A potential military strike on Iran could happen as soon as Saturday, according to top national security officials. President Trump has been putting military pressure on Iran to work out a nuclear deal by sending U. S. warships and fighter jets to the region. Ed O’Keefe reports.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/us-military-strike-iran-could-happen-as-soon-as-saturday-officials-say/
Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) is expanding its footprint in India through government, academic and venture capital partnerships aligned with the country’s $1 billion AI push. IndiaAI Mission Targets Sovereign AI And Compute Expansion On Tuesday, Nvidia detailed collaborations supporting the IndiaAI Mission, a national program investing more than $1 billion to boost computing capacity, develop sovereign datasets and build frontier AI models and applications. Nvidia is working with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, a statutory body that fosters research and development, to accelerate AI research in science and engineering. Under the partnership, select institutions will receive complimentary access to Nvidia AI Enterprise software and technical mentorship through Nvidia’s AI Technology Center, along with bootcamps and hackathons aimed at expanding research capabilities. Venture Capital Alliances To Back Indian AI Startups The Jensen Huang-led company is also collaborating with leading venture firms, including Peak XV Partners and Accel India, to identify and support high-potential AI startups. More than 4, 000 Indian startups are already part of Nvidia’s Inception program. Nvidia Expands Global Footprint While Doubling Down On US The move follows reports last month that Taiwan’s government approved Nvidia’s plan to invest NT$3. 3 billion ($105 million) in a new headquarters on the island. At the same time, the Donald Trump administration is urging Nvidia to focus on U. S.-based manufacturing and domestic priorities. President Trump has repeatedly stressed the importance of bringing chip production back to the U. S. for both national security and job growth. Jensen Huang Cancelled Last Minute Huang canceled his planned appearance at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit at the last minute. On Tuesday, during a press briefing, when asked why Huang canceled his trip, Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director for South Asia at Nvidia, explained that the CEO had been traveling for three consecutive weeks and had fallen ill. “He’s under the weather,” Dhupar said, adding that they are thrilled to have Jay Puri, executive vice president of Worldwide Field Operations, to lead the delegation in India. Price Action: Nvidia shares were up 1. 201% during Tuesday’s regular session. It gained another 0. 52% in after hours trading, according to Benzinga Pro. Nvidia shows a strong long-term price trend but is trending downward in the short and medium term, coupled with a low value ranking, according to Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo by Robert Way via Shutterstock.
https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/02/50676471/nvidia-expands-india-partnerships-amid-1-billion-national-ai-initiative-focused-on-sovereign-models-?utm_content=taxonomy_rss
CHICAGO (WLS) — Monday is the DuSable African American Museum’s 65th anniversary. As the oldest African American museum in the country, they don’t want to stop at 65 years. And the key to keeping Black history alive is getting young people through the door. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch Whether it’s the first slice of celebratory cake or busing a new group in, the message is clear: It’s time for the next generation to continue the legacy. “It was valuable for me to learn it, you know, and it gives you a sense of who you are,” museum visitor Allfred Anderson said. Anderson took his 9-year-old granddaughter, Faith Bayliss, to the museum’s 65th anniversary. It was her first time there. But for him, it’s been a piece of the journey. “My dad took me to the museum when it was in the house of Dr. Burroughs,” Anderson said. Sixty five years ago, the museum was founded in the house of Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs. It was then known as the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art, before being rebranded in 1968, and today becoming a place that rivals museums across the country. “In 1961, there wasn’t a place for African Americans to go see themselves in a positive light,” said Dilla Thomas, DuSable Museum brand ambassador. “The purpose of this institution is to show us that we’ve always had everything that we needed.” The new “Paris in Black” exhibit is just the latest installation doing just that, in the hopes it will reinspire families to support its mission. “We are in a time where people are not really excited about Black history, and I think that having our 65th birthday on Presidents Day just speaks volumes as to the strength and the support and the magnitude of the museum,” Wendy Williams said. And if the museum isn’t quite enough to remind young Black kids of that strength, Bayliss has some advice. “Listen to the song by James Brown, ‘I’m Black and I’m Proud,'” Bayliss said. The “Paris in Black” exhibit is open for at least another 18 months.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/dusable-african-american-museum-celebrates-65th-anniversary-presidents-day-2026-chicago/18609548/
