance, IOC Says it Hopes for 'Fair Play'
  
  The International Olympic Committee said on Saturday it hoped for "fair play" after US Vice President JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
• Mariah Carey's Olympic Act Prompts Questions about Possible Lip-syncing and a Curious Teleprompter
  
  The performance by pop star Mariah Carey at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony was the talk of the town but it also raised a few questions.The rendition by the American singer of Italian classic "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu" better known as "Volare" was a...
• Saudi Arabia Unveils $2B Investment Plan for Syria
  
  Saudi Arabia announced Saturday a major investment package in Syria spanning energy, aviation, real estate and telecommunications, as the kingdom positions itself as a leading backer of Syria's new leadership.
• If US Attacks, Iran Says it Will Strike US Bases in Region
  
  Iran will strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by U.S. forces that have massed in the region, its foreign minister said on Saturday, insisting that this should not be seen as an attack on the countries hosting them.
• Ukrainian Forces Hit Balashovo Oil Depot in Russia, General Staff Says
  
  Ukrainian troops struck an oil depot known as "Balashovo" in Russia's Saratov region, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Saturday.
• Trump Turns to US Military Leaders for Diplomatic Efforts
  
  President Trump has tapped military leaders for high-level diplomacy, sending the top U.S. commander in the Middle East to talks over Iran’s nuclear program and positioning the Army secretary as a key negotiator on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Lindsey Vonn 3rd in Olympic Warmup on Torn ACL
  
  World champion Breezy Johnson led a weather- interrupted final training for the women's Olympic downhill on Saturday but injured U.S. teammate and comeback queen Lindsey Vonn was again the talk of the slopes with the third-fastest time.
• State Department Tells US Citizens: 'Leave Iran Now'
  
  The U.S. State Department is urging American citizens to depart Iran immediately, citing worsening security conditions and widespread disruptions across the country.
• Epstein Files Topple More Euro Figures Than US
  
  A prince, an ambassador, senior diplomats, top politicians. All brought down by the Jeffrey Epstein files. And all in Europe, rather than the United States.
• Zelenskyy: US Gave Ukraine, Russia June Deadline for Peace
  
  The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a deal to end the nearly four-year war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters, as Russian strikes on energy infrastructure forced nuclear power plants to cut output Saturday.
• Islamic State Affiliate Claims Suicide Bombing That Killed 31 at Shiite Mosque in Pakistani Capital
  
  An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility overnight for a deadly suicide bombing inside a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan's capital that killed 31 people and wounded 169 others, as mourners gathered Saturday under tight security at the same...
• WH Plans Leaders Meeting for Gaza 'Board of Peace'
  
  The White House is planning the first leaders meeting for the Gaza "Board of Peace" on Feb. 19, it was reported Friday. The plans for the meeting, which would also be a fundraising conference for Gaza reconstruction, are in early stages and could still change.
• Factbox: 7 Key Trump-Iran Moments as Tensions Run High
  
  The United States and Iran on Friday were trying to reach a diplomatic solution to disputes between them that have led to heightened tensions in the Middle East, and warnings from President Donald Trump that military options are at his disposal.
• Trump Signs Order Threatening Tariffs on Nations Doing Business With Iran
  
  President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that may impose a 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran.The order comes as tensions between Iran and U.S. continue to simmer.This, even as the two countries engaged in talks this week involving, among...
• A Charismatic Straight Talker, Japan's Takaichi Is Poised to Expand Her Power in Sunday's Vote
  
  Japan's prime minister is a heavy metal music fan. She loves motorcycles and playing the drums, including with visiting dignitaries. She thrilled a nation that often fetishizes company loyalty by declaring that her secret for success as leader would be " work, work, work,...
• Judge Orders Return of Families Deported to Honduras
  
  A judge says the federal government must return three families hurt by the first Trump administration's policy of separating parents from the children at the border, saying their deportations in recent months relied on "lies, deception and coercion." The order, issued ...
• Amb. Huckabee to Newsmax: Iran's Hezbollah 'Sleeper Cells' Concern for US
  
  U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Newsmax on Friday that he does not see "panic" in Israel despite rising tensions with Iran.
• As US Moves to Block Oil Supply, Cubans Wonder How They'll Survive Deepening Energy Crisis
  
  After a day spent selling books, Solanda Oña typically boards a bus from a wealthy seaside district in Havana to her home in the city's workingclass center.But on Thursday night, the bus never came. The 64yearold bookseller spent the night sleeping in a nearby restaurant...
• Canada Plants Flag, Opens Consulate in Greenland
  
  Canada formally opened a new consulate Friday in Greenland's capital of Nuuk, raising its flag as Ottawa moves to signal solidarity with the Danish territory while carefully navigating relations with Washington amid President Donald Trump's continued interest in the island,...
• Iran Rejects Enrichment Halt; US Delivers New Sanctions
  
  Iran could pay a heavy price after refusing U.S. demands to halt uranium enrichment during nuclear talks Friday in Oman, as the Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on the Islamist regime.
• Islamic State Claims Suicide Bombing at Shi'ite Mosque in Islamabad
  
  Islamic State claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, the group said on its Telegram channel.
• IOC Urges Respect as US Officials Attend Winter Olympics
  
  The International Olympic Committee urged spectators to "be respectful" as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened Friday, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attending amid protests in Milan over the presence of U.S. immigration agents ...

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