Multiple news sources report that tens of millions of Americans are facing increased utility bills due to 43 approved rate hikes totaling $11.6 billion in 2025, primarily driven by infrastructure repairs, extreme weather costs, volatile fuel prices, and rising electricity demand. The Southern region is particularly affected, with Florida Power & Light's rate hike significantly contributing to the financial strain on consumers already burdened by high energy costs.

Multiple news sources report that tens of millions of Americans are facing increased utility bills due to 43 approved rate hikes totaling $11.6 billion in 2025, primarily driven by infrastructure repairs, extreme weather costs, volatile fuel prices, and rising electricity demand. The Southern region is particularly affected, with Florida Power & Light's rate hike significantly contributing to the financial strain on consumers already burdened by high energy costs.

Fueled by inflation worries, industrial demand, and investor interest, silver's rising price has prompted questions about purchasing power. While $500 could theoretically buy around 5.45 ounces at the spot price of $91.72, premiums and format choices affect the actual amount of silver acquired.

Fueled by inflation worries, industrial demand, and investor interest, silver's rising price has prompted questions about purchasing power. While $500 could theoretically buy around 5.45 ounces at the spot price of $91.72, premiums and format choices affect the actual amount of silver acquired.

Multiple news sources confirm that Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course in 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on multiple felony charges, including attempted assassination and firearm possession. Despite his attorney's plea for a reduced sentence citing mental health concerns and ineffective self-representation during the trial, the court sided with prosecutors who argued that Routh's actions warranted a life sentence due to the premeditated nature of the crime and lack of remorse.

Multiple news sources confirm that Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course in 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on multiple felony charges, including attempted assassination and firearm possession. Despite his attorney's plea for a reduced sentence citing mental health concerns and ineffective self-representation during the trial, the court sided with prosecutors who argued that Routh's actions warranted a life sentence due to the premeditated nature of the crime and lack of remorse.

The ShinyHunters hacking group has released data allegedly stolen from Harvard and UPenn in last year's breaches, impacting over a million records per university. The breach, initially attributed to social engineering, exposed alumni and development-related data, raising concerns about data security protocols in higher education and potentially leading to increased investment in advanced security measures.

The ShinyHunters hacking group has released data allegedly stolen from Harvard and UPenn in last year's breaches, impacting over a million records per university. The breach, initially attributed to social engineering, exposed alumni and development-related data, raising concerns about data security protocols in higher education and potentially leading to increased investment in advanced security measures.

Lunar Energy has secured $232M in funding to scale up production of home battery systems, highlighting the growing importance of stationary storage in bolstering grid resilience. These batteries, managed by AI-driven virtual power plant (VPP) software, can provide crucial support to the grid amidst increasing electrification and data center energy demands, showcasing a shift towards distributed energy resources.

Lunar Energy has secured $232M in funding to scale up production of home battery systems, highlighting the growing importance of stationary storage in bolstering grid resilience. These batteries, managed by AI-driven virtual power plant (VPP) software, can provide crucial support to the grid amidst increasing electrification and data center energy demands, showcasing a shift towards distributed energy resources.

This summary synthesizes information from multiple sources to highlight the best laptop backpacks for various needs, considering factors like fabric density, usability features, and storage options. The backpacks were tested in real-world scenarios, including work trips, hikes, and daily commutes, with recent updates in February 2026 adding new models and removing older ones.

This summary synthesizes information from multiple sources to highlight the best laptop backpacks for various needs, considering factors like fabric density, usability features, and storage options. The backpacks were tested in real-world scenarios, including work trips, hikes, and daily commutes, with recent updates in February 2026 adding new models and removing older ones.

Multiple news sources report that Congress faces a tight deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security after narrowly averting a partial government shutdown by funding most government offices through September. Disagreements persist between Democrats and Republicans regarding immigration enforcement, specifically concerning the use of judicial warrants for arrests and a potential ban on agents wearing face coverings, making a compromise within the short timeframe uncertain.

