JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 969

Washington — U.S. Southern Command said Friday that a military strike in the Caribbean killed three people aboard a vessel it identified as engaged in narcotrafficking. A linked video shows a boat exploding. The operation brings reported fatalities to 133 across at least 38 strikes since early September. Officials attributed the action to Joint Task Force Southern Spear and cited intelligence on trafficking routes, but administration representatives have not publicly released verifiable independent evidence connecting each targeted vessel to criminal organizations. The event follows a series of similar operations under the current administration. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Feb. 13. The Pentagon has ordered an additional aircraft carrier and moved thousands of troops, fighter jets, guided‑missile destroyers and surveillance assets to the Middle East to expand strike and defensive capabilities. U.S. and Iranian diplomats met in Oman last week to revive talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of sensitive planning, and Pentagon officials briefed lawmakers today. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to visit Venezuela and praised interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, while his administration moved to relax restrictions on oil investment. The Treasury's OFAC issued general licences allowing BP, Chevron, Eni, Repsol and Shell to carry out authorised transactions under US-based payment oversight. The move followed an energy secretary visit to Caracas this week and earlier January reports concerning US operations and Maduro's removal; officials gave no travel dates nor full recognition details. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

RICHMOND, Va. The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday allowed a Democratic-backed referendum on mid‑decade congressional redistricting to proceed on April 21, 2026, while it considers appeals of a lower court ruling that had previously blocked the measure. The court denied a pause request, setting a schedule for briefs and potential oral argument after the vote. The proposed map would shift Virginia’s 11 U.S. House districts to favor Democrats in ten seats, from the current six, pending any later court decision that could void voter approval. State leaders issued brief, competing legal statements. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

New York — Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to three charges arising from an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy aimed at a U.S.-based Sikh activist. Gupta admitted to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York. U.S. prosecutors allege he acted at the direction of Indian government employee; co-defendant was linked to India's Cabinet Secretariat. The court set a control date for March 15, 2026, and sentencing hearing for May 29, 2026. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — Consumer prices rose 2.4% year-over-year in January, down from 2.7% in December, as gas prices and apartment rent growth cooled, official U.S. data show. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, increased 2.5% year-over-year, the smallest gain since March 2021, after rising 2.6% in December. On a monthly basis, overall CPI rose 0.2% and core CPI rose 0.3% in January. The Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target provides context for policymakers monitoring labor and housing costs. Used-car prices also eased, contributing to lower core inflation. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Labor Department reported Friday that consumer prices rose 2.4% in January from a year earlier, down from 2.7% in December, while core CPI excluding food and energy rose 2.5%. Monthly inflation showed modest gains, with headline up 0.2% and core up 0.3%, driven by lower gasoline and used-car costs and slower rental growth, while shelter and some service categories remained elevated this week nationwide. Analysts and TD Securities warned persistent service-sector inflation could influence Treasury yields and Federal Reserve decisions on future rate changes. President Trump welcomed the reading. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Orlando, Fla. Forecasters warn that a warm, dry weekend will give way to increasing clouds and rain late Sunday into Monday as a cold front advances. Saturday will be warm and rain-free, with highs in the upper 70s to near 80 inland and upper 70s along the coast; patchy morning fog is possible. Sunday becomes breezy with inland highs 80 to low 80s and gusts that could affect events including Daytona 500. The primary risk is slick roads from showers and localized gusty winds; rainfall totals are expected to be light to moderate. Based on 7 articles reviewed supporting research.

United States - Corporations announced recent corporate financial actions and investments on Feb. 13, 2026. Gogo Inc. scheduled fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results and an analyst call for Feb. 27. Applied Optoelectronics broke ground Feb. 10 on a 210,000-square-foot Texas manufacturing facility, planning up to $300 million investment and 500 jobs. Astrotech reported Q2 fiscal 2026 results through Dec. 31, 2025 and deployment of TRACER 1000 systems. Chemed authorized an additional $300 million buyback and declared a $0.60 quarterly dividend. Invesco Mortgage and Portland General Electric declared cash dividends payable in March. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. Authorities responded Thursday night after gunfire at the Hugine Suites residence at South Carolina State University killed two people and injured another. University officials said they locked down campus at about 9:15 p.m., notified law enforcement, and requested the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate. The lockdown remained in place overnight and was lifted about 5 a.m. Friday, and the university canceled classes and offered counseling. Officials have not released victims’ identities or a suspect description. Investigators and local police continued to patrol the area Friday. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.