Explore

Reuters Reuters
Berlin Film Festival entry 'Yellow Letters' sends warning about democracy, says director

Berlin Film Festival entry 'Yellow Letters' sends warning about democracy, says director

By Miranda Murray BERLIN, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Berlin Film Festival marriage drama "Yellow Letters" should serve as a cautionary tale for Western audiences who believe democratic backsliding is a distant concern, not a danger that could emerge at home, said Turkish‑German director Ilker Catak.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
General Caine Hosts Western Hemisphere Military Summit to Address Security Threats

General Caine Hosts Western Hemisphere Military Summit to Address Security Threats

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is organizing a significant military summit involving leaders from 34 nations across the Western Hemisphere. Scheduled for February 11, 2026, the summit aims to enhance collaboration and understanding of security challenges in the region. The agenda includes discussions on strengthening regional cooperation and developing strategies to combat criminal and terrorist organizations. The summit also seeks to address the influence of external actors perceived as threats to regional stability. This meeting comes amid intensified U.S. military operations against drug cartels, highlighted by a recent strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Nigeria's Agriculture Minister Elected Chair of IFAD Governing Council, Impacting Global Agricultural Governance

Nigeria's Agriculture Minister Elected Chair of IFAD Governing Council, Impacting Global Agricultural Governance

Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This election took place during the 49th Session of the IFAD Governing Council in Rome, Italy. Kyari, who previously served as Vice Chair, will now lead the council for a two-year term. His election is seen as a significant milestone for Nigeria's leadership in global agricultural governance. In his acceptance speech, Kyari emphasized his commitment to serving the millions of rural people affected by the council's decisions. He also acknowledged the support of Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu and other government officials, highlighting Nigeria's strengthened global standing in agricultural development.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
ARAR Gallery Promotes Armenian Contemporary Art on Global Stage

ARAR Gallery Promotes Armenian Contemporary Art on Global Stage

ARAR Gallery, based in Utrecht, Netherlands, is actively promoting Armenian contemporary art to international audiences. The gallery's mission is to integrate Armenian art into global conversations, rather than presenting it as an isolated category. Founded by Ashot Khalafyan, ARAR Gallery showcases a diverse range of Armenian artists who blend cultural heritage with modern artistic approaches. The gallery features works from painters like Hasmik Khalafyan, who combines traditional Armenian and Dutch styles, and Anahit Mirijanyan, known for her mythological and sensual themes. Additionally, the gallery includes wearable art pieces, offering a unique way for audiences to engage with Armenian art. ARAR Gallery aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for Armenian artists, ensuring their recognition and integration into contemporary art discourse.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Karen Bass Accused of Controlling Media Messaging on Palisades Fire

Karen Bass Accused of Controlling Media Messaging on Palisades Fire

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been accused of controlling the media messaging following the Palisades Fire, a catastrophic event that led to significant property damage. According to reports, the after-action review of the fire was altered from its original draft, with key details omitted or softened in the final public report. The California Post obtained the initial draft, which was more critical of the city's response. Allegations suggest that Bass orchestrated the Los Angeles Fire Department's public communications to manage the narrative. Aides to Bass have defended her actions, stating that her involvement was standard practice for city department interactions.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Dallas City Councilmember Offers Rare Tour Amid Debate on City Hall's Future

Dallas City Councilmember Offers Rare Tour Amid Debate on City Hall's Future

A Dallas city councilmember has provided a rare tour of the current City Hall as the city deliberates on whether to invest in renovating the existing building or relocate to a new facility. The decision comes at a time when there is an abundance of vacant office space in the city. The debate centers around the potential investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, which would be required to either refurbish the current City Hall or move to a different location. This decision is crucial as it will impact the city's budget and urban planning strategies. The tour aimed to give stakeholders a better understanding of the current state of the City Hall and the challenges it faces.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
North Dakota School District Loses $4.9M to Email Scam, FBI Investigates

