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Today in History: February 10, Chess champ loses against a computer

Tue, 02/10/2026 - 02:00

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 10, the 41st day of 2026. There are 324 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 10, 1996, world chess champion Garry Kasparov lost the first game of a match in Philadelphia against an IBM computer dubbed “Deep Blue.” (Kasparov ended up winning the match, 4 games to 2; however, he was defeated by Deep Blue in a rematch the following year.)

Also on this date:

In 1763, the treaty ending the Seven Years’ War was signed in Paris, with France ceding its territory in Canada to Great Britain.

In 1936, Nazi Germany’s Reichstag passed a law investing the Gestapo secret police with absolute authority, exempt from any legal review.

In 1959, an F4-intensity tornado tore through the St. Louis area, killing 21 people and injuring 345.

In 1962, on the Glienicke Bridge connecting West Berlin and East Germany, the Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers for Rudolf Abel, a Soviet spy held by the United States.

In 1967, the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, dealing with presidential disability and succession, was adopted as Minnesota and Nevada ratified it.

In 1973, at least 40 workers were killed in an explosion and collapse of a large liquefied natural gas tank that was undergoing routine maintenance in the New York City borough of Staten Island.

In 1981, eight people were killed when a fire set by a busboy broke out at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

In 2009, a U.S. commercial satellite and a defunct Russian satellite accidentally collided in orbit over Siberia, destroying both and creating a large debris field in space.

In 2018, a double-decker bus lost control and crashed in a Hong Kong suburb, killing 19 people and injuring dozens more in the southern Chinese city.

In 2021, severe winter storms caused catastrophic wide-scale power outages in Texas that left millions in the dark and lasted several days. At least 40 people died in Texas in the storm and its aftermath.

Today’s birthdays:

Opera singer Leontyne Price is 99.
Actor Robert Wagner is 96.
Olympic swimming gold medalist Mark Spitz is 76.
Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman is 71.
Basketball Hall of Fame coach John Calipari is 67.
Filmmaker Alexander Payne is 65.
TV host-political commentator George Stephanopoulos is 65.
Actor Laura Dern is 59.
Writer-producer-director Vince Gilligan (TV: “Breaking Bad”) is 59.
Football Hall of Famer Ty Law is 52.
Actor-filmmaker Elizabeth Banks is 52.
Basketball Hall of Famer Tina Thompson is 51.
Reggaeton singer Don Omar is 48.
Actor Uzo Aduba is 45.
Actor Stephanie Beatriz is 45.
Actor Emma Roberts is 35.
Olympic swimming gold medalist Lilly King is 29.
Actor Chloe Grace Moretz is 29.
Actor Yara Shahidi is 26.

Winderman’s view: Heat could have more, but lost while settling for less

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 20:19

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 115-111 loss to the Utah Jazz:

– The upshot of the past week, be it the lack of selling off contacts at Thursday’s NBA trade deadline or Erik Spoelstra’s daily pregame words of hope, has been about living in the moment.

– Playing for the moment.

– The focus on the W.

– Doesn’t matter if you disagree, because that is who they are.

– But if they are that, then why not a commensurate personnel approach?

– Namely a personnel approach that maximizes those chances of victory?

– With this one a fitting example of that argument.

– Just 1:35 into the second half, Kel’e Ware was on the bench with his fourth foul.

– So Nikola Jovic entered in his place, in the midst of another miserable outing.

– There basically wasn’t another option in the power rotation to enter alongside Bam Adebayo.

– Even though there has been an open roster spot the entire season.

– Even though there has been space below the luxury tax to make such a move since last month.

– Even though the Heat are days away from having enough space under the tax to add two players.

– Yes, the focus was books in order for the trading deadline.

– Now, a pathway to depth in cases such as Monday night.

– When one power player is on the bench and another likely should be.

– From there, Ware’s fifth foul just 17 seconds into the fourth quarter.

– And then done for the night with his sixth foul with 10:55 to play.

– In the big picture, no real difference in the race to another play-in.

– But if you are going to say that every game matters.

– If you are going to commit to living in each game moment.

– If the W trumps all.

– Then why not maximize those opportunities?

– So Ware sat with foul trouble.

– Jovic struggled.

– And no Plan D for Erik Spoelstra.

– What a strange night, indeed.

– The Heat doesn’t have much left in the way of room for error.

– But they did have room at the inn.

– And instead choose a vacancy.

– All adding up to a loss.

– With Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and still Tyler Herro out, the Heat opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and Simone Fontecchio.

– It was Ware’s first start since Jan. 6

– And the Heat’s 19th starting lineup of the season.

– The Jazz opened with a lineup of Jusuf Nurkić, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Isaiah Collier and Ace Bailey.

– With their big lineup, the Heat moved to zone even before the first timeout.

– And played plenty throughout.

– Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jaquez Jr. entered together off the Heat bench.

– Nikola Jovic and Dru Smith then followed together.

– With Myron Gardner making it 10 deep, with the rare full five-man reserve unit.

– The game completed the 13th of the Heat’s league-high 17 back-to-back sets this season.

– Spoelstra offered little clarity pregame when it came to Herro’s ongoing absence with his rib issue.

