Scale of Microsoft Office 365 LLM Serving Revealed Microsoft examined its Office 365 LLM deployment handling more than 10 million daily requests across several data‑center regions, identifying a mix of latency‑sensitive and latency‑insensitive tasks and a variety of SLA requirements [1]. The analysis covered request patterns over multiple weeks, exposing peak loads that strain fast‑task GPU pools while slower tasks occupy idle capacity [1]. These findings form the empirical basis for the proposed cost‑saving system [1].

Current GPU Allocation Practices Lead to Wasted Capacity Existing serving architectures separate fast and slow workloads into distinct GPU pools, causing substantial under‑utilization because the fixed allocations rarely match real‑time demand [1]. Idle accelerators persist during off‑peak periods, inflating operational expenses without improving performance [1]. The study quantifies this inefficiency as a major target for optimization [1].

SageServe Introduces Dynamic Multi‑Timescale Resource Management The new framework routes incoming requests to the most appropriate data center in the short term while simultaneously scaling GPU virtual machines and repositioning models over longer horizons [1]. It relies on traffic forecasts and an Integer Linear Programming optimizer to balance cost and latency objectives [1]. This multi‑timescale control enables rapid adaptation to workload fluctuations [1].

Evaluation Demonstrates Substantial GPU‑Hour Reductions Simulations and live trials on 10 million production requests across three regions and four open‑source models achieved up to 25 % fewer GPU‑hours compared with the baseline deployment [1]. The results maintained tail‑latency SLAs, confirming that cost cuts did not compromise service quality [1]. The evaluation validates SageServe’s potential for large‑scale cloud operators [1].

Auto‑Scaling Optimization Cuts Waste and Saves Millions By eliminating inefficient auto‑scaling behavior, SageServe reduced GPU‑hour waste by 80 %, translating into an estimated $2.5 million monthly cost reduction [1]. The framework preserves performance guarantees while dramatically lowering excess capacity [1]. These savings illustrate the financial impact of smarter resource orchestration [1].

Study Provides Rare Public Insight Into Internet‑Scale LLM Workloads This research represents one of the first publicly available characterizations of Internet‑scale LLM serving, offering data that cloud providers worldwide can leverage for their own optimizations [1]. The authors emphasize the broader relevance of their methodology beyond Microsoft’s internal environment [1]. The paper sets a benchmark for future academic and industry analyses of large‑scale AI inference [1].

Fake 911 Call Triggers Police Response at Transit Center On December 12, 2025, Mohamed Morray Bangura placed a bogus emergency call requesting “an officer or two” at the Bellevue Transit Center, prompting a police response captured on body‑camera video [1]. The footage shows Bangura drawing a knife and lunging at two officers shortly after noon [1]. His actions set off a rapid escalation that led to a shooting incident [1].

Officers Injured and Respond with Lethal Force Officer Ryan Winebrenner was slashed in the face and stabbed twice in the back and shoulders, while Officer Spagnolo stepped back and avoided the blade [1]. Spagnolo then fired three shots, striking Bangura’s arm, leg, and hip, which incapacitated the attacker [1]. The use of force was deemed necessary after the knife assault [1].

Bangura Charged with Assault and Held on $5 Million Bail Prosecutors filed first‑ and second‑degree assault charges on February 18, 2026, and set a $5 million bond for Bangura [1]. He remains jailed in serious condition in the ICU as of December 15, 2025 [1]. A court appearance is scheduled for February 23, 2026 [1].

Medical Treatment Provided to Both Victims Winebrenner received care at Harborview Medical Center and was later discharged after treatment [1]. Bangura stayed in intensive care following the shooting, with his condition reported as serious [1]. Both injuries were documented in police and medical reports [1].

Bangura’s Prior Encounters Suggest Motive for False Call Earlier in September 2025, Bangura was found sleeping on church property and threatened a security guard, resulting in harassment charges [1]. In early December he filed a complaint alleging a false case against him, which prosecutors cite as a possible motive for the fake 911 call [1]. These prior incidents provide context for his confrontation with police [1].

Council Holds Packed Hearing on ICE Limits The Columbus City Council convened a public hearing on Tuesday night, Feb. 18, 2026, to debate a suite of measures aimed at limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities on city‑owned property [1]. Councilmembers Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Shannon Hardin, and Rob Dorans argued the city could protect families and public spaces through home‑rule authority [1]. Attendees included naturalized resident Leo Almeida, who warned that without new safeguards ICE could more easily target families [1].

December DHS Raid Triggers Legislative Push Department of Homeland Security operation in December arrested more than 280 people across Ohio in a single week, intensifying local concerns [1]. The Ohio Immigrant Alliance reported that at least 700 individuals have been detained in the Columbus area since President Donald Trump’s second term began [1]. Those figures motivated council members to draft restrictions intended to curb federal enforcement within municipal boundaries [1].

Proposals Target Facilities, Partnerships, and Employee Restrictions Draft legislation would bar ICE from using city recreation centers, parking lots, or garages without a judicial warrant and create a digital repository of alleged ICE violations [1]. It also requires council sign‑off for any police‑ICE collaborations, establishes a permit process to block new detention centers, raises harassment penalties near schools to misdemeanors, and prohibits city employees from holding secondary ICE or CBP jobs [1]. Additional provisions demand that federal agents display badges and receive training comparable to local police, though council members acknowledge they cannot enforce badge or training standards on ICE [1]. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost dismissed the measures as a political stunt on X, while the council plans to vote on some items as early as next Monday [1].

Rubio Frames Western Expansion as Historical Legacy Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference on Feb 14 2026, describing five centuries of missionary, military and exploratory “expansion” as the West’s colonial past and labeling the current “managed decline” as driven by mass migration and a dogmatic free‑trade vision [1]. He linked this narrative to a perceived loss of societal cohesion and warned that adversaries exploit supply‑chain vulnerabilities [1]. The audience responded with applause, indicating resonance among attendees [1].

He Calls for Unilateral U.S. Leadership and Alliance Rubio argued that the United Nations failed to resolve the Gaza war and that only American unilateral action secured a fragile truce and freed captives [1]. He praised the Trump administration for constraining Iran’s nuclear program and for a U.S. Special Forces operation that brought Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to justice [1]. The senator urged Europe to join a “civilizational alliance” rooted in shared Christian heritage and Western culture to revive prosperity [1].

Analysts Warn Erosion of Post‑War Legal Order Commentary notes that the post‑World II rules‑based system, founded on sovereign equality at the 1945 San Francisco conference, is being treated as optional by U.S. policy, shifting from selective rule‑bending to outright indifference [2]. The Trump administration’s withdrawal from dozens of multilateral bodies—UNESCO, WHO, arms‑control and climate agreements—has created a governance vacuum that China is exploiting to set new standards [2]. Despite this, middle powers such as Europe, India, South Africa, Canada and Brazil continue to fund multilateral institutions to curb hegemonic self‑interest [2].

U.S. Actions in Venezuela Signal Power‑Centric Shift Rubio credited the Trump administration with confronting Venezuela, citing the Jan 3 2026 U.S. strike that targeted Maduro’s regime [1]. Analysts argue that the lack of substantive repercussions for this breach of Venezuelan sovereignty emboldens Beijing, Moscow and New Delhi, raising the risk of multiple limited conflicts that could further destabilize the global order [2]. The combined narrative suggests a transition from a liberal, rules‑based architecture toward a more power‑centric, potentially Sino‑centric framework [2].

State Flood Damage and Governor’s Funding Request December’s historic floods across western Washington caused at least $182 million in public‑infrastructure damage and damaged roughly 4,000 homes, prompting Gov. Bob Ferguson to submit a Jan. 21 request for the maximum $21 million in FEMA Individual Assistance for affected families [1].

Ashleigh Barnhart’s Personal Loss and Emergency Relief Ashleigh Barnhart, an elementary‑school counselor and mother of five, reported $100,000 in damage after the Nooksack River flood destroyed the lower level of her home, leaving her without insurance coverage; she received a $3,000 FEMA emergency grant and supplemental donations via a GoFundMe campaign, but most repair costs remain out‑of‑pocket [1].

Federal Approval Uncertainty Linked to Prior Denial FEMA’s refusal to fund the 2024 bomb cyclone disaster has heightened concerns that the current flood request may also be rejected; Ferguson expressed cautious optimism about federal approval, while Barnhart said she “won’t hold her breath” but hopes President Trump will sign off on aid [1].

Project Vault Funding and Structure The Trump administration unveiled Project Vault in the first week of February 2026, creating a $12 billion public‑private fund to acquire and store 60 minerals on the U.S. Geological Survey’s 2025 Critical Minerals List [1]. Financing blends $10 billion in Export‑Import Bank (EXIM) loans with $2 billion of private capital, establishing a hybrid credit‑investment model [1]. Participants must pay a security premium that funds storage costs and hedges against spot‑price volatility [1].

Trigger Mechanism and Withdrawal Rules EXIM will issue long‑term loans for mineral purchases, but draw‑downs occur only when predefined market‑disruption criteria are met, ensuring the reserve is used solely during supply crises [1]. The criteria include sudden export bans, sharp price spikes, or other shocks that threaten national‑security supply chains [1]. This conditional access aims to prevent premature depletion and maintain strategic stockpiles for future emergencies [1].

Strategic Context and Historical Parallel Project Vault responds directly to China’s 2025 restriction on rare‑earth magnets, which nearly halted U.S. automobile production and exposed dependence on a single foreign source [1]. The initiative mirrors the 1975 U.S. petroleum strategic reserve, extending the concept to critical minerals as national‑security assets amid Chinese dominance in mining, processing, and magnet manufacturing [1]. By stockpiling these resources, the United States seeks to reduce vulnerability and safeguard industrial output [1].

International Partnerships and FORGE Forum The United States signed 11 new bilateral agreements—including with Japan, the EU, Mexico, and the UK—to secure diversified supply chains under Project Vault [1]. It also convened a 54‑nation Critical Minerals Ministerial, establishing the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) as the successor to the Minerals Security Partnership and aligning with the Pax Silica coalition launched in December 2025 [1]. These diplomatic moves aim to create a multilateral network that shares procurement, processing, and storage responsibilities [1].

Political Risks and Implementation Challenges Analysts warn that the “America First” approach could generate hierarchical trade negotiations, prompting partner concerns over asymmetrical commitments and potentially undermining trust in the coalition [1]. Domestic political opposition may also question the allocation of public funds and the reliance on private capital for strategic reserves [1]. Successful implementation will depend on balancing national security goals with transparent, mutually beneficial agreements with allies [1].

Redundant Context Processing Slows Multi‑LLM Pipelines Large language model pipelines increasingly chain several fine‑tuned variants derived from a common base, but each model recomputes the full context during the prefill stage, creating significant latency and throughput bottlenecks [1]. The duplicated work grows linearly with the number of variants, limiting real‑time applications that rely on rapid multi‑LLM responses [1]. Researchers identified this inefficiency as the primary motivation for a new sharing framework [1].

DroidSpeak Reuses KV‑Cache Across Related Models The system inspects the key‑value (KV) cache of the foundational model and isolates layers whose activations remain useful for downstream fine‑tuned versions [1]. For each variant, only the identified layers are recomputed, while the rest of the cache is retained, eliminating redundant computation [1]. This selective reuse targets models that share the same architecture and base weights, enabling seamless integration into existing serving stacks [1].

Selective Layer Recalculation Preserves Accuracy Experiments on diverse datasets show that the layer‑wise caching strategy incurs only a few percentage points deviation from baseline task performance [1]. Accuracy metrics remain within acceptable margins, confirming that speed gains do not come at the cost of significant quality loss [1]. The authors report that the trade‑off is consistent across multiple model pairs and tasks [1].

