20: In a rare “mea culpa,” Russia claimed responsibility for the missile strike that Kyiv says killed at least 20 people in a Ukrainian shopping mall on Monday. The catch? Moscow says what really happened is that the missile hit a munitions facility that exploded next to the mall.
3 billion: The internationally recognized government of Yemen is still awaiting the arrival of $3 billion in economic support that was recently pledged by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Meanwhile, the Yemeni currency continues to plummet as the war-torn country tries to solidify an April ceasefire.
2: Let’s do it all again! Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has begun the process of holding another referendum on independence from the UK in October 2023. She’s asked the UK Supreme Court to rule on whether the vote can go forward without permission from British Parliament. In a 2014 vote, 55% of Scots opposed independence, but Sturgeon hopes that Brexit and the unpopular Boris Johnson have changed Scottish minds.
20: Former socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking four teenage girls for sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell’s lawyers say they will appeal. Maxwell and Epstein’s connections to many prominent US and European politicians have raised the specter of potential bombshell revelations — but so far none has emerged.
53: Three years after a fire gutted the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, the city government has approved a $53 million makeover that aims to speed the flow of tourists through the iconic building and – checks notes – fight climate change?
As more small businesses move sales, payments, and customer relationships online, they unlock new opportunities, but they also become easier targets for cyber-criminals and other threat actors.
Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.
Tune in on Saturday, February 14th at 12pm ET/6pm CET for the live premiere of our Global Stage from the 2026 Munich Security Conference, where our panel of experts takes aim at the latest global security challenges.
Microsoft unveiled a new set of commitments guiding its community‑first approach to AI infrastructure development. The strategy focuses on energy affordability, water efficiency, job creation, local investment, and AI‑driven skilling. As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, the company is pushing a new model for responsible datacenter growth — one built on sustainability, economic mobility, and long‑term partnership with the communities that host it. The move signals how AI infrastructure is reshaping local economies and what people expect from the tech shaping their future. Read the full blog here.