THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK
2-15-26 TO 2-21-26
FROM GEMINI
The week of February 15–21, 2026, has been dominated by a "collision course" between the executive and judicial branches in the U.S., major diplomatic shifts in Southeast Asia, and the spectacle of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Here are the top news stories for the week in each requested area:
🇺🇸 U.S. News
Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's executive order on global tariffs, declaring the use of emergency powers for broad trade duties unconstitutional.
Lake Tahoe Avalanche: A massive avalanche at Donner Pass near Lake Tahoe killed eight backcountry skiers, leading to a criminal negligence investigation.
Pawtucket Mass Shooting: Three people were killed and three others injured during a shooting at an indoor ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Winter Storm Training: Major storms across the Atlantic coast disrupted regional travel and forced several local elections to be postponed.
Epstein Investigation Reopened: New Mexico officials announced a new inquiry into the Zorro Ranch estate amid renewed public pressure.
Indiana Voting Legislation: State Republicans moved to shorten the early voting period, sparking protests at the Indiana Statehouse.
Pueblo Pileup: A 30-vehicle pileup in Colorado resulted in four deaths and dozens of injuries during a winter whiteout.
ICE Controversy: California legislators introduced a bill to ban ICE agents from within 100 feet of polling sites following reported sightings.
Cultural Funding Restored: In a rare break from the White House, Congress voted to restore funding to several cultural and indigenous institutions.
Operation Southern Spear: A U.S. Navy strike on a suspected drug-running boat in the Eastern Pacific killed two, sparking debate over the use of lethal force in drug interdiction.
⚖️ Politics
The "Board of Peace" Debut: President Trump’s "Board of Peace" held its first meeting, unveiling plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, including beachfront high-rises.
Trump Defies SCOTUS: Following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, President Trump signed a new executive order for 10% global duties, challenging the court to stop him again.
Prince Andrew Arrested: In a shock to trans-Atlantic relations, Prince Andrew was briefly arrested in the UK on charges related to the Epstein investigation.
Rubio’s Diplomatic Tour: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pakistan’s PM Sharif to discuss regional security and the ongoing "America First" trade agenda.
AI Impact Summit Protest: Protesters in New Delhi staged a "shirtless" march against the U.S.-India trade deal, claiming national interests were being sold out.
Texas vs. Federal AI Law: A constitutional confrontation intensified as Texas issued state-level AI governance guidelines that conflict with federal executive orders.
Vance claps back at Eileen Gu: VP JD Vance’s criticism of Olympic athlete Eileen Gu for representing China sparked a viral social media exchange.
US-Indonesia Trade Deal: The administration finalized a $33 billion trade agreement with Indonesia, eliminating tariffs on 99% of U.S. exports.
Republican Internal Split: Several GOP senators publicly questioned the White House’s "Board of Peace" approach to the Middle East.
Midterm Election Jitters: Early polling shows the tariff ruling and economic volatility are becoming central themes for the 2026 midterms.
🌍 World Affairs
Munich Security Conference: Global leaders gathered in Germany to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian war, with President Zelenskyy calling for clearer security guarantees.
Iran Nuclear Compromise: Tehran signaled a willingness to curb its nuclear program in exchange for immediate U.S. sanction relief.
Navalny Poisoning Inquiry: A multi-country report alleged Alexei Navalny was killed by a specific rare toxin, leading to new sanctions against Russian officials.
South Korean Former President Sentenced: Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for his 2024 martial law declaration.
Sudan Humanitarian Crisis: The U.S. announced $40 million in aid as the civil war in Sudan reached a critical breaking point.
Cuban Fuel Crisis: A Canadian mining firm suspended operations in Cuba as a U.S. blockade severely restricted fuel shipments to the island.
Islamabad Mosque Bombing: A suicide attack at a Shia mosque in Pakistan killed 32 people; ISIS-K claimed responsibility.
Japanese General Election: Sanae Takaichi was re-appointed Prime Minister following a decisive legislative victory.
Strait of Hormuz Tension: Iran partially closed the strait for military exercises, warning the U.S. Navy to stay clear.
Myanmar-Timor-Leste Row: Myanmar expelled Timor-Leste's diplomat over a universal jurisdiction case involving war crimes.
🎓 Education
AI in the Classroom: At the AI Impact Summit, speakers warned that the "AI divide" is widening in Global South schools.
Lehman College Grant: The Bronx Food Humanities Program received $1.25 million to integrate community farming into its curriculum.
