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  • Warren Buffett’s company invests in the New York Times six years after he sold all his newspapers

    Warren Buffett’s company invests in the New York Times six years after he sold all his newspapers

    In a striking reversal of his previously bearish stance on print media, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has unveiled a substantial $350 million investment in The New York Times Company. The move, disclosed in Berkshire’s quarterly SEC filing covering Buffett’s final quarter as CEO, signals a notable shift in perspective toward media enterprises with successful digital transformation strategies.

    The investment comes precisely five years after Buffett liquidated Berkshire’s entire newspaper portfolio, famously declaring the traditional industry “toast” in 2020. At that time, however, he had acknowledged that nationally recognized brands like The New York Times or Wall Street Journal might still thrive through digital adaptation.

    Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism Chair Tim Franklin described the investment as “a full circle moment for Berkshire Hathaway in reinvesting in news and a huge vote of confidence in the business strategy of the New York Times.” Franklin emphasized that the Times has evolved beyond its print origins into a multifaceted digital enterprise, boasting popular assets like Wordle, The Athletic sports platform, and over 12 million digital subscribers.

    The filing also revealed Berkshire’s continued positioning in energy markets, adding approximately 8 million Chevron shares to reach over 130 million shares total. This expansion preceded President Trump’s order for the arrest of Venezuela’s president, which subsequently boosted oil stocks. Chevron, as the only major U.S. oil company with significant Venezuelan operations producing roughly 250,000 barrels daily, has seen its stock surge nearly 19% since early 2026.

    Meanwhile, Berkshire continued reducing positions in previously favored holdings, selling approximately 50 million Bank of America shares while maintaining 81 million, and trimming its massive Apple stake by about 10 million shares while retaining nearly 228 million.

    The quarterly filing doesn’t specify whether Buffett personally authorized the Times investment or if it was executed by one of Berkshire’s other investment managers. Given the $350 million size falls below Buffett’s typical $1 billion threshold for personal oversight, the decision may have originated from his successors. Nonetheless, the move has already influenced market behavior, with Times shares jumping nearly 3% in after-hours trading following the disclosure.

  • ‘We’re going to always be grateful’ – Chicagoans mourn loss of Jesse Jackson

    ‘We’re going to always be grateful’ – Chicagoans mourn loss of Jesse Jackson

    The city of Chicago is united in grief following the passing of renowned civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson at the age of 84. According to an official family statement, Jackson died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, concluding a lifetime of transformative activism that reshaped American society.

    Jackson’s legacy as a pioneering figure in the struggle for racial equality and social justice reverberates throughout Chicago’s communities. For decades, his leadership through organizations like Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition provided both a voice and tangible improvements for marginalized populations. His innovative approaches to civil rights activism blended economic empowerment with political advocacy, creating new pathways for minority participation in democracy.

    BBC correspondent Gary O’Donoghue documented the profound impact of Jackson’s passing across Chicago neighborhoods, capturing reflections from residents whose lives were directly shaped by his work. Many emphasized how Jackson’s international prominence never diminished his deep connections to the city he called home, where he continued grassroots organizing alongside global diplomacy.

    The reverend’s career spanned monumental moments in American history—from assisting Martin Luther King Jr. and participating in seminal events like the Selma marches, to pioneering presidential campaigns that expanded political possibilities for African Americans. His later years saw continued advocacy through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, maintaining focus on economic justice and educational equality.

    Chicago institutions, from churches to community centers, are preparing memorials honoring Jackson’s multifaceted legacy as both a local champion and global humanitarian. His death marks the passing of a generation of civil rights leaders while highlighting the enduring relevance of his vision for a more equitable society.

  • The A/P Room opens gallery at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai

    The A/P Room opens gallery at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai

    Dubai’s vibrant cultural landscape has been enriched with the inauguration of The A/P Room, a groundbreaking permanent gallery at Alserkal Avenue. This new establishment, which launched with its inaugural exhibition ‘At First Sight’ running through March 29, 2026, represents a significant advancement in the regional appreciation and collection of design objects.

