A massive sewage leak into the Potomac River and the Pentagon's decision to cut ties with Harvard University dominated headlines on Friday, February 7, 2026, while former President Donald Trump's actions and initiatives continued to draw scrutiny.
A broken sewer pipe, approximately eight miles from the White House, released an estimated 243 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River, according to NPR News. The damage was reportedly worse than initially assessed, with a significant blockage discovered in the ruptured pipe. DC Water, the local authority operating the pipe, indicated that there was a risk of limited wastewater overflow until repairs were completed.
Simultaneously, the Pentagon announced it was severing its relationship with Harvard University, ending all military training, fellowships, and certificate programs with the Ivy League institution. The Associated Press reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Harvard "no longer meets the needs of the..." This decision followed a prolonged standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard over demands for reforms at the university, according to NPR News.
In other news, former President Trump's Board of Peace was scheduled to hold its first meeting on February 19. Time reported that the board would discuss the next stage of a ceasefire in Gaza and fundraising for the reconstruction of the destroyed territory. The board's initial members included the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Argentina, Paraguay, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Vietnam. However, many U.S. allies were hesitant to join, fearing it would undermine the United Nations and amid reports that permanent membership would be granted to member states that contribute 1 billion in cash within the first year.
Adding to the news cycle, a controversial AI-generated video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes was posted on Donald Trump's Truth Social account during Black History Month. Time reported that the White House initially blamed the racist post on an unnamed staffer.
In science news, Nature News reported on an "external, artificial-lung system" that kept a patient alive for 48 hours until a transplant.
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