JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 981

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.

Multiple U.S. communities reported residential and vehicle fires this week, and local fire departments contained blazes, limited structural damage, and reported no fatalities. Incidents included a vehicle fire threatening a Putnam County home, a significant house fire in Cary, a Lorain apartment blaze complicated by frozen hydrants, a Chesapeake residential fire displacing a family, and multiple calls in Florence County. Crews used quick-attack tactics, mutual aid, and water-shuttle operations where hydrants failed. Investigations into causes remain ongoing and displaced residents sought temporary lodging. Authorities urged fire safety and will publish investigation updates. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington President Donald Trump limited a National Governors Association meeting to Republican governors and did not invite some Democrats. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said the White House excluded them from both a governors meeting with Cabinet members and a bipartisan dinner during the NGA summit Feb. 19-21. Moore, the NGA vice chair, called the action a snub and raised concerns about whether race influenced his exclusion. The NGA said it would not use its resources to support the partisan event, and the White House gave mixed responses. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States weather services issued regionally varied forecasts: San Diego offices warned a High Surf Advisory with 5–10-foot waves and rip current risks through tomorrow; Birmingham and central Alabama forecast freezing Sunday mornings before daytime highs rise into the 60s; Columbus, Augusta, and Nashville sources predicted a warming trend with highs reaching upper 60s to low 70s early next week; Denver expected mild conditions then later-week cooling with possible mountain snow. Multiple outlets flagged midweek rain chances tied to several upper-level disturbances. Agencies advised caution for coastal recreation and early-morning freezing conditions. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump will convene the first meeting of the Board of Peace on Feb. 19 to raise funds for Gaza reconstruction, administration officials said. The session will include world leaders who accepted invitations in January and members of an executive committee to oversee Gaza’s governance, security and redevelopment. Invitations were sent and obtained by The Associated Press; the meeting is scheduled at U.S. Institute of Peace, renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace amid legal dispute. Participation levels remain unclear, though Hungary’s Viktor Orban confirmed he will attend. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, President Donald Trump will convene the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Feb. 19 to raise funds for Gaza reconstruction, administration officials said Tuesday. The session will bring invited world leaders and members of an executive committee to discuss Gaza governance, security and redevelopment and is scheduled at the U.S. Institute of Peace, according to an invitation obtained by the Associated Press. Officials speaking on background said participation was expected to be robust, though the White House has not finalized agenda details. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed attendance. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury indicted a 33-year-old Ohio man on Feb. 6 for threatening to kill U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance during the vice president’s January visit to Ohio, the Justice Department said. Shannon Mathre of Toledo was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents after the indictment alleged he said he would “find out where he is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.” Prosecutors reported finding multiple digital files of child sexual abuse material during the investigation. Mathre remains in custody pending a detention hearing. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

California — Governor Gavin Newsom declared Feb. 8 'Bad Bunny Day' Saturday ahead of the Super Bowl halftime show, and public discussion intensified this week. A BetOnline analysis of 170,000 geotagged X posts identified Utah as most likely to boycott. Bad Bunny, announced as the halftime headliner in September, has criticized the Trump administration and spoken on immigration; supporters including Tim Cook amplified praise. Conservatives publicly criticized the selection and some promoted boycotts. On Sunday at Levi's Stadium Bad Bunny performed a live all-Spanish set with surprise guests and tributes to Puerto Rico. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington: President Trump said Friday that the US and Iran held an indirect dialogue in Oman and will hold more talks early next week. Trump called the Muscat-mediated meeting on Friday 'very good' and warned of 'very steep' consequences if Iran fails to reach a deal on its nuclear program, saying a US naval group will deploy to the region. US officials included special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper. Tehran described a positive atmosphere while retaining enrichment limits; Washington announced sanctions and an executive order enabling tariffs. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.