The Washington Times AI News Desk

NASA has no active defense against city-killer asteroids, scientists warn

Space officials say tens of thousands of near-Earth asteroids capable of demolishing cities remain untracked -- and humanity currently has no way to deflect them.

February 18, 2026

Ash Wednesday 2026: What it means and why Christians observe it

Ash Wednesday, which falls on Feb. 18 this year, marks the beginning of Lent -- the most penitential season on the Christian calendar.

February 18, 2026

Abortion pill reversal: What the science actually says

Heartbeat International made headlines this week announcing that more than 8,000 women have used its Abortion Pill Rescue Network in an attempt to continue their pregnancies after starting the chemical abortion process. Democrats and major medical groups say the procedure is scientifically unsound.

February 18, 2026

Records show Democratic fundraisers sought Epstein donations after conviction

Newly released Epstein-related records -- including materials provided by the Justice Department and published by congressional investigators -- show that fundraisers working for top Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, solicited Jeffrey Epstein for campaign donations and access to fundraising events years after his 2008 conviction as a registered sex offender.

February 17, 2026

Culture Wire: Springsteen hits the road, Shia LaBeouf arrested and Netflix eyes a media empire

Bruce Springsteen isn't staying quiet. The Boss and the E Street Band officially announced their "Land of Hope and Dreams" American Tour today -- a 20-date spring run kicking off March 31 in Minneapolis and closing May 27 at Washington, D.C.'s Nationals Park.

February 17, 2026

Syria book fair opens flood of previously banned titles after decades of censorship

Syria's first International Damascus Book Fair since the fall of former President Bashar Assad's government marked a dramatic shift toward freedom of expression, drawing massive crowds and featuring books and languages previously banned under decades of authoritarian rule.

February 17, 2026

Anderson Cooper exits ‘60 Minutes’ amid turmoil at CBS News

Anderson Cooper's departure from "60 Minutes" after nearly two decades comes at a time of unprecedented turmoil at the venerable CBS newsmagazine, though Cooper has cited only family reasons for his decision.

February 17, 2026

Who was Robert Dorgan? Pawtucket hockey rink shooter’s troubled history revealed

Robert Dorgan, the 56-year-old gunman who killed two family members and wounded three others at a Rhode Island hockey rink Monday, had a history of family conflicts and mental health struggles, according to court records and law enforcement officials.

February 17, 2026

Ronda Rousey to fight Gina Carano in Netflix MMA debut

Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey will return to mixed martial arts after nearly a decade to face fellow combat sports pioneer Gina Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

February 17, 2026

Shia LaBeouf arrested on battery charges during New Orleans Mardi Gras

The 39-year-old actor is facing two charges of simple battery after an incident that occurred shortly after midnight outside a bar in the city's French Quarter.

February 17, 2026

Colbert defies CBS, airs banned James Talarico interview on YouTube

Late-night host Stephen Colbert openly defied his own network Monday evening, revealing that CBS lawyers barred him from interviewing Texas Democratic state Rep. James Talarico due to concerns over new federal communications guidance.

February 17, 2026

Nancy Guthrie investigation: Latest theories, glove DNA mystery, family cleared as suspects

As the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's likely abduction enters its third week, officials say they are examining forensic evidence, reported ransom communications and possible purchase records tied to items seen in surveillance footage, while also addressing public scrutiny over how key evidence is being tested.

February 16, 2026

Read here: George Gerbo and Kerry Picket talk NRA’s waning influence and energy-hungry data centers

George Gerbo hosts the Washington Times Weekly, where he gets a chance to sit down with reporters and talk about their coverage of the latest news and events.

February 16, 2026

U.S. Army’s new strategy: Robots, not American troops, face enemy first

The U.S. Army is fundamentally transforming how it fights wars by investing heavily in autonomous drones and robotic systems designed to replace soldiers in the most dangerous battlefield situations, according to Army Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller in an exclusive interview with the "Threat Status" podcast.

February 16, 2026

DHS shutdown continues as Democrats demand ICE agents remove masks, obtain warrants

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the shutdown will continue until Republicans accept "common-sense" changes, including requiring ICE agents to remove their masks and obtain judicial warrants before entering private property.

February 16, 2026

New Orleans tests biodegradable Mardi Gras beads to combat 46 tons of drain-clogging plastic

Louisiana State University researchers have developed biodegradable, plantable Mardi Gras beads to address New Orleans' massive plastic pollution problem, as the city works to reduce the 2.5 million pounds of trash generated during Carnival season.

February 16, 2026

What is curling, and what is the controversy surrounding it at the Winter Olympics?

Curling, often described as "chess on ice," is a Winter Olympic team sport that blends strategy, precision and etiquette.

February 15, 2026

Navy relieves USS Mason commander during critical pre-deployment training

The Navy removed the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason on Friday, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command during a critical phase of the ship's pre-deployment preparation.

February 14, 2026

The $31 million question: Are Trump’s settlements actually changing journalism?

Two major media outlets have paid President Trump tens of millions to settle defamation lawsuits, but the expensive capitulations have produced only minimal changes to newsroom practices--raising questions about whether the legal pressure is reforming journalism or merely forcing corporate surrender.

February 14, 2026

Washington Times Culture Wire: Rep. Randy Fine demands FCC probe of Bad Bunny halftime show

Florida Rep. Randy Fine has formally requested an FCC investigation into the NFL and NBC over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime performance, calling it "pornographic" and "vulgar."

February 14, 2026