The Commissioner We Need

Who should lead arts and culture in NYC, Valentine's Day tips, and the sad state of Artforum.

Ro Khanna’s role in Epstein files may be catnip for Democratic voters

When Rep. Ro Khanna took to the House floor this week to read aloud the names of six “wealthy, powerful men” whose identities were originally redacted in the Jeffrey Epstein files, it catapulted the congressman further into the national spotlight. In recent months, Khanna has

Party balloons? FAA’s surprise El Paso airspace closure fuels questions

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) surprise closure and later opening of airspace over El Paso, Texas is fueling questions from the public and sharp rebukes from lawmakers. Trump administration officials initially contended the move came in response to the incursion of

Locarno Pro’s First Look Sets Focus on Uruguay

"Uruguay’s selection as the 2026 focus reflects the country’s increasing presence within the international festival circuit and its growing engagement with Locarno."

Democrats’ tariff gambit sparks new headaches for Mike Johnson

This week's rebuke of President Trump's tariff regime by a small group of House Republicans is only the start of what will likely be a series of headaches over the issue for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), threatening to derail the White House's messaging on the tariffs in a

Congress barrels toward Homeland Security shutdown without off-ramp in sight

Senators left Washington this week without a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) past Friday, signaling how far apart Senate Democrats and White House negotiators are on a potential agreement to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Senate

Colleges grapple with growing fallout from Epstein files

Colleges and universities across the country are dealing with growing fallout from the Epstein files, with professors, donors and at least one sitting school president revealed to have ties to the late sex trafficker. From state schools to Ivy League universities,

Business groups urge Trump to double down on ‘muscular antitrust policy’ to bring down prices

A coalition of prominent business groups urged President Trump in a Thursday letter to double down on a “muscular antitrust policy” as he looks for ways to bring down prices for ordinary Americans.

'No room for water': How planning failures worsened Portugal’s deadly storms

The devastation of recent storms has sparked questions about how cities are being built and planned in the face of climate change.

2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics: Who leads the medal count?

Which country is doing best at this year's Winter Olympics, held in Italy's Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo? Track the official medal standings as they are updated throughout the Games.

Indian nurse infected with Nipah virus dies

The World Health Organisation had said risk of the virus’ spread was low.

Uzbekistan expands domestic capacity for complex pediatric surgery

Expanded use of advanced procedures has reduced overseas referrals for children, lowered treatment costs for families and shifted pressure onto domestic healthcare systems, raising new questions about training, funding and long term sustainability as demand grows.

Valentine's Day: Can Benin's Venice still compete with dating apps?

In Benin, the lakeside village of Ganvié is seeing a quiet shift: its once discreet meeting spots are fading as young couples swap secret night encounters for smartphones and social media.

Bring Me the Horizon Immersive Concert Film ‘L.I.V.E. in São Paulo’ Unveils Trailer, Tickets Now on Sale

British rockers Bring Me the Horizon have revealed the trailer for immersive concert film “L.I.V.E. in São Paulo,” and tickets for the cinematic event are on sale now. With “L.I.V.E.” standing for “Live Immersive Virtual Experiment,” the film brings the band’s biggest headline

Japan’s Parliament to elect prime minister next week, with Takaichi poised to win

The prime minister is expected to launch her second Cabinet after the vote.

Indie Veteran Stuart Ford on Netflix-Warner Deal: We Have to “Fight Tooth and Nail” to Protect Backend or Film Professionals Will Become “Uber Drivers” for the Tech Giants

The AGC chairman warns that the streamer's model of eliminating backend participation film profits is eroding the financial ecosystem that sustains the whole industry.

Indie Veteran Stuart Ford on Netflix-Warner Deal: We Have to “Fight Tooth and Nail” or Film Professionals Will Become “Uber Drivers” for the Tech Giants

The AGC chairman warns that the streamer's model of eliminating backend participation in film profits is eroding the financial ecosystem that sustains the whole industry.

Monarchists rally in support of ex-king as Nepal limps toward election

Many Nepalis have voiced frustration with republican government.

Bangladesh referendum endorses democratic charter

Iraq says about 3,000 Islamic State prisoners transferred from Syria

MUNICH, Feb 13 (Reuters) - About 3,000 Islamic State detainees have so far been transferred from Syrian prisons to Iraq and the process is continuing, Iraq's foreign minister said on Friday, adding that Baghdad was in discussions with some countries to repatriate them soon.

Exclusive-Jailed Istanbul mayor dares Erdogan to call early elections now

By Daren Butler ISTANBUL, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Almost one year after he was jailed, Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has told Reuters that Tayyip Erdogan should call elections "now" and predicted that the president would lose if he ran again. Imamoglu has emerged in recent years as

Film Factory Picks Up International Sales on Lucía Puenzo’s ‘Pepita the Gunslinger’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Film Factory Entertainment has picked up international sales rights to Lucía Puenzo’s crime thriller“Pepita the Gunslinger” (“Pepita La Pistolera”), led by Argentine star Luisana Lopilato. The outfit is taking the project to the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, where it is

Malaysian opposition party Bersatu sacks deputy president Hamzah Zainudin

Bersatu’s sacking of the leader of opposition takes place after another top party leader, Saifuddin Abdullah, was expelled on Jan 6.