NEW ORLEANS — It is Carnival season in New Orleans. That means gazillions of green, gold and purple Mardi Gras beads. Once made of glass and cherished by parade spectators who were lucky enough to catch them, today cheap plastic beaded necklaces from overseas are tossed from floats by the handful. Spectators sometimes pile dozens around their necks, but many are trashed or left on the ground. A few years ago after heavy flooding, the city found more than 46 tons of them clogging its storm drains. The beads are increasingly viewed as a problem, but a Mardi Gras without beads also seems unfathomable. That is why it was a radical step when the Krewe of Freret made the decision last year to ban plastic beads from their parade. “Our riders loved it because the spectators don’t value this anymore,” Freret co-founder Greg Rhoades said. “It’s become so prolific that they dodge out of the way when they see cheap plastic beads coming at them.” This year, beads are back, but not the cheap plastic ones. Freret is one of three krewes throwing biodegradable beads developed at Louisiana State University. The “PlantMe Beads” are 3D-printed from a starch-based, commercially available material called polylactic acid, or PLA, graduate student Alexis Strain said. The individual beads are large hollow spheres containing okra seeds. That is because the necklaces can actually be planted, and the okra attracts bacteria that help them decompose. Kristi Trail, executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, said plastic beads are a twofold problem. First, they clog the storm drains, leading to flooding. Then those that aren’t caught in the drains are washed directly into Lake Pontchartrain, where they can harm marine life. The group is currently preparing to study microplastics in the lake. The trend toward a more sustainable Mardi Gras has been growing for years and includes a small but growing variety of more thoughtful throws like food, soaps and sunglasses. Trail said there is no good data right now to say if those efforts are having an impact, but the group recently got a grant that should help them answer the question in the future. “Beads are obviously a problem, but we generate about 2. 5 million pounds of trash from Mardi Gras,” Trail said. Strain works in the lab of Professor Naohiro Kato, an associate professor of biology at LSU. He first got the idea to develop biodegradable beads in 2013 after talking to people concerned about the celebration’s environmental impact. As a plant biologist, Kato knew that bioplastics could be made from plants and got curious about the possibilities. The first iteration of the lab’s biodegradable beads came in 2018, when they produced beads made from a bioplastic derived from microalgae. However, production costs were too high for the algae-based beads to offer a practical alternative to petroleum-based beads. Then Strain started experimenting with 3D printing, and the PlantMe Bead was born. For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have produced 3, 000 PlantMe Bead necklaces that they are giving to three krewes in exchange for feedback on the design and on how well they are received by spectators. One funny thing, Kato said, is that people have told him they love how unique the PlantMe Beads are and want to keep them. “So wait a minute, if you want to keep it, the petroleum-plastic Mardi Gras bead is the best, because this won’t last,” he said. The lab is still working on ideas for a more sustainable Mardi Gras. Strain is experimenting with a different 3D printer material that biodegrades quickly without needing to be planted. Kato is talking with local schools about turning Mardi Gras bead-making into a community project. He envisions students 3D printing necklaces while learning about bioplastics and plant biology. Ultimately, however, Kato said, the goal should not be to replace one plastic bead with a less harmful one. He hopes Mardi Gras embraces the idea of less waste. Rhoades said Freret is moving in the same direction. “In 2025, we were the first krewe major parading organization to say, ‘No more. No more cheap beads. Let’s throw things that people value, that people appreciate, that can be used year-round,’ Rhoades said. One of the most coveted items they throw is baseball hats with the Freret logo. He sees people wearing the hats around the city, and he says other krewes have noticed. “I really believe that we, and other krewes, are able to inspire your larger krewes,” he said. “They want people to like their stuff. They want people take their stuff home, and use it, and talk about it, and post it on social media, and say, ‘Look what I just caught!’ ” ___ Loller reported from Nashville, Tennessee.
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/biodegradable-mardi-gras-beads-make-carnival-season-sustainable-130195385
Listen · 9: 04 9: 04 NPR’s Lauren Frayer arrived in London after years in India, and she’s been covering Britain with the legacy of empire in view.
https://www.npr.org/2026/02/14/nx-s1-5696542/a-london-beat-framed-by-colonial-history
Lawmakers are locked in a standoff over the way ICE is carrying out immigration enforcement. Nicole Sganga has details about who will be impacted by the shutdown.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/these-dhs-employees-will-be-impacted-by-the-government-shutdown/
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration reached a significant trade deal with Taiwan on Thursday, with Taiwan agreeing to remove or reduce 99% of its tariff barriers, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced.
