U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran to reach an agreement with the United States within 10 to 15 days or face a potential military strike. Speaking at the inauguration of a peace board in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Trump said that last June’s joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran had paved the way for a ceasefire in Gaza. He claimed that without U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, peace in the Middle East would have been difficult to achieve.

In response, Iran issued a counter-threat through its permanent representative to the United Nations, who wrote to Secretary-General António Guterres stating that any attack on Iran would trigger retaliatory strikes on all U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Middle East. The envoy emphasized that Iran does not seek war but would respond if attacked, holding the United States responsible for any consequences.

According to a Wall Street Journal report cited on Friday, the United States is considering an initial limited strike targeting Iranian government buildings and security infrastructure to pressure Tehran into a nuclear deal. If Iran refuses, a broader campaign could aim to topple Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government.

At least eight skiers were killed in a massive avalanche in California’s Lake Tahoe backcountry, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The avalanche struck the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Six people were rescued alive, while one person remains missing and is presumed dead. The avalanche was described by witnesses as roughly the size of a football field.

Following a 911 call received at 11:30 a.m., the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office launched a search and rescue operation. The sheriff’s department, its search and rescue team, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection jointly conducted the operation in the affected area. Officials said the search continued in the Castle Peak zone immediately after the avalanche.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the cause of the avalanche. Search efforts are ongoing for the missing skier.

Jesse Louis Jackson, a prominent leader of the United States civil rights movement, has died at the age of 84. He passed away on Tuesday in the presence of his family, according to a family statement. Jackson had been hospitalized for several months due to a neurological illness. He was a close disciple of Martin Luther King Jr. and played a major role in advancing civil rights and social justice causes across the country.

More than 40 years ago, Jackson urged the Democratic Party to broaden its moral outlook to include minorities, Arab Americans, and Palestinians who had long faced marginalization. Throughout his career, he consistently spoke for the oppressed, notably highlighting the plight of Palestinians and advocating for the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. In 2024, his organization, the Rainbow-PUSH Coalition, convened an emergency summit calling for an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza and a ceasefire.

Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, said Jackson paved the way for Arab American political empowerment and remained steadfast in supporting Palestinians despite pressure to sever ties with Arab Americans.

The United States has decided to withdraw all its remaining troops from Syria within the next two months, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News. Around 1,000 American soldiers currently stationed across several bases in Syria will be brought home, marking the end of nearly a decade of U.S. military presence in the country. Earlier this year, U.S. forces had already withdrawn from the Al Tanf garrison in southern Syria and the Al Shaddadi base in the northeast.

The U.S. established multiple military bases in Syria about a decade ago during the rise of ISIS, deploying around 2,000 troops in 2014 to support efforts against the militant group. A senior Pentagon official told The Wall Street Journal that while ISIS remains a global threat, its strength in Syria has diminished and the country now has a more stable government. He added that some troops have already been withdrawn and certain bases handed over to the Syrian government.

The official emphasized that U.S. forces remain ready to respond to any future ISIS threats in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump has held a meeting with national security officials to discuss preparations for a possible military strike on Iran. The meeting took place on Wednesday, February 18, and focused on readiness to carry out an attack by Saturday, February 21. According to a CBS report citing an unnamed official, security officials indicated they could be ready to act before the end of the week, though the president has not yet made a final decision.

The official described the discussions as fluid and ongoing, noting that the White House is analyzing potential Iranian responses and the broader impact on the Middle East. Multiple sources said some US troops are being temporarily relocated from the Middle East to Europe or the United States to ensure their safety if a strike is ordered.

Another source cautioned that troop movements do not necessarily indicate an imminent attack, explaining that the US often repositions forces to secure personnel before any potential military action.

The United States Navy carried out coordinated operations against three suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on Monday night, resulting in the deaths of 11 men. According to a BBC report, eight people were killed on two vessels in the eastern Pacific and three on one vessel in the Caribbean. The U.S. Southern Command confirmed on Tuesday that the operations were based on intelligence information and that no American personnel were killed or injured.

The report noted that in August 2025, Donald Trump had alleged a sharp rise in drug flows into the United States through the eastern Pacific and Caribbean routes. Following those claims, the U.S. Southern Command began naval operations in both regions in September of that year. Since then, the U.S. Navy has conducted more than 40 similar missions in the two maritime zones.

The latest operations underscore Washington’s continued focus on maritime drug interdiction efforts across key trafficking routes in the Pacific and Caribbean regions.

Public support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policy has fallen to its lowest level since he began his second term in the White House, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released after a four-day survey ending Monday. Only 38 percent of respondents said Trump is doing a good job on immigration, down from 39 percent in January. Earlier in his second term, his approval on this issue had reached around 50 percent.

The report notes that Trump’s popularity among male voters has declined sharply in recent weeks compared with late last year. During the 2024 election, male voters played a major role in his victory, and throughout 2025, about half of them supported his immigration stance. The latest poll shows that only 41 percent of men now back his policy, while support among women has dropped from about 40 percent last year to 35 percent.