North Dakota School District Loses $4.9M to Email Scam, FBI Investigates

Dickinson Public Schools in North Dakota has fallen victim to an email scam, resulting in a loss of $4.92 million. The scam involved criminals impersonating a trusted vendor and redirecting two payments from the district's building fund to a fraudulent account. The district has reported the incident to local law enforcement, which is now working with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice due to the case's complexity. The building fund, which is designated for facility projects, was targeted, but the district assures that classroom instruction and operations will not be affected. No personal data of students or staff was compromised, and no further fraudulent activities have been reported. In response, the district has implemented additional security measures, including vendor verification procedures, enhanced email security protocols, and staff training on cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Boston Mayor Supports Praise Shadows Gallery's Move Downtown to Boost Cultural Economy

Boston Mayor Supports Praise Shadows Gallery's Move Downtown to Boost Cultural Economy

Praise Shadows Gallery, a respected contemporary art gallery previously located in Brookline, is relocating to downtown Boston with the support of Mayor Michelle Wu. The gallery's founder, Yng-Ru Chen, secured a 10-year lease for a new space in the Leather District, facilitated by the city's initiative to bring creative businesses to vacant downtown spaces. The gallery will open with a group show titled 'Summoning' on March 13, featuring various artists. The move is part of a broader effort by the city, in collaboration with the Downtown Boston Alliance, to revitalize the area by attracting cultural enterprises.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Zelensky Launches Ukrainian-German Drone Manufacturing Enterprise in Munich

Zelensky Launches Ukrainian-German Drone Manufacturing Enterprise in Munich

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the launch of the first Ukrainian-German drone manufacturing enterprise in Munich. This initiative aims to enhance technological cooperation between Ukraine and Germany in the field of drones and regional security. Zelensky emphasized the importance of joint production efforts to strengthen security and achieve a dignified peace. The project is expected to deepen defense cooperation and contribute to the technological capabilities of both nations.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Newly Revealed Documents Uncover Complex Mechanism Behind Romanian Jewish Immigration to Israel

Newly Revealed Documents Uncover Complex Mechanism Behind Romanian Jewish Immigration to Israel

Newly uncovered documents and testimonies have shed light on the complex political and economic mechanisms that facilitated the immigration of approximately 400,000 Romanian Jews to Israel during the Communist era. This significant wave of aliyah, the second-largest in Israel's history, was previously viewed as a straightforward chapter in the Zionist struggle. However, the new findings reveal a sophisticated system involving secret agreements, financial incentives, and covert intelligence activities. Romania, uniquely positioned as the only Communist bloc country maintaining relations with Israel post-1967, leveraged its diplomatic status to facilitate these migrations. The process involved indirect political and economic arrangements, with Romania reportedly earning substantial sums through these deals. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee played a crucial role in financing these operations, alongside Nativ, which acted as a diplomatic and covert arm.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
University of Warwick Study Highlights Potential of Cleaner Solar Manufacturing to Reduce Emissions

University of Warwick Study Highlights Potential of Cleaner Solar Manufacturing to Reduce Emissions

Researchers from the University of Warwick, along with Northumbria, Birmingham, and Oxford Universities, have conducted a study indicating that manufacturing next-generation solar panels could significantly cut global carbon emissions. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that by 2035, the adoption of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics could reduce emissions by up to 8.2 billion tonnes. This new technology is more efficient than the current industry-standard passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) design. The research emphasizes the importance of manufacturing location, noting that producing photovoltaics with low-carbon electricity can further reduce emissions. The study also projects that photovoltaics installed between 2023 and 2035 could avoid more than 25 gigatonnes of carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel electricity.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Canadian Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Unite in Vigil for School Shooting Victims

Canadian Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Unite in Vigil for School Shooting Victims

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre attended a vigil in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, to honor the victims of a recent mass shooting. The tragic event occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where an 18-year-old shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her mother, stepbrother, five children, and an educator before taking her own life. The vigil was marked by a display of unity as Carney and Poilievre held hands during a prayer led by an Indigenous leader. Carney named each of the victims and expressed condolences, emphasizing the community's resilience and support. The event drew hundreds of attendees, including British Columbia Premier David Eby, who assured students they would not be forced to return to the school building.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Grand Jury Rejects Indictment of Democrats Over Military Video, Lawyer Urges DOJ to Close Probe