Benchmarks Show Up to Threefold Throughput Gains On benchmark workloads, DroidSpeak delivers up to a 3× increase in overall inference throughput compared with full recomputation [1]. Prefill latency improves on average by a factor of 2.6, accelerating the initial token generation phase that typically dominates response time [1]. The paper, authored by Shan Lu, Madan Musuvathi, and Esha Choukse, was published in Microsoft Research’s archive on May 1, 2026 [1].

Taxpayer Numbers Surge to 12.13 Crore Across FY 2013‑14 to FY 2024‑25 The Income‑Tax Department’s time‑series data show the total number of persons filing returns or subject to TDS rose from 5.26 crore in AY 2013‑14 to 12.13 crore in AY 2024‑25, a compound annual growth rate of about 7.89 % over eleven years [1]. This expansion represents a structural shift in India’s direct tax landscape, more than doubling the taxpayer base. The growth persisted despite the pandemic‑induced dip, indicating resilience in the tax system.

Individual Filers Lead Expansion, Rebounding After 2020‑21 Decline Individual taxpayers increased from 4.96 crore to 11.61 crore, growing at roughly 8 % CAGR [1]. A pandemic‑related contraction of nearly 9 % occurred in AY 2020‑21, but subsequent years saw a strong double‑digit rebound. Individuals now account for the majority of the taxpayer base, underscoring their central role in revenue generation.

Non‑Individual Entities Grow Steadily, Though at Slower Pace The count of firms, companies, HUFs, AOPs, local authorities and other PAN categories rose from 0.29 crore to 0.48 crore, reflecting a 5 % CAGR overall [1]. Growth slowed to below 1 % in AY 2020‑21 before stabilising around 5 % in recent years. This modest rise complements the larger individual‑taxpayer surge and contributes to a diversified tax base.

Collection Cost Ratio Declines to Historic Low of 0.41 % The cost of collecting direct taxes fell from 1.36 % of revenue in FY 2000‑01 to 0.41 % in FY 2024‑25 [1]. A temporary rise occurred in FY 2020‑21 due to pandemic disruptions, but the ratio subsequently reached its lowest level in the series. Lower collection costs alongside a larger base suggest improved fiscal efficiency.

Digital Filing and Faceless Assessments Underpin Efficiency Gains Over the decade, the tax administration expanded electronic filing, introduced pre‑filled returns, adopted faceless assessments, and increased third‑party reporting [1]. These measures reduced compliance friction and allowed the department to manage a larger taxpayer base without proportional resource growth. The digital transformation is credited with sustaining the decline in collection costs and enhancing overall administration effectiveness.

Feb. 9 Confrontation Leads to Physical Assault On February 9, assistant professor Luke Perez grabbed journalist Michael Newman’s phone and forced him to the floor in the Smith Laboratory Building while Newman was pursuing a follow‑up question for former OSU president E. Gordon Gee; the incident was captured on video and posted to social media[1]. Perez verbally told Newman “no” before striking the recording equipment and knocking the journalist down[1]. The footage shows Perez blocking Newman’s path and physically restraining him, prompting an immediate police response[1].

University Responds With Immediate Administrative Leave Ohio State University placed Perez on administrative leave the day after the assault, citing the seriousness of the incident and the need for a thorough investigation[1]. OSU police opened a criminal investigation, collecting video evidence and statements from witnesses[1]. The university’s administration acted quickly to distance the institution from the alleged misconduct while the legal process proceeds[1].

Legal Proceedings Set for Late February Perez was formally charged with assault and is scheduled to appear in court on February 23, where he will face potential penalties under Ohio law[1]. The charge stems directly from the physical confrontation captured on video[1]. No plea or sentencing details have been released as of the latest reporting[1].

First Amendment Concerns Highlighted by Victim Journalist Michael Newman described the attack as a violation of his civil‑rights and First Amendment protections, emphasizing that the physical injury was matched by an infringement on his right to report[1]. Newman, an Ohio State graduate, called the incident “an attack on civil rights” and stressed the broader implications for press freedom[1]. He noted that the assault threatened both his safety and his ability to conduct journalism in a university setting[1].

Asset Attachment Executed Under PMLA The Enforcement Directorate seized an immovable asset in Kerala valued at ₹39.01 lakh on February 18, 2026, after obtaining a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) [1]. The property, recorded as “received by” the 47‑year‑old Malayalam actor Jayasurya, is now attached pending further investigation [1]. This action marks the latest enforcement step in a money‑laundering probe that began with multiple FIRs filed by Thrissur East Police [1].

Investigation Traces Back to Save Box Scheme Jayasurya and his wife were interrogated by the ED in December 2025 regarding alleged cheating through an online bidding platform called “Save Box” [1]. The scheme is accused of defrauding participants by promising investment returns, and investigators linked it to a man identified as Swathi Rahim [1]. Four first‑information reports lodged by Thrissur East Police triggered the central agency’s involvement, expanding the probe beyond the actor’s endorsement role [1].

Financial Link Between Rahim and Jayasurya Revealed Sources indicate that Swathi Rahim transferred money to Jayasurya in exchange for the actor’s role as brand ambassador for the Save Box investment scheme [1]. The payments are alleged to be part of the laundering trail that the ED is seeking to dismantle [1]. Rahim’s central position in the fraud allegations underscores the financial nexus between the promoter and the celebrity endorsement [1].

Legal Basis and Enforcement Process Detailed The provisional PMLA order authorizes the attachment of the ₹39.01 lakh property, reflecting the ED’s statutory powers to freeze assets suspected of being laundered [1]. The agency’s action follows standard procedure: issuance of a provisional order, seizure of the asset, and continuation of the investigation to trace the flow of illicit funds [1]. The attachment does not constitute a conviction but signals escalating legal pressure on the individuals involved [1].

Operation Metro Surge: Scale, Arrests, and Fatalities The Trump administration launched Operation Metro Surge in December 2025, deploying roughly 3,000 immigration officers to Minnesota. From Dec 1 to Feb 4, 2026 the agents arrested more than 4,000 undocumented individuals, including two U.S. citizens who were killed during the raids. Masked DHS tactics heightened fear across the Twin Cities [1].

Economic Fallout Hits Muslim Businesses and Tenants Foot traffic at Muslim‑owned restaurants, shops, and mosques plummeted, cutting Qamaria coffee shop sales by about 40 % [1]. Karmel Mall collected only 35 % of expected rent, creating a shortfall exceeding $400,000. With over 100,000 Muslims in Minneapolis, congregations fell to less than half their usual size, and many tenants reported depression and fear [1].

Community Leaders Describe Fear and Shrinking Congregations Basim Sabri, a Palestinian‑American landlord, organized a Ramadan iftar at Karmel Mall to boost morale and view it as a duty to help the community recover [1]. Khalid Omar of Dar Al‑Farooq Islamic Center warned that the crackdown weighs heavily on Somali and Muslim residents, advising worshippers to carry passports for safety [1]. Interfaith groups displayed solidarity signs, ICE‑watch volunteers, and planned “coffee with a cop” gatherings to rebuild trust [1].

Ramadan Launches Relief Efforts and Optimism Governor Tim Walz announced a one‑time $10 million emergency relief package for small businesses harmed by the operation [1]. Border czar Tom Homan indicated the month‑long Minnesota operation would conclude as Ramadan begins, sparking cautious optimism among community members [1]. Muslim organizers plan extended Ramadan hours and joint events to foster reconciliation and economic recovery [1].

Celski’s Olympic Legacy Fuels New Generation Three‑time Olympian JR Celski earned three medals and set five combined short‑track world records before retiring after the 2018 Games, yet he remains active by mentoring current Team USA athletes near the Utah Olympic Training Center [1]. He watches the sport closely, offering advice that stresses intentional training and a “no regrets” mindset.

Andrea Celski Leads U.S. Short‑Track Development Former Team Canada skater Andrea Celski now directs the U.S. short‑track program, coordinating athlete development and working directly with rising stars such as Corinne Stoddard [1]. Her leadership is credited with creating a supportive environment that blends technical expertise with personal mentorship.

Corinne Stoddard Prepares for Milan‑Cortina 2026 Federal Way native and ex‑national inline champion Corinne Stoddard cites JR and Andrea Celski as primary role models, describing their guidance as essential for her upcoming Olympic debut in Milan‑Cortina [1]. She plans to apply the mentorship during her training in Italy, aiming to translate wheel‑based fundamentals into ice speed.

Wheel‑Based Training Remains Pathway to Olympic Ice King5’s on‑air segment showed anchors Jake Whittenberg and Mimi Jung learning speed skating on wheels at El Centro Skating Rink, a historic venue that produced Olympians Apolo Ohno and JR Celski [2]. National champion Miguel Jose instructed them on balance, low stance, and powerful pushes, illustrating the physical demands that wheel training imposes before athletes transition to ice.

Pacific Northwest Continues Producing Elite Speed Skaters Both articles highlight Washington state’s deep speed‑skating heritage, noting that local clubs like El Centro regularly offer beginner lessons and serve as pipelines for future Olympians [1][2]. The region’s combination of experienced coaches and historic facilities sustains a steady flow of talent into the national program.

Complaint Timeline and Resident Reports Residents of Marion have repeatedly reported a strong chlorine odor, unpleasant taste, and water discoloration since mid‑December 2025, according to 10TV and local complaints logged in early 2026 [1]. The complaints resurfaced in February 2026, prompting renewed community outcry and media coverage [1]. Aqua Ohio acknowledges the reports but maintains that the water remains safe for consumption [1].

Utility’s Explanation and Immediate Mitigation Measures Aqua Ohio identified geosmin, a naturally occurring compound that causes earthy odors, as the source of the taste and smell issues and confirmed it poses no health risk [1]. The utility advised customers that boiling water is unnecessary and began flushing fire hydrants in the affected neighborhoods to disperse the compound [1]. Treatment adjustments were also implemented to reduce geosmin levels in the distribution system [1].

Ohio EPA’s Assessment and Expanded Sampling Plan The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency stated that current testing shows the water meets all state and federal standards, with no detectable contamination in groundwater or surface sources [1]. Nevertheless, the agency announced it will collect additional samples to verify compliance and monitor geosmin concentrations more closely [1]. EPA officials emphasized transparency and ongoing communication with both the utility and the public [1].

Prosecutor Grogan’s Call for a Full Investigation Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan declared the utility’s assurances insufficient and formally requested that the Ohio EPA launch a comprehensive investigation into the water quality complaints [1]. Grogan warned that continued inaction could erode public trust and demanded corrective actions beyond routine sampling [1]. The prosecutor’s request marks the latest escalation in the dispute between residents, the utility, and state regulators [1].

Alleged Slur Triggers Ten‑Minute Halt In the 52nd minute of the Tuesday night Champions League play‑off at Benfica, Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior reported that Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni called him “monkey,” prompting French referee François Letexier to display FIFA’s crossed‑arms anti‑racism signal and suspend play for roughly ten minutes [1][2][3]. The protocol, introduced in May 2024, allows referees to halt matches when racist conduct is alleged [3]. Play resumed after the pause, and Real maintained their 1‑0 lead.

Real Madrid Squad Reacts With Outrage Real Madrid players condemned the alleged abuse, with Trent Alexander‑Arnold calling the episode a “disgrace to football” and Kylian Mbappé urging UEFA to ban Prestianni from the competition [1][2]. Midfielder Federico Valverde praised teammates who defended Vinícius, while defender Aurélien Tchouaméni said the squad briefly considered leaving the pitch [1]. The team’s unified stance highlighted growing intolerance for racism in European football.