Student Debt Rankings: New data ranked Lehman College as having the lowest average student debt for online programs in the U.S.
Bilingual Education Push: New York's Samara Community School launched a major initiative for bilingual teacher mentorship.
FAFSA Delays: Renewed technical issues with the federal financial aid portal caused "panic" among high school seniors.
Voucher Expansion: Three more states passed "Universal Choice" bills, allowing public funds to follow students to private schools.
Florida Curriculum Reform: State officials finalized new history standards, drawing praise from conservatives and criticism from educators.
Campus Protest Policies: Several elite universities implemented "neutrality zones" to limit political demonstrations during the 2026 primary season.
STEM Funding: A new $100 million federal grant was announced to boost domestic semiconductor education in community colleges.
Teacher Shortage: New reports indicate the national K-12 teacher shortage has hit a record high in rural districts.
📈 Economy
Market Reaction to SCOTUS: Global markets rallied briefly after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs, only to dip again after the President's defiance.
US-Indonesia $33B Deal: A massive investment package includes $15 billion in energy commodities and $13.5 billion for Boeing aircraft.
Crypto Regulation: The SEC announced a "final" framework for stablecoins, sending Bitcoin prices into a volatile swing.
Copper vs. Gold: Financial experts identified copper as the "next big play" as AI data centers and EV demand outpace supply.
Energy Bottlenecks: AI labs warned that power grid limitations in Virginia and Ireland are delaying the launch of next-gen models.
Manufacturing Reshoring: Intel and TSMC announced "Phase 2" of their Arizona and Ohio facilities, citing new federal tax credits.
Inflation Check: February CPI data showed a slight uptick, complicating the Fed's plans for a spring rate cut.
Venezuela Oil Outlook: CFR fellows debated whether U.S. companies would return to Venezuela following the removal of the Maduro regime.
Retail Sales Slump: Consumer spending on non-essential goods hit a 12-month low as households prioritize energy and rent costs.
Boeing Stock Surge: The Indonesia deal provided a much-needed boost to Boeing's commercial aviation division.
💻 Technology
India AI Summit: Global tech leaders met in New Delhi to discuss "AI for the Global South," with a focus on democratizing computing power.
SpaceX Crew-12: A Falcon 9 successfully launched four astronauts (including a French pilot and Russian cosmonaut) to the ISS.
iPhone 17 Rumors: Tech analysts debated whether Apple is preparing to move to an "AI-only" interface for its next flagship device.
Data Center Power Crisis: Reports emerged that data centers now consume 26% of Virginia's electricity, leading to "grid anxiety."
OpenAI Data Lead: Research showed India now provides 33% more data for LLM training than the United States.
Deepfake Combat: India announced new legal solutions to fight AI-driven misinformation ahead of regional elections.
Robotic Dog Row: A Chinese-made robotic dog was removed from the India AI Summit expo floor due to security concerns.
Apple Vision Pro 3: Early leaks suggest the next-gen headset will focus on "weightless" design and integration with Mac Studio.
Autonomous Trucking: The first fully driverless freight corridor opened between Dallas and Phoenix.
Nuclear for AI: Microsoft and Google finalized deals to buy power directly from small modular reactors (SMRs) to fuel their AI clusters.
🏥 Health
Pediatric Nursing Milestone: New York’s pediatric nurse practitioner programs saw a 15% increase in enrollment following new state subsidies.
AI in Nutrition: The WHO announced a pilot program using AI to optimize nutrition standards in developing nations.
Pneumonia Research on ISS: Crew-12 began experiments on the ISS to study how bacteria behave in microgravity to improve Earth-based treatments.
Bird Flu Update: Health officials issued a "low risk" warning but increased monitoring of poultry farms in the Midwest.
Medicaid Protections: Advocacy groups held rallies in D.C. to protect healthcare programs from proposed federal budget cuts.
Long COVID Breakthrough: A new study identified a specific protein marker that could lead to the first definitive diagnostic test for Long COVID.
Mental Health Crisis: A surgeon general's report highlighted the "loneliness epidemic" among Gen Z, specifically those working in fully remote roles.
Drug Price Cap: The administration announced a price cap on three more essential medications under the Medicare negotiation program.
Gene Therapy Success: A toddler in London became the first person cured of a rare genetic blindness using a new CRISPR-based treatment.
