Russia hits Ukraine energy sites in 'most powerful blow' so far this year2 hours agoShareSaveSarah RainsfordEastern and Southern Europe correspondent in KyivShareSaveAFP via Getty ImagesKyiv residents shelter at a train station during Russian air raidsRussia has used a record number of ballistic missiles to target Ukraine's energy sector, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The combined missile and drone strikes hit power plants and infrastructure in Kyiv and multiple locations causing "the most powerful blow" so far this year, according to private energy company DTEK.The strikes were launched as temperatures dropped to -20C (-4F) and left more than 1,000 tower blocks in the capital without heating once again and damaged a power plant in the eastern city of Kharkiv beyond repair.Zelensky said Russia was "choosing terror and escalation" rather than diplomacy to end this war and called for "maximum pressure" on Moscow from Ukraine's allies.The attack comes after a so-called "energy truce" agreed by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin expired at the weekend.Ukraine's president suggested that Russia had simply used the time to stock up on missiles and prepare for the next attack.It also came on the day Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and to address the national parliament.Donald Trump's initiative was meant to give diplomacy a chance.

Russia hits Ukraine energy sites in 'most powerful blow' so far this year2 hours agoShareSaveSarah RainsfordEastern and Southern Europe correspondent in KyivShareSaveAFP via Getty ImagesKyiv residents shelter at a train station during Russian air raidsRussia has used a record number of ballistic missiles to target Ukraine's energy sector, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The combined missile and drone strikes hit power plants and infrastructure in Kyiv and multiple locations causing "the most powerful blow" so far this year, according to private energy company DTEK.The strikes were launched as temperatures dropped to -20C (-4F) and left more than 1,000 tower blocks in the capital without heating once again and damaged a power plant in the eastern city of Kharkiv beyond repair.Zelensky said Russia was "choosing terror and escalation" rather than diplomacy to end this war and called for "maximum pressure" on Moscow from Ukraine's allies.The attack comes after a so-called "energy truce" agreed by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin expired at the weekend.Ukraine's president suggested that Russia had simply used the time to stock up on missiles and prepare for the next attack.It also came on the day Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in Kyiv to meet President Zelensky and to address the national parliament.Donald Trump's initiative was meant to give diplomacy a chance.

Fitbit's founders are launching Luffu, an AI-powered family health monitoring platform that aggregates data from wearables, apps, and user input. Luffu analyzes this information to provide personalized insights and alerts, aiming to streamline healthcare management and improve family well-being. The system can answer health-related questions and proactively identify potential health issues based on tracked patterns.

Fitbit's founders are launching Luffu, an AI-powered family health monitoring platform that aggregates data from wearables, apps, and user input. Luffu analyzes this information to provide personalized insights and alerts, aiming to streamline healthcare management and improve family well-being. The system can answer health-related questions and proactively identify potential health issues based on tracked patterns.

In Norway, the son of the Crown Princess is facing a high-profile rape trial, bringing intense scrutiny to the royal family. The case highlights the intersection of privilege and justice, while also raising questions about the Crown Princess's past associations and their impact on her public role. This trial underscores the importance of due process and the challenges of maintaining public trust in the age of heightened media attention.

In Norway, the son of the Crown Princess is facing a high-profile rape trial, bringing intense scrutiny to the royal family. The case highlights the intersection of privilege and justice, while also raising questions about the Crown Princess's past associations and their impact on her public role. This trial underscores the importance of due process and the challenges of maintaining public trust in the age of heightened media attention.

Google Home now supports programmable buttons, enabling users to trigger smart home automations and control devices with a physical press. This update, released February 2nd, introduces "Switch or button pressed" as a new automation starter, offering a more tactile alternative to voice and app control with potential to significantly improve user experience and expand the functionality of the Google Home ecosystem.

Google Home now supports programmable buttons, enabling users to trigger smart home automations and control devices with a physical press. This update, released February 2nd, introduces "Switch or button pressed" as a new automation starter, offering a more tactile alternative to voice and app control with potential to significantly improve user experience and expand the functionality of the Google Home ecosystem.

Multiple news sources report on the release of over 3 million files related to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing a network of powerful figures and unredacted victim information, sparking controversy. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to reopen nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions.

Multiple news sources report on the release of over 3 million files related to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing a network of powerful figures and unredacted victim information, sparking controversy. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to reopen nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions.