Mourinho’s Celebration Critique Fuels Controversy Benfica manager José Mourinho criticised Vinícius’s goal celebration as disrespectful, invoked black legend Eusébio, and suggested the player repeatedly provokes fans, stopping short of endorsing the alleged slur [1][2]. His comments triggered immediate backlash, with former Real midfielder Clarence Seedorf labeling the remarks a “big mistake” and former England internationals Theo Walcott and Thierry Henry demanding swift UEFA action [2]. The dispute amplified the match’s off‑field tension.

Social Media and On‑Field Sanctions Follow Vinícius posted an Instagram message denouncing the incident as cowardly racism, while the Brazilian Football Confederation praised his courage on X [1]. During the remainder of the game, a bottle was thrown at Vinícius and Mourinho received a red card in the 86th minute for confronting the referee over unrelated decisions [1]. The episode underscored the volatile atmosphere inside Benfica’s stadium.

Conflicting Accounts From Player and Club Benfica and Prestianni denied any racist intent, describing the comment as a routine provocation and asserting that no slur was uttered, with midfielder Leandro Barreiro confirming the claim [1]. Prestianni later said he faced threats after the match, whereas Vinícius maintained that the abuse occurred and highlighted similar past incidents [3]. The divergent narratives remain unresolved pending UEFA’s investigation.

RL Training Skews Toward Rare Tokens Reinforcement learning for large language models (LLMs) assigns outsized gradients to tokens the model predicts with low probability, because those tokens generate unusually large advantage signals. This disproportionate influence drowns out the smaller, essential gradients from high‑probability tokens, limiting overall reasoning performance. The effect has been identified as a core inefficiency in current RL‑based fine‑tuning pipelines [1].

Advantage Reweighting and Lopti Rebalance Updates The researchers introduce Advantage Reweighting, which rescales token‑level advantages to temper the impact of rare tokens, and Low‑Probability Token Isolation (Lopti), which isolates and reduces gradients originating from low‑probability predictions. Both methods operate during the policy‑gradient step, preserving the learning signal from common tokens while still allowing rare tokens to contribute meaningfully. Experiments show the combined approach restores a more uniform gradient distribution across token probabilities [1].

GRPO Models Achieve Up to 46.2% Improvement Applying the two techniques to Group Relative Policy Optimization (GRPO)‑trained LLMs yields dramatic gains on the K&K Logic Puzzle benchmark, with performance increases as high as 46.2% compared to baseline GRPO. The boost is most pronounced on puzzles requiring multi‑step logical inference, indicating that balanced token updates enhance higher‑order reasoning. These results suggest that mitigating low‑probability token dominance can unlock the full potential of RL‑based LLM training [1].

Open‑Source Release Facilitates Community Validation The implementation of Advantage Reweighting and Lopti has been released publicly on GitHub, complete with training scripts and evaluation pipelines. This enables other research groups to reproduce the reported gains and explore extensions to other RL algorithms or model families. The authors encourage collaborative benchmarking to assess the generality of the methods across diverse tasks [1].

Crash Occurs on Rural Route 664 Near Huston Road On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Kalind Freeman, 19, of Logan, was pronounced dead at the scene after his 2001 Dodge Ram lost traction on black ice, left state Route 664 north of Huston Road in Marion Township, struck an embankment and overturned [1]. The accident happened on a rural stretch of the highway within Hocking County, and emergency responders confirmed no survivors [1]. Investigators quickly identified Freeman as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle [1].

Ohio State Highway Patrol Attributes Accident to Black Ice OSHP investigators cited black‑ice conditions as the primary cause of the loss of control, noting that the road surface was unusually slick that morning [1]. The patrol also reported that the Dodge Ram’s seatbelts were not functional, a factor that may have contributed to the fatal outcome [1]. Officials emphasized that the combination of icy pavement and lack of restraint systems heightened the risk of severe injury [1].

Public Notification and Official Statement Released The Ohio State Highway Patrol issued an official statement on Tuesday, confirming the crash details and victim identification through a 10TV broadcast [1]. The agency made the information publicly available to alert motorists about hazardous conditions on Route 664 [1]. OSHP’s release underscored the importance of seatbelt use and cautious driving during winter weather [1].

U.S. Oil Embargo Triggers Immediate Fuel Shortage The Trump administration ended oil shipments to Cuba in early 2026, cutting off the “hundreds of millions of dollars‑worth of fuel” that powered the island’s power grid and transport network. The stoppage followed U.S. pressure on Venezuela and threats to Mexican oil exports, leaving Cuban airports and buses without jet fuel. By February 2026, schools suspended classes, hotels closed, and airlines from Russia and Canada canceled flights due to lack of fuel [1].

Tourism Collapse Undermines Post‑2015 Recovery After Obama restored diplomatic ties in 2015, tourism surged, supporting classic‑car tours like those run by driver Mandy Pruna, whose 1957 Chevrolet featured in the 2015 embassy flag‑raising. The 2026 oil cutoff coincided with a sharp drop in visitor arrivals, prompting the UK and Canada to advise against non‑essential travel. With hotels near vacant, many workers were furloughed and the tourism‑dependent informal economy stalled [1].

Food Imports Stagnate, Prices Soar, Hunger Risks Rise Private firms that imported U.S. food halted operations because power outages crippled refrigeration, forcing vendors to pay two‑to‑three times higher prices for restocking. Hospitals reduced services as supply chains faltered, and trash accumulation increased in Havana. The combined effect threatens widespread hunger as the government lacks external subsidies [1].

Political Pressure Calls for Economic Liberalization President Donald Trump warned that “there’s no oil, there’s no money, there’s no anything,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cuba to open its centralized economy amid the crisis. The U.S. demands structural reforms as the island faces a multi‑sector collapse. Meanwhile, classic‑car driver Mandy Pruna has suspended his license and is weighing emigration to Spain for his family [1].

Researchers Document Ongoing ICE Access The University of Washington Center for Human Rights released a Feb 18, 2026 report showing federal immigration agents continue querying Washington’s driver‑license database despite a 2023 state‑wide block. The study identified queries made through the ACCESS platform operated by the Washington State Patrol, with license‑plate data returned in under two seconds. These findings contradict the state’s claim that ICE no longer accesses the system [1].

Video Shows Traffic Stop Triggered by Plate Query KING 5 footage captured a December traffic stop on I‑5 near Federal Way after a Customs and Border Protection officer requested the vehicle’s plate information via ACCESS. Officers cited the plate query as the basis for pulling over a car with smashed windows, illustrating how real‑time data queries lead to on‑ground immigration enforcement actions. The video provides concrete evidence of the system’s use in civil immigration cases [1].

State Law Prohibits Data Sharing for Civil Enforcement Washington statutes enacted in 2022 explicitly bar state agencies from providing driver information for civil immigration enforcement, limiting data sharing to criminal investigations. The UW report emphasizes that the law was intended to prevent ICE from using state records to locate undocumented residents. Violations could expose the state to legal challenges under the statute [1].

DOL Blocks ICE Yet Border Patrol Retains Access Following the report, the Department of Licensing announced it blocked ICE accounts from ACCESS, but confirmed Border Patrol agents still retain the ability to conduct searches. The DOL said Border Patrol now performs the majority of queries and has not responded to further comment requests. This partial block leaves a loophole that continues to feed immigration enforcement operations [1].

Washington Lags Behind Other States’ Safeguards Researchers compare Washington’s six‑year delay in implementing data safeguards to states like New York, which have built firewalls separating immigration enforcement from routine traffic data. The UW team criticizes the state for failing to act sooner, noting that other jurisdictions have successfully protected driver privacy while preserving legitimate law‑enforcement use. Washington’s lag highlights a significant policy gap in data protection [1].

Friday Night Collision Near Kenton Avenue Leaves One Dead, Child Injured The CSX freight train struck two pedestrians just before 9 p.m. on Friday at the Kenton Avenue crossing in Marion, Ohio, killing 33‑year‑old Dalton McMillen on site and seriously injuring a 12‑year‑old girl who was air‑lifted to a hospital [2]. Police reported the child was trapped beneath the locomotive before responders pulled her free [2]. The incident occurred while the victims were illegally crossing the tracks, a violation CSX highlighted in its statement [1].

Grandmother Describes McMillen’s Heroic Shielding of Granddaughter Angel Franklin told 10TV that McMillen threw his body over the girl, absorbing the impact and preventing a worse outcome [1]. She said the child was crossing the tracks to buy candy, a routine they had performed many times before, when the train’s front caught McMillen’s coat and dragged him away [1]. Franklin called McMillen “more than a friend” and urged that his sacrifice be recognized as heroic [1].

Child’s Injuries Treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Discharge Expected Soon The 12‑year‑old suffered brain bleeding and neck injuries but remained stable after emergency care [1]. She is currently hospitalized at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, with doctors anticipating her release within a few days [1]. Franklin announced the family will no longer cross any tracks, emphasizing the danger of trespassing [1].

State Officials and Rail Companies Push for Greater Safety Awareness Ohio’s Operation Lifesaver director Alan Stouder warned that judging a train’s speed is extremely difficult and urged a minimum 10‑foot clearance from moving trains [2]. He highlighted Ohio’s ranking among the nation’s busiest rail states for pedestrian and vehicle incidents, calling for heightened public vigilance [2]. CSX pledged continued cooperation with the investigation and reiterated its message that walking on or beside tracks is illegal and hazardous [1].

New Single‑Index Bandit Framework Removes Reward‑Function Assumption The team defines generalized linear bandits with unknown link functions, calling them single index bandits, thereby eliminating the unrealistic requirement that the reward function be known, which could cause algorithm failure. This formulation applies to both monotonic and arbitrary reward shapes, establishing a broader problem setting. The new model underpins the subsequent algorithmic contributions. [1]

STOR, ESTOR, and GSTOR Deliver Sublinear Regret Across Reward Types For monotonic unknown rewards, the authors propose STOR and ESTOR, with ESTOR achieving a near‑optimal (\tilde{O}(\sqrt{T})) regret bound. GSTOR extends the approach to any reward shape under a Gaussian design, preserving the same regret order. All three algorithms run in polynomial time and scale to realistic data sizes. [1]

Sparse High‑Dimensional Extension Keeps Regret Rate Intact The researchers adapt ESTOR to a sparse setting where only a small subset of features influences rewards. By leveraging the sparsity index, the algorithm retains the (\tilde{O}(\sqrt{T})) regret despite thousands of irrelevant dimensions. Empirical tests on synthetic and real‑world datasets confirm that performance does not degrade with dimensionality. [1]

Lipschitz Bandits Incorporate Stochastic Delays Without Losing Optimality In a separate study, the authors model actions in a metric space with rewards observed after random delays, covering both bounded and unbounded distributions. The delay‑aware zooming algorithm matches delay‑free regret up to an additive term proportional to the maximum delay (\tau_{\max}). For unbounded delays, a phased learning strategy attains regret within logarithmic factors of a proven lower bound. [2]

Empirical Results Show Superior Performance Over Existing Baselines Simulations across various delay scenarios demonstrate that both the delay‑aware zooming and phased learning algorithms outperform standard bandit methods. Likewise, the single‑index bandit algorithms outperform prior approaches that assume known reward functions. The studies were presented at ICLR 2026, highlighting their relevance to the machine‑learning community. [1][2]

Workshop Announcement and Publication Details The “What does Generative UI mean for HCI Practice?” workshop will appear in the Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, officially dated April 1, 2026 [1]. It is scheduled as part of CHI 2026, the premier annual gathering for human‑computer interaction research. The announcement positions the workshop as a focal point for emerging AI‑driven interface discussions.