    Operating under Atelio—the region’s premier destination for design furniture, art advisory, and collectible design founded by prominent businessman and art patron Elie Khouri—The A/P Room emerges as a innovative cultural platform under the leadership of industry expert Christelle Bassila. The gallery uniquely bridges historical and contemporary design traditions while fostering connections between international and regional creative practices through carefully curated programming.

    The inaugural exhibition ‘At First Sight’ explores the intuitive connection between collectors and design objects, examining how works inhabit space, communicate through material language, maintain presence, and create lasting impressions beyond initial encounters. According to Bassila, ‘To collect is not only to acquire, but to learn how to see. What stays is what matters. What unfolds over time is what endures.’

    The exhibition showcases a carefully selected collection of sculptural and material-driven works from both established and emerging talents, including Rogan Gregory, Vincent Dubourg, Andrea Branzi, Faye Toogood, and regional creators such as Roham Shamekh and Georges Mohasseb. Historical design masters including Gio Ponti, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Jorge Zalszupin are also represented, creating a dialog across generations and geographies.

    Elie Khouri, Chairman of Atelio, emphasized the strategic importance of the location: ‘Opening The A/P Room at Alserkal Avenue places collectible design within the heart of Dubai’s cultural infrastructure. We are creating an environment where international designers and regional voices can be presented in dialogue, positioning the Middle East firmly within the global design conversation.’

    Ruggero Ottogalli, CEO of Atelio, added that the gallery reflects the company’s commitment to building a comprehensive cultural ecosystem for design in the region, creating new pathways for collaboration between designers, collectors, and cultural partners.

    The A/P Room’s expansion continues with plans to open a second location in Abu Dhabi during the fourth quarter of 2026, significantly extending its cultural influence and reinforcing its mission to shape the region’s design identity within the global creative ecosystem.

  • Mumbai to host Prince William’s 2026 Earthshot prize

    Mumbai to host Prince William’s 2026 Earthshot prize

    Mumbai has been officially designated as the host city for the 2026 Earthshot Prize ceremony, founded by Britain’s Prince William to recognize innovative environmental solutions. The announcement made on Tuesday positions India’s financial capital as the sixth global city to host the prestigious awards, following previous ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro (2025), Cape Town (2024), Singapore (2023), Boston (2022), and London (2021).

    The Earthshot Prize, established in 2020, represents one of the world’s most significant environmental initiatives, awarding £1 million (approximately $1.3 million) to each winner across five critical categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, Fix our Climate, and Clean our Air. These funds are specifically allocated to accelerate the implementation of groundbreaking environmental solutions.

    India’s selection as host country carries particular significance given its prominent role in environmental innovation. The nation has produced more Earthshot Prize winners and finalists than any other country, demonstrating its growing leadership in sustainable development. Prince William emphasized India’s unique position, stating: ‘What succeeds in India at scale has the power to inspire progress everywhere.’

    The choice of Mumbai also highlights India’s ongoing challenges with environmental degradation, particularly air pollution. A 2024 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were directly linked to air pollution, underscoring the urgent need for the solutions that the Earthshot Prize promotes.

    Prince William, who has attended every Earthshot Prize ceremony since its inception, described India as one of the world’s ‘most important forces’ for climate and nature conservation. He particularly noted the country’s demographic advantage: ‘With the largest population of young people in the world, there is a real sense of momentum — to not only imagine a better future, but to inspire change and make it a reality.’

    The ceremony, typically held in November, will bring global attention to Mumbai’s environmental initiatives while supporting the prize’s overarching mission to ‘repair and restore our planet by 2030’ through innovative, scalable solutions.

  • India’s Adani Group to invest $100 billion in AI data centres; completion set by 2035

    India’s Adani Group to invest $100 billion in AI data centres; completion set by 2035

    In a landmark announcement on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, India’s Adani Group unveiled an ambitious $100 billion strategic investment plan to establish renewable energy-powered AI data centers across the country. The initiative, scheduled for completion by 2035, represents one of the largest infrastructure commitments in the artificial intelligence sector globally.

    Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, declared that this transformative project aims to position India as a creator and exporter of artificial intelligence rather than merely a consumer. “The world is entering an Intelligence Revolution more profound than any previous Industrial Revolution,” Adani stated. “We will be the creators, the builders and the exporters of intelligence and we are proud to be able to participate in that future.”

    The comprehensive plan envisions creating the world’s largest integrated data center platform specifically designed for advanced AI workloads. According to company projections, this infrastructure development could generate a $250 billion AI ecosystem within India, significantly enhancing the nation’s competitive standing in the global technology landscape.

    Market response was immediately positive, with shares of Adani Enterprises rising approximately 2.5% following the announcement, making it one of the top performers on the Nifty 50 index. Adani Green Energy shares also gained roughly 1.8%, reflecting investor confidence in the renewable energy component of the initiative.

    This development occurs alongside massive global investments in semiconductor manufacturing capacity. Micron Technology, the largest American memory chip manufacturer, is executing a $200 billion expansion of production facilities in the United States. The company is additionally investing $50 billion to dramatically scale its existing campus, with two massive chip fabrication plants scheduled to become operational by late 2028. Each facility will span 600,000 square feet and utilize substantial construction materials including 70,000 tons of steel and 300,000 cubic yards of concrete.

    Parallel developments include Micron’s $100 billion fabrication complex near Syracuse, New York—the state’s largest private investment—along with a $9.6 billion facility in Hiroshima, Japan. Competitor SK Hynix is simultaneously constructing a $13 billion plant in South Korea and a $4 billion facility in Indiana, indicating intensifying global competition in advanced technology infrastructure.

    The Adani Group’s announcement underscores the critical intersection of artificial intelligence development, renewable energy integration, and national technological sovereignty. This strategic positioning reflects India’s determined effort to secure leadership in next-generation technologies while addressing the substantial power requirements of advanced computing through sustainable energy solutions.

  • Revealed: Saudi Arabia announces first day of Ramadan

    Revealed: Saudi Arabia announces first day of Ramadan

    Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the commencement of Ramadan 1447 AH, with the holy month set to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The announcement followed the successful sighting of the Ramadan crescent from the Kingdom’s Sudair Observatory on Tuesday evening, corresponding to the 29th of Shaban in the Islamic calendar.

    The crescent observation process incorporated advanced technological assistance for the first time at the newly inaugurated Tamir Observatory, a facility specifically designated for official moon sightings and crescent monitoring. Astronomical expert Abdullah Al-Khudairi confirmed that the annular eclipse phenomenon would not affect the visibility of the Ramadan crescent, ensuring accurate determination of the lunar month’s start.

    Concurrent with the astronomical confirmation, Gulf nations have implemented adjusted working schedules to accommodate the spiritual observances. The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced a two-hour daily reduction in working hours for private sector employees throughout Ramadan. Public sector employees will follow modified schedules from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Thursday and 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Fridays.

    Human resources experts note that while the reduced hours initially present operational challenges, they ultimately foster more deliberate work structures and increased productivity. The arrangement provides Muslim residents additional time for prayer, reflection, and family activities during the holy month, serving as both a spiritual reset and an opportunity for workplace efficiency optimization.

    The coordinated approach across Gulf nations demonstrates the region’s commitment to balancing religious observance with economic continuity, maintaining cultural traditions while implementing modern scientific methods for lunar determination.

  • US Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin to leave post

    US Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin to leave post

    Tricia McLaughlin, the prominent spokeswoman for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who became the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, is stepping down from her position this week. McLaughlin gained recognition for her vigorous defense of President Donald Trump’s deportation initiatives across social media platforms, press interviews, and podcasts.

    Sources revealed to CBS News that McLaughlin initially planned to depart in December but postponed her exit following the fatal shootings of two US citizens during encounters with immigration officers in Minnesota last month. Her departure comes during a period of heightened tension surrounding immigration policy and DHS funding.