Drawing from multiple news sources, recent developments include the release of over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for limited evacuations and reunions, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's planned nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey to de-escalate regional tensions. Additionally, news sources reflect on the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Tehran in 1979 and the subsequent establishment of a totalitarian theocracy in Iran.

Drawing from multiple news sources, recent developments include the release of over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for limited evacuations and reunions, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's planned nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey to de-escalate regional tensions. Additionally, news sources reflect on the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Tehran in 1979 and the subsequent establishment of a totalitarian theocracy in Iran.

Multiple news sources from early February 2026 depict a world navigating geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and economic uncertainties, evidenced by events like escalating international conflicts, debates surrounding immigration, and breakthroughs in AI. Simultaneously, cultural milestones and complex social issues are unfolding, creating a narrative of both progress and significant global challenges.

Multiple news sources from early February 2026 depict a world navigating geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and economic uncertainties, evidenced by events like escalating international conflicts, debates surrounding immigration, and breakthroughs in AI. Simultaneously, cultural milestones and complex social issues are unfolding, creating a narrative of both progress and significant global challenges.

Multiple sources indicate that in the current high-interest rate environment, home equity loans and HELOCs offer a more affordable borrowing option for homeowners compared to personal loans and credit cards, with average rates around 7-8% as of February 2026. While these rates are subject to change based on market conditions and individual factors, leveraging substantial home equity can provide access to large sums of money at a comparatively lower cost, especially with potential future rate decreases.

Multiple sources indicate that in the current high-interest rate environment, home equity loans and HELOCs offer a more affordable borrowing option for homeowners compared to personal loans and credit cards, with average rates around 7-8% as of February 2026. While these rates are subject to change based on market conditions and individual factors, leveraging substantial home equity can provide access to large sums of money at a comparatively lower cost, especially with potential future rate decreases.

Multiple news sources report that the FBI recently searched the Fulton County, Georgia election hub and seized records related to the 2020 election, prompting Fulton County officials to prepare a lawsuit challenging the legality of the warrant and seeking the return of the seized materials. The county aims to protect voter information and limit the scope of the search, potentially requesting forensic accounting and keeping the documents sealed within Georgia.

Multiple news sources report that the FBI recently searched the Fulton County, Georgia election hub and seized records related to the 2020 election, prompting Fulton County officials to prepare a lawsuit challenging the legality of the warrant and seeking the return of the seized materials. The county aims to protect voter information and limit the scope of the search, potentially requesting forensic accounting and keeping the documents sealed within Georgia.

Multiple news sources highlight a dire situation: a study covering 23 global conflicts reveals that international humanitarian law is failing, with over 100,000 civilian deaths and widespread war crimes, while simultaneously, Sudanese families displaced from El Fasher are desperately seeking food aid. The Geneva Academy's "War Watch" report emphasizes the urgent need for action to prevent the complete erosion of laws designed to protect civilians during wartime.

Multiple news sources highlight a dire situation: a study covering 23 global conflicts reveals that international humanitarian law is failing, with over 100,000 civilian deaths and widespread war crimes, while simultaneously, Sudanese families displaced from El Fasher are desperately seeking food aid. The Geneva Academy's "War Watch" report emphasizes the urgent need for action to prevent the complete erosion of laws designed to protect civilians during wartime.

Multiple news sources report that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins on February 7th with 20 teams competing, including co-hosts England and the West Indies, who are aiming for their third title. India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format.

Multiple news sources report that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins on February 7th with 20 teams competing, including co-hosts England and the West Indies, who are aiming for their third title. India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format.

Synthesizing information from the World Economic Forum and other sources, there's growing skepticism among American allies regarding U.S. leadership, even as they remain fascinated by the potential of American AI technology. Despite significant venture capital investment in AI, the number of new ventures is declining, raising concerns about reduced economic dynamism and opportunity in the U.S., where economic mobility now lags behind several other developed nations.

Synthesizing information from the World Economic Forum and other sources, there's growing skepticism among American allies regarding U.S. leadership, even as they remain fascinated by the potential of American AI technology. Despite significant venture capital investment in AI, the number of new ventures is declining, raising concerns about reduced economic dynamism and opportunity in the U.S., where economic mobility now lags behind several other developed nations.