E-Cigarette Ban: Several European countries finalized a total ban on disposable vapes, citing environmental and youth health concerns.
🏆 Sports
2026 Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina): Norway broke the all-time record for gold medals at a single Winter Games, surpassing 16.
Daytona 500: Tyler Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, won the 68th running of the Daytona 500.
Olympic Men’s Hockey: Team USA and Team Canada advanced to the gold medal game, setting up a "Miracle on Ice" anniversary showdown.
Spain’s First Winter Gold: Oriol Cardona won the men’s ski mountaineering sprint, Spain's first Winter Olympic gold in 54 years.
World Cup 2026 Prep: FIFA officials conducted final stadium inspections in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada for the upcoming summer tournament.
Olympic Injury: French speed skater Sellier was hospitalized following a serious on-ice collision with a blade.
NBA Trade Deadline: The "dust settled" on a chaotic trade week that saw three All-Stars move to Western Conference contenders.
Champions League: Round of 16 matches saw major upsets, with Real Madrid falling to a underdog French side.
Eileen Gu Controversy: The freestyle skier’s performance for China continued to be a flashpoint in U.S.-China cultural politics.
Super Bowl Hangover: Following the Super Bowl earlier in the month, the NFL announced a record-breaking $1.5 billion in betting revenue.
FROM GROK
The week of February 15–21, 2026, featured several prominent stories across categories, based on major news outlets, broadcasts, and reports from that period. Note that this timeframe overlapped with ongoing global tensions, domestic U.S. policy shifts under the Trump administration, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and other developments. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 big news stories in each requested area (prioritized by apparent prominence and recurrence in coverage; some categories had fewer standout stories due to limited major developments that week).
U.S. News
- Partial government shutdown ongoing amid demands for DHS and ICE reforms, with congressional battles over funding.
- Break in Nancy Guthrie disappearance case — DNA evidence from a glove found near the home of Savannah Guthrie's mother sparks new leads in the high-profile investigation.
- Severe weather and storms across parts of the U.S., including tornado threats and evacuation warnings in Southern California.
- Epstein files fallout — Continued scrutiny and demands for more releases after Attorney General statements, with shockwaves in political and celebrity circles.
- ICE expansion plans — Reports of $38 billion+ for converting warehouses into large-scale immigrant detention centers.
- Reverend Jesse Jackson's death at age 84, prompting widespread tributes as a civil rights leader.
- U.S. military actions — Strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and raids on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.
- Supreme Court implications for tariffs and revenue (e.g., potential $175B+ at risk from rulings).
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spotted at NBA All-Star events, amid ongoing royal family discussions.
- AI robot companion stories — Features on elderly users adopting tech like ElliQ for home support.
Politics
- Trump administration pushes for Iran nuclear deal compromise or potential military action, with extended timelines and preparations for strikes.
- U.S.-brokered Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Zelenskyy expresses hope ahead of negotiations, amid ongoing war developments.
- Trump's "Board of Peace" launch and announcements (e.g., $5B+ for Gaza reconstruction tied to Hamas demilitarization).
- Immigration policy escalations — Mass detention expansions and court rulings against indefinite holds.
- Epstein files and congressional demands for transparency from AG Pam Bondi.
- Supreme Court tariff rulings — Potential overturning of Trump-era policies, sparking vows for new levies.
- ICE/Border Czar updates — Tom Homan and others on enforcement changes amid shutdown debates.
- Revival of voting law pushes (e.g., shortening early voting in states like Indiana).
- White House staff shake-ups — Removals and security council changes.
- Trump honors Susan B. Anthony legacy with pro-life emphasis and Daytona 500 recognition.
World Affairs
- U.S.-Iran tensions escalate — Preparations for possible strikes, talks in Geneva, and Iranian willingness for nuclear compromise if sanctions eased.
- Ukraine-Russia war updates — Drone strikes on Russian ports ahead of U.S.-brokered talks; power outages in Russia from attacks.
- Gaza/Israel conflict — Ongoing strikes killing Palestinians; U.S. pledges for reconstruction.
- Navalny poisoning confirmation — European governments say frog toxin found in Aleksei Navalny's body, challenging Russia's account.
- Venezuela oil tanker seizures by U.S. forces in international waters.
- Milano Cortina Winter Olympics underway — U.S. medal wins, sabotage concerns on trains, and athlete performances.
- China's Lunar New Year celebrations begin.
- Hezbollah-Israel clashes — Strikes in Lebanon.
