House votes down Republican bill to avert shutdown on eve of the deadline

A bipartisan congressional bill is being introduced by U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood and Josh Gottheimer to ban China's DeepSeek AI software from government devices due to national security concerns, citing espionage risks. DeepSeek, a CCP-affiliated company, is accused of acquiring and storing U.S. user data for potential use by Chinese authorities, with hidden code that could send information to China Mobile. DeepSeek's ability to produce advanced AI results at a low cost has caused alarm,...

During a Senate confirmation hearing, attorney general nominee Pam Bondi pledges independence for the Justice Department, facing questioning from Sen. Amy Klobuchar. President Trump appoints Gail Slater to lead the Antitrust Division, prompting concern among tech giants. Slater, a conservative antitrust expert, aims to hold Big Tech accountable for market manipulation and consumer abuse, challenging centralized power and prioritizing fair competition in the free market. Full Article

Israeli defense minister ordered the military to draft a plan for Gazans to voluntarily leave after Trump proposed a massive resettlement. The plan includes land, sea, and air exit options, but it is unclear where they would go or if they could return. Critics fear ethnic cleansing, while Israel's far-right supports the idea, with Netanyahu suggesting Palestinians could relocate and return if needed. Full Article

Just one week after a midair collision near Reagan National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are planning to brief senators on the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Stricter restrictions have been imposed on helicopter flights near the airport until late February, with exceptions for essential services. Preliminary information from the plane's flight data recorder suggests a change in pitch prior to impact, with discrepancies in reported...

Kathryn Barger's mother emphasized the importance of trees in a community, but with the flammability of Southern California in mind, experts recommend planting fire-resistant vegetation like California live oak and sycamore trees to protect homes from wildfires. Brush clearance should focus on the right kind of vegetation, such as chaparral and sage scrub, rather than non-native grasses. In rebuilding areas like Altadena and the Palisades, recommended plants include oak, sycamore, toyon, lemonade berry, and lilac,...

On February 6, significant events in the Chicago area included record temperatures in 1942, the start of John Wayne Gacy's trial as a suspected serial killer in 1980, and Michael Jordan winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1988. Gacy was portrayed as both a psychopath and a premeditated murderer, while Jordan delighted fans with his athletic prowess. The day also marked a unique moment in weather history with a 30-hour period of a steady...