American diplomats are supposed to represent the nation, advocate for the interests and policies of the U.S. government, and stay on generally good terms with the country to which they're assigned. Even when they are sent to places that have an adversarial relationship with the United States, they are expected to maintain decorum while conveying messages these regimes may not want to hear.
Iran's top diplomat said that success on this path requires seriousness and realism on the part of the other side and avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands. He did not elaborate on what those demands are.
We wiped it out and they want to start it all over again and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions. We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words, 'We will never have a nuclear weapon,' I will never allow [it].
Today is Tuesday, Feb. 17, the 48th day of 2026. There are 317 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 17, 2013, Danica Patrick won the Daytona 500 pole, becoming the first woman to secure the top spot for any Sprint Cup race. Also on this date: In 1801, the U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr became vice president.
Calls are growing for European countries to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this year in opposition to President Donald Trump, as many of the games are set to take place in the United States. The World Cup will be held in multiple locations across three countries in North America (Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.), with most games happening in the U.S. Many fans are concerned about traveling to the U.S., noting not only the high ticket and travel costs, but also difficulties getting travel visas due to Trump's immigration policies and the invasive surveillance measures his administration is implementing against people entering the country.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting kicked off in the Swiss resort city of Davos on Monday, with global figures from politics, business, academia and civil society attending the five-day event. The annual forum that attempts to shape global agendas comes at a time of massive global upheaval. United States President Donald Trump will attend the annual event along with other global leaders.
Myanmar's ruling junta is pressing ahead with plans for elections, which they hope will ensure global legitimacy. The first of several stages of voting is set to start on December 28, despite the junta still not having control of the entire country. Myanmar has plunged into civil war since the military known as Tatmadaw snatched power in a 2021 coup. The junta has since lost swathes of the Southeast Asian nation to pro-democracy guerrillas and powerful ethnic-minority armed groups.
In 1707, the British Parliament met for the first time after the Treaty of Union dissolved both the Parliaments of England and Scotland and created a new Kingdom of Great Britain. The Parliament of Great Britain eventually became the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In 1915, an estimated 25,000 women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote throughout the United States.
Sucking up to Donald Trump never works for long. Narendra Modi is the latest world leader to learn this lesson the hard way. Wooing his true friend in the White House, India's authoritarian prime minister thought he'd conquered Trump's inconstant heart. The two men hit peak pals in 2019, holding hands at a Howdy Modi rally in Texas. But it's all gone pear-shaped thanks to Trump's tariffs and dalliance with Pakistan.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated there is no agreement with the DEA regarding the Project Portero operation. This was in response to a DEA announcement about collaboration against drug cartels.
The Independent emphasizes the need for on-the-ground reporters, especially during critical events like the financial activities of Musk's PAC and reproductive rights advocacy.
"There are very few people alive today who experienced the war in any of these countries, but I do not think they will ever stop talking about it because it is an effective tool with which to bash Japan," said Hiromichi Moteki, chairman of the Tokyo-based Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact, which promotes an alternative narrative of Japan's actions during World War II.