- U.S. military Caribbean operations — Boat strikes tied to drug routes.
- Global polio vaccine prequalification by WHO for outbreak response.
Education
Education had fewer blockbuster national stories this week, with coverage more focused on ongoing trends:
- Status of U.S. public schools — Reports of "slow, uneven decline" post-pandemic recovery challenges.
- Higher education headlines — Political scrutiny, demographics, finances, and tech changes.
- College viability and majors apps — New tools for leaders and students.
- Career education demand — College Board expanding footprint.
- Federal education budget — Rejection of proposed slashes in prior cycles, but ongoing debates.
Economy
- Tariff revenue risks — Supreme Court ruling could impact $175B+; Trump vows new global 10% tariffs.
- Stock market movements — Mixed Asian shares, U.S. indices wobbly but with growth in sectors.
- PLI scheme disbursements (India-focused but global echo) — Billions in incentives, job creation.
- Bond sales — Alphabet raises $30B+ across currencies.
- Growth companies with insider influence — Highlights in pharma, tech, payments.
- Economic edging forward — Modest U.S. growth signals after prior quarters.
- Import partners shifts (e.g., Georgia's top traders like Türkiye, China).
- Mutual fund inflows — Strong SIP investments.
- Gold price fluctuations amid holidays.
- Corporate expansions — Tied to AI and infrastructure.
Technology
- AI infrastructure deals — Meta's multigenerational pact with Nvidia (GPUs, CPUs, networking); OpenAI compute spend projections to $600B by 2030.
- Nvidia investment in OpenAI — Near $30B in mega funding round.
- Data center strains — Europe risks in AI race due to power/policy limits; expansions in Saudi Arabia, South Korea.
- Grok AI gains — Market share rise despite backlash.
- Space policy events — NASA Artemis II prep (possible Wet Dress Rehearsal).
- OpenAI device development — Smart speakers and more.
- Bond raises — Alphabet's massive financing for tech growth.
- Cybersecurity rules — New U.S. defense industry barriers for small suppliers.
- Thermoelectric advances — Better bismuth telluride crystals.
- AI summits — India AI Impact Summit with major CEOs.
Health
- Exercise and Alzheimer's protection — New studies on brain shield repair via liver enzyme.
- Stem cell implants — For dopamine production in Parkinson's patients.
- Menopause hormone therapy label changes — FDA approvals.
- Weight loss/psoriasis drugs — Lilly's Zepbound/Taltz study results.
- Polio vaccine — WHO prequalifies new one for global outbreaks.
Sports
- Milano Cortina Winter Olympics — Ongoing events, U.S. medals (e.g., figure skating gold for Alysa Liu), curling, hockey, and more; first golds for some nations.
- NBA All-Star Game — New format, watch guides, Prince Harry/Meghan attendance.
- Daytona 500 — NASCAR season opener.
- PGA Tour — Wins like Collin Morikawa at Pebble Beach.
- Beach volleyball — UCLA splits in Hawaii opener.
- College/high school plays — Top 10 weekly highlights.
- NBA action — Blowouts and dunk contest.
- Figure skating — Ending U.S. drought in women's event.
- Tennis — Upcoming clashes.
- Various upsets/comebacks — Team USA thrills at Olympics.
These reflect the most recurrent and highlighted stories from that specific week.
THIS WEEK'S DAILY TOP NEWS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-15-2026.html
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-16-2026.html
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 17, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-17-2026.html
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-18-2026.html
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-19-2026.html
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2026/02/morning-news-update-february-20-2026.html
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026
EDUCATION SPECIAL
TOP US EDUCATION NEWS AND TOP WORLD EDUCATION THIS WEEK 2-15-26 TO 2-21-26
It is a high-stakes week in education as the world settles into 2026. From major shifts in U.S. federal oversight to the rise of "regionalized" international recruitment, here is the breakdown of the top stories for February 15–21, 2026.
🇺🇸 Top US Education News
1. Federal Policy: "The One Big Beautiful Bill" Takes Shape
The Department of Education has been active this week issuing rules to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Key developments include:
Loan Limits: New proposed rules would cap annual and aggregate borrowing for graduate and parent (PLUS) loans.
Repayment Plans: Two new plans—the Repayment Assistance Plan and the Tiered Standard Repayment—are being fast-tracked to simplify the system for new borrowers.
