MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Here are today's top news stories for February 12, 2026, across various categories:
U.S. News
- DHS Shutdown Looms: The Department of Homeland Security is facing a potential shutdown due to budget disagreements. This could impact various services and programs related to immigration and security.
- Trump Administration's Firing Rule: A new rule proposed by the Trump administration could change the way federal employees are terminated, raising concerns about job security among government workers.
- Search for 'Today' Host's Mother: A high-profile search is underway for the mother of a popular television host, which has garnered significant media attention.
El Paso Airspace Reopens: The FAA lifted a 10-day flight restriction over El Paso just eight hours after it was implemented.
The closure was initially sparked by reports of "cartel drone infiltration," though critics are now questioning the legitimacy of those claims. V-22 Osprey Fixes: The U.S. military has outlined its latest plan for mechanical fixes for the V-22 fleet.
Policymakers are also assuring European allies that there will be no major troop drawdowns in the near future. Suspect ID’d in Guthrie Abduction: The FBI has released new video footage of a suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, appealing to the public for help in the ongoing investigation
Politics
- Trump's Push to 'Nationalize' Elections: Former President Trump is advocating for a national standard for elections, which critics argue could undermine state control and lead to more centralized political power.
- Clintons' Connection to Epstein: New revelations regarding the Clintons' ties to Jeffrey Epstein have surfaced, prompting renewed scrutiny and debate about their past associations.
GOP Push for Voter ID: House Republicans are advancing the "SAVE America Act," which would require proof of citizenship (such as a passport or birth certificate) to register to vote ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Pam Bondi Under Fire: Attorney General Pam Bondi faced intense questioning from House Democrats regarding heavy redactions in the recently released Epstein files and her handling of political investigations.
US-Iran "Red Lines": Following a meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Iran has signaled a willingness to discuss its nuclear program but has declared its ballistic missile program "non-negotiable."
World Affairs
- Geopolitical Tensions in Eastern Europe: Increased military activity along the borders of Ukraine and Russia is raising alarms about a potential escalation in conflict.
- Climate Agreements in Jeopardy: Countries are struggling to meet climate commitments, with discussions at international forums highlighting the urgent need for action.
Bangladesh Election Unrest: Sporadic violence has been reported in Dhaka as polling ends and counting begins for the national parliamentary election.
Munich Security Conference: Global defense ministers are arriving in Germany for the 62nd Munich Security Conference, where maritime security and the conflict in Ukraine are expected to top the agenda.
Indonesian President to Visit U.S.: President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to visit Washington mid-month to sign a reciprocal tariff agreement and attend the inaugural Board of Peace summit.
Education
- New Education Funding Bill: A bipartisan bill aimed at increasing funding for public schools is making its way through Congress, with advocates arguing it will help address disparities in education.
- Mental Health Initiatives in Schools: Schools across the country are implementing new mental health programs to support students, responding to rising concerns about mental well-being.
Foreign Gift Disclosure: A new Department of Education report reveals that U.S. colleges received over $5 billion in foreign gifts in 2025.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlighted Qatar and China as major contributors, sparking national security debates. Patent Rankings: The University of South Florida (USF) has been ranked among the top 20 public universities in the nation for utility patent production for the 13th consecutive year.
MHS Medical Education: The Defense Health Agency released a new roadmap for integrating AI into military medical education to optimize "human performance."
Economy
- Stock Market Volatility: The stock market is experiencing fluctuations due to economic uncertainty and speculation about interest rate changes by the Federal Reserve.
- New Economic Policies on Climate: A complexity scientist proposes innovative economic strategies to tackle the climate crisis, emphasizing the need for systemic change in how economies operate ().
Coal Power Mandate: President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to purchase electricity generated by coal, framed as a "National Defense" move to strengthen the domestic coal fleet.
Rising Federal Deficits: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report warning that federal debt will worsen over the next decade due to higher tariffs and the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Interest Rate Outlook: Fed Governor Stephen Miran indicated that interest rate cuts are still on the table despite a stronger-than-expected January jobs report.
