News
February 5th, 2026
Iranian Crackdown Continues
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Iranian authorities have arrested multiple doctors and medical workers accused of treating wounded anti-government protesters, according to human rights groups. The arrests come amid a sweeping government crackdown on nationwide unrest that activists say has killed thousands.
Doctors and nurses have reported large numbers of patients with gunshot wounds and say security forces have removed some injured protesters from emergency wards. The EU yesterday designated Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, and a US-based activist agency says it has verified more than 6,000 deaths, with over 17,000 additional cases under investigation. The Iranian government acknowledged over 3,000 dead.
The news comes as Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials met in Washington to discuss options on Iran—Israeli representatives were expected to share Iran-related intelligence, while Saudi officials were expected to press to avoid a wider war and urge de-escalation. The US has expanded its military presence in the region, but it remains unclear whether it will use force.
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| US and Russia agree to reestablish military dialogue after Ukraine talks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level, military-to-military dialogue for the first time in more than four years. The step is another sign of warming relations between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office and sought to end the war in Ukraine. The agreement emerged from a meeting between senior Russian and American military officials in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. High-level military communication was suspended in 2021, as relations between Moscow and Washington became increasingly strained ahead of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Meanwhile, talks in Abu Dhabi between American, Russian and Ukrainian officials on ending the war entered a second day.
No public sign of a response to Savannah Guthrie’s message to her mother’s kidnapper
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — There has been no public sign of a response to NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s message to her mother’s kidnapper. Guthrie says her family is ready to talk. But she says they want proof that Nancy Guthrie is still alive. Guthrie said in a recorded video posted Wednesday on social media that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter. Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson, Arizona, home against her will. She was last seen Saturday night and reported missing Sunday. Authorities are expected to give an update on their search at a news conference Thursday.
The Gaza ceasefire began months ago. Here’s why the fighting persists
JERUSALEM (AP) — As Israeli strikes killed two dozen Palestinians on Wednesday, many in Gaza wondered what had become of the ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October. Both sides accuse the other of violations, even as they continue to push ahead with the fragile process. At least 556 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the U.S.-brokered truce came into effect, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza in the same period, with more injured, including a soldier who was severely wounded overnight. Little progress has been made on larger issues concerning Gaza’s future.
A glimmer of hope for democracy in Venezuela as opponents test the limits of free speech
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — In Venezuela, political critics are emerging from hiding following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. Andrés Velásquez, a former governor, is among those speaking out after years of self-imposed silence. He recently appeared in videos supporting Maduro’s removal and calling for the release of political prisoners. He likened the shift to glasnost, with media outlets reopening to critical voices. However, concerns remain about the true extent of political liberalization, as the repressive state apparatus is still in place. The future of Venezuela’s democratic transition remains uncertain.
Justice Department steps up pressure on cartels’ financial networks as launderers turn to crypto
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is intensifying efforts to choke off cartels’ financial networks, targeting the money launderers who are increasingly relying on cryptocurrency to move drug proceeds from the U.S. to Mexico. The cases of four defendants recently sent from Mexico to the U.S. for prosecution provide a glimpse into shadowy money laundering networks that keep the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and other violent groups in business pumping drugs into American communities. Indictments have been filed in Kentucky’s federal court. The prosecutions underscore the Justice Department’s efforts to turn up the pressure on cartels and stay ahead of their evolving and sophisticated tactics to launder massive drug proceeds across the border without detection.
Alphabet and dour data on the US job market hit Wall Street as bitcoin tumbles
NEW YORK (AP) — A sharp drop for Google’s parent company is yanking the U.S. stock market lower, while prices for bitcoin, silver and gold weaken. Yields are also sinking in the bond market Thursday following discouraging news on the U.S. job market. The S&P 500 fell 0.9% and is heading toward its sixth loss in the seven days since it set an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 486 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%. Alphabet tumbled after giving a forecast for upcoming AI investments that blew past analysts’ estimates. Bitcoin fell below the $68,000 mark.
Antetokounmpo, Morant head the list of names to watch heading into NBA trade deadline
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant are waiting to learn whether they’ll be changing addresses after a former MVP and plenty of other big-name players already have switched teams ahead of the Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Antetokounmpo has been the center of attention heading into the trade deadline amid reports that the Milwaukee Bucks have started listening to offers for the two-time MVP and nine-time all-NBA selection. The trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Eastern. Antetokounmpo repeatedly has said that he loves playing in Milwaukee, but he also has emphasized that he wants to continue playing for teams committed to competing for championships. |
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A man survived 48 hours without lungs using an artificial system until he was well enough to receive a double transplant. The landmark procedure took place nearly three years ago, with the patient since developing good function with his donated lungs.
In 2023, the 33-year-old developed flu, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In severe cases, ARDS is treated with life support to give patients time to fight infection. In this case, however, the patient’s heart stopped, his lungs were melting, and his kidneys had begun to fail. Surgeons at Northwestern Memorial Hospital decided to remove both lungs and use a four-component “total artificial lung” system to drain, filter, and return oxygenated blood to the patient’s heart at a responsive flow rate.