The agreement comes as the U.S. remains heavily reliant on Taiwan for its production of computer chips. Chip exports contributed to a trade imbalance of nearly $127 billion during the first 11 months of 2025, according to the Census Bureau. Under the new deal, most of Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. will be taxed at a 15% rate, which aligns with tariffs levied on other U.S. trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Japan and South Korea.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attended the signing of the reciprocal agreement. The ceremony took place under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. Taiwan’s Vice Premier Li-chiun Cheng and government minister Jen-ni Yang were also present.
“President Trump’s leadership in the Asia-Pacific region continues to generate prosperous trade ties for the United States with important partners across Asia, while further advancing the economic and national security interests of the American people,” Greer said in a statement.
The Taiwanese government emphasized that the tariff rate set in the agreement allows its companies to compete on a level playing field with counterparts in Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. Taiwan also stated that the agreement “eliminated” the disadvantage caused by the absence of a formal free trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S.
This deal comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China in April, signaling a deepening economic relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan. It’s important to note that Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy claimed by China as its own territory — which Beijing has vowed to annex by force if necessary. China also prohibits countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including the U.S., from maintaining formal ties with Taipei.
Under the terms of the deal, Taiwan will invest $250 billion in U.S. industries such as computer chips, artificial intelligence applications, and energy. Additionally, the Taiwanese government plans to provide up to $250 billion in credit guarantees to assist smaller businesses in making investments in the U.S.
The agreement also aims to make it easier for the U.S. to sell autos, pharmaceutical drugs, and food products in Taiwan. However, the most critical component may be Taiwanese investment in domestic U.S. computer chip production, which could help reduce the trade imbalance.
These substantial investments helped the U.S. reduce its initially planned tariffs from as high as 32% to 15%. Taiwan’s government will submit the deal and investment plans to its legislature for approval.
From the U.S. perspective, the agreement is expected to facilitate the creation of several “world-class” industrial parks designed to bolster domestic manufacturing of advanced technologies, including semiconductors. In January, the Commerce Department described the deal as “a historic trade agreement that will drive a massive reshoring of America’s semiconductor sector.”
In return, the U.S. will give preferential treatment to Taiwan regarding potential tariffs stemming from a Section 232 investigation into the importation of computer chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
TSMC, the Taiwanese chip-making giant, is expected to be the key investor in this initiative. The company has committed $165 billion towards investments in the U.S., which include fabrication plants and a major research and development center. This R&D center will help build a supply chain to support U.S. ambitions in artificial intelligence.
Major U.S. tech companies such as Nvidia and AMD rely on TSMC for manufacturing highly advanced chips. The investment agreement also envisions two-way investments, with U.S. companies investing in key Taiwanese industries.
For example, Nvidia recently signed a land deal in Taipei to build its new headquarters office there, highlighting the growing economic ties between the two partners.
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/trump-administration-reaches-trade-deal-lower-taiwans-tariff-130120134
A man is suspected of killing two people, including a person he was previously in a relationship with, and then gunning down four more at another home hundreds of miles away in what authorities are calling connected homicides in Florida.
Law enforcement officials in Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota County identified 51-year-old Russell Kot as the suspect in the homicides on Wednesday. Kot died of apparent self-inflicted wounds on Tuesday following the alleged killing spree, authorities said.
### Sarasota County Shootings
Deputies in Sarasota County initially responded midday Tuesday to a shooting at a residence located in a gated community. Four people were killed, including a man who was shot while approaching the front door, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Two women and another man were found dead inside the home, which is situated in the Amberlea neighborhood. The suspect, Kot, was also found dead in the residence, the sheriff’s office reported.
Video footage showed Kot’s vehicle entering the neighborhood around 11 a.m. Tuesday. Shortly afterward, a neighbor’s Ring camera captured the sound of gunfire. The man who was shot outside was seen entering the neighborhood in his vehicle approximately 37 minutes prior. Deputies found neighbors performing CPR on him in the front yard upon arrival.
### Fort Lauderdale Double Homicide
Later that same day, over 200 miles away on Florida’s east coast, police conducted a well-being check at a home in the Victoria Park section of Fort Lauderdale. Inside, two people were found dead, police said.
While Sarasota County authorities worked to identify the victims and suspect in their case, the Fort Lauderdale police contacted them, indicating that the double homicide and the Sarasota County shooting might be related.
Following the Fort Lauderdale homicide, the suspect’s vehicle was captured on camera traveling near Sarasota County before the quadruple homicide in Amberlea occurred.
