Parts of Philadelphia have already seen 12 inches of snow. Here’s everything you need to know.
Day: February 23, 2026
Dragons, faeries, and spice, oh my!
The Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” on Sunday, decapitating what had beco…
#Cartel #Violence #News
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news today – 1 minute ago
Major Storm, Cartel Leader Killed gemini.google.com/share/08c2…
Today is Monday, February 23, 2026.
Here are the top stories:
Top National & World Headlines
Mexico Cartel Violence: A massive wave of violence has erupted across at least 12 Mexican states following the killing of Nemesio. “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, by security forces.
Historic Blizzard: A potentially historic nor’easter is slamming the U.S. Northeast, with some areas expecting up to two feet of snow. New York City has issued a travel ban on all non-essential vehicles.
Trump Tariff Turmoil: Following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated his sweeping tariffs, President Trump has announced a new 15% global tariff on all imports.
Mar-a-Lago Incident: Secret Service agents shot and killed an armed 21-year-old man who entered the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago carrying a shotgun and fuel can.
International Criminal Court: The ICC has begun pre-trial hearings in the case against former Philippine PresidentRodrigo Duterteregarding his “war on drugs”.📷NBC News +9
Sports & Culture
Olympic Gold: The U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada in a stunning overtime victory to win its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.
” dominated the British Academy Film Awards, winning six trophies, including Best Film.BAFTA Awards: The offbeat thriller “One Battle After Another
NFL News: Former Vikings and NFL defensive backRonyell Whitakerhas passed away at the age of 46.📷Google News +5
Science & Global Updates
Ukraine War: As the conflict enters its fourth year, world leaders and protesters have gathered globally to mark the anniversary; President Zelensky warned the BBC that the situation has evolved into a global threat.
Galápagos Restoration: In a major conservation win, 158 giant tortoises were returned to Floreana Island after nearly 200 years of absence.
New Prime Minister:Rob Jetten, 38, has been sworn in as the youngest-ever Prime Minister of theNetherlands.📷CNN +5
Would you like a deeper dive into the economic impact of the new tariffs, or perhaps live updates on the blizzard’s path?— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 23, 2026
A shelter-in-place warning has been issued for U.S. Citizens currently in some areas in Mexico after the death of a notorious cartel leader.On Sunday, the U….
A U.S. security advisory remains in effect for parts of Mexico following violence tied to a cartel leader’s death, as air travel impacts continue to shift.
FBI News Today – AI Report
GEMINI
#FBI #News: #Investigations and Operations gemini.google.com/share/d28b…
The FBI is currently managing several high-profile investigations and operational initiatives as of Monday, February 23, 2026. The primary focus remains on a security breach at the President’s residence and a nationwide crackdown on cyber-predator networks.Major Headlines
Mar-a-Lago Security Breach: The FBI is leading the investigation into an incident early Sunday morning where an armed man, identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, was shot and killed after breaching the secure perimeter of the Mar-a-Lago resort. While President Trump was at the White House at the time, the FBI is working to determine the motive of the suspect, who was reportedly carrying a shotgun and a gas can.📷📷
Director Kash Patel Under Scrutiny: FBI Director Kash Patel is facing criticism following his appearance in Milan, Italy, where he was filmed celebrating with the U.S. men’s hockey team after their Olympic gold medal win. Critics have questioned the timing of the celebration, as it coincided with the Mar-a-Lago breach and ongoing national security concerns, including the search for missing person Nancy Guthrie.📷📷
Targeting the “764” Online Network: The FBI has ramped up its focus on a violent online extremist network known as “764.” Congressional leaders recently requested briefings on the Bureau’s progress, noting that over 350 subjects are currently under investigation nationwide. This group is known for “nihilistic violent extremism,” specifically targeting and blackmailing minors on platforms like Roblox and Snapchat.📷📷📷Ongoing Operations & Initiatives
Operation Winter SHIELD: This is a coordinated national effort by FBI Cyber and various field offices (including Philadelphia, Seattle, and Anchorage) to safeguard the U.S. energy sector and combat large-scale cyber threats.📷
Impersonation Warnings: The FBI Chicago field office issued a public warning on February 20 regarding fraudsters posing as federal agents to steal money and personal data. They emphasized that the FBI will never ask for money or credit card information over the phone.📷
Recent Arrests & Legal ActionsDateCase TypeDetailsFeb 23Child ExploitationCraig Scott Valdez (Anchorage, AK) makes his initial court appearance today after an FBI investigation into child sex trafficking.Feb 20Cyber/FinancialSix additional defendants were charged in an international “ATM Jackpotting” scheme.Feb 19Counter-IntelA Ukrainian national was sentenced for a “laptop farm” scheme that generated income for North Korean IT workers.Feb 18Civil RightsThe FBI is probing an ICE arrest in St. Paul, MN, that resulted in a suspect suffering skull fractures.
