20 FEB, 16:00

Russia prohibits transferring data about genetic research of Russians abroad

The correspondent amendment to a federal act was initiated by the government

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill that prohibits transferring to foreigners genetic data obtained from Russian citizens.

The amendment to the Federal Act on State Regulation in the Field of Genetically Engineered Activities was initiated by the Russian government.

It prohibits "the transfer of a person’s genetic data, obtained as a result of populational genetic and/or immunological research to foreign individuals and legal entities, to branches of foreign legal entities on the Russian territory, to representatives of the above-mentioned legal entities on the Russian territory, to foreign governments, and to individuals and legal entities outside the territory of the Russian Federation," the document says.

(The U.S. should do this.)

https://tass.com/society/2089963

20 FEB, 13:14

Zaporozhye nuke sees Ukraine’s attack on school attempt to disrupt peace talks

Communications Director for the ZNPP Yevgenia Yashina called this attack another "monstrous and ruthless act of terrorism"

MELITOPOL, February 20. /TASS/.The Ukrainian attack on a school in Energodar, the satellite city of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant,is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace negotiation process, Communications Director for the plant Yevgenia Yashina told TASS.

"The drone struck right at the courtyard of the school. The goal was obvious -to sow fear and pain where it should be safe by definition. At the very moment when peace negotiations are underway, theUkrainian Armed Forces are hitting children. This is not just a war crime, it is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace process and escalate the situation to the max," Yashina said.

She called this attack another "monstrous and ruthless act of terrorism."

"They don't need peace, they need suffering and chaos,"Yashina said.

Earlier, Mayor Maxim Pukhovsaid a Ukrainian drone attacked the territory of a school in Energodar. There were about 600 children and 100 employees there. The dronecrashed into a tree in the courtyard, after which it detonated. According to preliminary data, no one was injured. Later, Pukhovcalled on the residents to stay out of the streets because of shelling. Energodar’s power was turned off for some time.

The talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine were held in Geneva on February 17-18. On the first day, they lasted about six hours, on the second about two. Head of the Russian delegationVladimir Medinsky described them as difficult but businesslike. According to him, a new meeting will be held soon. The first round took place on January 23-24 in Abu Dhabi and on February 4-5, the second.

https://tass.com/society/2089899

Terrified tourists in Puerto Vallarta watch shops and pharmacies get torched

updated 19:42 EST 22 Feb 2026

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US

=The US State Department has issued a security alert for all Americans stranded in Mexicoafter chaos erupted when the army killed the leader of a powerful cartel.

The intense commotion and code red warning wastriggered in the early hours of Sunday, when the Mexican Army went into the rustic town of Tapalpa, which is about 170 miles southeast of Puerto Vallarta, in the state of Jalisco.

They killed Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, according to high-ranking officials who spoke with local publications.

El Mencho was the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels that plays a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the US.

Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, and people sprinting through the airport of the state's capital in panic.

On Sunday afternoon, Air Canada announced it was suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta 'due to an ongoing security situation' and advised customers not to go to their airport.

Terrified tourists in Puerto Vallarta watch shops and pharmacies get torched

People on social media have reported being stranded in Puerto Vallarta, where thick columns of smoke can be seen rising above the city. At least ten vehicles throughout the city were reported as having been set on fire.

One user on Facebook wrote: 'My daughter is there now at an Airbnb, I just talked with her and the whole town is on lockdown, she is safe as we speak but it's a very scary situation.'

Another user wrote: 'We are at Villa del Palmar in Puerto Vallarta and black smoke all around, no buses or taxis, flights cancelled, stores closed, not going anywhere. Was going to sit at beach but smoke smell was terrible and was told it could be toxic.'

Other people on Reddit said they were about to hop on a flight to the Pacific coastal city just before they heard the news.

'I was AT THE AIRPORT TERMINAL waiting to go there when we heard this was happening,' said a user on Reddit. '[I'm] In the car going back home.All flights to PV (Puerto Vallarta) grounded indefinitely,' the user wrote in a follow-up comment.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15583095/puerto-vallarta-mexico-chao-american-tourists-chaos-cartel-leader-killed.html

FEBRUARY 22, 2026

Tucker Carlson apologizes for falsely saying President Herzog visited Epstein’s island

Conservative US commentator Tucker Carlson publicly apologizes to President Isaac Herzog for falsely suggesting that he had visited sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s island.

Carlson says he made the claim in his interview that aired Friday with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee because Epstein apparently claimed in a 2014 email recently released by the US Justice Department that Herzog and former prime minister Ehud Barak would be among the guests at a party on his island.

In a two-minute video uploaded to X, Carlson says he received a long letter from Herzog’s office vehemently denying that the Israeli president has ever been in contact with Epstein, let alone attended one of his parties, which trafficked underage women were known to frequent.

“They didn’t know each other, they never emailed with each other, never been in the same room. They had no relationship of any kind,” Carlson says the letter from Herzog’s camp stated.

Huckabee had earlier posted similar remarksfrom Herzog’s office.

“And so for that reason, we are taking it seriously. There is nothing worse than impugning the reputation of an innocent man,” Carlson says.

“So I just want to say clearly I’m sorry to imply that I knew something I didn’t know — of course I didn’t know that Isaac Herzog was on that island. I was referring to that email and the protest against him. But I don’t know that, and I didn’t mean to suggest that I do know that.”

Earlier this year, a British reporter posted what she said was a photo of Herzog alongside Epstein, which turned out to be an AI-generated fake, leading the reporter to delete it and apologize.

(https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/tucker-carlson-apologizes-for-falsely-saying-president-herzog-visited-epsteins-island/

(https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/2025341741360951620?s=20

While Israel apologise for calling Tucker a Facist Nazi Jew Hater now?

Pat McAfee

@PatMcAfeeShow

Our goalie decided we weren’t gonna lose today.. One of the greatest American sport performances of all time

🗣🗣 THANK YOU FOR STANDING ON YOUR HEAD CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

11:45 AM · Feb 22, 2026

·1.8M Views

https://x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/2025612806825881670?s=20

Honestly the most impressive sports move I’ve ever seen in all sports. This action he did today may be the greatest miracle of time and space in sports. Seriously!

>>24294268. Ok Anons you need and will want to save that video!

>>24294273 so you are saying the US didn’t win??

The Best and intense energy when USA wins gold in hockey

Rapid Response 47

@RapidResponse47

USA! 🥇🏒🦅🇺🇸

10:57 AM · Feb 22, 2026

·

752.6K

Views

(Sorry it’s a number for Canada, but it feels good man.)

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2025600926611059019?s=20

>>24294322

Honestly I’ve been so excited and impressed with any sports victory! The energy at the Olympics is 10 levels higher.

The victory after 46 years seems cosmic and God like,I wouldn’t be surprised if God loves Hockey! KEK