– “I don’t have a timeline,” Spoelstra said, “but I can tell you he is making progress and he’s doing what he needs to do behind the scenes. And we’ll just continue to treat him.”

– Of the dual-big lineups with Adebayo and Ware, Spoelstra said it is an ongoing process to find something with stability.

– “Just something that we have to continue to work on,” he said. “It wasn’t productive for us, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t get to it. And I think they’re both in a different place right now for different reasons.”

– He added, “And then moving forward, we’ll just have to see. We’re trying to develop some lineups that work. We want some consistency there. And we want to maximize the rotation as much as possible.”

– Asked pregame of the Jazz’s acquisition last week of Jackson from the Grizzlies, Spoelstra said, “This is what you have to really respect about this league. There’s a bunch of different ways to try to attempt to win. And so they’re going with a massive-sized front line. And, you respect that. He’s a heck of a talent.”

– He added, “I think that’s a rock-solid move.”

Heat find way to lose to a team trying to lose, fall 115-111 to Jazz

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 20:16

MIAMI — The low point of this Miami Heat season?

Welcome to it, when Erik Spoelstra’s team on Monday night lost to a team that was trying to lose.

Given every opportunity to string together only their second winning streak since early January, the Heat disastrously declined the gift, falling 115-111 to the Utah Jazz at Kaseya Center.

“It’s a game,” Heat forward Andrew Wiggins said, “we’ve got to win, no matter what.”

Faced with the prospect of losing their first-round pick in June’s draft if it is not among the first eight, the Jazz pulled leading big men Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the night midway through the third quarter, with Jackson with 22 points at that stage and Markkanen with 17 points and eight rebounds.

“Look, Spoelstra said, “I mean, I know how it looks.”

Utah then played the entirety of the fourth quarter without four of their five starters.

And, still, the Heat could not take what was being given, albeit while paying in the injury absences of Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and Tyler Herro.

The difference is those absences weren’t by choice, with Powell out with back pain, Larsson forearm discomfort and Herro a rib issue.

So, instead, empty numbers for the Heat, with Wiggins closing with 26 points, Kasparas Jakucionis with 20 and Bam Adebayo closing with 23 points and 1 rebounds.

“We got to find ways to win even against teams that are trying to lose,” a visibly dejected Adebayo said.

Five Degrees of Heat from Monday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 32-26 at the end of the opening period, after taking an early 15-point lead. Utah then moved to a 61-52 halftime lead.

The Heat then tied it late in the third period, before Utah went into the fourth up 85-82.

From there, with the Jazz sitting their best, the Heat moved up five in the fourth quarter.

No matter, not when Utah’s Brice Sensabaugh converted a 3-pointer for a 113-111 Utah lead with 41.1 to play.

Misses on both ends followed, leaving the Heat in possession down two and out of timeouts with 8.6 seconds to play.

A wayward Jakucionis 3-point attempt later and it basically was over.

“It means a lot,” Jakucionis said of being given that shot. “I got a pretty open shot.”

Off the mark, on a night the Heat were off their stride.

“We had our opportunities,” Spoelstra said. “There were some good things that happened down the stretch. We just missed some shots.

“The guys that were playing were laying it out there. We just couldn’t make the plays at the end.”

2. Here’s why: So why did the Jazz sit their best for a second consecutive game when carrying a lead into a fourth quarter?

Because if Utah does not wind up with one of the first eight picks in June’s NBA draft, the pick goes to the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The protected pick dates to a 2021 Jazz trade that unloaded the contract of Derrick Favors.

This is the third year the debt has rolled over. The pick was Top 10 protected in 2024 and ’25, now down to top-eight protection.

If the pick does not go to the Thunder this season, the transaction instead will be completed solely though a cash transaction.

The Jazz also sat their top players in the fourth quarter on Saturday night in Orlando, in a loss to the Magic.

The Jazz entered Monday with the NBA’s sixth-worst record.

3. More big: With Larsson and Powell out, and with the Jazz opening big, Spoelstra returned to the Adebayo-Kel’el Ware opening pairing, the first time Ware had started since the Jan. 8 loss in Minnesota.

Whether it was matchup based or the reward of a solid pairing Sunday in Washington remains to be seen.

But it certainly seemed to make sense in this one, with the Jazz opening with a front line of 7-foot Jusuf Nurkic, 7-0 Markkanen and 6-11 Jackson.

The pairing then was limited in the second half, with Ware called for his fourth foul 1:35 into the third quarter, with Wared fouling out with 10:55 to play.

Ware closed with eight points and six rebounds in his 14 minutes.

Spoelstra said Ware’s foul trouble never allowed him to fully explore the Adebayo-Ware possibilities in this one.

“I wasn’t able to get to it,” he said. ” And that’s part of the learning, is learning how to do things with technique and not get the hands in there.”

4. Still going: A game after shooting 6 of 6 on 3-pointers, Jakucionis this time made his first three 3-pointers and opened 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.

With Powell out, Spoelstra played all three of his point guards early, including playing Jakucionis and Dru Smith in tandem.

Smith did not play until mop-up duty on Sunday in Washington.

Jakucionis later returned in the second period to play alongside starting point guard Davion Mitchell.