Organizers and Leadership The event is coordinated by three senior researchers: Siân Lindley, Jack Williams, and Abigail Sellen, who are listed as authors and primary organizers [1]. Their involvement signals strong academic backing and aligns the workshop with ongoing HCI scholarship. Each organizer brings expertise in design, AI, and user experience, shaping the workshop’s agenda.

Scope and Objectives of the Workshop The workshop aims to explore how generative UI technologies can underpin innovative, human‑centric experiences and to identify necessary evolutions in HCI practice [1]. Participants are invited to envision future interface paradigms and assess implications for design methodology. The focus on AI‑generated interfaces reflects growing interest in automating UI creation while preserving usability.

Interactive Format, Submission Options, and Participant Cap Sessions will include a pop‑up panel, creative ideation exercises, and collaborative artefact development, with outcomes shared online and potentially expanded into an Interactions or CACM article [1]. Prospective attendees may submit a two‑page position paper, a two‑page pictorial, or a two‑minute video via the workshop website. Organizers anticipate roughly 35 participants, limiting the event to a focused cohort.

Resources and Future Dissemination The announcement provides direct links to the workshop’s publication page and a downloadable PDF for interested scholars [1]. These resources facilitate early engagement and allow contributors to prepare submissions. The planned artefact sharing and possible journal extensions aim to extend the workshop’s impact beyond the conference.

Stalin Presents Part I of Federalism Report to Assembly On 18 February 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin formally tabled Part I of the High‑Level Committee on Union‑State Relations in the state legislature, having received the document two days earlier on 16 February 2026. The committee is chaired by retired Justice Kurian Joseph and includes members K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty and M. Naganathan, reflecting a cross‑party expert panel assembled to examine centre‑state dynamics[1]. Stalin framed the presentation as a catalyst for nationwide debate on federalism, emphasizing the report’s legal proposals to decentralise power.

Report Calls for Constitutional Amendment and Funding Reform The submitted report urges a constitutional amendment to grant states “full powers” over their subjects, arguing that the current framework allows the Union to shift matters from the State List to the Concurrent List, thereby eroding state rights[1]. It also critiques the existing centrally‑allocated funding formula, claiming it disproportionately penalises wealthier states by reducing their share without accounting for their fiscal contributions[1]. Stalin asserted that strengthening federalism will not weaken the Union but will safeguard the nation’s pluralistic character.

Congress Tensions Rise Within SPA Over Power Sharing Concurrently, the Secular Progressive Alliance faces internal strain as Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and All India Professionals’ Congress president Praveen Chakravarty publicly rebuked the DMK, defying the party high command’s directive for discretion[2]. The article notes Congress’s modest electoral gains—winning 18 of 25 contested seats in the 2021 Assembly election and a strong MP haul in 2024—yet argues its bargaining position remains limited without a common minimum programme[2]. Editorial commentary warns that a break with the SPA to pursue a TVK tie‑up could backfire, urging Congress to rebuild its organisational base instead of destabilising the anti‑BJP bloc[2].

Doctors Launch Collective Resignation Campaign Amid Enrollment Proposal On February 19 2024 junior physicians began filing collective resignation letters to protest the government’s proposal to expand medical school enrollment, which they say will dilute training quality and worsen working conditions. The health ministry immediately ordered the doctors to continue providing patient care despite the resignations. The protest marks the most coordinated withdrawal of trainee doctors in recent Korean history, reflecting deep‑seated frustration over workload and career prospects. [1]

Government Response Emphasizes Continuity of Patient Care The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a directive insisting that all medical trainees must maintain clinical duties until replacements are found, warning of possible disciplinary measures for non‑compliance. Officials argue that expanding medical school seats is essential to address the nation’s physician shortage, but they acknowledge the need to negotiate with medical associations. The ministry’s stance underscores the tension between policy goals and frontline staff morale. [1]

Historical Context Shows Recurrent Medical Sector Unrest Yonhap’s timeline places the 2024 doctors’ protest alongside earlier health‑sector actions, such as the 2020 nurses’ strike and the 2019 resident‑doctor walkout, illustrating a pattern of recurring labor disputes in Korean healthcare. Each episode has been triggered by perceived threats to professional standards or working conditions, and the 2024 resignation drive is the largest collective action recorded to date. This continuity suggests systemic issues rather than isolated grievances. [1]

Protest Timeline Extends Into Early March By early March 2024 more than 2,000 trainee doctors had submitted resignation letters, prompting several hospitals to report staffing shortages in emergency and intensive‑care units. The government opened limited talks with the Korean Medical Association but has not yet altered the enrollment plan. The ongoing stalemate highlights the challenge of balancing immediate patient needs with long‑term workforce reforms. [1]

First State of the City Address Highlights Affordability Crisis On February 18, 2026, Mayor Katie Wilson delivered her inaugural 45‑minute State of the City speech at Seattle’s Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, framing rising living costs as the city’s defining challenge and warning of tough budget choices ahead [1].

Housing Funding Surge and Shelter Expansion Plans Wilson announced a newly ratified interlocal agreement that will funnel roughly $115 million to the city‑owned social‑housing developer this spring, more than doubling earlier revenue projections [1]. She also pledged the construction of 1,000 new shelter units within the year to address the acute shortage of housing, shelter, and services for the unsheltered population [1].

Broader Social Services Agenda Includes Childcare and Food Access The mayor urged Seattle to treat childcare and early education as public goods and to consider fresh‑food access a core piece of infrastructure, noting exploratory work on alternative grocery models, including a possible publicly‑run grocery store [1].

Community Leaders Validate Citywide Pressure on Residents Latino Community Fund director Lilliane Ballestero echoed Wilson’s message, stating that families, business owners, and long‑time residents across income levels feel mounting pressure to stay in Seattle [1].

Mayor Calls for Discipline of Hope and Civic Unity Concluding her address, Wilson asked residents to adopt a “discipline of hope,” asserting that Seattle can tackle affordability without losing its identity and proclaiming “Seattle is the best city in the world” amid applause [1].

Researchers Interviewed Twenty Science Reporters About Emerging LLM Tools The Microsoft Research team conducted in‑depth interviews with 20 science journalists and presented four hypothetical AI writing applications, revealing how each tool could reshape editorial decision‑making and professional identity [1]. Participants consistently emphasized the need to retain independent judgment as a cornerstone of democratic journalism [1]. The study highlights a growing tension between technological efficiency and the preservation of journalistic agency [1].

Automation of Data Collection and Feedback Receives Positive Reception Journalists reported that AI functions that gather information, verify facts, or provide performance feedback improve workflow speed without compromising editorial control [1]. Respondents described these supportive tasks as “helpful assistants” that free time for investigative depth [1]. The willingness to adopt such tools hinges on clear boundaries that keep core story‑crafting decisions human‑led [1].

AI‑Generated Ideas or Drafts Trigger Autonomy Concerns Tools that propose story angles or produce initial drafts were viewed as threats to skill development and professional fulfillment [1]. Journalists feared reliance on machine‑generated content could erode critical thinking and diminish relationships with sources [1]. The study notes a strong preference for maintaining full authorship over the narrative core [1].

Voice‑Manipulation Features and Design Recommendations Aim to Safeguard Agency Even subtle functions like AI‑driven voice or tone adjustments raised alarms about limiting reflective writing practices [1]. Researchers propose designing LLM‑infused applications that assist execution—such as editing or formatting—while leaving editorial choices untouched [1]. These guidelines seek to protect both moment‑to‑moment agency and long‑term professional growth [1].

Court Directs Immediate Labeling Proposal The bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan ordered the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider mandatory front‑of‑package warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt or saturated fat [1]. The directive, issued on 18 February 2026, requires the regulator to file its response within four weeks [1]. The court emphasized that the labels must be clear, prominent and understandable to consumers [1]. This move follows a series of judicial interventions targeting food‑related health risks [1].

Petitioners Cite Public Health Crisis NGOs 3S and Our Health Society argued that clear disclosures would enable consumers to make informed choices and could help stem rising deaths from diabetes and heart ailments [1]. They referenced the 2023 ICMR‑INDIAB study, which reported 101 million Indians (11.4% of the population) have diabetes, 136 million have prediabetes, hypertension affects 35.5% nationally, abdominal obesity 39.5%, and high cholesterol 24% [1]. The petitioners contend that labeling is a cost‑effective preventive measure compared to treatment [1]. Their filing urged the court to treat labeling as a public‑health imperative [1].

Regulatory Compliance Concerns Highlighted In 2025 the Supreme Court asked an expert committee under the FSSAI to recommend amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 [1]. After an extension, the February 2026 bench expressed unhappiness with the regulator’s compliance report, noting no positive results [1]. The FSSAI’s proposal to introduce an indigenous Indian Nutrition Rating system faced opposition from petitioners, who said it does not align with globally accepted standards [1]. The court’s dissatisfaction signals a push for stricter, internationally comparable labeling frameworks [1].

Court Aims to Influence Ultra‑Processed Food Industry The Supreme Court’s continued intervention seeks to compel the ultra‑processed food sector to adopt universally endorsed safeguards [1]. Front‑of‑package warning labels are positioned as a preventive step in the continuum of care for non‑communicable diseases [1]. By targeting high‑risk products, the judiciary aims to reduce the disease burden highlighted by recent health data [1]. This judicial pressure may reshape industry formulation and marketing practices across India [1].

Early crowds line up for 9 a.m. opening at 4345 University Way NE. Customers began gathering around 3 p.m. on Monday, and by 5 a.m. Tuesday a line of 30‑40 people waited for the restaurant’s 9 a.m. debut, marking the chain’s entry into Seattle’s U District [1].

Third Washington outlet follows rapid regional expansion. The Seattle site becomes Raising Cane’s third location in the state after Vancouver opened in 2024 and Spokane in 2025, extending the brand’s presence into the Seattle market [1].

Neighborhood businesses anticipate increased foot traffic. nearby Girl Scout cookie stand set up shop, and Pink Gorilla Games co‑owner Kelsey Lewin expects the restaurant to draw visitors to other Avenue businesses; U District officials note 37 million visitors last year—a 17 % rise—and about 350 ground‑floor enterprises [1].

High‑profile promotion precedes launch and hiring surge. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold appeared a week earlier to serve chicken fingers, generating buzz, while the new outlet will employ more than 100 staff and the chain plans nearly 100 new U.S. restaurants this year, with permits filed for sites in Lynnwood, Covington and Silverdale [1].

Nationwide Sunny Outlook With No Rain Expected The Yonhap forecast released at 9:01 a.m. on Feb 18 lists sunny or partly cloudy conditions for all twelve major cities, with a uniform 0 % chance of precipitation [1]. Temperatures range from a daytime high of 5 °C in Incheon to 13 °C in Busan, while nighttime lows vary between –5 °C in Chuncheon and 4 °C on Jeju Island [1]. Chuncheon is the only location forecast as cloudy, though still without rain [1].

Seoul’s Daytime High Reaches Six Degrees Celsius Seoul is expected to reach a high of 6 °C during the day and drop to a low of 1 °C at night, under clear skies and zero rain probability [1]. The capital’s conditions mirror the broader national pattern of sunshine and dry weather [1].

Busan Warmest While Incheon Coolest Among Daytime Highs Busan records the highest daytime temperature at 13 °C, contrasting with Incheon’s low of 5 °C [1]. Nighttime lows remain above freezing in most coastal cities, with Jeju Island enjoying the warmest low at 4 °C [1]. Inland locations such as Chuncheon experience sub‑zero night temperatures, reaching –5 °C [1].

