The United States military is preparing for a potential long-term operation against Iran, according to two US officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning. The operation would begin if President Donald Trump orders an attack on Iran. The Pentagon has already deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East under Trump’s directive, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided missile destroyer in the Arabian Sea.

The report states that US forces could target not only Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but also its state and security installations. However, officials declined to provide specific details. The preparations come as US and Iranian diplomats held talks in Oman last week regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump has repeatedly warned of possible military action if no agreement is reached, cautioning that the alternative to diplomacy would be “very tragic.”

Iran has vowed to retaliate if attacked, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Analysts warn that Iran’s large missile arsenal could pose significant risks to US forces and bases across the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to issue a new voting law through executive order if Congress fails to pass legislation mandating photo identification for voters. He indicated that such an order could be enacted before the upcoming midterm elections in November. Trump made the remarks on Friday and reiterated on his social media platform Truth Social that voter ID would be required regardless of congressional approval.

The report notes that many U.S. states already require photo ID to vote, but not all. Trump and his supporters claim that the absence of such requirements has led to widespread voter fraud, though no evidence supports this claim. His proposed “Save America” election reform bill has passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives but faces slim chances in the Senate, where Republicans lack a strong majority. The bill also seeks to require proof of citizenship during voter registration.

Critics argue that these measures could disenfranchise millions of voters who lack passports or birth certificates. Legal experts suggest any executive order on national voter ID could face court challenges, as U.S. states hold broad constitutional authority over election administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit Venezuela, revealing the decision while speaking to reporters on Friday en route from the White House to Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The announcement comes more than a month after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were taken away. Trump said he intends to meet with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, with whom he claims to have a very good relationship.

Trump stated that under Rodríguez’s leadership, the United States is working closely with Venezuela in oil extraction and marketing. He described current U.S.-Venezuela relations as “ten out of ten.” When asked whether Washington recognizes Rodríguez’s government, Trump confirmed that the United States has already done so and maintains regular communication with her administration.

The planned visit signals a continuation of U.S. engagement with Venezuela’s interim leadership following recent political changes in the country.

An Indian national has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to conspiring to kill a Khalistan movement leader who is an Indian-origin American citizen. The U.S. Department of Justice said that 54-year-old Nikhil Gupta admitted before a federal magistrate judge in Manhattan to charges of murder-for-hire conspiracy, hiring a hitman, and money laundering. His sentencing is scheduled for May 29 this year, and he faces up to 40 years in prison.

According to U.S. prosecutors, Gupta acted under instructions from an Indian government employee to target a U.S.-based Indian-origin individual, widely believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Khalistan activist. Court documents identify the official as Vikas Yadav, an employee of India’s Cabinet Secretariat, under which the foreign intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operates. Gupta allegedly sought to hire a hitman, negotiated a payment of $100,000, and provided detailed information about the target’s residence and movements.

Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2023 and extradited to the United States in 2024. The Indian government has not yet commented on his guilty plea.

US President Donald Trump said that changing Iran’s governing system would be the “best solution.” Speaking at the White House on Friday, he remarked that for 47 years Iran had only made promises while many lives were lost. Trump did not specify who the United States would like to see in power if such a change occurred, but said there were people in Iran capable of taking leadership. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not yet responded to Trump’s comments.

Trump also indicated that the United States remains firm in its plan to strengthen military presence in the Middle East, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Iran. He announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, would soon move from the Caribbean to the Middle East.

Additionally, Trump shared a Wall Street Journal report on his social media platform Truth Social about the Pentagon preparing a second aircraft carrier for Middle East deployment, though he made no personal comment on it.

The United States military has carried out another strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people. According to the US Southern Command (Southcom), which oversees military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the attack took place early Friday. The operation is part of a series of US military actions in the region since September 2025, which have reportedly left at least 133 people dead, according to Al Jazeera.

Washington has maintained that its forces are targeting individuals suspected of drug trafficking, describing those killed as 'narco-terrorists.' However, international law and human rights experts have repeatedly criticized such operations, calling them extrajudicial killings. Earlier in the same week, the US also conducted a strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in which two people were reported killed, Southcom said.

The continued US military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions have drawn scrutiny over their legality and humanitarian impact, as questions persist about accountability and adherence to international law.

U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked a key scientific ruling from former President Barack Obama that declared greenhouse gases dangerous to public health. The announcement was made Thursday at the Oval Office, according to a BBC report. The reversal nullifies federal measures introduced under the Obama administration to curb emissions of gases linked to global warming.

During his Oval Office address, Trump described the 2009 ruling as a disastrous Obama-era policy that harmed the American auto industry and made cars unaffordable for consumers. The White House called the move the largest deregulation in U.S. history, claiming it would reduce vehicle prices by about $2,400 for manufacturers.

Former President Obama criticized the decision, warning it would increase health risks for Americans and weaken the nation’s ability to combat climate change. Environmental groups also condemned the move, calling it one of the most damaging setbacks for climate action and vowing to challenge it in court.

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a multibillion-dollar plan for Gaza’s reconstruction and intends to present detailed proposals for deploying a stabilization force under a United Nations mandate. According to a Reuters report, Trump will outline these initiatives at the Board of Peace meeting in Washington on February 19, which will include leaders and representatives from 20 countries. The peace council, launched by Trump in Davos last month, includes members such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia.

Indonesia has already announced plans to send 8,000 troops to Gaza, pending an agreement. Trump is also seeking reconstruction funds from wealthy Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. His son-in-law Jared Kushner, though not holding an official position, has been involved in discussions with Israel and Arab states regarding the plan. However, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have expressed reluctance to provide financial support.