“He’s been amazing,” Wiggins said of Jakucionis’ recent play, “both sides of the floor, picking up full court, hitting big shots.”

In the end, though, only dejection.

“It’s a bad loss,” Jakucionis said. “It’s frustrating a little — not a little, a lot.”

5. Attack mode: After falling to 2 of 10 for the night in the third quarter, Adebayo seemingly said enough was enough, moving on to score 11 points in the period.

That effort was eased with Jackson and then Markkanen off the court for the Jazz during the bulk of that surge.

Ultimately, it still wasn’t enough.

“We got to look in the mirror, that’s the biggest thing,” Adebayo said. “We don’t look in the mirror enough to see what we can do better.”

China critic and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai is sentenced to 20 years in a Hong Kong security case

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:56

By KANIS LEUNG

HONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon and a fierce critic of Beijing, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison in the longest punishment given so far under a China-imposed national security law that has virtually silenced the city’s dissent.

Lai, 78, was convicted in December of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. The maximum penalty for his conviction was life imprisonment.

His co-defendants, six former employees of his Apple Daily newspaper and two activists, received prison terms of between 6 years and 3 months, and 10 years on collusion-related charges.

Lai smiled and waved at his supporters when he arrived for the sentence. But before he left the courtroom, he looked serious, as some people in the public gallery cried. When asked about whether they would appeal, his lawyer Robert Pang said no comment.

Lai’s daughter says he will die ‘a martyr’ in prison

The democracy advocate’s arrest and trial have raised concerns about the decline of press freedom in what was once an Asian bastion of media independence. The government insists the case has nothing to do with a free press, saying the defendants used news reporting as a pretext for years to commit acts that harmed China and Hong Kong.

Lai was one of the first prominent figures to be arrested under the security law in 2020. Within a year, some of Apple Daily’s senior journalists also were arrested and the newspaper shut down in June 2021.

Lai’s sentencing could heighten Beijing’s diplomatic tensions with foreign governments, which have criticized Lai’s conviction and sentencing.

FILE – Hong Kong publisher and prominent pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, right, walks through the Stanley prison in Hong Kong, Friday, July 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit China in April, said he felt “so badly” after the verdict and noted he spoke to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about Lai and asked him “to consider his release.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that Lai’s sentencing is an unjust and tragic conclusion to the case, urging authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government also has called for the release of Lai, who is a British citizen. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the prosecution “politically motivated,” saying the prison term is tantamount to a life sentence.

In a statement, Lai’s son, Sebastien, said the “draconian” prison term was devastating for his family and life-threatening for his father. “It signifies the total destruction of the Hong Kong legal system and the end of justice,” he said.

His sister Claire called the sentence “heartbreakingly cruel” in the same statement. “If this sentence is carried out, he will die a martyr behind bars,” she said.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said Lai’s sentence demonstrated the rule of law, citing his serious crimes.

“It’s bringing great satisfaction to the people,” he said in a statement.

In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Lai is a Chinese citizen and called him a major planner and participant in a series of anti-China destabilizing activities in Hong Kong. He urged “relevant countries” to respect the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Judges ruled Lai was the mastermind

Lai founded Apple Daily, a now-defunct newspaper known for its critical reports against the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing. He was arrested in August 2020 under the security law that was used in a yearslong crackdown on many of Hong Kong’s leading activists.

Police officers stand guard outside the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts ahead of the sentencing of Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai’s layers arrive at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts ahead of his sentencing, in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Retired Chinese cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun, left, and Jimmy Lai’s wife Teresa Lai arrive at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts ahead of the sentencing for former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai n Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

Show Caption1 of 3Police officers stand guard outside the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts ahead of the sentencing of Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei) Expand

In their ruling, three government-vetted judges wrote that the starting point of Lai’s sentence was increased because they found him to be the mastermind of the conspiracies. But they also reduced his penalty because they accepted that Lai’s age, health condition and solitary confinement would cause his prison life to be more burdensome than that of other inmates.

“Lai was no doubt the mastermind of all three conspiracies charged and therefore he warrants a heavier sentence,” they said “As regards the others, it is difficult to distinguish their relative culpability.”

They took into account that Lai is serving a prison term of five years and nine months in a separate fraud case and ruled that 18 years of Lai’s sentence in the security case should be served consecutively to that prison term.

Urania Chiu, lecturer in law at Oxford Brookes University, said the case is significant for its broad construction of seditious intent and application of the term “collusion with foreign forces” to certain activities by the media. The implication is particularly alarming for journalists and those working in academia, she said.

“Offering and publishing legitimate critiques of the state, which often involves engagement with international platforms and audiences, may now easily be construed as ‘collusion,’” Chiu said.

Lai has been in custody for more than five years. In January, Pang said Lai suffered health issues including heart palpitations, high blood pressure and diabetes. The prosecution said a medical report noted Lai’s general health condition remained stable. The government said his solitary confinement was at Lai’s wish.

Co-defendants get reduced sentences

The former Apple Daily staffers and activists involved in Lai’s case entered guilty pleas, which helped reduce their sentences Monday. They earlier admitted to the prosecution charge that said they conspired with Lai to request foreign forces to impose sanctions or blockades, or engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China.