Would you like more details on the Mar-a-Lago investigation or specific information on how to report cyber-fraud to the FBI?
Pic – GS
google.com/search?num=10&new…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 23, 2026
In den USA geht heute das #FBI-Spin-Off #CIA bei @CBS an den Start. Wovon die neue Serie mit #Lucifer-Star Tom Ellis handelt, erfahrt ihr hier: https://t.co/y76ZronhNa
— myFanbase (@my_Fanbase) February 23, 2026
#CIA #News #AI
CIA News Today – AI Report:
Objective, Balanced, Timely
7:25 AM 2/23/2026AI Overview
As of February 21, 2026, CIA Director John Ratcliffe has ordered the withdrawal or revision of 19 intelligence reports, citing political bias and a failure to meet, standards following a review by the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board. The reports spanned the past decade, including topics on COVID-19, LGBTQ issues, and white nationalism. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Recent Developments:Report Revisions: The CIA is retracting 19 products deemed non-objective or influenced by political considerations.
Targeted Reports: Specific reports being revised include a 2020 paper on pandemic-related contraceptive shortages, a 2015 report on LGBT activists in the Middle East, and a 2021 report on women in extremist groups.
Internal Changes: These actions are part of a broader push for {“AI at scale”} and a new strategy to centralize Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) within the intelligence community.
Leadership Initiative: The moves follow a review led by Deputy Director Michael Ellis, aiming to ensure intelligence is free from partisan influence.
Recruitment Drive: Reports indicate the CIA is actively strengthening its intelligence capabilities, with recent focus on competitive intelligence against rivals. [3, 4, 6, 7, 8]This news follows recent internal shifts aimed at altering the agency’s focus and reducing what some officials term “liberal bias” in previous intelligence products. [4, 6]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] washingtonpost.com/national-…
[2] nbcnews.com/politics/nationa…
[3] nytimes.com/2026/02/20/us/po…
[4] cia.gov/stories/story/dcia-r…
[5] foxnews.com/politics/cia-ret…
[6] federalnewsnetwork.com/tag/c…
[7] youtube.com/watch?v=owwfQJP3…
[8] youtube.com/watch?v=eIC6nOB4…
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AI Mode
cia news today
Today’s CIA news centers on a major policy shift regarding past intelligence and ongoing recruitment efforts.
Major Retraction of Intelligence Reports
On February 20, 2026, CIA Director John Ratcliffe ordered the official retraction or substantive revision of 19 intelligence products published over the last decade.
📷CIA (.gov) +1
Reasoning: The reports were flagged by the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) for failing to meet “analytic tradecraft standards” and for containing perceived political bias.
Specific Examples: Three of the retracted reports include analyses on:Radicalization and recruitment by women in white ethnically motivated violent extremism (2021).
The pressure faced by LGBT activists in the Middle East and North Africa (2015).
