A severe winter storm brought snow, ice, and strong winds to parts of the US, causing dangerous travel conditions and power outages. States such as Arkansas, Kansas, and Virginia declared emergencies. The National Weather Service warned of potentially record snowfall, with temperatures significantly below normal due to the polar vortex stretching south.
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A devastating wildfire in Polk County, North Carolina, leads to mandatory evacuations, with air quality alerts issued. South Carolina declares a state of emergency due to the spreading Table Rock Fire. Both states are mobilizing resources to combat the fires and protect residents and structures.
Namal Rajapaksa, son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was indicted by Colombo's high court for alleged misappropriation of funds from an Indian investment before 2015. He was released on bail, with the case scheduled for March 27. The Rajapaksa family claims the charges are part of a political witch hunt, as they face revived corruption investigations under the new NPP government.
A Chinese court sentences a teenage boy to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a classmate, highlighting national concerns over juvenile crime. The defendants, under 14 at the time, bullied and killed a 13-year-old boy, sparking debate on juvenile criminal responsibility.
Two judges were assassinated in a planned shooting at Tehran's Supreme Court, with the gunman subsequently killing himself. Judges Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghisseh, who handled cases related to national security, were targeted. Iranian authorities have initiated an investigation to uncover the motive behind this rare attack on judiciary figures.
Protesters gathered at Stonewall National Monument to express their outrage over the removal of transgender and queer references from the National Park Service website. This followed President Trump's executive order recognising only two sexes. Demonstrators voiced concerns about the erasure of trans, nonbinary, and queer identities, and activists like Bernie Wagenblast vowed to resist the changes and fight for recognition and rights.
Neil Gaiman's ex-wife Amanda Palmer features prominently amid sexual assault allegations against him. Accusations from eight women detail nonconsensual acts and ongoing misconduct in their interactions with Gaiman. Palmer reportedly knew about some allegations and faced criticism for not assisting in investigations. The couple, who had an open marriage, finalized their divorce in 2022.
Sudan's army has recaptured the presidential palace from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum, marking a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict. Despite this, large areas remain under RSF control, indicating the war is far from over. Analysts highlight the strategic importance of Khartoum and Darfur in the battle for control.
A Russian court has set a February 24 appeal hearing for French researcher Laurent Vinatier, jailed for three years for failing to register as a "foreign agent." Vinatier, working for a Swiss mediation NGO, admitted guilt, claiming ignorance of the law. France has condemned the case, which comes amid strained Russia-France relations over Ukraine. His lawyers argue the sentence is excessively harsh and sought a fine instead.
Authorities have recovered the remains of all 10 victims from a fatal plane crash in western Alaska involving a Bering Air turboprop plane. The incident, one of the deadliest in Alaska in 25 years, is under investigation by the NTSB to determine the cause of the crash.
President Trump announced that SpaceX will soon launch a mission to bring home Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the ISS, where they've been stranded due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner. Originally a short stay, their return was delayed. Elon Musk confirmed the expedited mission, which aims to safely return the astronauts.