The convicted journalists are publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, executive editor-in-chief responsible for English news Fung Wai-kong and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee. They received prison terms ranging between six years and nine months, to 10 years.

The two activists, Andy Li and Chan Tsz-wah, were sentenced to six years and three months, and seven years and three months respectively.

The penalties for Cheung, Chan and Yeung, alongside the two activists, were reduced in part because they served as prosecution witnesses and the judges said their evidence had “significantly” contributed to the conviction of Lai.

Before sunrise, dozens of people stood in line outside the court building to secure a seat in the courtroom. One of them was former Apple Daily employee Tammy Cheung.

“Whatever happens, it’s an end — at least we’ll know the outcome,” Cheung said before the sentence was delivered.

Case considered a blow to Hong Kong media

Lai founded Apple Daily in 1995, two years before the former British colony returned to Chinese rule. Its closure in 2021 shocked the local press scene. Hong Kong ranked 140th out of 180 territories in the press-freedom index compiled by media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders in 2025, far from its 18th place in 2002.

Steve Li, chief superintendent of the police force’s National Security Department, welcomed the heavy sentence on Lai. “Obviously, he has done nothing good for Hong Kong that could serve as a basis for his mitigation,” he told reporters.

The government said it will confiscate assets related to Lai’s crime.

Human Rights Watch’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson said the harsh 20-year-sentence is effectively a death sentence, calling it cruel and unjust.

Associated Press writer Chan Ho-him contributed to this report

When conflict meets competition: Trump’s immigration agenda roils opening days of Winter Olympics

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:40

By STEVEN SLOAN and EDDIE PELLS

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — As the Winter Olympics opened in Milan, Vice President JD Vance hailed the competition as “one of the few things that unites the entire country.”

That unity didn’t last long.

The early days of the Milan Cortina Games have been roiled by the tumultuous political debate in the U.S. American athletes have faced persistent questions about President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda and their comfort in representing a country whose policies are increasingly controversial on the world stage.

FILE – Hunter Hess, of the United States, executes a trick in the halfpipe finals during the World Cup U.S. Grand Prix freestyle skiing event in Copper Mountain, Colo., Dec. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Hugh Carey, File)

“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and I think a lot of people aren’t,” American freestyle skier Hunter Hess said as he spoke of the “mixed emotions” of representing the U.S. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

That prompted a fast response from Trump, who said on social media that Hess was a “real loser” who “shouldn’t have tried out for the team.”

“Very hard to root for someone like this,” the president added.

The criticism of an American athlete from a U.S. president was a sharp departure from the unifying, apolitical tones the White House typically strikes during the Olympics, highlighting how the tension over the enforcement of Trump’s immigration policies has now bled into athletic competition. Other leading conservative voices, ranging from podcaster Megyn Kelly to a Republican candidate for governor in Florida, added to the critique of Hess, with some calling for him to be taken off the U.S. team.

By Monday, other top athletes who have previously found themselves in political controversy were rallying to Hess’ defense.

United States’ Chloe Kim speaks during a press conference at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

“In moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that’s going on,” said Chloe Kim, the two-time Olympic gold medalist whose parents are South Korean immigrants and who has faced racism throughout her career for her Asian heritage.

After her silver-medal win in slopestyle, Eileen Gu, who was born in San Francisco and competes for China, said she had been in touch with Hess, who told her she was one of the few people who could relate to what he’s going through.

“As someone who’s been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,” said Gu, whose decision to compete for China drew sharp critiques.

The Olympics are never walled off from politics FILE – Extending gloved hands skyward in protest, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and John Carlos stare downward during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” after Smith received the gold and Carlos the bronze medal in the 200 meter run at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City on Oct. 16, 1968. (AP Photo/File)

The Olympics are never walled off from the political and cultural debates. The raised fists of Tommie Smith and John Carlos during the 1968 Olympics remain one of the most powerful and enduring images of protest and resistance to racial injustice in the U.S. Since then, political commentary from athletes has become more commonplace, aided by social media platforms that allow competitors to share their real-time thoughts on everything from food and nutrition to news of the day.

The comments from athletes in Italy are notable, however, because they’re coming at the biggest global sporting event to occur since federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month, reigniting a debate in the U.S. and abroad over Trump’s hard-line immigration measures.

Chris Lillis, another American freestyle skier, said he felt “heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.”

“As a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect,” he said. “I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America that we’re trying to represent.”

United States’ Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates on podium after winning an alpine ski, women’s World Cup slalom, in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin quoted Nelson Mandela as she acknowledged “a lot of hardship in the world globally, and there’s a lot of heartbreak, there’s a lot of violence.”

“It can be tough to reconcile that when you’re also competing for medals in an Olympic event,” she said. “I’m really hoping to show up and represent my own values, values of inclusivity, values of diversity and kindness and sharing, tenacity, work ethic, showing up with my team every single day.”

For the most part, athletes are largely engaging in political conversation during news conferences when they’re specifically asked to respond to news events. At one such press event, American figure skater Amber Glenn, an outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist, noted that the queer community is going through a “hard time” under Trump. She later said she would step back from social media after receiving threats on the platform.