The economic impact of pandemic-related contraceptive shortfalls (2020).Reaction: Senator Mark Warner and other critics have characterized the move as a politically motivated effort to align the agency with the current administration’s ideology.📷CIA (.gov) +4
Operational & Recruitment Updates
China Recruitment Drive: The CIA recently released a sophisticated Mandarin-language recruitment video specifically targeting Chinese military and government officials. The campaign aims to exploit internal dissatisfaction following recent high-level purges within the People’s Liberation Army.
Venezuela Operations: Reports continue to surface regarding the CIA’s increased operational role in Venezuela, including the use of stealth drones and covert teams to track and eventually capture Nicolás Maduro.
World Factbook Discontinued: The agency officially ended the publication of the World Factbook on February 4, 2026, a resource it had maintained for over six decades.📷Politico +6
Workforce & Leadership
Staffing Cuts: The administration is moving forward with plans to cut approximately 1,200 positions from the CIA as part of a broader effort to “streamline operations”. This includes voluntary buyout offers to the entire workforce.
New Acquisition Framework: The CIA launched a new framework to turbocharge collaboration with the private sector, aimed at speeding up the acquisition of science and technology breakthroughs.📷CIA (.gov) +4
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GEMINI
CIA News: Retractions, Recruitment, and Tech gemini.google.com/share/c4ce…
It is a busy day at Langley. From institutional shake-ups to high-stakes recruitment drives in the East, here is the latest “CIA News” as of Monday, February 23, 2026.—
## **The Headlines: Strategic Retractions and Bias Reviews**
On February 20, 2026, **CIA Director John Ratcliffe** ordered the official retraction or substantive revision of **19 intelligence products** published over the last decade.
* **The Reason:** A review by the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) concluded these reports failed to meet “analytic tradecraft standards” and were not independent of political consideration.
* **The Content:** While many remain classified, declassified examples include reports on women in white racially motivated extremism and the pressure on LGBT activists in the Middle East.
* **The Reaction:** The move has sparked a partisan divide on Capitol Hill. **Senator Tom Cotton** (R-AR) praised the move for removing “non-intelligence” from the agency’s archives, while **Senator Mark Warner** (D-VA) denounced it as a “deeply troubling pattern” of politicizing the intelligence community.## **Global Operations: The Mandarin Recruitment Push**
The Agency has significantly ramped up its efforts to recruit sources within the Chinese government. Earlier this month, the CIA released a highly produced mandarin-language recruitment video specifically targeting **”disillusioned” Chinese military officers** and government officials.
* **Beijing’s Response:** The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the video a “blatant political provocation.” In response, Beijing has reportedly expanded its own anti-espionage laws and increased public surveillance to counter what they describe as “foreign infiltration.”
* **Context:** This campaign follows recent purges within the Chinese military leadership, which the CIA appears to be leveraging to find potential assets.## **Institutional Changes: Private Sector Integration**
Director Ratcliffe recently announced a new **CIA Acquisition Framework** designed to “turbocharge” how the agency works with the American tech sector.
* **The Goal:** To reduce the time between defining a mission requirement and deploying new technology.
* **Focus Areas:** The framework prioritizes AI, rapid prototyping, and modernized IT infrastructure to keep pace with global rivals.## **In the Archives: The End of an Era for Aldrich Ames**
In legal and historical news, notorious CIA-officer-turned-Soviet-mole **Aldrich Ames** passed away in early January 2026 at the age of 84 while serving his life sentence. His death closed one of the most damaging chapters in the Agency’s history, prompting a brief series of declassifications regarding the full extent of the damage he caused during the Cold War.
## **Cultural Note: “CIA” Premieres on CBS**
For those looking for a fictionalized take on Langley, the new scripted series **”CIA”** from creator Dick Wolf premieres **tonight, February 23, 2026, at 10/9c on CBS**. The show follows a joint CIA/FBI task force operating in New York and features Tom Ellis as a “roguish” case officer.
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**Would you like me to find more details on the specific 19 reports that were retracted, or perhaps look into the current status of CIA operations in Venezuela?**
Pic.:
google.com/search?q=cia+news…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 23, 2026
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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 23, 2026