Multiple news sources report that Congress faces a tight deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security after narrowly averting a partial government shutdown by funding most government offices through September. Disagreements persist between Democrats and Republicans regarding immigration enforcement, specifically concerning the use of judicial warrants for arrests and a potential ban on agents wearing face coverings, making a compromise within the short timeframe uncertain.

Multiple news sources reveal a diverse and complex global landscape, encompassing business challenges for Novo Nordisk, media revenue losses due to piracy, international political tensions, and antitrust scrutiny of potential media mergers like Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Other notable events include investigations into alleged email leaks, concerns over AI privacy and safety, a film about Melania Trump, and stories of human resilience, such as a young boy's heroic rescue in Australia and a documentary on stateless individuals in the U.S., alongside a reflection on underappreciated films from the early 21st century.

Multiple news sources reveal a diverse and complex global landscape, encompassing business challenges for Novo Nordisk, media revenue losses due to piracy, international political tensions, and antitrust scrutiny of potential media mergers like Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Other notable events include investigations into alleged email leaks, concerns over AI privacy and safety, a film about Melania Trump, and stories of human resilience, such as a young boy's heroic rescue in Australia and a documentary on stateless individuals in the U.S., alongside a reflection on underappreciated films from the early 21st century.

Multiple news sources report that gold prices have surpassed $5,000 per ounce amid heightened geopolitical tensions, while silver experiences similar volatility driven by economic uncertainty and its dual role as an industrial commodity and safe-haven asset. Despite recent price fluctuations influenced by events like the US downing an Iranian drone and speculation around Federal Reserve leadership, both precious metals remain significantly higher than last year, prompting investors to assess current buying opportunities.

Multiple news sources report that gold prices have surpassed $5,000 per ounce amid heightened geopolitical tensions, while silver experiences similar volatility driven by economic uncertainty and its dual role as an industrial commodity and safe-haven asset. Despite recent price fluctuations influenced by events like the US downing an Iranian drone and speculation around Federal Reserve leadership, both precious metals remain significantly higher than last year, prompting investors to assess current buying opportunities.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the FBI was unable to access a Washington Post reporter's iPhone due to its Lockdown Mode, highlighting the feature's potential security effectiveness in preventing data access. Separately, former President Trump's efforts to influence the Federal Reserve and replace Chairman Jerome Powell may have backfired, potentially leading to Powell remaining in his position and the departure of a key Trump supporter from the rate-setting committee.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the FBI was unable to access a Washington Post reporter's iPhone due to its Lockdown Mode, highlighting the feature's potential security effectiveness in preventing data access. Separately, former President Trump's efforts to influence the Federal Reserve and replace Chairman Jerome Powell may have backfired, potentially leading to Powell remaining in his position and the departure of a key Trump supporter from the rate-setting committee.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former US President Donald Trump met at the White House and seemingly agreed to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, held behind closed doors with no press access, concluded with pleasantries and symbolic gestures, including Petro receiving a signed copy of Trump's book.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former US President Donald Trump met at the White House and seemingly agreed to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, held behind closed doors with no press access, concluded with pleasantries and symbolic gestures, including Petro receiving a signed copy of Trump's book.

Multiple news sources report that Pope Leo XIV intends to continue Pope Francis' mission of inclusivity for LGBTQ Catholics, a message shared by Jesuit priest Father James Martin after meeting with the Pope in September and reiterated during Martin's appearance on "The Late Show." Martin also suggested that Pope Leo would be a good guest for Stephen Colbert's show before it ends in May, further highlighting the Pope's openness.

Multiple news sources report that Pope Leo XIV intends to continue Pope Francis' mission of inclusivity for LGBTQ Catholics, a message shared by Jesuit priest Father James Martin after meeting with the Pope in September and reiterated during Martin's appearance on "The Late Show." Martin also suggested that Pope Leo would be a good guest for Stephen Colbert's show before it ends in May, further highlighting the Pope's openness.