Trump Puts On a Show, Casting Democrats as the Villains

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:01:19 +0000)

On the defensive over the economy and with the midterms approaching, President Trump made clear that his political strategy is to paint Democrats as unpatriotic and ‘crazy.’

‘Stand Up’: With One Maneuver, Trump Tries to Box In Democrats

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:09:10 +0000)

President Trump turned his State of the Union address into full-blown political theater, handing out medals to war veterans and tossing the spotlight to ice hockey players.

6 Takeaways From Trump’s State of the Union

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:21:35 +0000)

In an address that was heavy on theatrics, President Trump lashed out at Democrats as “crazy” and unpatriotic.

Key Moments from Trump’s State of the Union, and a $1 Million Reward in the Guthrie Case

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:14 +0000)

Plus, how kids are getting around phone-free classroom rules.

Inside Nicolás Maduro’s Last Days as Venezuela’s Leader

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:17:09 +0000)

The Venezuelan leader overestimated his strength and misread his exchange with President Trump in the decisive weeks before his capture by U.S. forces.

Thanks, Ukrainians Say, but Please Stop Calling Us Resilient

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:26:16 +0000)

Ukraine must project strength to secure continued Western support. But its people want the world to know they are not superhuman.

Ukraine Wants to Join the E.U. to Secure Peace. Here’s What to Know.

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:17 +0000)

Negotiators agree that joining the bloc is critical to Kyiv’s future. But obstacles abound, and compromises might forever change how the union works.

Casey Means, Critic of Mainstream Medicine, May Become Nation’s Top Doctor

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:57 +0000)

Dr. Means, a wellness influencer and President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, will appear before a Senate committee Wednesday.

Hunters and Veterans Are Fighting Trump’s Pick to Oversee Public Lands

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:02:53 +0000)

Steve Pearce, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, is set to face a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

Court Rules Against Justice Dept. Search of Reporter’s Computers

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:29:40 +0000)

The judge said the court itself would search the devices, which were seized from a Washington Post reporter’s home last month.

Delroy Lindo on ‘Sinners,’ the Oscars and the Power of Affirmation

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:02:42 +0000)

In a career of standout performances and dispiriting lows, Lindo, 73, has held firm to his goal: “I want to be respected for my work.”

International Oscar Favorites Are Offering a Complicated New View of America

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:02:06 +0000)

The Oscars has become friendlier to non-English language movies. And the movies seem aware of their American audiences.

In Windsor, Some See Family Drama in the Andrew Accusations

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:01:08 +0000)

“Her children have let her down,” said one woman, referring to Queen Elizabeth II. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s fall from grace drew strong reactions from some. Others said they just did not care.

Leader of Columbia Brain Institute Quits Over Friendship With Epstein

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:17:30 +0000)

The Nobel laureate Richard Axel is not accused of wrongdoing but called his association with Jeffrey Epstein a “serious error in judgment.”

Can A.I. Detection Tools Really Spot Fake Images and Videos?

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:09 +0000)

Artificial intelligence detectors are increasingly used to check the veracity of content online. We ran more than 1,000 tests and found several strengths and plenty of weaknesses.

Bleak Research Report Stokes A.I. Debate on Wall St.

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:04:09 +0000)

In a widely circulated note, Citrini Research painted a dire picture of job losses and stock market sell-offs, though many analysts and economists questioned its conclusions.

How Mamdani Learned From the First Snowstorm and Prepared for the Second

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:17 +0000)

As the forecast rapidly worsened, Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged his staff to implement new policies and emphasized the need to communicate aggressively about the snow.

Mamdani’s New Social Services Chief Worked to Reduce Street Homelessness

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:12 +0000)

Mayor Zohran Mamdani selected Erin Dalton, a public official in the Pittsburgh area, to head New York City’s Department of Social Services.

Online Accusations in Guthrie Abduction Leave One Family ‘Scared Numb’

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:02:59 +0000)

A fifth-grade teacher and his principal wife hid in their bedroom as dozens of people who believed he might be a kidnapper appeared on their suburban street.

Yondr Pouches, a Solution to School Phone Bans, Are No Match for Teens

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:30 +0000)

In some schools, Yondr, a pouch marketed to keep kids off devices, has proved no match for actual children.

Futsal Phenom in Afghanistan Is a Hero the Taliban Didn’t Expect

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:35:05 +0000)

A triumph in indoor soccer has turned Alireza Ahmadi, 17, and other players from the Hazara minority, long marginalized in Afghanistan, into national heroes.

Germany’s Leader Merz Delivers a Blunt Warning to China on Trade

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:14:45 +0000)

Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out his complaints in a frank message to his hosts on a trip to Beijing that China had designed to showcase their relationship.

Abu Dhabi’s State Oil Company Looks Beyond Oil

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:15 +0000)

Having reshaped the company, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber wants to expand internationally, particularly in natural gas, chemicals and renewables.

Best and Worst Moments From Trump’s State of the Union Address

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:02:11 +0000)

Nine Opinion writers weigh in on the speech.

Jimmy Kimmel Goes Live After a Super Long State of the Union

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:48:07 +0000)

“I can’t believe America missed an all-new ‘Will Trent’ for this one,” he joked.

A Seasoned French Museum Chief Takes Over a Louvre in Crisis

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:50:44 +0000)

Christophe Leribault, who runs the Palace of Versailles, will replace Laurence des Cars, who resigned months after an audacious jewel heist.

A New York City Diner That Served Blind Residents Has Closed Its Doors

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:10 +0000)

When Malibu Diner in Chelsea shut down on Sunday night, it ended a unique breakfast program for older people in the city.

Susan Leeman, 95, Dies; Explored How the Brain Influences the Body

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 04:46:35 +0000)

In an era of overt sexism in the sciences, she made two major discoveries, including identifying a chemical signal in the brain linked to chronic pain and migraines.

Judge Dismisses Minnesota Gun Case as Prosecutors Struggle With Resignations

(Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:31:38 +0000)

A judge took the unusual step of dropping the case over a speedy trial violation by the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, which has been flooded with immigration-related cases.