The upcoming peace council meeting is viewed as a test case for whether the proposed peacekeeping force and financial commitments will materialize. Some Arab and Muslim countries oppose the UN peacekeeping mandate, fearing it could shield Israeli military actions in Gaza.

The United States is expanding its military presence in the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. Under President Donald Trump’s directive, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is being deployed to the region alongside the already stationed USS Abraham Lincoln and its guided missile destroyers in the Arabian Sea. The deployment, first reported by The New York Times, comes as the Red Sea and surrounding areas experience heightened instability.

Gulf Arab states have warned that new attacks could trigger a wider conflict, especially as the region still reels from the recent Israel-Hamas fighting in Gaza. President Trump recently cautioned Iran that failure to reach a new nuclear deal would have “very painful” consequences. Following indirect talks in Oman, he said a deal is sought within a month and discussed Iran’s missile program and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran faces both domestic and international crises, including deadly protests last month and ongoing sanctions. The USS Ford’s crew, at sea since June 2025, may see their deployment extended, though the White House has not commented.

Two people were killed and another injured in a shooting at a residential building of South Carolina State University on Thursday night. Following the incident, the university administration placed the entire campus under lockdown. According to a statement posted on the university’s Facebook page, the shooting occurred around 9:15 p.m. local time inside an apartment at the Hugine Suites dormitory complex. Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive or whether any suspect remains at large.

Officials said the identities of the deceased and the condition of the injured person have not been officially released. The university, historically established for African American students, has more than 3,000 enrolled learners and is located in Orangeburg, about 40 miles southeast of Columbia, the state capital. Another historically Black higher education institution, Claflin University, is also located in Orangeburg.

The university administration stated that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been assigned to assist in the investigation, and all Friday classes have been canceled.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday, February 13, that Washington must reach an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program by March. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he warned that failure to do so could lead to 'terrible' consequences. Trump expressed hope that a deal could be achieved within the next month, emphasizing that both sides must act positively to move forward.

He further cautioned that if Iran does not advance in the negotiations, an operation called 'Midnight Hammer' could resume, this time with greater intensity. His remarks have sparked renewed concern internationally about the state of U.S.–Iran relations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Trump’s tough message is part of a strategy to increase pressure on Iran to limit its nuclear activities, a move that could further complicate the security situation in the Middle East.

Inter Miami has become the most valuable football club in the United States, with an estimated valuation of $1.45 billion ahead of the 2026 season. The Florida-based team, led by Argentine captain Lionel Messi, has seen its brand value and revenue surge following his arrival. According to a survey by sports business outlet Sportico, Inter Miami has overtaken Los Angeles FC, which now ranks second with a $1.4 billion valuation.

The club’s market value has grown by about 22 percent in just one year, marking a significant rise for Messi and teammate Luis Suárez’s side. In contrast, Los Angeles FC recorded only a 9 percent increase, allowing Miami to surpass it in overall worth. The top five most valuable MLS clubs now include Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, LA Galaxy ($1.17 billion), Atlanta United ($1.14 billion), and New York City FC ($1.12 billion).

The report highlights how Messi’s influence has extended beyond the pitch, transforming Inter Miami’s financial and competitive standing within Major League Soccer.

The United States House of Representatives has voted 219–211 to repeal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods. The resolution, introduced by Democrats and supported by six Republican lawmakers, seeks to withdraw the trade duties enacted by the Trump administration last year. Although passed in the House, the measure remains symbolic for now, as it must also pass the Senate and receive the president’s signature to become law. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Trump is unlikely to approve it.

Since his re-election, President Trump has continued to impose tariffs on Canada and recently threatened a 100 percent import duty in response to Canada’s potential trade deal with China. During the House vote, Trump warned on his social media platform Truth Social that any Republican voting against tariffs would face serious political consequences. He defended the tariffs as essential for protecting US economic and national security.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally, attempted to block debate on the resolution but failed. Despite a narrow Republican majority, the defection of six members allowed the proposal to pass easily.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that discussions with Iran must continue. He made the remarks on social media after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. According to Arab News, Netanyahu spoke about taking action against Iran during the three-hour meeting.

Trump stated that he emphasized the need to keep negotiating with Iran to see if a deal could be reached. He told Netanyahu that achieving such a deal was a priority for his administration, adding that if it was not possible, the outcome would be observed. This was the seventh meeting between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump returned to office as president.

Netanyahu’s office said that during the talks, the Israeli leader stressed the importance of Israel’s security. The meeting followed Trump’s earlier indication of possible military action against Iran after the government’s crackdown on protesters, while Washington and Tehran resumed nuclear discussions last week.

Democratic lawmakers sharply questioned United States Attorney General Pam Bondi during a House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the US Department of Justice,” focusing on her handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Representative Jamie Raskin accused Bondi of siding with perpetrators and running a cover-up, while Representative Pramila Jayapal demanded an apology to Epstein’s victims. Survivors of Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking ring attended the hearing, raising concerns about heavy redactions in the released documents.

The hearing followed the passage of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, which requires the Justice Department to release all six million pages of Epstein-related evidence. Democrats argued that Bondi’s department had released only half of the required materials and had redacted names of powerful figures. Bondi defended her record on fighting sexual abuse and rejected accusations of shielding abusers, calling the criticism politically motivated. She also dismissed calls to investigate former President Donald Trump’s links to Epstein, accusing Democrats of deflection.

The dispute underscored broader tensions over transparency and alleged politicization within the Justice Department, as Democrats pressed for full disclosure and accountability under the new law.