Earlier Forecast Noted Limited Rain Chance in Gwangju and Busan The Feb 17 Yonhap report indicated a 10 % chance of rain for Gwangju and Busan, while all other cities showed 0 % [2]. The updated Feb 18 forecast removes any rain probability for those two cities, presenting a completely dry outlook [1]. This shift highlights a rapid adjustment in short‑term precipitation expectations between the two consecutive forecasts [1][2].

AI verification expanded from single functions to whole modules VeriStruct builds on earlier AI‑assisted verification that handled only isolated functions, now targeting complete Rust data‑structure modules written in Verus. The framework orchestrates systematic generation of abstractions, type invariants, specifications, and proof code, allowing verification at module scale. Its design aims to automate verification tasks that previously required extensive manual effort [1].

Planner module coordinates abstraction, invariant, specification, and proof generation A dedicated planner directs the creation of each verification artifact, ensuring they conform to Verus’s annotation syntax. By sequencing these steps, the planner maintains consistency across interdependent components of a module. This coordination is central to managing the increased complexity of module‑level verification [1].

Embedded syntax cues and automatic repair mitigate LLM annotation errors VeriStruct inserts explicit syntax guidance into prompts to reduce large language models’ frequent misunderstandings of Verus annotations. After generation, a repair stage automatically corrects any remaining annotation mistakes, improving the reliability of AI‑produced verification code. This two‑step approach enhances overall correctness of the generated proofs [1].

Evaluation reports 99.2 % verification success on eleven Rust modules The system was tested on eleven data‑structure modules, succeeding on ten and verifying 128 of 129 functions, yielding a 99.2 % success rate. The work, authored by Shuvendu Lahiri and Shan Lu, was presented at the TACAS conference and published on April 1 2026. Results demonstrate the practicality of scaling AI‑assisted formal verification to real‑world codebases [1].

New Law Requires Detailed Math Error Notices The 2025 “Math Act” obliges the IRS to issue exact error notices for tax returns filed in the 2026 season, replacing vague alerts used previously. Taxpayers now have a 60‑day window to contest any identified mistake, a provision designed to streamline disputes. The law applies to all 2025 returns filed by the April 15, 2026 deadline. [1]

IRS Provides Line‑by‑Line Error Identification For the current filing period, the agency sends letters that pinpoint the specific lines where calculations are incorrect, offering a direct link to a detailed notice. This granular approach aims to reduce confusion and accelerate correction. The shift marks the first time the IRS has mandated such precision in error communication. [1]

Historical Volume Highlights Scale of Issue In 2022, the IRS mailed roughly 9.4 million generic math error alerts, underscoring the prevalence of calculation problems on returns. Those earlier notices often lacked detail, prompting calls for reform. The new system seeks to address the shortcomings revealed by that massive volume. [1]

New Deductions May Increase Error Risk The Math Act takes effect alongside a suite of fresh tax deductions and credits introduced for 2025 returns, potentially raising the likelihood of computational errors. Lawmakers anticipate that more complex filings could generate additional disputes. The IRS warns taxpayers to double‑check calculations amid the expanded credit landscape. [1]

Tax Day Deadline Remains Unchanged Despite the procedural overhaul, the filing deadline for 2025 returns stays fixed at April 15, 2026. Taxpayers receiving detailed notices must resolve any issues before that date to avoid penalties. The unchanged deadline provides a clear timeline for addressing the new notices. [1]

New Framework Targets Heterogeneous AI Inference Systems The paper “MSCCL++: Rethinking GPU Communication Abstractions for AI Inference” proposes a redesign of GPU data‑exchange mechanisms to boost inference performance on modern heterogeneous hardware, and it was released on March 1, 2026 [1]. It lists six contributors—Changho Hwang, Peng Cheng, Roshan Dathathri, Abhinav Jangda, Madan Musuvathi, and Aashaka Shah—reflecting a cross‑disciplinary effort within Microsoft Research [1].

Authors Highlight Limitations of Existing Communication Libraries Researchers note that AI workloads now depend on a mix of accelerators and CPUs, but current general‑purpose libraries cannot keep pace with rapid hardware evolution [1]. Developers frequently resort to hand‑crafted communication stacks that deliver speed yet introduce bugs and hinder portability across GPU generations [1]. This fragmentation motivates the need for a more adaptable solution.

MSCCL++ Promises Portable Performance Matching Hand‑Crafted Stacks The proposed library rethinks communication primitives to provide abstractions that are both hardware‑agnostic and capable of matching the speed of custom stacks [1]. By eliminating error‑prone bespoke code, MSCCL++ aims to improve robustness while preserving throughput on diverse GPU architectures [1].

Research Presented at Premier Architecture Conference The work was peer‑reviewed and presented at ASPLOS 2026, the ACM International Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems [1]. Inclusion in this venue underscores the significance of the communication challenges for AI inference and the community’s interest in portable solutions.

Gazette Order Extends Bar Operating Hours Statewide The Kerala government issued an extraordinary gazette on Feb 17, 2026 that extends the permitted operating window for bars and beer‑parlours from 10 a.m. to midnight across the state, amending the Foreign Liquor Rules of 1953 and adding two hours to the previous 10 p.m. cutoff to boost tourism‑related revenue [1].

5‑Star Hotel Bars Gain Permission to Serve Until 3 a.m. Establishments holding an FL3 licence and classified as 5‑star hotels or higher may continue serving alcohol until 3 a.m. for an annual rental fee of ₹5 lakh, creating a tiered system where premium venues receive extended hours in exchange for higher fees and aiming to attract high‑spending visitors attending conferences and destination weddings [1].

Government Cites MICE and Destination‑Wedding Tourism Benefits The order links the extended hours to the promotion of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and destination‑wedding markets, arguing that later service will make Kerala more competitive for international conferences and upscale events, and mandates further changes to foreign liquor regulations to accommodate foreign guests [1].

Political and Religious Opposition Frames Change as Electoral Deal Bar owners have long lobbied for later closing times, and the timing of the announcement—just weeks before the state assembly elections—has sparked criticism; the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) condemned the move as an election‑time concession, called for its withdrawal, and announced an Anti‑Alcohol Sunday on March 8 with church circulars and programmes opposing alcohol consumption [1].

Trump‑Preferred Livery Approved After Reversal On 17 February 2026 the Air Force announced it will paint the new VC‑25B aircraft in the red, white, gold and dark‑blue scheme championed by former President Donald Trump, overturning the Biden administration’s earlier decision to retain the traditional palette [1]. The approval follows a formal review that concluded the colors meet operational standards despite earlier concerns. The move signals a high‑profile visual shift for the presidential fleet [1].

Two New VC‑25B Jets and Qatar Gift Included The repaint program covers the two freshly built VC‑25B Boeing 747s slated for delivery later in 2026 [1]. It also includes a 747 donated by Qatar, which Trump ordered retrofitted to the new livery; the Qatari jet could enter service as early as the summer of 2026 [1]. This addition expands the presidential air fleet beyond the standard two aircraft [1].

Four C‑32 Fleet Members Scheduled for Repaint All four C‑32 aircraft—military Boeing 757s used for shorter trips—will receive the Trump‑favored colors during routine maintenance cycles [1]. The first C‑32 has already been completed and is expected to be delivered to the Air Force in the coming months [1]. The repaint of these smaller jets ensures visual consistency across the entire presidential fleet [1].

Historical Context of Baby‑Blue Livery Since the Kennedy administration, Air Force One has displayed a baby‑blue and white paint scheme, a look that became iconic [1]. In 2022 the Biden administration rejected Trump’s darker colors, citing potential overheating of components and higher costs [1]. Renderings released in 2023 showed a design resembling the historic palette before the latest reversal [1].

New Multi‑Horizon Task Environments Challenge Existing Agents The study defines Multi‑Horizon Task Environments (MHTEs) as problem instances that require coherent execution of more than 45 interleaved tasks, each spanning 500–1500+ steps. These tasks run within persistent contexts that persist for hours, mirroring real‑world organizational workflows. The paper emphasizes that such environments expose limitations of current autonomous agents when handling sustained, complex workloads [1].

Baseline Completion Rates Collapse Under Full Load Baseline corporate‑use agents (CUAs) achieve a 16.7 % task‑completion rate at 25 % load, but this drops to 8.7 % when load reaches 100 %. Four failure modes—context saturation, memory interference, dependency complexity, and reprioritization overhead—cut performance roughly in half. The pattern repeats across three independent CUA implementations, highlighting systemic scalability issues [1].

CorpGen Introduces Hierarchical Planning and Tiered Memory CorpGen adds architecture‑agnostic mechanisms: hierarchical planning aligns long‑term goals, sub‑agent isolation prevents cross‑task contamination, and tiered memory (working, structured, semantic) manages information flow. Adaptive summarization condenses experiences to reduce memory load. These components directly target the identified failure modes, aiming to sustain performance as task density rises [1].

Empirical Results Show Up to 3.5‑Fold Gains Across three CUA backends—UFO2, OpenAI CUA, and a hierarchical model—CorpGen reaches a 15.2 % task‑completion rate versus 4.3 % for baselines, representing up to 3.5× improvement. Performance remains stable as load increases, confirming robustness. Ablation studies reveal that removing experiential learning sharply reduces the advantage, indicating it drives most of the observed gains [1].

Gamini’s New Litter Boosts Indian Cheetah Count to Thirty‑Eight On 18 February 2026, South African female cheetah Gamini gave birth to three cubs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, increasing the nation’s cheetah population to 38 individuals [1]. The cubs were observed by field staff shortly after birth, confirming their health and vitality [1]. This event follows a recent litter of five cubs born to Namibian cheetah Aasha earlier in the month, which had previously raised the count to 35 [1].

Ninth Successful Litter Demonstrates Steady Growth Since 2022 Gamini’s litter represents the ninth recorded successful birth since Project Cheetah’s launch in September 2022 [1]. The program’s translocation strategy has moved adult cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno, where they have begun reproducing regularly [1]. Consistent breeding outcomes suggest that the re‑introduction effort is achieving its demographic targets [1].

Madhya Pradesh Positioned as Core Reintroduction Hub Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared Madhya Pradesh a “powerful centre” for cheetah re‑introduction, citing the recent births as evidence of the state’s commitment [1]. The park’s habitat management, anti‑poaching measures, and community engagement have been highlighted as key factors enabling successful breeding [1]. Officials plan to expand monitoring and habitat restoration to sustain the growing population [1].

Union Environment Minister Praises Births as Symbolic Success Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav posted on X that the new cubs symbolize a “roaring” triumph for India’s conservation legacy [1]. He praised the dedication of field staff and emphasized the need for continued support to achieve a self‑sustaining wild cheetah population [1]. The minister’s statement underscores the political backing for future translocations and habitat upgrades [1].

Three vessels hit, eleven occupants killed in Pacific and Caribbean The U.S. Southern Command reported that on Monday night, February 17, drones struck three suspected drug‑trafficking boats—two in the eastern Pacific and one in the Caribbean—killing all 11 people aboard [1]. Intelligence indicated the vessels were on established narco routes, and no U.S. personnel were injured or engaged in the attacks [1]. The operation follows a Friday strike in the Caribbean that killed three additional occupants, bringing the campaign’s cumulative fatalities to at least 135 [1].

Campaign totals now exceed earlier reports of 124 deaths February 14 report documented 124 people killed across 40 strikes since the first attack on September 2, describing the effort as an “armed conflict” against cartels [2]. The latest strike adds 11 victims, reconciling the two accounts at a minimum of 135 deaths, though the earlier figure did not include the most recent operation [1][2]. Both sources note that the U.S. has not released public evidence linking the targeted boats to specific narcotics shipments or cartel leadership.