Pell Grants: The maximum Pell Grant remains flat-funded at $7,395 for the 2026-2027 cycle, though eligibility thresholds (SAI) are being tightened.
2. Civil Rights & Investigations
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) made headlines this week with several "directed investigations":
Portland Public Schools: Under investigation for its "Center for Black Student Excellence," over allegations of race-based discrimination.
Higher Ed Partnerships: OCR secured 31 agreements with universities to cease partnerships with The Ph.D. Project as part of a broader crackdown on DEI-based programs.
Title IX: A directed investigation began into the Puyallup School District in Washington following reports of a sexual assault during a wrestling competition.
3. The "Slow Decline" of Public Schools
A mid-February status report on U.S. public schools describes the current state as a "fragile and uneven decline." While the post-pandemic "free fall" has ended, chronic absenteeism remains 57% higher than 2019 levels. Districts are also grappling with the expiration of the final tranches of COVID relief funds, leading to "budget cliffs" in several major cities.
🌍 Top World Education News
1. The Rise of "Regionalized" Mobility
Global student mobility is shifting away from the traditional "Big Four" (US, UK, Canada, Australia) due to restrictive visa policies and travel bans.
The "EduBridge" Initiative: Spain has launched a program to help international students transfer credits from American universities to Spanish institutions to avoid visa hurdles.
TNE Expansion: Transnational Education (TNE)—where students earn a degree from a foreign university without leaving their home country—is projected to be the fastest-growing sector in 2026.
2. AI Governance Moves to "Execution"
The "experimentation" phase of AI in schools has ended. This week, several international reports highlighted a shift toward governed deployment:
South Korea & India: National pilots are now moving toward "verifiable" AI tools embedded in teacher workflows rather than general student-facing chatbots.
Digital Well-being: Following the UK and Greece, several more European nations are moving toward bell-to-bell phone bans in secondary schools to combat distraction and improve mental health.
3. Global University Rankings 2026
Time Magazine and other outlets released their 2026 rankings this week. While the University of Oxford maintains the top spot, the list shows a significant rise in Hong Kong and Swiss institutions, which are capitalizing on global talent shifts.
📊 Summary Table: Education at a Glance (Feb 2026)
| Issue | Current Status | Impact |
| Pell Grants | $7,395 (Max) | Eligibility capped at 12 semesters. |
| Phone Policies | 22 US States | "Bell-to-bell" bans now standard in many districts. |
| College Costs | Rising | 45% of employers rank the 2026 grad market as only "fair." |
| AI in Schools | Regulated | Focus shifting to "AI Literacy" and academic integrity. |
Note: The Department of Education is also moving to eliminate the "regional" label for accrediting agencies, arguing it creates "inappropriate barriers" for newer, non-traditional education providers.
TOP 10 TRUMP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK
2-15-26 TO 2-21-26
During the week of February 15 to February 21, 2026, the Trump administration was marked by a major legal setback on trade, a swift executive response, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Here are the top 10 news stories from this week:
1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Global Tariffs
In a major legal blow to the administration, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad global tariffs.
2. Immediate 10% Global Import Duty Re-imposed
Responding "almost immediately" to the Supreme Court loss, President Trump signed a new proclamation on February 20.
3. Military Strikes on Iran Under Consideration
On February 20, President Trump confirmed he is considering limited military strikes on Iran to force Tehran back to the negotiating table.
4. Bipartisan Friction at National Governors Association
Tensions flared during the annual NGA meeting in Washington. Trump excluded Maryland Governor Wes Moore from a traditional governors' dinner, calling the high-profile Democrat "not worthy of being there." Despite the snub, Moore attended other White House business meetings later that week.
5. Boast of $1.5 Billion Political "War Chest"
New reports highlighted Trump’s staggering $1.5 billion political fund.
6. "Board of Peace" Inaugural Meeting
The President held the first meeting of his newly formed "Board of Peace" this week.
7. Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Talks in Geneva
The administration signaled a push for a "fast" deal to end the conflict in Ukraine.
8. $150 Million Assistance for Sugar Farmers
On February 20, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $150 million in aid for American sugar beet and cane farmers.
9. Hillary Clinton Congressional Deposition Preparedness
The political atmosphere in D.C. grew charged as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the administration to release withheld "Epstein files" ahead of her and Bill Clinton's scheduled congressional depositions.
10. Anniversary of George Washington’s Birthday
The President issued a proclamation for George Washington’s Birthday (observed Feb.
HISTORY
