February 12, 2026

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,447 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today that his country has accepted a U.S. proposal to hold another round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks next week but that Moscow was "hesitating" on confirming Russia's participation. [more]
• Ukrainian officials say Russia launched at least 219 attack drones and 24 ballistic missiles at targets across Ukraine overnight, targeting energy and utility infrastructure and knocking out power and water to hundreds of thousands of people. [more]

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY | Ahead of a Friday funding deadline and amidst ongoing negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats over immigration enforcement policies, Department of Homeland Security officials say a partial DHS shutdown could disrupt reimbursements to states for disaster relief costs, affect cybersecurity responses and training, and lead to longer wait times at airports due to TSA staffing issues. [more]

BONDI HEARING | In often contentious testimony before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Justice Department's handling and release of files related to late financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, touted what she said was the department's return to its core missions, and accused lawmakers of using various issues, including the Epstein files, to distract from Trump administration successes. [more]

U.S. TARIFFS | The House of Representatives voted, 219-211, yesterday, with six Republicans joining Democrats, to terminate the national emergency declared by President Donald Trump last year as justification for his wide-ranging tariffs imposed on goods from Canada. Reports note that even if the measure passes in the Senate, President Trump is expected to veto the bill. [more]

U.S. AIR TRAVEL RESTRICTION | Federal officials say the Federal Aviation Administration's short-lived closure of the airspace over El Paso, Texas, yesterday stemmed from the use of an anti-drone laser against a border incursion by Mexican cartel drones. Reports cite sources as saying the Defense Department deployed the laser from nearby Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, which then decided to close the airspace to help ensure air traffic safety. [more]

U.S. HEALTH FUNDING | California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota sued the Trump administration yesterday over Department of Health and Human Services plans to withhold some $600 million in grant funding allocated to the states. Federal health officials say the grants, several of which focus on specific populations, are "inconsistent with agency priorities," while the states contend the cuts are retaliation for opposition to Trump administration policies. [more]

U.S. ELECTIONS | The House voted, 218-213, yesterday to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE, Act, which would impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements when registering to vote and require presentation of a valid photo ID before casting ballots. Supporters of the Act, which is currently expected to fail in the Senate, say the legislation is needed to prevent voter fraud, while opponents suggest the measure will disenfranchise millions of Americans by making it harder to vote. [more]

U.S. GOVERNORS | After cancelling a planned White House event during the upcoming National Governors Association's annual meeting due to President Donald Trump indicating he would exclude some Democratic governors, the NGA says the White House meeting is back on after invitations were extended to all members – including those initially excluded. [more]

NEW YORK CITY | Nurses taking part in a month-long strike over pay and contract issues agreed to return to work yesterday at two of three affected New York City hospitals. The New York State Nurses Association says its members at the Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospitals approved new three-year deals, while those at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital rejected the proposal. [more]

CANADA | Authorities have identified the suspect in Tuesday's mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Colombia, Canada, as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. Police say Rootselaar first killed her mother and stepbrother at the family home before killing at least eight people and wounding 25 others at the nearby Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. [more]

EUROPEAN UNION | Energy costs, border-free trade among members, responses to U.S. tariffs, and E.U. self-sufficiency amidst pressures from China, Russia, and the U.S. are among the main topics expected to be discussed at an informal summit of 27 European Union national leaders being held in Belgium today. [more]

NORTH KOREA | South Korean lawmakers cite a National Intelligence Service assessment as saying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is close to designating his teenage daughter – believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old – the country's next leader. [more]

IRAN | The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says the death toll from last month's Iranian government crackdown on protesters has reached at least 7,002 – more than double the number of deaths estimated by Iranian government officials. [more]

RUSSIA | According to private messaging app WhatsApp, Russia has attempted to fully block use of WhatsApp in the country amidst ongoing efforts to tighten communications controls and drive users to the state-owned MAX messaging app. Russian officials say WhatsApp's failure to comply with local laws led to the ban. [more]

GERMANY | Pilots and cabin crew members for leading German airline Lufthansa are taking part in a one-day strike today, causing widespread flight cancellations and travel disruptions. [more]

ITALY | The Italian government passed a bill yesterday authorizing the use of naval blockades to stop migrants from entering Italy by boat. Reports note that the blockade measure, supported by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, would be imposed upon surges in migration. [more]

OLYMPICS | As of publication time, host country Italy leads the overall medal count at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games with 14, followed by Norway, the United States, Austria, and Japan. [medal tracker] [competition schedule] [more]

MUSIC INDUSTRY | Entertainment site TMZ, citing legal documents it obtained, reports that pop music star Britney Spears has sold the rights to her music catalogue to independent music publisher Primary Wave in a deal believed to be worth about $200 million. [more]

R.I.P. | Actor James Van Der Beek – best known for his titular role in the WB drama "Dawson's Creek" from 1998 to 2003 – died yesterday at the age of 48. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1912, at the end of the Chinese Revolution, Pu Yi, the last emperor of China, abdicated, marking the end of the Qing Dynasty. [more history]