Legal framework rests on classified Trump‑era memo labeling traffickers as combatants The administration cites a classified Justice Department opinion from the Trump administration that authorizes lethal force against a secret list of at least two dozen cartels, treating them as enemy combatants [1]. This justification bypasses traditional criminal prosecution and has been challenged by Democratic lawmakers and human‑rights groups, who argue the strikes constitute unlawful killings of civilians [1][2]. Critics emphasize that the United States has not declared war on drug cartels, raising questions about the legal basis for the campaign.

Coast Guard continues non‑lethal interdictions and survivor searches Prior to September, drug interdiction was handled by law‑enforcement and Coast Guard assets, which still seize narcotics and board vessels without lethal force [1]. After earlier strikes, the Coast Guard launched three separate searches for abandoned survivors, suspending and restarting efforts in late December, January, and February [2]. Some strike survivors were briefly detained by the Navy before release, while at least one remains missing, underscoring ongoing humanitarian concerns despite the classified nature of the operations [2].

AI Suite Demonstrated at Bharat Mandapam on Feb 17 On Tuesday, February 17 2026, the Indian Army presented a portfolio of homegrown artificial‑intelligence solutions at the India AI Summit held in the Bharat Mandapam exhibition hall. The display signaled the service’s transition toward a data‑centric, AI‑enabled force aligned with national self‑reliance goals. Organisers highlighted the suite’s potential to serve both defence missions and civilian needs such as disaster response and governance [1].

Key Platforms Offer Defence and Civilian Applications The showcased systems included AI Examiner for automated training assessment, SAM‑UN for geospatial situational awareness, EKAM – an air‑gapped AI‑as‑a‑Service cloud ensuring data sovereignty, and PRAKSHEPAN, an AI‑driven climatology tool that issues early warnings for landslides, floods and avalanches. Each platform was marketed as “dual‑use,” capable of supporting military operations while providing services to civilian agencies. The Army stressed that indigenous development underpins operational readiness and national resilience [1].

Security Solutions Target Deep‑Fake and Cyber Threats Demonstrations featured XFace, an AI‑powered facial‑recognition system for identity verification, alongside advanced deep‑fake detection tools designed to counter synthetic media manipulation. Additional cyber‑security solutions were shown to protect critical infrastructure from malware and evolving digital threats. These capabilities aim to safeguard both defence networks and civilian digital assets [1].

Operational Tools Enhance Logistics and Disaster Resilience The exhibition also displayed Nabh Drishti, a mobile telemetry reporting platform, a driver‑fatigue detection device that issues real‑time drowsiness alerts, a portable “AI‑in‑a‑Box” for rapid deployment, and an AI‑powered vehicle‑tracking system to optimise fleet logistics. Together, these tools are intended to improve battlefield efficiency and support rapid disaster‑relief operations across the country [1].

Resolution Drop‑Off Peaks by Mid‑March Research shows the second Friday of January, dubbed “Quitter’s Day,” marks the start of a steep decline in New Year’s resolutions, with the majority of participants abandoning their goals by mid‑March [1]. The pattern highlights the difficulty of sustaining motivation beyond the initial enthusiasm of January.

‘Brave Shift’ Offers Thirty Bite‑Size Rules Physical therapist and four‑time cancer survivor Michele Kehrer, based in Cape Coral, Florida, published the book Brave Shift containing 30 practical mindset rules designed for personal and professional transformation [1]. The guide targets incremental changes rather than sweeping overhauls, aiming to make lasting behavior adjustments more attainable.

Personal Reason and Emotion Strengthen Commitment Kehrer advises linking each resolution to a specific, emotionally charged motive—such as losing five pounds to fit a dress for a vacation—to create accountability and pride [1]. This personal anchor converts abstract goals into tangible, motivating targets.

Visualization Metaphor Guides Daily Planning Using a “magic paintbrush” metaphor, she encourages readers to picture their ideal day, week, or month and then outline the concrete steps needed to achieve that vision [1]. The technique shifts focus from negative self‑talk to an inspired, forward‑looking mindset.

Ownership Over Obstacles Replaces Blame Shifting The author stresses “cleaning up your own mess,” urging individuals to examine their role in challenges such as unhealthy relationships and to assume personal responsibility [1]. By eliminating societal blame‑shifting, progress becomes a matter of internal control.

Restart Option Remains Viable Throughout Year Kehrer emphasizes that it is never too late to restart a resolution, noting roughly 11 months remain in the calendar year [1]. She recommends discarding drama, treating each day as a fresh start, and beginning anew whenever motivation resurfaces.

Valentine Card Delivery by Facility Dogs Two facility dogs, Nash and Scarlett, roamed Seattle Children’s Hospital delivering handwritten Valentine cards to patients throughout the facility days before February 14, continuing a holiday tradition that boosts morale [1].

Impact on Patients and Families Child Oliver Anderson laughed while opening his card, describing it as funny; his mother said the dogs “lift spirits” for families facing surgeries and long stays, while other parents reported similar emotional benefits [1].

Specialized Training Distinguishes Facility Dogs Handler Tyler Domingo explained that facility dogs complete eighteen months of specialized training for medical settings, mastering over forty skills such as assisting with procedures, making beds, opening doors, and providing weighted pressure, setting them apart from typical therapy dogs [1].

Canine Companions Integrates Dogs into Hospital Staff The nonprofit Canine Companions trains service dogs at no cost and embeds Nash and Scarlett into Seattle Children’s daily operations, allowing them to work alongside medical teams and earn gratitude from staff for the “daily smiles and loving energy” they provide [1].

Chronology Released Highlights Over a Century of Korean Milestones Yonhap issued a timeline on Feb 17, 2026 marking Feb 18 as a reference point for notable Korean events. The list spans from the 1909 national tax law to Lee Sang‑hwa’s 2018 Olympic silver medal. Each entry includes the year, a brief description, and its broader significance for Korea’s development. The chronology aims to provide a concise educational resource for the public and scholars alike[1].

Early Modernization Evident in 1909 Tax Law and 1910 Cinema The 1909 tax statute unified national revenue collection, building on regional rules introduced in 1906, signaling fiscal centralization. In 1910 Seoul opened its first commercial movie theater, reflecting cultural modernization alongside economic reforms. These twin developments illustrate how Korea pursued simultaneous financial and social advancement in the early 20th century. Yonhap notes both events as foundational to Korea’s modernization trajectory[1].

Mid‑20th Century Turmoil and Diplomatic Engagements Documented The 1952 Geoje Island POW revolt resulted in roughly 100 deaths among North Korean detainees, a violent episode during the Korean War. After the 1953 armistice, anti‑communist prisoners and remaining detainees were released, ending the conflict’s immediate prison crisis. In 1992, Pyongyang hosted the sixth high‑level inter‑Korean meeting, continuing a series of diplomatic talks aimed at easing peninsula tensions. Yonhap highlights these moments as pivotal in Korea’s security and diplomatic history[1].

Tragedies and Achievements from 2003 to 2018 Noted The 2003 Daegu subway fire claimed 197 lives, with the perpetrator—a man in his 50s—later sentenced to life imprisonment. A 2014 roof collapse at a Gyeongju hotel gym killed ten students and injured over 100, underscoring ongoing safety challenges. In contrast, speed skater Lee Sang‑hwa earned a silver medal in the women’s 500 m at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, marking a celebrated sporting achievement. Yonhap includes these events to balance the narrative of loss with national pride[1].

Fatal Accident Occurs on Jan 16 in Greater Noida Tech professional Yuvraj Mehta’s car veered off a sharp turn in Sector 150, Greater Noida, and fell into a water‑filled, unguarded excavation on 16 January 2026[1]. The pit had no protective barriers, and the incident is recorded as an accident despite alleged negligence by the Noida Authority and the builder[1]. The tragedy underscores the presence of hazardous, undocumented sites within rapidly expanding Indian cities[1].

Delayed Emergency Response Extends Rescue Time Police and fire services arrived but did not engage the State Disaster Response Force until nearly 90 minutes after the crash[1]. The prolonged interval delayed rescue operations and contributed to the fatal outcome[1]. Authorities cited fragmented accountability for the slow mobilization of emergency resources[1].

Data Shows High Urban Road Fatalities Nationwide The 2023 National Crimes Record Bureau reported 1.73 lakh road‑related deaths, with urban areas accounting for about 32 % of the total[1]. Urban per‑lakh fatality rates exceed those in rural regions, highlighting disproportionate risk for city dwellers[1]. These statistics provide a backdrop for Mehta’s death, illustrating a broader pattern of urban traffic hazards[1].

Municipal Oversight Deficiencies Enable Hazardous Pits The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs notes that 70 % of Indian cities lack functional drainage audits, leaving dangers like unguarded pits unaddressed[1]. The Noida Authority was responsible for site oversight but failed to enforce safety standards at the excavation[1]. Such systemic neglect allows hazardous conditions to persist despite known risks[1].

Proposed Reforms Target Transparency and Accountability The article recommends three reforms: RTI‑mandated risk registers for municipal projects, quarterly CAG‑style audits of preventable deaths, and independent safety commissions established under the 74th Amendment[1]. These measures aim to shift safety from a peripheral concern to an enforceable municipal duty[1]. Implementing them could reduce future incidents similar to Mehta’s fatal crash[1].

Musliar’s Half‑Hour Meeting With Prime Minister On 18 February 2026, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, general secretary of the All India Jamiyyathul Ulama, spent a half‑hour in a cordial discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, a encounter described as more than a routine courtesy call [1].

Timing Aligns With Ramadan, State Election Cycle The meeting occurred just before the start of Ramadan and weeks ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections slated for April 2026, coinciding with the centenary celebrations of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, suggesting a focus on political optics [1].

Yatra Conclusion and Minority Concerns Raised Musliar framed the Delhi visit as the capstone of his 16‑day “Kerala Yatra,” during which he highlighted minority‑community issues to Modi; the Prime Minister’s specific response was not disclosed in the report [1].

Political Reactions Split Between Praise and Criticism Supporters lauded Musliar’s outreach to the central government, while critics condemned his Urdu‑media claim that Muslims face no major problems under the BJP, interpreting the statement as softening opposition to government policies; traditionally aligned with the Left Democratic Front, Musliar’s neutral stance attracted leaders from both the LDF and opposition at his Yatra finale on 16 January 2026 [1].

Call for Samastha Reunification Gains Broad Support Musliar urged the reunification of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a plea welcomed by the rival Samastha faction and the Indian Union Muslim League, though analysts deem it unlikely to alter Kerala’s overall political balance [1].

UEFA Referees Chief Says Europe Has Forgotten VAR’s Purpose Roberto Rosetti warned that the original intent of VAR—correcting clear errors—has been lost to “microscopic” interventions across major leagues, a criticism voiced on 18 February 2026 [1]. He argued that excessive checks undermine the flow of the game and erode trust among stakeholders. Rosetti’s remarks reflect mounting pressure from officials and fans alike.

German Fans and Coaches Protest High VAR Interventions Bundesliga supporters displayed “Eliminate VAR” banners while official data showed 83 interventions in 198 matches, a rate exceeding England’s and yielding one error every 15.66 games versus England’s one per 16 [1]. A ZDF poll of 27 top‑division coaches found 16 dissatisfied, and an NTV survey reported 80 % of coaches consider VAR delays excessive [1]. The combined fan and managerial backlash highlights Germany’s growing intolerance for perceived overuse.

