This article offers a unique look into the 2026 Winter Olympics, highlighting figure skater Ilia Malinin's incredible backflips and speedskater Jutta Leerdam's gold-medal win. It delves into the sensory experience of watching these events live, the distinctive atmosphere of different venues, and an unexpected observation about bottle cap designs influenced by new EU environmental directives. The piece blends athletic triumph with insightful commentary on surrounding details.

Former Congressman Tom Malinowski has conceded the Democratic special primary election for New Jersey's 11th congressional district to Analilia Mejia. Mejia, director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, will now advance to the special general election in April, facing Republican Randolph Township Mayor Joe Hathaway. This contest is a key early race in the 2026 midterm cycle, reflecting Democratic efforts to challenge the current administration.

Legal scholar Dorothy Roberts delves into her parents' extensive research on interracial couples, uncovering her mother's hidden contributions and reevaluating her own racial identity. Her new book, 'The Mixed Marriage Project,' explores themes of love, race, and family, challenging previous notions about the role of interracial relationships in dismantling racism.

Ben Ogden, a cross-country skier from the United States, made history today by securing a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Val di Fiemme, Italy. This achievement marks the first time in 50 years that an American male skier has medaled in this event, ending a long drought for the U.S. team. Ogden's performance in the sprint classic was exceptional, placing him behind Norwegian champion Johannes Klaebo but ahead of fellow Norwegian Oskar Vike.

As winter's icy grip tightens on Kyiv, Ukrainians are deploying creative strategies to stay warm. With Russia's relentless attacks on energy infrastructure, residents like Svitlana Zinovieva, a retired cinematographer, are transforming their homes into havens of warmth. This report details the daily struggles and innovative coping mechanisms of ordinary Ukrainians facing an unprecedented energy crisis and the coldest winter in a decade.

This article explores the significant, yet often unwritten, power wielded by the Federal Reserve Chair. Despite seemingly limited formal authority, the Chair consistently steers critical economic decisions, leveraging communication, executive control over staff, agenda-setting, and a strong institutional norm of deference. The piece delves into the mechanisms behind this influence and recent political pressures impacting the Fed's independence.

Despite regulations requiring hospitals to post prices, patients rarely use this data for medical shopping. Instead, the disclosed pricing information primarily serves healthcare systems and insurers, fueling their negotiation strategies. Challenges in data standardization, coupled with the complex nature of medical service pricing, hinder direct patient utility, transforming transparency initiatives into a tool for industry players rather than individual consumers.

Top officials from three key U.S. immigration agencies, including ICE and CBP, are set to appear before the House Homeland Security Committee and later the Senate this week. This comes as a crucial DHS funding deadline looms and amidst heightened calls for greater oversight and reforms following recent high-profile incidents involving federal immigration officers. Lawmakers are actively debating potential changes to the department's operations, with Democrats pushing for reforms and Republicans navigating a balance between supporting current enforcement and addressing public scrutiny.

A couple, Yulia and Steve Hayek, transformed a snow day into a vibrant family adventure by constructing a massive rainbow ice igloo. Using 240 colored ice blocks, they created a unique playhouse for their children, proving that cold weather can be an opportunity for memorable family moments. This creative endeavor quickly gained viral attention, inspiring others to embrace winter with similar joyful projects.

This article explores strategies for new mothers to embrace calm amidst the demands of early parenthood. It provides actionable plans for creating peaceful morning launches and serene evening wind-downs, emphasizing the importance of gentle routines to reduce stress and foster a nurturing home environment. The piece also suggests ways to involve partners and other caregivers to distribute responsibilities and ensure overall well-being.

Dr. Mehmet Oz has publicly implored Americans to receive the measles vaccine, a directive that appears to contradict the current administration's perceived anti-vaccination leanings. This plea comes as the U.S. faces escalating measles outbreaks, with Oz's comments sparking debate given Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past actions and statements that have raised concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. The situation highlights a growing public health challenge and conflicting messages surrounding vaccination policies.

Kevin Hart and his wife, Eniko, embrace pet parenthood with their two Bernedoodles, Rio and Rambo, alongside raising four children. Kevin, a self-proclaimed "dog guy," even launched a premium dog food brand, Hartfelt, emphasizing healthy eating for pets. The couple shares insights into how their dogs enrich their family life, highlighting the unique comfort and joy pets bring to both parents and children.

Valentine's Day, often seen as a celebration of love, can be a source of considerable stress for children and teenagers. This article delves into the common stressors faced by different age groups, from elementary school to high school, and provides expert advice on how parents can support their children through feelings of rejection, loneliness, and self-doubt. It emphasizes building resilience, self-worth, and fostering a positive outlook on relationships beyond material gestures.

Comedian and actor Kevin Hart discusses the profound role of dogs in his family life, emphasizing that pets are considered integral family members. He shares anecdotes about his past and present canine companions, and how his love for them inspired him to launch Hartfelt, a premium dog food brand. Hart also explores the parallels between raising dogs and children, and the collaborative parenting style he shares with his wife, Eniko, highlighting communication and humor as key family values.

This article explores the journey of a single mother who, prompted by her son's desire for a sibling, decides to adopt a puppy. It delves into the emotional, practical, and financial considerations involved in bringing a pet into a family, particularly for an only child. Experts weigh in on whether a pet can truly fill a 'sibling void' and the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, highlighting the lasting commitment and potential costs.

This article explores a mother's initial reluctance to dog ownership and how a tiny Yorkie mix named Abbey became an indispensable source of comfort during a challenging year marked by loss and empty nest syndrome. It delves into the unique bond forged between the woman and her dog, highlighting Abbey's intuitive emotional support and the profound impact she had on her owner's ability to cope with significant life changes.

A heartwarming family tradition involving personalized Valentine's Day notes on children's doors has gone viral, highlighting the profound impact of parental modeling on a child's emotional development and self-confidence. This simple act of expressing love and appreciation not only strengthens family bonds but also teaches children the importance of empathy and kindness, fostering a positive environment where they can freely express their feelings and build emotional security.

Snapchat introduces expanded "Arrival Notifications" allowing parents to track their teens' movements beyond just home, enhancing safety and reducing parental anxiety. This update, launched for Safer Internet Day, enables customizable alerts for various locations, offering convenience and privacy. Parents can set one-time or recurring notifications for their children's arrival at designated spots like school or practice, ensuring they are informed without constant messaging. The feature prioritizes user privacy, only sharing location with trusted contacts and automatically expiring one-time alerts.

The 'cat vs. dog' parenting theory, introduced by Dr. Aliza Pressman, suggests adapting parenting styles as children mature. Initially, parents are encouraged to be 'dog-like' with young children, offering warmth and guidance. As children grow older, particularly into their teenage years, a 'cat-like' approach is recommended, promoting independence and creating a safe space for open communication without overbearing involvement. This adaptive model aims to strengthen parent-child relationships and foster trust.

This article shares the inspiring story of Samie Perez, a mother who navigates the challenges of tube-feeding for her daughter Miah. It highlights their journey of adaptation, the discovery of a life-changing nutritional formula, and the power of celebrating small victories, or "inchstones." Through it all, Perez maintains an optimistic outlook and finds strength in community.