Trump had pledged during his 2024 campaign to launch one of the largest deportation drives in decades and ordered extensive anti-immigration operations after returning to power in January 2025.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran has not yet fully complied with the 'red lines' set by President Donald Trump. Speaking after a meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, Vance said discussions with Iran were positive in some areas, and both sides agreed to hold another round of talks. However, he noted that several key issues remain unresolved.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance explained that while progress was made, Iran has not accepted or acted upon the conditions defined by the president. Earlier, Trump had warned that the US might consider the use of force if Iran failed to reach agreements on critical matters, including its nuclear program. Despite this, Vance emphasized that Washington continues to prioritize diplomatic solutions.

Vance added that diplomatic efforts will persist, but the authority to end those efforts rests solely with the president. He expressed hope that the situation would not escalate further, though he affirmed that the final decision would be made by President Trump if necessary.

The United States has deployed more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East within a single day, according to flight tracking data released on Wednesday, February 17. The deployment includes F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II, and F-16 Fighting Falcons, along with several refueling aircraft capable of supporting other airborne operations. A U.S. official told Axios that the aircraft were moved to the region within the past 24 hours.

The move comes as preparations are underway in Geneva, Switzerland, for renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. Observers view the increased U.S. military presence as significant given the timing of these diplomatic efforts. The United States had previously deployed a large naval fleet, including aircraft carriers, to the region.

The buildup follows widespread anti-government protests in Iran in January, which were forcefully suppressed by Iranian security forces. Citing allegations of lethal force against protesters, the United States has been strengthening its military posture around Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday described Cuba as a 'failed state' and urged Havana to reach an agreement with Washington. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed the possibility of any U.S. military operation to change the Cuban government, saying he did not think such action would be necessary.

According to AFP, Trump made the remarks while discussing Cuba’s ongoing crisis. The island nation is facing severe fuel shortages and widespread power outages. The Trump administration has tightened the long-standing U.S. embargo on Cuba and is pressuring other countries to halt oil supplies to Havana.

Addressing the energy crisis, Trump called it a 'humanitarian threat'. His comments come as Washington continues to exert economic pressure on Cuba while maintaining a stance against direct military intervention.

Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, celebrated for his performances in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall announced in a Facebook post on Monday. She said Duvall gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. Tributes from across Hollywood followed, with Adam Sandler calling him one of the greatest actors ever and Michael Imperioli describing him as an actor’s actor.

Duvall’s career spanned nearly 100 films, including acclaimed roles as Tom Hagen in The Godfather, Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meechum in The Great Santini, and the title character in Stalin. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Tender Mercies in 1983 and received six additional Oscar nominations, including for Apocalypse Now. He also wrote, directed, and starred in The Apostle, earning another Oscar nomination.

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Duvall was the son of a US Navy admiral and an amateur actress. He studied at Principia College, served in the US Army, and later moved to New York City, where he shared an apartment with Dustin Hoffman and befriended Gene Hackman during their early acting years.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that it would face consequences if it failed to reach an agreement in the upcoming talks. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington, Trump said he would be indirectly involved in the discussions and cautioned that Iran would not want to face the outcome of refusing a deal. The meeting between the United States and Iran is scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

The talks come after months of heightened tensions following Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests and its firm stance on its nuclear program. The United States and several European countries have expressed concern that Iran’s nuclear activities could be aimed at developing weapons, an allegation Tehran continues to deny. Washington has also sought to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the Middle East in the negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the U.S. position on the nuclear issue had become more realistic. A previous attempt at dialogue collapsed after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, sparking a 12-day war that later saw U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

At least two people were killed and three others were seriously injured in a shooting during a high school ice hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States. The incident occurred on Monday, February 16, when local police received the first emergency call at 2:28 p.m. According to Al Jazeera, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the suspected shooter is believed to have taken his own life after firing the shots.

Goncalves described the attack as possibly premeditated and linked to a family dispute, though authorities have not released details about the suspect or the victims. Investigators are examining what led up to the shooting. A Providence Journal report cited video footage capturing about 13 gunshots within six seconds, followed by another shot roughly 11 seconds later.

Witnesses said spectators and students dropped to the floor and sought safety as the gunfire erupted, before quickly evacuating the area. The incident has caused widespread panic in the community.

The United States will support Israel in launching a strike on Iran if negotiations with Tehran fail, according to multiple US media reports cited by Anadolu Agency. The reports state that President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this position during a meeting in December, specifically regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program.

CBS News reported that discussions in Washington have shifted from whether Israel can carry out such an attack to how the US could assist technically and diplomatically. Sources familiar with the matter said the proposed cooperation includes aerial refueling to extend the range of Israeli aircraft and securing overflight permissions from neighboring sovereign states.

However, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly refused to allow their airspace to be used for any attack on Iran, complicating potential operational plans.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that he will travel to Washington next week to attend the first meeting of the 'Board of Peace' led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Rama made the announcement during an interview on the Albanian podcast Flasim, stating that he would participate in the board’s formal establishment and the inauguration of its activities.

According to the source, Trump created the 'Board of Peace' to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip two years after the Israel-Hamas war. The board’s charter reportedly suggests that its scope of work could extend beyond the Palestinian territories, though no further details were provided.

The upcoming meeting marks the official launch of the board’s operations, signaling a new phase in post-conflict reconstruction efforts under Trump’s leadership.