Spanish Clubs Highlight Persistent VAR Errors Barcelona issued a statement after an eight‑minute off‑side review nullified a goal, underscoring frustration with prolonged checks [1]. Marca’s analysis counted ten VAR errors in the first 18 rounds, more than in the Bundesliga or Premier League during the same period [1]. Spanish clubs are demanding higher accuracy and faster decision‑making from video officials.

Serie A Pushes for More VAR Use with Rule Clarifications Italian media report that Serie A favors increased VAR involvement, particularly on corner decisions and second yellow cards, and is seeking clearer guidelines ahead of an IFAB review scheduled for 28 February [1]. Fans have protested the league’s ambiguous rules, demanding transparency on when and how VAR should intervene [1]. The league’s stance illustrates a split between wanting more technology and needing consistent application.

France Records Highest Intervention Rate and Faces Cost Scrutiny Ligue 1 logged 83 VAR interventions across 198 matches, producing 17 errors—an error every 11.65 games, the highest among the surveyed leagues [1]. The season’s VAR budget reached €25 million, prompting criticism from Lille president Olivier Letang and other officials over financial sustainability [1]. French clubs are now questioning whether the expense justifies the marginal improvement in decision accuracy.

Election Outcomes Break Abdullah Dominance and Expand Community Representation The 2024 parliamentary elections saw no Abdullah family candidates contesting either House, ending decades of dynastic dominance. New representatives include Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Sikh Shammi Oberoi, and Gujjar leader Mian Altaf Ahmed Larvi, each securing historic seats [1]. JKNC captured 42 of 90 Assembly seats, adding two Hindu legislators while none were elected from the Jammu plains [1].

New Six‑Member Cabinet Embodies Power‑Sharing Across Religions Chief Minister Omar Abdullah heads the smallest ever J&K cabinet, comprising six ministers to reflect deliberate communal balance [1]. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary becomes the first Hindu Deputy CM from Pir Panjal, while Sakeena Itto, Javid Ahmad Dar, Independent MLA Javed Rana, and Independent Satish Sharma complete the lineup [1]. The administration operates without coalition partners, marking a new era of inclusive executive governance [1].

Parliamentary Victories Highlight Cross‑Community Support Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi won his Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 1.88 lakh votes, largely backed by Sunni voters, delivering the first Shia victory beyond the Rajya Sabha [1]. Shammi Oberoi secured a Rajya Sabha seat as the inaugural Sikh from the Kashmir Valley, and Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo filled the Rajya Sabha slot for Kishtwar [1]. These outcomes underscore expanding representation for Gujjars, Chenab Valley residents, and minority faiths in national politics [1].

Communal Tensions Surface as Policy Controversies Ignite Protests Student protests forced the National Medical Commission to withdraw the MBBS program from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute after Muslim‑majority NEET qualifiers triggered public outrage [1]. BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa labeled Kashmir Valley residents “land grabbers,” intensifying sectarian rhetoric [1]. Demonstrators also demanded a National Law University be located in Jammu rather than Kashmir, reflecting ongoing regional grievances [1].

IndiGo Crisis Triggers Nationwide Fare Increases In December 2025 IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, suffered an operational breakdown that cancelled flights and pushed ticket prices sharply upward across the country [1]. The Ministry of Civil Aviation responded by imposing short‑term caps on domestic fares to curb the surge [1]. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), acting on a Competition Commission referral, ordered IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa to submit average fare data for 1‑15 December 2025 [1].

Regulators Lack Continuous Fare‑Monitoring Framework India currently has no systematic, ongoing collection of airline fare data, leaving authorities unable to distinguish normal demand‑driven price changes from potential abuse of market dominance [1]. This data gap hampers effective oversight and policy‑making regarding fare fairness [1]. The absence of a public digital trail also limits academic and industry research on competition effects [1].

U.S. BTS DB1B Model Presented as Blueprint The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics publishes ticket‑level fare, route and carrier information for a 10 % random sample of all domestic tickets each quarter, a practice in place since 1995 [1]. The model creates a continuous, anonymized dataset that supports both regulatory analysis and scholarly studies [1]. Indian officials are evaluating this approach as a possible template for domestic fare transparency [1].

Proposed 10% Sampling Aims to Boost Transparency Adopting a similar 10 % quarterly sampling regime could generate a public digital record of Indian airline prices, enabling detection of anti‑competitive patterns and facilitating research such as the “Southwest Effect” linking competition to lower fares [1]. Industry concerns that data sharing might expose proprietary revenue‑management algorithms can be mitigated by delaying release and limiting the sample size, reducing real‑time collusion risk while preserving long‑term analytical value [1]. The proposal balances transparency goals with airlines’ need to protect confidential information [1].

Taskforce Launch Marks New India‑U.K. Offshore Wind Collaboration. On February 18 2026 senior UK officials, including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, joined Union Minister Pralhad Joshi to inaugurate the India‑U.K. Offshore Wind Taskforce, a bilateral platform aimed at accelerating offshore wind development and leveraging British expertise in market design, supply chains, and blended finance [1].

India’s Non‑Fossil Power Capacity Surpasses 272 GW. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy reported that total non‑fossil generation now exceeds 272 GW, comprising more than 141 GW of solar and 55 GW of on‑shore wind. In the current financial year the country added 35 GW of solar and 4.61 GW of wind capacity, pushing the share of clean power to 50 % of total installed capacity, five years ahead of its NDC commitment [1].

Offshore Zones Identified and Funding Allocated for Early Projects. Feasibility studies earmarked offshore wind zones off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with transmission planning completed for an initial 10 GW evacuation capacity (5 GW each). The government announced a Viability Gap Funding scheme of ₹7,453 crore (≈£710 million) to de‑risk early projects and attract private investment [1].

Parallel Green‑Steel Taskforces Target Decarbonisation Ahead of 2070 Net‑Zero. The Ministry of Steel created 14 task forces to map low‑carbon steel pathways, highlighting a high upfront “green premium” as the main barrier. Analysts estimate a 30 % premium would raise public‑works costs by 5.5 %, but only 1.1 % with 20 % adoption, while green steel shields India from EU carbon border duties and coking‑coal price volatility. A 3‑ to 5‑star taxonomy and QR‑code verification system await finance ministry approval [2].

10‑Year‑Old Maps Hiding Spots After ICE Rumors Madeleine, a 10‑year‑old U.S. citizen, drew a diagram of playground and classroom safe zones days after the fatal shooting of Renee Good, telling her mother Nicole she would hide if agents arrived [1]. She searched online for overseas safe havens, identifying Japan as a possible destination [1]. Similar anxieties appear in Indiana (9‑year‑old Philip) and California (Family “B”), where children worry about classmates and parents prepare extra documents [1].

DHS Denies Targeted Detentions of Minnesota Students The Department of Homeland Security publicly rejected claims that ICE agents are detaining or specifically targeting schoolchildren in Minnesota, also denying that a recent tear‑gas incident involving a family of six was a deliberate target [1]. The agency’s statement contrasts with reports of nationwide “turbocharged” enforcement under the Trump administration that separated children from parents and led to high‑profile cases such as Liam Conejo Ramos [1].

Families Adopt Relocation Plans and Document Safeguards Madeleine’s family considered moving abroad, while Family “B” keeps multiple copies of birth certificates and passport cards and discusses backup plans for leaving the United States [1]. The heightened fear adds to existing stressors from gun violence and the pandemic, affecting mental health and school life for U.S. citizen children [1].

Trump Invokes Historic Alien Enemies Act to Deport Venezuelans President Donald Trump’s second‑term administration invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—originally used against Japanese nationals during World War II—to accelerate deportations of Venezuelan migrants he labeled “gang members invading the U.S.”; a federal appeals court later ruled the use unlawful, highlighting unprecedented legal stretching of a wartime statute [1]. The policy shift occurred amid a broader immigration crackdown that has drawn intense scrutiny from civil‑rights groups and lawmakers [1]. Survivors of WWII Japanese internment argue the act’s revival mirrors past racial hysteria and threatens due‑process protections [1].

Fort Bliss Detention Center Experiences Fatalities Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, now hosts Camp East Montana, one of the nation’s largest immigration detention facilities, after being repurposed from a WWII Japanese‑American camp [1]. At least three detainees have died in custody over the past two months, prompting calls for investigations into medical care and conditions at the site [1]. The deaths have intensified comparisons to historical internment camps and raised questions about oversight of modern detention practices [1].

Japanese American Survivors Draw Direct Parallels to Current Raids Eighty‑six‑year‑old John Tateishi, a Manzanar survivor, and 81‑year‑old Satsuki Ina, born at Tule Lake, recount “profound” similarities between their wartime experiences and today’s mass removals, emphasizing criminalization by race, forced home removals, and lack of due process [1]. Both survivors stress that the current crackdown echoes the paranoia that led to the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor [1]. Their testimonies fuel ongoing protests demanding policy reversal and greater protections for migrants [1].

Japanese American Citizens League Condemns Fort Bliss Detention The Japanese American Citizens League issued a statement calling the repurposing of Fort Bliss “a disgrace to the memory and legacy of the more than 125,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans unjustly imprisoned during World II” [1]. The league urges the federal government to halt the use of historic sites for mass detention and to honor the reparative intent of past civil‑rights legislation [1]. Their condemnation adds a prominent civil‑rights voice to the growing opposition against the Trump administration’s immigration tactics [1].

1988 Civil Liberties Act Reparations Threatened by New Policies The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 granted each Japanese American internee $20,000 as acknowledgment of “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership” [1]. Survivors now fear that the current immigration crackdown undermines the progress achieved by that legislation, potentially eroding public memory of past injustices [1]. Activists warn that without vigilance, the reparative gains of 1988 could be reversed by contemporary policies targeting migrants based on ethnicity [1].

Anti‑ICE Protests Expand From Minneapolis to Major Cities Anti‑ICE demonstrations that began in Minneapolis this month have quickly spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, and a multiracial G92 coalition in Springfield, Ohio [1]. Local organizers are conducting training sessions and block‑club resistance, linking immigration enforcement to broader racial justice concerns [1]. The movement’s rapid geographic expansion signals a coordinated national response to recent ICE raids targeting legal residents and Somali communities [1].

Trump Immigration Policies Trigger Racial Backlash Nationwide The administration is pushing to end birthright citizenship for children of Asian and Latin American immigrants, a measure critics label racially discriminatory [1]. It also seeks to ban travel from majority‑Black nations and fast‑track resettlement of White Afrikaner families, further inflaming racial tensions [1]. Anti‑Somali rhetoric from senior officials has amplified accusations of bias within the immigration agenda [1].

High‑Profile White Victim Shootings Shift Public Opinion The fatal shootings of white Minneapolis resident Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti have entered public discourse, prompting polls to show growing opposition to the administration’s immigration stance [1]. These cases, highlighted alongside ICE raids, have broadened the demographic base of the protests beyond traditionally Black‑focused activism [1]. Analysts note the shift reflects a “racial wake‑up” that now includes white victims of perceived policy‑driven violence [1].

2020 Racial Movement Faded, New Activism Emerges After the 2020 George Floyd protests—recorded as the largest U.S. demonstration with unprecedented white support and a public appeal from former President George W. Bush—the momentum largely dissipated by 2021 [1]. BLM signs and anti‑racism bestsellers have largely disappeared, leaving a vacuum that anti‑ICE activism is filling [1]. The new wave emphasizes immigration enforcement as a central racial justice issue, marking a distinct shift from the earlier Black‑centred protests [1].