    DHS Secretary Kristi Noem officially confirmed McLaughlin’s departure, praising her “exceptional dedication, tenacity, and professionalism” during her tenure. “She has played an instrumental role in advancing our mission to secure the homeland and keep Americans safe,” Noem stated in an official release.

    As the primary spokesperson for both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, McLaughlin frequently served as the public representative for these controversial agencies. Her departure has elicited polarized reactions along political lines, with Republican commentators celebrating her as one of the most effective defenders of Trump’s immigration policies, while Democratic critics condemned her support for what they characterize as aggressive enforcement tactics.

    The leadership transition occurs amid a congressional standoff over DHS funding, with Democratic lawmakers demanding operational changes to ICE before approving budget allocations. The department’s funding lapsed on Saturday, with no resolution expected until month’s end at the earliest.

    Recent polling from Reuters/Ipsos indicates growing public dissatisfaction with the administration’s immigration approach, with 55% of respondents disapproving of Trump’s immigration policies in mid-February polling, compared to 44% a year earlier.

    McLaughlin will be succeeded by Katie Zacharia, a commentator previously featured on Fox News. McLaughlin’s future plans remain undisclosed, though her government service includes previous roles in the Treasury Department during Trump’s first term and as spokeswoman for Vivek Ramaswamy’s 2024 presidential campaign.

  • Trinidad & Tobago seal ‘operation don’t finish last’

    Trinidad & Tobago seal ‘operation don’t finish last’

    CORTINA, Italy – Trinidad and Tobago’s two-man bobsleigh team has declared their Winter Olympic campaign a resounding success after achieving their primary objective of not finishing last in the highly competitive event. The Caribbean nation finished 25th out of 26 teams with a combined time of 2:51:05, narrowly ahead of Israel who occupied the final position.

    Pilot Axel Brown, a 33-year-old former British athlete who switched allegiance to represent his mother’s homeland, expressed jubilation alongside brakeman De Aundre John. “It’s absolutely mission accomplished,” Brown told BBC Sport. “Me and Dre have been able to do something special together.”

    The achievement becomes particularly remarkable considering the team’s complete lack of state funding. Brown emphasized the significance of their accomplishment: “For little Trinidad and Tobago to do that with no state funding is huge. To beat another nation at the top of their game as well that feels like a win – it is a win.”

    Despite recording their fastest run in the third heat, the team finished outside the top 20 and did not advance to the final round. However, Brown and John will have another opportunity to compete when they participate in the four-man event later this week.

    The competition itself was dominated by German teams who completed a clean sweep of the podium. Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer captured gold, while legendary pilot Francesco Friedrich with Alexander Schuller took silver. The bronze medal went to Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller.

    For Brown, simply qualifying for the Games represented a gold medal victory. This marks his second Olympic appearance representing Trinidad and Tobago, having previously competed at Beijing 2022. The former American football player and national-level taekwondo medalist took up bobsleigh at age 21 with the specific aim of reviving Trinidad and Tobago’s bobsleigh program.

    The Caribbean nation had qualified for three consecutive Winter Games from 1994 to 2002, but Brown’s leadership ended a 20-year absence when he guided them to qualification for the Beijing Games. Their previous appearance in the two-man event in China resulted in a 28th-place finish out of 30 teams, placing them above Jamaica and Brazil.

    Qualification for the Cortina Games proved even more challenging as the team had to secure spots in both the two-man and four-man events – a feat they accomplished for the first time in their history.

    Reflecting on their Olympic journey, Brown acknowledged the team’s supporters: “It was very special to stand at the top of the track with Dre. I had my dad on the start line with me and my coach Lee Johnston, who has been the cornerstone of this team and helped us make a team out of a bunch of misfits.”

  • What to know about the removal of Peru’s president — yet again — and what’s to come

    What to know about the removal of Peru’s president — yet again — and what’s to come

    LIMA, Peru — Peru’s political landscape experienced another seismic shift on Tuesday as legislators voted to remove interim President José Jerí from office, plunging the nation into renewed instability just weeks before scheduled presidential elections.