Political controversy can put athletes at an uneasy intersection as they weigh whether to use their platforms to take a stance or avoid anything that might upset their fans or sponsors. During last month’s Australian Open tennis tournament, American Amanda Anisimova said questions about U.S. politics were not “relevant.” Another American player, Taylor Fritz, said he felt that “whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline and it’s going to get taken out of context.”

“So I’d really rather not do something that’s going to cause a big distraction for me in the middle of the tournament,” he said.

Back at the Olympics, U.S. speedskater Casey Dawson, said “we definitely know the whole situation going on in the USA” while noting that “politics don’t apply to us” at the Games.

“We’re here to skate,” said Dawson, who finished eighth in the men’s 5,000 meters on Sunday with Vance and his family in the stands. “We’re here to skate. We’re here to perform.”

The spotlight on the U.S. that comes with global sports will only intensify in the coming years. The U.S., along with Canada and Mexico, will host this year’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. While there’s little chance that political tensions in the U.S. will ease in that time, some hope that sports will serve as a way for people to process their disagreements and ultimately come together.

“There’s this really magical thing that sport can do,” said Ashleigh Huffman, who was the chief of sports diplomacy at the State Department during the Biden and first Trump administrations. “It can lower the temperature of the room.”

Sloan reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Howard Fendrich and Graham Dunbar in Milan contributed to this report.

Gun-control advocates blast Florida Attorney General for refusing to defend concealed carry law

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:32

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asked an appeals court to uphold a teenager’s right to carry a concealed weapon even after a Broward judge last year declared the ban constitutional, all but handing another victory to gun-rights supporters who have tried to make it easier to buy and carry firearms in the Sunshine State.

Uthmeier’s office is legally responsible for representing the state in appeals, but in this case he is siding against state prosecutors who say the law is still on the books and should be enforced. The Broward State Attorney’s Office asked Uthmeier’s office for permission to defend the law in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, but the office denied the request, drawing criticism from gun-control advocates.

At issue is a 1987 law that blocks anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 from carrying a concealed firearm. The law has survived multiple reviews and reconsiderations of gun rights and gun control legislation.

Last October Broward Circuit Judge Frank Ledee dismissed the case against a teenager arrested for carrying a concealed handgun, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. “Because the Second Amendment’s plain text applies to the concealed carry of firearms, Florida’s concealed carry ban, as applied to 18-to-20-year-olds, is unconstitutional,” the judge wrote in his ruling.

But months earlier, Judge Lorena Mastrarrigo upheld the same law in a similar case. Defense lawyers in that case appealed the ruling, and Uthmeier decided the state was wrong to prosecute the defendant, asking the appeals court to rule for the defendant.

In a written statement issued Monday, Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor said he disagreed with the attorney general and is seeking permission from the appeals court to file a “friend of the court” brief defending the law.

“Given the impact of gun crimes in the State of Florida — including the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in our community, which resulted in the tragic murders of 17 children and adults and severe injuries to 17 individuals who survived — we respectfully disagree with the position taken by the Office of the Attorney General,” Pryor said.

Despite the Broward judge’s ruling, the law remains on the books, and Pryor said he will continue advocating for the law. Florida House Rep. Dan Daley criticized the attorney general for putting conservative political preferences above state law.

“While our appointed Attorney General might not be aware, he does not have the authority to abandon a state law simply because he disagrees with it,” Daley said. “I am calling on Governor DeSantis to intervene here. The Governor has previously removed duly elected state attorneys for far less — based solely on statements about enforcement discretion.”

DeSantis has shown no indication that he disagrees with Uthmeier or Ledee on gun rights.

“No single official should be able to decide which laws are worth defending, especially when those laws are designed to protect the public from gun violence,” said Fred Guttenberg, a gun-reform advocate and father of Jaime Guttenberg, who was murdered in the Stoneman Douglas shooting

“As a father who lost my daughter, Jaime, to gun violence, I am deeply disturbed by the Attorney General’s refusal to defend Florida’s concealed carry law for 18-to-21-year-olds. Laws like this exist to protect our communities and save lives,” Guttenberg said.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentiinel.com or 954-356-4457.

Hong Kong fire victims long for home as Lunar New Year stirs painful memories

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:23

By KANIS LEUNG

HONG KONG (AP) — The deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades last year left thousands of residents without some of their friends, family or the place they called home. More than two months later, the occupants of the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex are not only waiting for answers about what happened, but longing for a new place.

Authorities are yet to unveil plans for long-term resettlement after surveying the residents’ preferences. The Lunar New Year on Feb. 17, meanwhile, is stirring recent memories of celebrating the festival in what is now a largely burnt complex.

The massive blaze that engulfed seven apartment buildings killed 168 people on Nov. 26, 2025, shattering a close-knit community. Authorities blamed substandard scaffolding netting and foam boards from the buildings maintenance project for rapidly spreading the fire. Although some arrests were made, an independent committee is still investigating the cause.

The Associated Press talked to four families who lived in the complex or lost their loved ones there. Here’s what they said:

No place to call home

When flames devoured towers of the Wang Fuk Court complex, Pearl Chow, 87, fled her apartment with essential documents, like her title deed. Her grandson, Dorz Cheung, 33, rushed from his office to find her safe nearby, but the fire was raging.

