JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 980

Washington — U.S. forces boarded and seized the tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean on Feb. 9 after tracking it from the Caribbean, the Pentagon said on Monday. The vessel, Panamanian-flagged and under U.S. sanctions, had departed Venezuelan waters in early January and reportedly carried about 700,000 barrels of heavy crude bound for China. Officials said the boarding occurred "without incident" after a prolonged pursuit; footage shows forces descending from a helicopter. Independent trackers reported the ship had used transponder shutdowns and was among vessels that left Venezuela following January events there. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

San Francisco, thousands of schoolteachers went on strike Monday, closing all 120 district schools and affecting 50,000 students. United Educators of San Francisco called the walkout after months of stalled negotiations over wages, health benefits and support for special-needs students. Union leaders cited high living costs and $1,500 monthly premiums. The district and union held last-minute talks over the weekend and planned midday negotiations Monday while members rallied at City Hall. Mayor Daniel Lurie and Rep. Nancy Pelosi urged continued talks. Schools remained closed into Tuesday as negotiations still continued this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Corporate filings on Feb. 9–10 detailed technology and resource developments today. reAlpha scheduled an investor fireside chat for Feb. 12 to discuss its AI-driven homebuying platform strategy. Guardforce AI signed a non-binding LOI to acquire MGAI, a pediatric speech-therapy AI platform serving over 110,000 patients. EVA Live's CEO outlined commercialization of its NeuroServer advertising platform. Dakota Gold launched a $75 million common-stock offering. DLH reported Q1 fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 million for quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025. ScanTech disclosed a Nasdaq deficiency notice with a 180-day compliance period. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States, Gas prices rose this week across multiple U.S. regions nationwide, according to GasBuddy reports. Peoria drivers saw averages climb to $2.94 per gallon, up nearly 10 cents over the prior week and about 13 cents from a month earlier. Illinois statewide averages reported $2.99 to $3.01 per gallon on Monday, February 9. Nationally, the average increased 1.2 cents to $2.84, while diesel rose to about $3.614 per gallon. Analysts attributed the uptick to seasonal refinery transitions on the West Coast that are expected to push prices eastward in coming weeks. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States meteorologists report a widespread warm spell that will give way to rain this week. High pressure currently brings record-adjacent temperatures in Phoenix and near-70 readings in Birmingham and Denver, while Chicago and Lubbock see milder-than-average conditions. A southern low will introduce clouds and light showers Tuesday–Wednesday, with cold fronts producing cooler weather and mountain snow midweek. Rain chances increase across the South and Plains by Friday, with potential heavier downpours and isolated storms over parts of Alabama during the weekend. Red Flag Warnings remain in parts of Colorado amid dry conditions. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.

Los Angeles — The Schall Law Firm publicly this week notified investors about multiple class action lawsuits alleging violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b‑5 against seven public companies. The firm identified class periods and filing deadlines for Mereo BioPharma, Varonis, Picard Medical, Ultragenyx, Plug Power, Beyond Meat and Ardent Health, and asked eligible shareholders to contact counsel to pursue lead plaintiff status. Notices referenced SEC-related claims, proposed class dates, and contact details for Brian Schall. The firm stated classes are un-certified pending court action. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right and refused to answer questions during a virtual deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Monday. Chairman James Comer said her counsel had warned she would plead the Fifth. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence after a 2021 federal sex‑trafficking conviction and appeared by videolink from a federal prison in Texas. The panel is probing DOJ handling of Epstein's case and has planned more closed-door depositions of associates. Committee members cited the need for information to help survivors and clarify records. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MIAMI — Officials and human rights groups report that migrants have endured unsanitary, overcrowded conditions and prolonged detention across U.S. holding facilities. Asylum-seeker Felipe Hernandez Espinosa said he spent 45 days at "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida and has spent months at a Fort Bliss facility in El Paso where two migrants died in January. Reports cite worms in food, overflowing sewage, nonfunctional toilets and insect infestations. New immigration guidance limiting judges' authority and backlog in immigration courts has increased detention durations while hearings proceed. Detainees report being denied voluntary return until judicial review. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles, opening arguments began in a Los Angeles County Superior Court case accusing Meta and Alphabet’s YouTube of deliberately designing platforms that addict children, a trial plaintiffs’ lawyers compare to tobacco litigation. Plaintiffs seek liability for harms including depression and self-harm stemming from youth engagement. Separately in Santa Fe, New Mexico, state prosecutors opened a trial alleging Meta prioritized ad revenue over youth safety and exposed teens to sexual exploitation, citing internal documents. Defendants deny wrongdoing and cite safety tools. Jury proceedings will test claims that could shape future litigation nationwide. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Tokyo: Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in a Feb. 8 snap election, strengthening Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's position. U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ambassador George Glass, congratulated Takaichi and officially pledged deeper cooperation, while President Donald Trump praised the outcome and scheduled a March 19 summit. Internationally, media reported the result enables a conservative policy agenda and stronger bilateral security and economic ties. Officials said the win reinforces U.S. influence in Asia and clears legislative paths for the LDP's priorities. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.