    The 39-year-old lawyer, who ascended to the presidency in October following the ouster of his predecessor Dina Boluarte, becomes Peru’s seventh presidential departure in under a decade. His removal triggers a constitutional process wherein Congress will select a replacement to steward the nation through April’s electoral process until the newly elected president assumes power on July 28.

    Jerí’s downfall stems from corruption allegations that have rapidly eroded his political standing. Peru’s Attorney General initiated a preliminary investigation earlier this year examining charges of influence peddling connected to undisclosed meetings with Chinese business executives in December. One executive holds active government contracts while another faces separate investigations into illegal logging operations.

    Although maintaining his innocence and characterizing the encounters as planning sessions for cultural festivities, Jerí faced mounting pressure from former congressional allies who cited the allegations as evidence of moral incapacity—a constitutional provision that has become a frequent mechanism for presidential removal in Peru’s volatile political environment.

    This marks another manifestation of Peru’s unique constitutional clause that permits legislators to remove presidents deemed morally unfit for office. The broadly interpreted provision has granted Congress extraordinary leverage over the executive branch, contributing to the nation’s remarkable presidential turnover rate.

    Despite the political chaos, Peru has maintained remarkable economic stability through orthodox fiscal policies. The nation boasts one of Latin America’s lowest public debt-to-GDP ratios at 32% for 2024, alongside sustained foreign investment in key sectors like mining and infrastructure.

    Congress will convene Wednesday to select a new interim leader while presidential candidates including conservative businessman Rafael López Aliaga and former legislator Keiko Fujimori prepare for April’s election. Should no candidate secure majority support, a June runoff will determine Peru’s next democratically elected president.

  • Dual nationals face scramble for UK passports as new rules come into force

    Dual nationals face scramble for UK passports as new rules come into force

    A sweeping overhaul of the United Kingdom’s immigration system has triggered widespread concern among dual nationals who now face the prospect of being denied entry to their own country. Effective February 25th, dramatic changes to documentation requirements will fundamentally alter how British citizens with additional nationalities can return to the UK.

    Under the current framework, dual nationals whose secondary citizenship originates from visa-exempt nations could freely enter Britain using their foreign passport. The new regulations eliminate this provision, mandating instead that all British citizens must present either a valid UK passport or a digital Certificate of Entitlement—costing £589—to gain entry. Neither document is automatically issued upon citizenship acquisition, creating significant hurdles for those who have never applied for them.

    The changes form part of the broader implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which requires visitors without visas to obtain pre-arrival clearance. While the government maintains these reforms align the UK with international standards practiced by nations like the United States and Australia, affected individuals report receiving insufficient warning about the impending deadline.

    Jelena, a British-Latvian chartered surveyor residing in Glasgow for 16 years, discovered the policy shift while preparing for a South American journey. Having recently obtained citizenship in November, she now faces impossible choices: cancel long-awaited travel plans or risk being barred from returning to her home and career. “The irony is that I’ve chosen to be part of this country but it feels like I’m being deported,” she expressed to BBC News.

    Similar distress echoes among the estimated 1.2 million dual nationals residing in Britain. Petra Gartzen, a UK-German citizen for four decades, is frantically attempting to secure documentation from Spain where she is currently staying. She criticized the communication breakdown: “There was no lead up, no major announcement—I found out about it from a Facebook post.”

    Academic Shaun West, holding British-Swiss citizenship, is considering renouncing his UK status entirely rather than comply with what he perceives as discriminatory measures. Meanwhile, educator Linn Kathenes races against time to arrange documentation for an overseas school trip, calling the situation a “gamble” with professional consequences.

    The Home Office defends its outreach efforts, citing public information campaigns since October 2024. However, advocacy group the3million demands immediate suspension of the rules, urging implementation of low-cost travel authorizations for those caught unaware. With processing times extending weeks and substantial financial burdens, many dual nationals face extended separation from their homes, families, and livelihoods despite their legal status as British citizens.