Grand Jury Rejects Indictment of Democrats Over Military Video, Lawyer Urges DOJ to Close Probe

An attorney for Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin has called on the Justice Department to end its investigation into a video advising military personnel not to follow illegal orders. This request follows a federal grand jury's decision not to indict Slotkin and five other Democrats involved in the video. The grand jury found no probable cause to support charges against the lawmakers, who had reminded service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders. The video had previously drawn criticism from President Trump, who accused the Democrats of seditious behavior. The attorney, Preet Bharara, argued that continuing the investigation would violate ethical duties and urged the DOJ to respect the grand jury's decision.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Man Charged with Sending Fake Ransom Texts in Nancy Guthrie Case Appears in Court

Man Charged with Sending Fake Ransom Texts in Nancy Guthrie Case Appears in Court

Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old man from California, has been charged with sending fake ransom demands related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. Callella allegedly sent text messages to Guthrie's children, Annie and Tommaso Cioni, demanding bitcoin payments. He also made a brief phone call to one of them. The charges against Callella include transmitting a demand for ransom and using a telecommunication device to abuse, threaten, or harass. He appeared in court and is subject to pre-trial restrictions, including electronic monitoring and travel limitations. The case is part of an ongoing investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, which has captured national attention.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
New Jersey Family Honors Heart Awareness Month with Creative Initiative

New Jersey Family Honors Heart Awareness Month with Creative Initiative

In Haddon Township, New Jersey, a family is actively participating in Heart Awareness Month by engaging in creative activities. The Dawson family, including 5-year-old Crew Dawson, is making paper hearts to commemorate Valentine's Day weekend. This initiative is particularly significant for the family as Crew has a complex heart condition. The family's efforts are part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about heart health and the challenges faced by those with heart conditions. The story highlights the family's resilience and commitment to spreading love and awareness during this special month.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Report Reveals Alarming Levels of Heavy Metals in Popular Dog Foods

Report Reveals Alarming Levels of Heavy Metals in Popular Dog Foods

A recent report by the Clean Label Project, a Colorado-based nonprofit, has found that many popular dog foods contain 'dangerous levels' of heavy metals and plastic-related chemicals. The study tested nearly 80 dog food products, including fresh, frozen, dry, and air- and freeze-dried varieties. The findings indicate that these dog foods contain three to 13 times more heavy metals than human foods tested over the past decade. The report highlights the presence of acrylamide, a probable carcinogen formed during high-heat cooking, raising concerns about the safety of these products for pets.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Social Media Platforms Face Ethical Scrutiny Amidst Rising Toxicity and Misinformation

Social Media Platforms Face Ethical Scrutiny Amidst Rising Toxicity and Misinformation

Social media platforms are under increasing scrutiny for their role in spreading misinformation, amplifying far-right content, and exposing users to harmful material. The platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, have been criticized for various issues. X, under Elon Musk's ownership, has been accused of boosting right-wing content and allowing the spread of extreme views. Facebook has faced allegations of data misuse and election interference, while Instagram has been linked to negative impacts on teenage girls' body image. TikTok has been criticized for exposing young users to harmful content. Despite these issues, social media remains a vital tool for marginalized groups, providing essential connections and support.
Trendline Trendline
Chris Paul Retires as NBA's All-Star Weekend Begins, Ending a 21-Season Career

Chris Paul Retires as NBA's All-Star Weekend Begins, Ending a 21-Season Career

Chris Paul Retires as NBA's All-Star Weekend Begins, Ending a 21-Season Career
Trendline Trendline
Mon Power and Potomac Edison Plan New Natural Gas Plant in West Virginia

Mon Power and Potomac Edison Plan New Natural Gas Plant in West Virginia

Mon Power and Potomac Edison Plan New Natural Gas Plant in West Virginia
Trendline Trendline
Cornell Big Red Triumphs Over Princeton Tigers in Ivy League Basketball

Cornell Big Red Triumphs Over Princeton Tigers in Ivy League Basketball

Cornell Big Red Triumphs Over Princeton Tigers in Ivy League Basketball