### Suspect and Victim Connections
Russell Kot, who lived in Fort Lauderdale, had a “previous romantic relationship” with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. That victim was connected to the Sarasota County victims, officials said, though they declined to provide further details.
On Wednesday, police identified the victims in Fort Lauderdale as Larisa Blyudaya, 46, and Ben Azivov, 18. The Sarasota County victims were named as Olga Greinert, 49; Florita Stolyar, 66; Anatoly Ioffe, 61; and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39.
### Investigation and Motive
The homicides remain under investigation. As of Wednesday, a motive in the Sarasota County incident is still unknown.
“Based on our preliminary investigation, it appears that the suspect died of self-inflicted wounds, and there are no known documented mental health crises nor history of violence associated with him,” the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office stated.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/man-suspected-killing-6-people-2-residences-florida/story?id=130078998
Over the past six years, tens of thousands of mothers have been referred to law enforcement for alleged drug use during pregnancy. However, in many cases, these allegations were based on flawed drug tests.
CBS News partnered with The Marshall Project to investigate and report on this troubling issue. To discuss their findings, Shoshana Walter and Jill Castellano from The Marshall Project joined “The Daily Report.”
Their insights shed light on the implications of relying on inaccurate drug testing and its impact on mothers and families across the country.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/flawed-drug-tests-wrongfully-sending-new-mothers-police-way-larger-than-we-ever-thought/
A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces. However, the agents will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number.
California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill signed in September. The legislation followed a summer marked by high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Los Angeles.
The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in November challenging the laws, arguing they threatened the safety of officers who faced harassment, doxing, and violence. The administration also claimed the laws violated the Constitution because the state was directly regulating the federal government.
Judge Christina Snyder issued the initial ruling because the mask ban, as enacted, did not apply to state law enforcement authorities, thereby discriminating against the federal government. This ruling could have national implications as states grapple with how to handle federal agents enforcing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Despite blocking the law for federal agents, Judge Snyder left open the possibility of future legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if applied universally to all law enforcement agencies. She wrote, “the Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks.”
The ruling is set to take effect on February 19.
—
### Background on the California Law
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September, banning some law enforcement officers from wearing masks, neck gaiters, and other facial coverings. Originally slated to go into effect on January 1, the law was put on hold due to the lawsuit.
In addition to exempting state law enforcement officers, the bill included exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment like N95 respirators or tactical gear, and other situations where not wearing a mask would jeopardize an operation. Judge Snyder sided with the federal government, which argued that these exemptions were discriminatory against federal agents.
Governor Newsom also signed into law a separate measure requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on duty. This measure was also challenged by the federal government but was upheld by the judge.
—
### Reactions and Next Steps
California State Senator Scott Wiener, who proposed the original bill to ban facial coverings, announced on Monday that he would immediately introduce new legislation to include state police in the law.
“ICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability,” Wiener said in a news release. “We will ensure our mask ban can be enforced.”
—
### Court Hearing Details
At a January 14 hearing, Judge Snyder repeatedly asked the government’s lawyer, Tiberius Davis, to explain why banning masks would impede federal law enforcement if officers rarely wore masks before 2025.
Davis cited claims from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicating a multifold increase in assaults and threats against federal officers. He also referred to an incident in Los Angeles where three women allegedly livestreamed while following an ICE agent home and posted the address on Instagram.
“There is real deterrence on the officer’s safety and ability to perform their duties,” Davis said.
In response, Cameron Bell, an attorney with the California Department of Justice, challenged these claims, stating there was no concrete evidence that federal agents could not perform their duties without facial coverings. Bell referenced accounts from U.S. citizens who, upon detention by federal agents, believed they were being kidnapped.
“It’s obvious why these laws are in the public interest,” Bell said.
—
### Broader Legal Implications
The federal government also argued in legal briefs that allowing California’s legislation could embolden other states to impose similar unconstitutional restraints.
Davis cited a July 2025 statement from Governor Newsom during an online interview discussing the mask ban bill: “It appears that we don’t have the legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement authorities.”
In December, Los Angeles County supervisors voted to enact a local ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks, which went into effect January 8. However, the sheriff’s department stated it would not enforce the ordinance until after the court ruled on the statewide mask ban. The Los Angeles Police Department also announced it would not enforce the mask ban.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-blocks-californias-ban-on-federal-agents-wearing-masks-but-requires-badges-be-clearly-seen/
