Trump admits staffer blamed for racist Obama video hasn’t been fired or disciplined Donald Trump has tried to distance himself further from the offensive clip posted on his Truth Social account The Independent UK · Feb 13
Donald Trump sends USS Gerald R Ford to Middle East as tensions with Iran grow — is the US planning a strike on Tehran? President Trump has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to move from the Caribbean to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln. This deployment escalates the US military presence in the region amid heightened tensions with Iran. The Times of India · Feb 13
‘The right place for him’: why James Rodríguez signed in Minnesota amid a federal occupation The Colombian icon joined the MLS side in a short-term deal with an eye toward fitness for the 2026 World Cup The Guardian - US · Feb 13
Kristi Noem's Response to ICE Killings in Minnesota Exposes Conservatives' Double Standard on Gun Rights The Second Amendment protects your right to carry a gun at a protest. Reason · Feb 13
Metals retreat on reports Trump may soften aluminium tariffs The metal fell in morning trade alongside zinc, nickel, and lead as investors digested reports the White House could ease duties ahead of November’s midterms. Euronews · Feb 13
CNN anchor praises Karoline Leavitt for rare moment of solidarity CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins recalled the moment Karoline Leavitt defended her during Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia. The Independent UK · Feb 13
First Thing: Trump repeals landmark climate finding in gift to ‘billionaire polluters’ Obama says rollback will make Americans ‘less safe’. Plus, Thundercat on funk and being fired by Snoop (possibly) The Guardian - UK · Feb 13
Congress Targets S. Jaishankar Over Deletion of US Map Showing J&K as Part of India The Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, accusing him of failing to protect India’s diplomatic interests following the reported deletion of an Indian map by the United States. Whats Hot · Feb 13
Obama hits back after Trump scraps climate change regulation: ‘We will be less safe’ Climate experts say that reversing the 2009 Endangerment Finding is tantamount to denying the existence of global warming The Independent UK · Feb 13
Why Kristi Noem wants ICE body cams The DHS secretary’s effort to avoid a shutdown is about propaganda, not transparency Salon · Feb 13
We’ve probably already seen ‘peak Trump,’ says Pimco, with the Oval Office now constrained by courts and midterms “Markets may be reminded that under the U.S. Constitution, no president—even one as historic as President Trump—has unchecked power,” Pimco’s Libby Cantrill noted this week. Fortune · Feb 13
Cooler January CPI Signals an Inflation Thaw March S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESH26) are trending down -0.33% this morning as investors hesitate to buy the dip ahead of the release of key U.S. inflation data. Barchart · Feb 13
‘Won’t allow Pakistan to play any executive role in Gaza’: Israeli ambassador Israel is not interested in allowing countries “that are not conducive to promoting moderation and peace” to play any executive role in Gaza, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has said, referring to Pakistan joining the Board of Peace on Gaza. The Times of India · Feb 13
Trump says regime change in Iran ‘would be the best thing’ as US military reportedly plans for operation – as it happened This live blog is now closed. The Guardian - US · Feb 13
The Texas Tribune · Feb 13 In Senate Democratic primary fraught with racial tensions, Black voters could be decisive Jasmine Crockett has built enormous enthusiasm among Black voters based in part on her reputation as a fighter, while her opponent in the Texas primary, James Talarico, has struggled to win their support.
Axios · Feb 13 Behind the Curtain: Resistance rising The law of political gravity is starting to apply to Trump.
The Texas Tribune · Feb 13 A federal tool to check voter citizenship keeps making mistakes. It led to confusion in Texas. DHS rolled out the revamped tool while it was still adding data. That led to widespread misidentification, particularly for citizens born outside the U.S.
The Independent UK · Feb 13 US sending second aircraft carrier to Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, report says The USS Gerald R Ford is the largest warship ever constructed and was previously deployed in Venezuela
The Independent UK · Feb 13 Whistleblower complaint against Gabbard revolves around intercepted call about Kushner: report President Donald Trump’s son-in-law was reportedly being discussed in call between foreign intelligence officials that was intercepted and allegedly supressed by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
The Guardian - US · Feb 13 From the foul line to the fault line: Deni Avdija, Israel and the collapse of online nuance The danger around the Portland star is that in making crucial debates into arguments about basketball, we lose sight of what is really important
Axios · Feb 13 Inside the "complicated" relationship between Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer Schumer and Trump have each other's numbers, both literally and figuratively.
Roll Call · Feb 13 After stalled health deal, voters want Congress to deliver After stalled health deal, voters want Congress to deliver - Health Care Concerns about health costs are a top issue for voters.
The Independent UK · Feb 13 ‘All-time high’ number of Americans believe Democrats are ‘too liberal’, poll says The number of conservative Democrats has more than halved since the 1990s, as support for left-leaning Democrats surges
The Independent UK · Feb 13 Indonesia readies up to 8,000 troops in first firm commitment to Gaza peacekeeping force Indonesia is training troops for a new peacekeeping force in Gaza, backing a key part of President Donald Trump’s postwar plan
Euronews · Feb 13 ‘Akin to flat Earth or denying gravity’: Experts weigh in on Trump repeal of key climate finding As the US rolls back the endangerment finding, what impact could it have on citizens' health?