Lawmakers are facing a potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as negotiations on funding falter, while Ukrainian athletes and Iranian exiles grapple with international events. The DHS, which oversees immigration, disaster response, and cybersecurity, is on track to shut down Saturday, February 15, 2026, as Democrats and Republicans remain far from a funding agreement, according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Meanwhile, in other international developments, Ukrainians are rallying in support of skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was banned from the 2026 Milan Cortina Games for refusing to replace his helmet. The helmet featured images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Heraskevych was disqualified after the International Olympic Committee requested he change the helmet.
Also, Iranian exiles in Turkey are struggling to stay informed about events in their home country. They are reportedly receiving chilling stories from relatives and facing death threats themselves, according to NPR's "All Things Considered."
The DHS shutdown looms as lawmakers left town without a funding agreement. Democrats have laid out 10 demands, including changes to the conduct of federal immigration officers, after two U.S. citizens were shot dead by immigration officers in Minneapolis. Thune stated that a "deal space is there. I think we can get it done," but negotiations remain stalled.
In other news, the abduction of Nancy Guthrie is drawing attention to the uncertainty faced by families of missing persons. Her case has garnered wide attention due to the unique circumstances surrounding her disappearance, including her celebrity daughter, Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie. Experts have noted parallels with other kidnapping cases, even as many details of Guthrie's case are unique.
Finally, in a different area of focus, middle school students presented their concepts for cutting-edge cities at the Illinois gathering of the Future City competition. Sixteen teams participated, showcasing their ideas for the cities of tomorrow.
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