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Diplomatic momentum is building as officials prepare for high-stakes talks over the war in Ukraine, even as core disagreements remain unresolved. A transatlantic clean energy agreement is stirring political friction in Washington, highlighting deeper divides over federal authority and climate strategy.

Meanwhile, a shooting at a youth hockey game in Rhode Island has left a community reeling and renewed questions about safety at public gatherings.

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The Kremlin said upcoming Geneva talks will tackle core issues in the war with Ukraine, including territorial control and long-term security guarantees. Broader disputes over NATO expansion and sanctions relief are likely to define how much room either side has to compromise.

Moscow has signaled that any agreement must reflect what it calls the “new realities” on the ground after nearly two years of fighting. Kyiv maintains that sovereignty and internationally recognized borders are nonnegotiable, underscoring the wide divide heading into formal discussions.

Diplomatic activity is picking up even as front lines remain largely static and costly for both militaries. Preliminary understandings on ceasefire terms or humanitarian corridors, if reached, could alter momentum and shape the trajectory of Western military and financial support.

President Donald Trump criticized a new California–Britain energy agreement intended to expand cooperation on clean power and climate policy. The White House’s opposition underscores how federal–state tensions may shape the coordination of U.S. energy policy with foreign partners.

The deal targets offshore wind development, grid modernization, and emissions reductions, further strengthening ties between California officials and the U.K. government. Cross-border climate partnerships can advance regulatory standards and mobilize investment even when national priorities shift.

The political backlash reflects a wider divide over energy transition strategy and the scope of international collaboration. Federal authority over trade and foreign policy could become a flashpoint if similar agreements continue to emerge.

Three people were killed, including the suspected gunman, and three others were critically injured after a shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a youth hockey game Monday afternoon, authorities said. Police indicated the violence appears to have stemmed from a family dispute, and a bystander intervened to help stop the attack before officers arrived.

The incident unfolded rapidly, with portions captured on a livestream that showed players and spectators scrambling for cover as gunfire erupted inside the crowded rink. Local officials, including Pawtucket’s mayor, said the community is in shock and urged unity as investigators work to determine the motive and sequence of events.

The shooting comes amid heightened national concern over gun violence at public gatherings and is prompting renewed scrutiny of security measures at youth sporting events. As families begin to mourn, law enforcement continues to examine how the suspect obtained the weapon and what led to the targeted confrontation.

A militant assault on a checkpoint in Pakistan killed 11 security personnel and a child, according to local reporting. The attack highlights how rising violence could strain counterterrorism efforts and intensify security concerns across the region.

Australia will not repatriate 34 women and children in Syria with alleged Islamic State ties, citing security and procedural concerns that leave them in the Roj camp. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said legal constraints and national security priorities prevent government-assisted returns.

A Budapest visit that featured a new civilian nuclear cooperation agreement underscored U.S. support for Viktor Orbán as he faces a competitive spring election. The signal matters because Hungary’s stance inside Europe can shape sanctions, energy policy, and Ukraine-related decisions.

Skywatchers tracking the Feb. 17 annular eclipse can use the visibility map and timing to see where partial phases appear. Eye safety is the point, since even a sliver of direct sun can cause permanent damage.

New pressure showed up again in housing conditions as affordability remains tight and activity swings with rates and weather. Household balance sheets feel the strain through higher payments, slower mobility, and weaker wealth effects.

President Donald Trump said he will be “indirectly” involved in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, calling them “very important” while warning of consequences if no deal is reached, Reuters reported. His comments signal continued high-level engagement and a blend of pressure and diplomacy shaping the negotiations.

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U.S. stock futures edged lower as investors sized up a crowded week of releases, with Nasdaq futures reflecting caution after recent AI-driven volatility. Event risk matters because one outsized print can reset rate-cut odds and sector leadership.

European benchmarks ticked higher while U.S. futures softened, with Tuesday’s setup shaped by inflation expectations and holiday timing. Divergence matters because capital can rotate quickly when policy paths look different across regions.

Global stocks traded cautiously in thin holiday conditions as investors weighed inflation data and central bank signals, with mixed moves in Asia and slightly lower U.S. futures. The dollar firmed and gold eased, highlighting how rate expectations and light liquidity are steering cross-asset markets.

New research shows that microplastic exposure can disrupt marine food chains by altering feeding behavior and growth in small ocean organisms. Ecosystem impacts matter because changes at the base of the food web can ripple upward to commercially important fish species and global seafood supplies.

NASA completed the first flight of its experimental laminar flow wing, a scaled design aimed at reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency in future aircraft. Smoother airflow over wings matters because even small reductions in drag can lower fuel burn, cut emissions and reshape commercial aircraft design.

Researchers identified a brain circuit tied to resilience that helps individuals adapt to chronic stress, offering a potential target for treating depression and anxiety. In animal studies, activating the pathway improved coping under prolonged stress, pointing to future therapies that could strengthen resilience.

Elana Meyers Taylor won monobob gold at the Milan-Cortina Games after a final run flipped the standings. The result matters for U.S. medal momentum and for athlete longevity narratives in winter sport.

A fresh look at the 2026 schedule highlighted another 24-round season and near-term preseason testing windows. Teams treat early testing as a risk-control exercise when new rules and reliability demands collide.

Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque opens up about his experiences as one of the league’s few Black players in an excerpt from his forthcoming book, detailed in this book excerpt feature. His reflections matter because they add to ongoing conversations about diversity, inclusion and the lived realities of minority athletes in professional hockey.

A New York Fashion Week gallery highlights runway choices that often forecast what reaches stores months later. Designers’ fabric and cut decisions can influence pricing as brands lock in supply orders.

Harry Styles will serve as curator of the 2026 Meltdown Festival at London’s Southbank Centre, shaping the lineup and creative direction for the annual music event. The appointment matters because the curator role traditionally attracts major collaborations and exclusive performances that can define the summer festival calendar.

South Korea’s traditional wrestling sport ssireum is fighting for relevance after decades of decline, as explored in this ssireum feature. Cultural preservation matters because dwindling sponsorships and aging audiences threaten a pastime once considered a national obsession.

Gold’s surge above $5,000 has turned a niche corner of markets into a daily macro signal, and the latest sub-$5,000 slide shows how fragile that signal can be. Price swings matter because gold now sits at the intersection of inflation hedging, geopolitical stress and the timing of rate cuts.

Demand dynamics are unusually split between financial flows and physical buying, and Lunar New Year holidays can remove a major buyer base for days at a time. Thin conditions matter because a smaller pool of bids can exaggerate moves that look like “trend reversals” on charts.

Policy expectations are the other engine, with investors scanning upcoming releases that can reprice the path of rates and the dollar, as highlighted by a busy U.S. calendar. Shifts in rate-cut odds matter because gold competes with cash and bonds, and real yields often drive the relative appeal of holding metal.

Watch three things next: whether physical demand rebounds when Asia reopens, whether inflation data nudges central banks toward or away from easing, and whether geopolitical flare-ups restart safe-haven bids. Positioning matters because crowded trades can unwind quickly, and gold’s swings increasingly spill into silver, currencies and broader risk sentiment.

An Australian man was jailed for mailing live reptiles overseas, highlighting the ongoing threat wildlife trafficking poses to biodiversity and the illegal exotic pet trade.

Logan Paul set a new benchmark for trading card collectors after his prized Pokémon card earned a Guinness World Record

An Amazon delivery van had to be rescued after becoming stranded on hazardous mud flats near a British military firing range, as detailed in this mud flats incident

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