Survey Release Highlights Growth Forecast and Leadership Chief Minister Mohan Yadav presented the Economic Survey in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on February 17, 2026, outlining the state’s fiscal outlook [1]. The advance estimates project the Gross State Domestic Product at ₹16,69,750 crore for FY 2025‑26, up from ₹15,02,428 crore in FY 2024‑25, implying an 11.14 % growth rate [1]. Yadav attributed the projected growth to financial discipline, transparent governance, and visionary policies [1].

Per‑Capita Income Figures Show Real Wage Gains The survey records current‑price per‑capita net income at ₹1,69,050, reflecting nominal earnings growth [1]. Adjusted for inflation to constant 2011‑12 prices, per‑capita net income stands at ₹76,971, indicating real income improvement [1]. These figures suggest that average residents will experience higher purchasing power despite inflation [1].

Sectoral Composition Shows Primary Dominance and Tertiary Expansion At current prices, the primary sector contributes 43.09 % of Gross State Value Added, the secondary 19.79 %, and the tertiary 37.12 % [1]. When measured at constant prices, the tertiary share rises to 40.28 %, underscoring services growth [1]. Within the primary sector, crops account for 30.17 % of GSVA, followed by livestock (7.22 %), forestry (2.13 %), fishing and aquaculture (0.61 %), and mining and quarrying (2.96 %) [1].

Construction Leads Secondary Output While Manufacturing Remains Secondary Construction dominates the secondary sector with a 9.22 % contribution to GSVA [1]. Manufacturing adds 7.22 % and utilities 3.35 %, indicating a modest industrial base [1]. The sectoral mix reflects ongoing infrastructure projects that are expected to boost construction activity [1].

UN Panel Declares Epstein Acts May Meet Crimes‑Against‑Humanity Threshold The United Nations Human Rights Council appointed a panel of independent experts who examined documents released by the U.S. Justice Department and concluded that the scale, systematic nature, and transnational reach of the alleged offenses could satisfy the legal definition of crimes against humanity [1]. They highlighted that the alleged conduct involved widespread sexual exploitation of women and girls, coordinated across multiple jurisdictions. The experts called for a thorough, impartial investigation to determine accountability.

Released Files Identify Over 1,200 Victims and Global Network The Justice Department’s disclosures, mandated by a bipartisan law passed in November, have so far identified more than 1,200 victims [1]. The panel described the operation as a “global criminal enterprise” rooted in misogyny, racism, and supremacist ideologies, suggesting a coordinated system that commodified and dehumanized women and girls. Victim data were partially exposed due to redaction failures, raising concerns about retraumatization.

Documents Expose Links to Politicians, Financiers, Academics The newly released material shows Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to numerous high‑profile individuals in politics, finance, academia, and business both before and after his 2008 guilty plea for prostitution involving an under‑age girl [1]. The experts noted that these ties illustrate the breadth of the network that may have facilitated the alleged crimes. They urged that any investigation consider the role of these influential contacts.

Redaction Errors Spark Criticism Over Victim Privacy The panel condemned “serious compliance failures and botched redactions” that left sensitive victim information publicly accessible [1]. They described this as “institutional gaslighting” that could further harm survivors. The U.S. Justice Department has not responded to requests for comment on the UN experts’ statement.

Opening Statements and Emotional Student Accounts Set Tone The trial of Colin Gray, father of the Apalachee High School shooter, commenced on Monday, Feb. 17, 2026, featuring opening statements from both prosecution and defense. Wounded students, teachers, police officers and parents took the stand, describing the September 2024 attack that killed two students and two teachers and injured nine others. Survivors such as 15‑year‑old Melany Delira‑Castaneda recounted being shot, hiding, and now coping with lasting trauma and anxiety. The defense chose not to cross‑examine the student witnesses, allowing their accounts to remain unchallenged. [1]

Prosecutors Accuse Colin Gray of Supplying AR‑15 Despite Warnings Prosecutors allege that Colin Gray purchased the AR‑15‑style rifle used by his 14‑year‑old son and ignored prior warnings that the boy posed a danger. The indictment lists nearly 30 counts, including two second‑degree murder charges (each carrying 10‑30 years) and two involuntary manslaughter charges (each carrying 1‑10 years). Gray entered a not‑guilty plea to all counts, maintaining his innocence while facing a potential decades‑long sentence if convicted. The case underscores a legal strategy to hold parents accountable for firearms access in school shootings. [1]

Colt Gray’s Surrender and Pending Trial Highlight Ongoing Legal Process Colt Gray, the 16‑year‑old shooter, surrendered to police shortly after the September 2024 incident and admitted responsibility for the attack. He has pleaded not guilty to 55 felony counts, including four malice‑murder charges, with a separate trial date yet to be set. The father’s trial proceeds independently, reflecting a broader national push to prosecute both parents and law‑enforcement officers linked to school shootings, following earlier Crumbley cases in Michigan. [1]

County Claims FBI Omitted Critical Information in Warrant Application Fulton officials allege the Justice Department’s FBI application left out “serious” omissions, portraying intentional wrongdoing as routine human error to persuade the magistrate judge to issue the search warrant for 2020 election ballots [1]. The county asserts the affidavit failed to disclose that alleged election defects had already been investigated, thereby misleading the court [1]. By omitting these facts, the FBI allegedly compromised the warrant’s legal foundation [1].

Affidavit Relied on Inexperienced Witnesses and Prior Investigations Ignored The warrant affidavit cited witnesses who lack election‑administration experience or whose conclusions were speculative, undermining the probe’s credibility [1]. The filing notes the FBI did not inform the judge of credibility issues concerning these witnesses [1]. Additionally, the affidavit omitted information about earlier investigations that had already examined the alleged defects [1].

Judge Set Hearing to Determine Ballot Return Next Week The magistrate previously approved the warrant and later ordered the unsealing of the application, revealing the contested affidavit [1]. A federal judge will hear Fulton County’s request to return the seized ballots during a hearing scheduled for next week [1]. The outcome could dictate whether the ballots remain in federal custody or are restored to local officials [1].

Election Technology Expert Criticizes Affidavit’s Mischaracterizations Ryan Macias, a veteran election‑technology and security specialist, described the affidavit as containing “gross mischaracterizations of the facts of how elections work” [1]. Macias argued the document contradicts findings from prior investigations into the 2020 election [1]. His critique adds technical weight to the county’s claim that the affidavit misrepresented election processes [1].

Progress Reaches Two‑Thirds of Planned Length The 12‑km Koyambedu‑Trade Centre segment of Phase II is 67 % built, positioning the line for a June 2026 service launch [1]. Construction advances include extensive civil works and station shell completions across the corridor. The milestone reflects steady momentum despite earlier schedule pressures.

Viaduct and Track Laying Near Completion Elevated viaduct work is slated to finish by the end of March, with roughly 2 km of track already installed at sites such as Mugalivakkam, Ramapuram, and the Trade Centre [1]. Concrete deck pours and pier installations are progressing on schedule. Track‑laying crews have begun alignment testing ahead of full commissioning.

Early Opening of Corridor 4 Interchange The Poonamallee‑Vadapalani stretch of Corridor 4 will open within two weeks, creating the first Phase I‑II interchange at Vadapalani [1]. This early service will allow passengers to transfer between the existing network and the new Phase II extensions. Operational trials are underway to ensure seamless passenger flow.

Double‑Decker Corridor Set for Four‑Month Completion The Alapakkam‑Alwarthirunagar double‑decker line is expected to be ready in four months, adding four new interchange stations at Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valasaravakkam, and Alwarthirunagar [1]. The stacked design aims to maximize capacity within limited right‑of‑way. Structural works are on track, with signaling systems slated for installation soon.

Butt Road Station Faces Traffic‑Permission Delay Construction at Butt Road station stalls due to pending traffic clearance on Paul Wells Road, threatening the overall June deadline [1]. Pile‑driving and foundation activities cannot proceed without full road‑use approval. Authorities are negotiating expedited permits to mitigate the bottleneck.

CMRL Commits to Accelerated Workflows Chennai Metro Rail Limited asserts that remaining challenges are being actively addressed and that work will be accelerated to meet the target opening [1]. Additional resources are being deployed to the Butt Road site and other critical path items. The agency emphasizes adherence to safety and quality standards throughout the push.

India Secures 61‑Run Victory Over Pakistan India beat Pakistan by 61 runs in the Group A match of the 2026 T20 World Cup at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on 15 February 2026, clinching a dominant win that underscored the side’s superiority [2][1]. Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 77 off 40 balls anchored the Indian innings, propelling the total to a formidable score [2][1]. Pakistan’s chase faltered early, and they could not recover despite a brief partnership, falling well short of the target [2][1].

India’s Batting and Bowling Outclass Pakistan’s Attack Kishan’s explosive knock set the tone, while India’s bowlers restricted Pakistan to a low total; spinner Varun Chakaravarthy claimed six wickets for 80 runs, and pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya combined for four wickets for 33 runs [1]. Pakistan’s spinners proved costly, and Shaheen Afridi bowled only two expensive overs before being pulled off [1]. The comprehensive performance highlighted the depth of India’s all‑round talent in the tournament [1].

Historical Head‑to‑Head Favors India India’s record against Pakistan in ICC World Cups remains heavily skewed, with an 8‑0 win‑loss tally in ODI editions and an 8‑1 advantage in T20 editions, giving a combined 16‑1 lead [1]. The lopsided statistics illustrate a widening quality gap that has persisted for years and now manifests in on‑field results [1]. Analysts note that the rivalry increasingly lives in media narratives rather than competitive balance [1].

Handshake Protocol Remains Unresolved After Pahalgam Attack The no‑handshake rule, introduced after the 22 April 2022 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, continued to govern interactions between the teams [1]. Before the Colombo fixture, captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha evaded direct answers about shaking hands, with Yadav saying “Wait for 24 hours and you will find out” and Agha replying “You will know tomorrow,” leaving the issue to match referee Richie Richardson [1]. The unresolved protocol added a diplomatic layer to an already one‑sided contest [1].

Historic Upset Shocks Premier League Giants On January 10, 2026, sixth‑tier Macclesfield defeated FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 2‑1, a result described as the tournament’s biggest giant‑killer upset ever [1]. The victory came despite Macclesfield sitting 117 league places below Palace, underscoring the rarity of such a result [1]. The win instantly entered FA Cup folklore and set the stage for a potential second‑round clash with Brentford [1].

Venue and Community Context Highlight Improbability The match was played at Moss Rose, Macclesfield’s 5,300‑capacity ground with only 2,095 seats, emphasizing the modest resources of the part‑time side [1]. The club, wound up in 2020, was resurrected by businessman Rob Smethurst, who formed a phoenix club that now enjoys renewed community support [1]. This revival has been credited with enabling the cup run and rekindling local football pride [1].

Players Balance Football and Everyday Jobs Defender Sam Heathcote, a full‑time PE teacher, called the win “surreal” and returned to school the following Monday, illustrating the dual‑career reality of many squad members [1]. Captain Paul Dawson, formerly a highway supervisor and now a candle‑maker, said the side entered the Brentford tie with heightened confidence, believing another upset is possible [1]. Their anecdotes provide a human‑interest lens on the achievement, contrasting professional expectations with grassroots dedication [1].

Team Honors Late Teammate and Eyes Next Round Manager John Rooney dedicated the victory to the memory of late teammate Ethan McLeod, whose “sweetest smile” the players said inspired them throughout the match [1]. The squad collectively recalled McLeod during post‑match celebrations, reinforcing the emotional significance of the win [1]. Looking ahead, Macclesfield prepares to face Brentford, buoyed by the confidence gained from toppling Palace [1].