That night, Chow went to a friend’s home and didn’t sleep, while Cheung watched the flames for hours, crying while clutching his friend. They both miss old photos lost in their home in Tai Po, a suburban district in the city’s north.

Now they are separated into two temporary housing units on separate floors, each around 100 square feet. Chow was satisfied, but Cheung couldn’t call it home.

“Only permanent residence is called home. That’s the root,” he said.

Chow still regularly returns to Tai Po for church and grocery shopping, despite the hourlong journey. They want to be resettled in Tai Po, where they lived for decades, in a unit about the same size as their old apartment.

“I am an elderly person. When they finish building, I may have gone to my heavenly home,” she said with a laugh.

Data from the 2021 population census showed over one-third of some 4,600 residents in the complex were aged 65 or above.

While the government proposed measures to combat bid-rigging in building maintenance and enhance fire safety in January, Cheung feels their resettlement hasn’t been addressed. He said he lost his sense of security with the authorities after the blaze.

“We can only wait, be tossed around like a ball,” he said.

A temporary refuge

Kit Chan, 74, lived in her 460-square-foot apartment for over 40 years and raised her children with her husband in the complex, where neighbors helped look after each other’s children.

Chan had planned to spend the rest of her life there, but the blaze forced the couple into a studio unit at a youth hostel half the size of their apartment. Weeks ago, they heard some fire victims were asked to move out, and that distressed her.

“It’s like being unable to get by in my final years,” she said.

She hasn’t been asked to leave, but is uncertain how long they can stay.

Chan initially wanted to be resettled in a new home built on the fire site, but the government estimates rebuilding will take about a decade — too long for her to wait. She can compromise on a similar-sized apartment in another district with good transport.

Her husband, Keung Mak, 78, hopes they can return to their old home just to have a look. It has memories like their family and wedding photos. “Many people hope they can at least see how badly it was burned,” Mak said.

Weighing time against place

During past Lunar New Year celebrations, Isaac Tam’s family used to visit neighbors on their floor with gifts. Now, the familiar faces he has known for years are scattered across the city.

The loss of their two apartments in the fire was heartbreaking. His parents cried, and his 92-year-old grandfather grew thinner. But Tam, 23, said at least all his family members were alive.

Last weekend, they were preparing to move into temporary homes, smaller than their old apartments and farther from the city center. They shelled out money to renovate them.

While he said the government’s handling is not as bad as some say, he still worries about his grandfather adjusting to a new district with temporary housing. Back in Tai Po, the grandfather used to have a morning dim sum routine with his friends.

As they await the government’s resettlement plans, they have been weighing apartments in another district that will be ready sooner than units in Tai Po, which he prefers because he grew up there.

Time is their priority, given the grandfather’s age, Tam said.

“I also fear he can’t wait until we secure an apartment of about 400 square feet,” he said, regardless of the district.

Grieving for mother and hanging on to memories

Phyllis Lo’s mother called her after seeing thick smoke outside her door when the blaze started. On the call, knowing she might not survive, her 74-year-old mother asked Lo, 48, and her brother to live well. Lo immediately rushed to her childhood home and called again minutes later. No one answered. The next morning, police told her they found her mother’s body.

After learning that a mix of issues including substandard materials were used in the building maintenance project and failed fire alarms, Lo wondered if the tragedy could have been avoided if each government department had done a better job. While she couldn’t determine who should bear responsibility, she blamed herself for not monitoring the project for her mother more closely.

What bothers her most is the lack of transparency — when she can see her burnt apartment, how authorities will use the $589 million relief fund. She hopes to get updates from the nine-month investigation.

She wants her childhood home rebuilt at the fire site, but considers the proposed timeline of about a decade unreasonably long.

As the Lunar New Year neared, Lo made turnip cakes — a tradition she inherited from her mother. “Maybe she is still everywhere and still seeing us now. I really want to be with her,” she said in tears.

Rebuilding community is challenging

In an emailed reply to The Associated Press’ questions, the government said it attached great importance to the residents’ long-term accommodation arrangements and had already received survey replies from over 95% of the homeowners. It did not give a timeline but said its task force is analyzing their preferences and that the government will announce the plans after finalizing them.

Jack Rozdilsky, professor of disaster and emergency management at York University in Canada, said the city is moving to a disaster recovery phase and noted that concrete plans for continuous mental health and trauma coping aid play a key role in long-term success for any resettlement measure.

Rozdilsky saw the community survey on resettlement as a good sign because a one-size-fits-all proposal will not satisfy the households.

While rebuilding living spaces is complicated, he said, reconstructing a community is much harder. He said understanding what promoted community at the housing complex before the fire and incorporating those features — be it a bus stop or a gathering point in a park — would help.

“Very small things matter,” he said.

Fourth Broward Schools employee accused of fraud, theft from ‘illicit’ gym rentals

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:19

A Broward County middle school employee was arrested Saturday, accused of running “illicit basketball tournaments” at the school’s gym and keeping the money from the improper rentals, police said.

Shaune Cannon, 50, a behavioral technician at Forest Glen Middle School in Coral Springs, is facing one count of organized scheme to defraud $20,000 or less and one count of grand theft of more than $10,000, according to a probable cause affidavit.

