Delve into the rich tapestry of arts, entertainment, and societal trends. From film reviews to cultural commentary, this category celebrates the diverse expressions of human creativity.
Mourners give condolences to Mohammad Abu Siyam, the father of Palestinian-American Nasrallah Abu Siyam, 19, who according to the Palestinian Health Ministry was shot by settlers on Wednesday night, during his funeral in the West Bank village of Mukhmas, east of Ramallah, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Nasser Nasser/AP hide caption toggle caption Nasser Nasser/AP MUKHMAS, … Read more
The International Paralympic Committee decided to allow six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags in Italy. The decision has caused an outcry in Ukraine. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Russia’s exile from sporting events is coming to an end. The International Paralympic Committee, or IPC, decided this week to allow six … Read more
This image provided Thursday Feb. 19, 2026 by the Iranian military and dated Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2025, shows navy ships conducting operations during a join drill by Iranian and Russian forces in the Indian Ocean. Masoud Nazari Mehrabi/AP/Iran’s Army hide caption toggle caption Masoud Nazari Mehrabi/AP/Iran’s Army DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran held annual … Read more
People who consider their detained family members to be political prisoners protest for their releases outside the United Nations office in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday Feb. 18, 2026. Ariana Cubillos/AP hide caption toggle caption Ariana Cubillos/AP CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s acting president on Thursday signed into law an amnesty bill that could lead to the release … Read more
Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad (93) and United States’ JT Miller (10) chase the puck during the third period of a men’s ice hockey quarterfinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy. Hassan Ammar/AP/AP hide caption toggle caption Hassan Ammar/AP/AP MILAN — For five terrifying minutes on Wednesday night, the U.S. men’s hockey team’s dreams … Read more
Nuclear capable DF-31BJ ballistic missiles are shown on transporters during a military parade in Beijing, China on September 3, 2025. China is undergoing a massive expansion of its nuclear arsenal. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images AsiaPac hide caption toggle caption Kevin Frayer/Getty Images AsiaPac The U.S. government has released fresh intelligence on what it claims was an … Read more
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 14 in Munich, Germany. Johannes Simon/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Johannes Simon/Getty Images MUNICH — After last year’s lecture on free speech and democracy from Vice President Vance that left many European leaders shocked, the … Read more
Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today’s top stories Funding for the Department of Homeland Security ran out last week, triggering a third partial government shutdown in three months. The agency … Read more
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second right, attends a completion ceremony of the new street, called Saeppyol Street in Pyongyang, North Korea Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean … Read more
Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, center, celebrates winning a gold medal for an alpine ski, men’s giant slalom race, as silver medalist Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, right, and bronze medalist Switzerland’s Loic Meillard applaud, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Rebecca Blackwell/AP hide caption toggle caption Rebecca Blackwell/AP BORMIO, Italy — … Read more