Deep in China’s Mountains, a Nuclear Revival Takes Shape

Satellite imagery of secretive nuclear facilities reveals Beijing’s efforts to expand its arsenal, just as the last global guardrails on nuclear weapons vanish.

Trump’s Relentless Self-Promotion Fosters an American Cult of Personality

President Trump has engaged in a spree of self-aggrandizement unlike any of his predecessors, making himself an inescapable force at home and around the world.

Republican State Legislators Rush to Limit Their Own Regulators

South Carolina’s state legislature is one of 17 that is moving to handcuff state agencies at a moment of tectonic changes in energy, technology and finance.

Iran Protester’s Death in Custody Sparks Outrage. His Family Believes He Was Executed.

Rights groups are investigating the death of Ali Rahbar as a potential extrajudicial killing. Iran denies executions have taken place.54m agoBy Sanam Mahoozi and Erika Solomon

Inside the Debacle That Led to the Closure of El Paso’s Airspace

The F.A.A., citing “a grave risk of fatalities” from a new technology being used on the Mexican border, got caught in a stalemate with the Pentagon.

Department of Homeland Security Shuts Down, Though Essential Work Continues

ICE Tried to Justify a Minneapolis Shooting. Its Story Unraveled.

The collapse of the Trump administration’s version of events in the case was another instance of an account of a shooting that was later contradicted.

Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE

In Munich, Rubio Calls Europe a Friend but Says It Must Change

European leaders expressed relief at the tone of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks, but it was clear that the trans-Atlantic rift remained.

U.S. Inflation Eased at Start of the Year

Overall inflation eased to 2.4 percent in January from the same time last year, offering a reprieve to the Federal Reserve.

The Epstein Files and the Hidden World of an Unaccountable Elite

The search continues in the documents for ironclad criminal conduct, but the story of a sexual predator given a free ride by the ruling class has already emerged.

Goldman’s Top Lawyer Departs Amid Revelations About Her Ties to Epstein

Kathryn Ruemmler, a former Obama administration lawyer, is out at Goldman Sachs after emails revealed her years of friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

German Leader Says International Order ‘No Longer Exists’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, criticized President Trump’s rapid reorientation of U.S. foreign policy.

Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters

As the authorities restore some online services after crushing antigovernment demonstrations, they are using technology to target attendees of the protests.

Border Agency Is Said to Have Caused El Paso Closure by Firing Anti-Drone Laser

F.A.A. officials said privately that the agency did not have enough time or information to assess the technology’s risk to commercial aircraft.

Trump’s Director of Election Security Is an Election Denier

Even in a government full of conspiracists, Kurt Olsen stands out. He made a key referral in the Fulton County, Ga., election case.

How Trump Sees the World: It’s Personal

Historical relationships play little if any role in the second-term worldview of President Trump, who holds himself as the constant center of global events.

U.S. Attorney Chosen to Replace Trump Pick Is Quickly Fired by White House

Donald Kinsella had been appointed top prosecutor in the Northern District of New York after the Trump administration’s nominee was found to be serving unlawfully.

Trump’s Trade Deal With India Has Become a Headache for Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a big reduction of sky-high tariffs, but critics said he undermined Indian sovereignty and undercut the nation’s farmers.

F.A.A. Halts All Flights at El Paso Airport for 10 Days for ‘Security Reasons’

The agency provided no details, but its order will leave one of the largest cities in Texas without air service of any kind until Feb. 20.

Trump Decries a ‘Nation of Renters’ but His New Policy Promotes One

A recent executive order that would bar investors from acquiring single-family homes includes an exemption that allows them to build homes for rent.

Unemployment Rate in Focus as Fed Considers When to Restart Rate Cuts

Mass Shooting in Remote Canadian Town Is One of Deadliest in Nation’s History

Nine people were killed and 25 were injured at a high school and a residence in British Columbia, the police said. The shooter was also found dead.

Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress

The rejection was a remarkable rebuke, suggesting that ordinary citizens did not believe that the lawmakers had committed any crimes.

Russia Nears Capture of Key Ukrainian Towns After Year of Grinding Assaults

Russian troops have advanced slowly in recent months, but gains in southern and eastern Ukraine could give Moscow an edge in U.S.-mediated peace talks.

Trump Threatens to Block Opening of New Bridge to Canada

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open early this year, was built by Canada to ease cargo transport between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Trump’s Threats to Cuba’s Oil Suppliers Put Mexico in a Bind

The longstanding alliance between Cuba and Mexico is under mounting pressure from the U.S., forcing President Claudia Sheinbaum into a balancing act.

After U.S. Criticism, Nicaragua Blocks a Once-Popular Route From Cuba

Susan Collins Runs for Re-election, in One of 2026’s Top Senate Fights

The Maine Republican is one of her party’s most vulnerable senators, and her seat is crucial to Democratic hopes of retaking control of the chamber.

Epstein’s Longtime Companion Refuses to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions

Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right in response to every question asked during a deposition before the House Oversight Committee.

Billionaire Called Epstein a ‘Blessing’ as They Made Deals

Andrew Farkas has played down ties to Jeffrey Epstein. But they swapped business favors, and in nearly 2,000 emails, expressed admiration for each other.

A Raid in a Small Town Brings Trump’s Deportations to Deep-Red Idaho

Wilder, Idaho, prided itself on comity. Then federal agents stormed a racetrack outside of town, and the reverberations are still shaking the community.

Bad Bunny’s Halftime History Lesson

The superstar showcased Puerto Rican pride during a 13-minute set that turned a global opportunity into an intimate, personal performance, our critic writes.

Trump Criticizes Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar who has denounced ICE, celebrated Latino heritage in his largely Spanish-language performance.

Seahawks’ Super Bowl Victory Highlights a New Way of Winning in the N.F.L.

Quarterbacks have ruled for decades, but opportunistic general managers are increasingly the key to success, a columnist for The Athletic writes.

A Teary-Eyed Ending to Drake Maye’s Breakout Sophomore Season