He is the fourth Broward School District employee to be arrested on similar charges in recent months. Henry Lewis McNabb, a security specialist and former coach at Blanche Ely High School; Brenton Hankerson, a security specialist and girls varsity coach at Coral Springs High School; and Donald Calloway, Coral Springs High School girls’ assistant basketball coach, were all arrested in December.

“This latest arrest in the ongoing investigation by Broward Schools Police further demonstrates the Superintendent’s focus on maintaining integrity across the District and addressing any behavior that compromises the public trust,” district spokesman John Sullivan said in a statement to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Broward high school basketball coaches arrested, accused of fraud and theft

Bank records showed Cannon received multiple Zelle payments of $1,500 from two basketball organizations for rentals of Forest Glen Middle’s gym in April, May and June 2025, the affidavit said. As a result of the improper rentals, the “total potential losses to the district” totaled $11,545. The presidents of the organizations confirmed to police that they had paid Cannon.

Cannon resigned on Friday, a School District spokesperson confirmed. He was initially hired by the district in 2011 and worked at Ramblewood Middle School as a behavioral technician and campus monitor before joining Forest Glen Middle School in 2023.

He remained in the Broward Main Jail as of Monday night.

As of Monday night, Cannon remained listed as a boy’s basketball coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the school’s roster. The student newspaper, Eagle Eye News, reported in October 2023 that Cannon joined as the school’s head basketball coach. Cannon told the student newspaper he was previously a head coach at Ramblewood Middle and Everglades High School in Miramar.

The affidavit for Cannon’s arrest does not mention the other coaches.

The cases began on June 3, when the school district’s Special Investigative Unit “received a report of possible fraudulent activities” involving the rental of the gym at Blanche Ely, according to an arrest affidavit in McNabb’s case.

At Coral Springs High, Calloway rented out the gym from April through June 2025 for tournaments through “private agreements” with outside basketball associations, a probable cause affidavit in his case said. He allegedly arranged payments for the rentals through Hankerson, who then paid Calloway.

McNabb is accused of having held additional tournaments at Blanche Ely in the same time frame, according to an arrest report, and similar tournaments at Hollywood Hills High School.

Sun Sentinel staff writer Scott Travis contributed to this report.

Daily Horoscope for February 10, 2026

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 17:00

General Daily Insight for February 10, 2026

Acts of service are a universal love language at present. As the emotive Moon enters Sagittarius, curiosity opens our minds to fresh ideas. Once Venus dances into Pisces at 5:18 am EST, we can let our conversations wander, with faith they’ll reveal new possibilities. We may gain the ability to forgive past wounds and offer one another emotional safety. We’re ready to listen to our loved ones genuinely, even during disagreements. Choosing our words with love and care moves complicated situations forward.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Celebrate every step forward, no matter how small. With loving Venus entering your 12th House of Karma, privacy is even more valuable than usual. Other people don’t have to see your progress for it to be meaningful. Your dreams may surface useful clues, so consider writing them down and looking up the symbolism later. If an apology is due, offer it before being pressured — that’s the best way to release the weight of the past. You’re in charge of your peace.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting invitations. Venus, planet of connection, is twirling into your sociable 11th house, enhancing group ties and reminding your independent heart to welcome supportive networks. If a friend proposes an in-person meet-up or online project, choose the setting that matches your pace, then share an idea of your own. Your reliability builds trust, so gentle follow-through can bolster a casual pitch into something that nourishes lasting community. Reach out kindly to receive the same positive energy from those around you.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

The morning hum favors brave conversations. Relationship-oriented Venus glides into your 10th House of Status, which helps you quickly frame (or re-frame) ideas with bosses, clients, and other gatekeepers. You may get yanked into last-minute meetings, but if you’re already knowledgeable about your plan, that shouldn’t be too intimidating. You can negotiate tone as well as terms, because grace helps feedback land and keeps doors open for future options or collaborations. Polish your pitch so thoughtful allies rally around you all throughout the day.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Caring acts can be felt far and wide. With romantic Venus rolling into your 9th House of Education, your nurturing instincts are empowered to care for yourself whilst you investigate new areas of life. If you’re planning time away, do plenty of research beforehand! Look for experiences that teach love by inviting real conversations with people you meet. You can bridge differences with sincere curiosity that doesn’t discount differing points of view. Seek warmth so that it can nourish your wisdom.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your generosity may flow down unique channels at the moment. As Venus makes her way into your powerful 8th house, you have a chance to make a difference in the lives of your loved ones. Whenever a conversation about shared expenses arises, speak frankly and invite transparency. Pay attention to everyone’s words (including your own), especially if finances are tight. Your warmth can melt guarded moments without crossing boundaries. If you want your closest connections to grow beyond surface-level smiles, lead with candor.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Good company is worth its weight in gold at this time. Connected Venus soars into your partner zone, ensuring that cooperation feels natural and fair agreements come easier. Whether you’re reviewing a contract or planning a hang-out, clarify expectations in simple language, then set a time that honors both schedules without overthinking details. Your precise eye fixes friction early by making adjustments that prevent snags and give your bonds room to blossom. When everyone pitches in, cooperation grows into enduring comfort.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Small tasks should be performed with love. Appealing Venus is parading into your 6th House of Habits, bringing sweetness to routines and smoothing dynamics, which suits a diplomatic style of handling events. You might brighten a tense email by opening with appreciation or encourage happiness by complimenting someone’s outfit. Every-day pleasures count as care, so add a touch of beauty to your workspace and enjoy a nourishing lunch to keep your energy steady. Nourishing your habits can make productivity feel natural again.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You can access the truth indirectly — in fact, you might have to. Venus begins her journey through your theatrical 5th house today, making this an excellent time to handle sensitive topics with artistic tools. Whether you’re folding origami, sewing a quilt, or working on any other creative pursuit, you put part of yourself into your creations. You don’t have to think about the opinions of others. All that matters is your act of creation and what you get out of it.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Sagittarius, your spark lights the path ahead. With the emotional Moon in your sign, your energy is likely surging. You may feel ready to launch something exciting. On the other hand, Venus’s entry into your domestic sector could tug you closer to home. Combine these two impulses by looking into home projects, like tidying your kitchen cupboards or even repainting an entire room. Taking initiative is sometimes the only way to transform ideas into reality. Just be sure to pace yourself!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