Waymo turns to humans to close robotaxi doors to keep vehicles moving

Human help is still needed to keep Waymo’s driverless taxis moving when passengers leave vehicle doors open.

Munich Security Conference 2026: Global leaders gather as transatlantic ties dominate talks

Follow our live blog as we bring you updates for three days of talks on global security, war in Ukraine and the future of transatlantic relations.

Weaponized faith to burning borders in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is no longer simply a humanitarian tragedy. It is becoming a strategic fault line — where religious repression at home and militant projection abroad converge in ways that threaten South Asia and, eventually, regions far beyond. Two recent developments crystallize

Super-cheap bubble tea and fat hongbao: Chinese tech firms splurge to draw AI app users this CNY

It is part of an intensifying competition for user traffic expected to flow through such apps

Highguard developer blames flop on gamer 'slander' and negative discourse

A technical artist for Highguard has taken to X to blame consumers for the game's poor reception and subsequent layoffs.

Hasbro Entertainment and Animaj Launch Lumee to Rethink How Kids’ Content Makes Money Online

Hasbro Entertainment and Animaj have launched Lumee, a joint venture aimed at spearheading digital advertising sales and striking brand partnership in the kids’ content space. Lumee will bring together Hasbro’s and Animaj’s portfolios of flagship brands, ranging from “Peppa

South Africa to deploy troops to tackle crime gangs

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the army will work with the police to fight organised crime and illegal mining.

London Sales Company MSC Labels Films ‘No AI Used’ at EFM, Calls for Global Standard (EXCLUSIVE)

The Mise En Scene Company has debuted a “No AI Used” certification for its entire EFM slate, publicly verifying that its films contain no artificial intelligence. The London-based outfit launched the initiative with high visibility at this year’s European Film Market in Berlin:

Africa: The Accra Mandate - Securing Africa's Ai Future Through Local Data and Ethical Governance

[Ghanaian Times] As the global conversation on technology transpires, Ghana is positioned to host another defining moment for the continent's digital future. The Pan African AI and Innovation Summit (PAAIS) 2026, in its second year, scheduled for September 22-23 at the

Huge pit visible in Shanghai after viral sinkhole video

The local authorities confirmed there were no casualties.

OpenAI accuses DeepSeek of “free-riding” on American R&D

The ChatGPT maker says the Chinese firm may be distilling its models, underscoring rising tech tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Period Thriller ’Sorority’ Brought to Market by France TV Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)

France TV Distribution, the commercial arm of the French public broadcaster France Télévisions, is bringing to market at the London TV Screenings the costume drama-thriller “Sorority,” a tale of three women – a wet-nurse, a midwife and a grieving mother – pitched against a

Arctic peatlands are expanding as temperatures continue to rise, new research confirms

The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet, with average temperatures increasing by about 4°C in the last four decades. A new study, led by the University of Exeter, shows peatlands have expanded since 1950, with some peatland edges moving by more than a meter a

Italy’s tale of two Olympics — mellow in Milan, exuberance in the Alps

Milan residents, who initially seemed too cool for the Olympics, are slowly catching the spirit of the Games, but the mood is giddier in towns at higher altitudes.

FBI releases description of suspect in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping

The 84-year-old mother of news anchor Savannah Guthrie disappeared from her Arizona home two weeks ago.

Rubio warns Europe of new era in geopolitics before big Munich speech

The US Secretary of State will address the first major transatlantic meeting since Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland.

The next generation of AI businesses

The first generation was built on large models, demonstrating what could be done and powering many tools. The second generation is focused on reducing costs and saving time. Replacing workers or making them more efficient. But you can’t shrink your way to greatness. The third

Who would win a Ukraine election?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under intense pressure from the US to take his country to the polls as early as this spring. Donald Trump is demanding elections as a condition for American security guarantees for Ukraine against any future Russian invasion. Zelensky

Ukraine's call to join EU in 2027 forces major re-think of enlargement rules

EU officials and diplomats say several “new models” for integrating candidate countries are being considered in response to Zelenskyy’s demand for a date on Ukraine’s EU membership in US-brokered peace talks.

Jessie Ware Joins ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singers on Lineup of BAFTA Film Awards Performers

Jessie Ware has joined the BAFTA party. The award-winning singer-songwriter will take to the stage during the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony later this month to perform a special tribute during the In Memoriam section. “It is a great honour to be performing at the BAFTAs in such an

Trump Is a Weak and Failing President—Finally, Dems Are Acting Like It

Donald Trump’s losses are mounting. His border czar just announced a large drawdown of federal agents in Minnesota after protests turned public opinion. Job creation during Trump’s first year was worse than previously known. The country is losing manufacturing jobs. Trump is a

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week

In this week’s Top 5 we have lessons from apartheid, clever Claude, feeling bodies anew, the power of wax, and free mining.

Michelle Yeoh Avoids Question About U.S. Politics in Berlin and Shifts Focus to Cinema: ‘Best Not to Talk About Something I Don’t Know About’

Michelle Yeoh declined to speak about U.S. politics during a press conference at Berlin Film Festival, saying it’s “best not to talk about something I don’t know about.” When asked by a reporter if she had any comment as an international actress on the current state of the U.S.

Serbian 'iceman' defies sub-zero extremes for mental reset

Vladimir Stevanovic braves Serbia’s icy lakes and snowy ridges in shorts, using extreme cold as daily meditation that slows his mind and resets his body.