Dr. Ankit Bharat, who designed the system, hopes it can be used in similar cases of severe ARDS, which impacts a portion of the roughly 190,000 US cases per year.
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In partnership with Incogni
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Unknown Number Calling? It’s Not Random
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Dr. Oz exposes $3.5 Billion Hospice Fraud Ring in Los Angeles Tied to Russian-Armenian Mafia
Dr. Oz exposes $3.5 Billion Hospice Fraud Ring in Los Angeles Tied to Russian-Armenian Mafia On the ground in Van Nuys, Los Angeles: in a single four-block radius, there are 42 hospices, many with Cyrillic signage, boarded up windows, and no visible patients or staff Fraudsters set up fake hospice addresses, bill Medicare for “services” never provided to patients who often don’t exist or aren’t terminal. One operation stole $16 million; the ringleader served just two years. Estimated $3.5 billion in hospice and home care fraud in Los Angeles alone.
2 More Arrested in Minnesota Church Invasion
Minnesota Public Radio reported that authorities arrested Austin on Friday.
The group of anti-ICE agitators interrupted a Sunday service last month at Cities Church, a non-denominational Christian church in St. Paul.
According to the indictment, Austin and Richardson met with Nekima Levy-Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen before invading the church.
Former CNN host and independent journalist Don Lemon told Richardson, “Don’t give anything away” while speaking to his online audience as he livestreamed the invasion.
Both defendants allegedly joined Levy-Armstrong, Allen, and Lemon in the church and the group engaged in “menacing and threatening behavior” toward those in the church service, such as “physically obstructing them attempted to exit and/or move about within the church.”
Austin allegedly “stood with other agitators in and around the main aisles in the church to intimidate the church members and obstruct and interfere with their freedom of movement, approached the pastor and congregants in a menacing manner, and, near the end of the operation, loudly berated the pastor with questions about Christian nationalism and Christians wanting to have their faith be the law of the land.”
Richardson allegedly joined Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort as they “surrounded” the pastor.
On Friday, Bondi announced the arrests of Lemon, Fort, Trahern Crews, and Jamael Lundy.
The week before, law enforcement arrested Levy-Armstrong, Allen, and William Kelly, the man who posted videos of the incident online under the handle “DaWoke Farmer.”
The grand jury indicted the nine defendants for allegedly violating the Ku Klux Klan Act and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act earlier this month when they entered Cities Church in St. Paul amid an invasion of the service.
The Klan Act criminalizes the deprivation of rights, and the Justice Department has claimed the church invaders deprived worshippers of their First Amendment right to religious exercise. The FACE Act protects access to houses of worship.
Signs of forced entry found at Arizona home of ‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators have found signs of forced entry at the Arizona home of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother. That’s according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke Tuesday to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, the host asked for prayers to help bring back the missing 84-year-old. Authorities believe she was taken against her will. The sheriff said Nancy Guthrie must be found soon because she could die without her medication. Investigators also found evidence showing there was a nighttime kidnapping. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet and her car, were still at the home.
Paris prosecutors raid X offices as part of investigation into child abuse images and deepfakes
PARIS (AP) — French prosecutors have raided the offices of social media platform X as part of an investigation into allegations of spreading child sexual abuse images and deepfakes. They have also summoned owner Elon Musk for questioning. The investigation, which began in January last year, is looking into alleged complicity in possessing and spreading pornographic images of minors, among other charges. X and Musk’s AI company xAI face scrutiny from Britain’s data privacy regulator over their handling of personal data. The chatbot Grok, developed by xAI, sparked outrage after generating sexualized deepfake images. The investigation continues with support from Europol.
Russia bombards Ukraine with drones and missiles a day before planned peace talks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia breached its commitment to hold off on energy infrastructure attacks for a week when it launched a major assault on Ukraine overnight. The strikes reported Tuesday came as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv and a day before U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy said Russia targeted the power grid in five regions of Ukraine in what he said was a bid to deny civilians light, heating and water during a harsh winter. He urged allies to send more air defense supplies and increase pressure on Russia. Talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been described as constructive, but a comprehensive settlement remains distant.
Iran’s president seeks ‘fair and equitable negotiations’ with the United States
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s president says he has instructed the country’s foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States. The comments on Tuesday from reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian represent the first clear signal from Iran that it may take part in negotiations being organized by Turkey. Pezeshkian made the comments on X. He said: “I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency.” The U.S. has yet to acknowledge the talks will take place.
UK politician Peter Mandelson quits House of Lords, could face police probe over Epstein ties
LONDON (AP) — British politician Peter Mandelson is quitting the House of Lords over questions about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Speaker of the House of Lords says Mandelson will retire effective Wednesday. He faces a potential police investigation over claims he passed sensitive government information to Epstein. The British government sent police a file on Tuesday about Mandelson’s alleged leaks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he’s is appalled by the revelations in newly released Epstein files. The files suggest Mandelson shared market-sensitive information about the 2008 financial crisis. Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday to avoid further embarrassment.