The universe presently favors practical, considerate messages. You’ve got the practicality, and Venus has arrived in your chatty 3rd house to gift you with verbal warmth. That way, your ideas can land without sounding stern. You may need to talk over upcoming events or plans several times, especially if they involve your neighbors or siblings. Showing one another respect encourages cooperation in busy moments. In all interactions, keep in mind the golden rule: treat others as you wish to be treated.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

A calm glow settles around your priorities. Esteemed Venus is strolling into your 2nd House of Satisfaction, supporting thoughtful choices that align with your independent values and strengthen confidence through stewardship. Review recurring subscriptions or renegotiate a service politely, because a friendly tone often brings a fair offer while you protect what matters. You can refresh your space with useful touches that make it easier for you to function on a day-to-day basis. Choose mindful spending so security grows without squeezing joy away.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

When kindness meets courage, hearts feel safe. Sweet Venus enters your thoughtful sign, empowering you with justified confidence in your powers of attraction. If you need support, ask for it — contrarily, if you don’t want well-meaning advice or gifts, say so! Be nice about it, of course, but don’t forget that you’re allowed to set boundaries. Letting your soul make authentic decisions is the best way to show up all throughout this transit. Your natural empathy can guide you through any ongoing storms.

Judge blocks California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks but requires badges be clearly seen

Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:54

By JAIMIE DING, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces, but they will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number.

California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill that was signed in September following the summer of high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles.

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in November challenging the laws, arguing that they would threaten the safety of officers who are facing harassment, doxing, and violence and that they violated the constitution because the state is directly regulating the federal government.

Judge Christina Snyder said she issued the initial ruling because the mask ban as it was enacted did not also apply to state law enforcement authorities, discriminating against the federal government. The ruling could have national implications as states grapple with how to deal with federal agents enforcing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

It left open the possibility to future legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if it applied to all law enforcement agencies, with Snyder writing “the Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks.” The ruling will go into effect Feb. 19.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September banning some law enforcement officers from wearing masks, neck gaiters, and other facial coverings. It was slated to go into effect Jan. 1 but was put on hold due to the lawsuit.

In addition to exempting state law enforcement officers, it made exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment like N95 respirators or tactical gear, and other situations where not wearing a mask would jeopardize an operation. Snyder sided with the federal government, which argued this exemption was discriminatory against federal agents.

Newsom also signed into law a measure requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on the job, which was challenged by the federal government but upheld by the judge.

California State Sen. Scott Weiner, who proposed the original bill to ban facial coverings, said Monday he would immediately introduce new legislation to include state police in the law.

“ICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability,” Weiner said in a news release. “We will ensure our mask ban can be enforced.”

At a Jan. 14 hearing, Snyder repeatedly asked the government’s lawyer, Tiberius Davis, to explain why banning masks would impede the federal law enforcement in carrying out their duties, if officers rarely wore masks prior to 2025.

Davis cited claims by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that there has been a multifold increase in assaults and threats against federal officers. He also brought up an incident in Los Angeles where three women are being accused of livestreaming while following an ICE agent home and posting the address on Instagram.

“There is real deterrence on the officer’s safety and ability to perform their duties,” Davis said.

Cameron Bell, California Department of Justice attorney, challenged his claims, saying there was no concrete evidence that federal agents can’t perform their duties without facial coverings.

Bell referenced declarations from U.S citizens who have been detained by federal agents but thought they were being kidnapped.

“It’s obvious why these laws are in the public interest,” Bell said.

The federal government also argued in legal briefs that allowing California’s legislation could lead other states to be “emboldened to impose similar unconstitutional restraints.”

Davis cited a statement from Newsom in July 2025 during an interview posted online where he discussed the mask ban bill, saying, “It appears that we don’t have the legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement authorities.”

Los Angeles County supervisors voted in December to enact a local ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks that went into effect Jan. 8. However, the sheriff’s department said it would not enforce the ordinance until after the court ruled on the statewide mask ban. The Los Angeles Police Department had also said it wouldn’t enforce the mask ban.

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