Technology
- Advancements in AI Regulation: Lawmakers are discussing new regulations for artificial intelligence, focusing on ethical standards and accountability in tech development.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Reports of increased cyber attacks on critical infrastructure have prompted calls for enhanced security measures across sectors.
Identity Layer for AI Agents: Security firm GitGuardian raised $50 million to develop security protocols for "non-human identities," such as AI bots and APIs, which are increasingly replacing human logins.
Brain-to-Text Success: Tether’s "EVO" division placed 4th in a global Brain-Computer Interface challenge, demonstrating technology that translates neural signals into text without needing a cloud connection.
Marine Robot Wingmen: The Marines are adapting Air Force drone technology to develop "Collaborative Combat Aircraft," or robot wingmen, for future aviation missions.
Health
- New Vaccine Rollout: A new vaccine for a recent viral outbreak is being rolled out in several states, with health officials urging residents to get vaccinated.
- Mental Health Crisis Among Teens: Studies indicate a rising mental health crisis among teenagers, prompting calls for more resources and support systems in schools and communities.
Semaglutide Heart Benefits: New research shows that drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) reduce cardiovascular risks even in patients who experience minimal weight loss.
Robot Maternity Care Controversy: A plan to use robots to assist in rural maternity care in Alabama has sparked a heated debate between the administration (who calls it "cool") and Senator Bernie Sanders (who calls it "dystopian").
Health Grant Lawsuit: Four Democratic-led states (CA, CO, IL, MN) have sued the administration to block the withholding of $600 million in public health grants.
Sports
- Super Bowl Recap: The Super Bowl drew record viewership, with discussions surrounding the performances of key players and the implications for next season.
- Olympic Preparations: Athletes are ramping up their training as the countdown to the upcoming Olympics begins, with many facing challenges related to funding and support.
Winter Olympics Day 6: Competition continues in Milan-Cortina with major finals in Men’s Moguls, Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe, and Women’s Super-G.
Junior Hockey Stakes: In the NA3HL, the Sheridan Hawks head to Helena for a matchup that will likely decide the top seed for the upcoming playoffs.
College Basketball: Ohio State secured a hard-fought 89-82 victory over USC, led by a 21-point performance from Bruce Thornton.
EDUCATION SPECIAL
TOP US EDUCATION NEWS TODAY
TOP WORLD EDUCATION NEWS TODAY
🇺🇸 Top US Education News
Foreign Funding Disclosure Shock: The U.S. Department of Education released data documenting $5.2 billion in foreign funding transactions to American universities in 2025. Carnegie Mellon and MIT were the top recipients, receiving nearly $1 billion each. The department also noted $2 billion in gifts were reported late, violating statutory requirements.
Student Loan Repayment Overhaul: The Department of Education proposed a new rule to simplify student loan repayment by consolidating existing income-driven plans into a Tiered Standard Repayment Plan and a single Repayment Assistance Plan. This initiative aims to reduce higher education costs and simplify the borrowing process.
Title IX Violations at San José State: The Department’s Office for Civil Rights found that San José State University violated Title IX, marking continued scrutiny of campus sexual harassment and assault complaint resolutions.
State Policy Trends: States are focusing heavily on teacher recruitment, literacy programs, and restricting cell phone use in classrooms to improve student focus.
🌎 Top World Education News
MIT Tops Global Rankings: Times Higher Education ranked MIT as the number one institution globally for arts and humanities, business and economics, and social sciences for 2026.
AI Governance and Ethics: Global education systems are shifting from experimental AI use to implementing strict governance. Countries like Greece and the UK are piloting AI companions with strict boundaries, while many European nations are implementing mobile phone bans to reduce distractions.
Research Integrity Crisis: Reports indicate a significant rise in research paper retractions globally due to accuracy and integrity issues, highlighting challenges in maintaining high academic standards amid a push for speed.
Conflict Disrupts Learning: Education continues to be severely disrupted in conflict zones, including Syria, Gaza, Congo, and Yemen, where infrastructure destruction and displacement prevent millions of children from attending school.
