Today's Headlines: Reaction to Trump’s Racist Post Shows He Is Not Always Immune to Politics
Washington Post C.E.O. Will Lewis Steps Down After Stormy Tenure
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines

February 8, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Reaction to Trump’s Racist Post Shows He Is Not Always Immune to Politics

With the midterm elections nearing, President Trump has found himself in the uncomfortable position of backtracking, even if only by degrees, at key moments.

Washington Post C.E.O. Will Lewis Steps Down After Stormy Tenure

His departure came days after the company cut 30 percent of the staff. He will be replaced in the interim by Jeff D’Onofrio, the chief financial officer, the company said.

Top ICE Lawyer in Minnesota Departs as Immigration Lawsuits Overwhelm Courts

Jim Stolley, the chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota, has left as government prosecutors grapple with a crush of cases.

World

Japan’s Leader Makes a Bold Election Bet. Here’s What to Know.

Sanae Takaichi, who has proved popular as the first woman to lead Japan as prime minister, hopes to bolster her power in a snap election. But she faces hurdles.

In Bid to Lead Thailand, a Progressive Party Softens Its Image

Sunday’s election is a test for the progressive, pro-democracy movement in Thailand, which has been blocked from taking power despite success at the polls.

Trump Reverts to Diplomacy With Iran, but the Road Is Narrow

Iran is skilled at prolonging negotiations over its nuclear program, and seems to be hoping President Trump is out for a quick win, rather than a prolonged regional war.

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U.S.

At Least 50 Arrested After Protests Escalate Outside Minnesota Federal Building

The Whipple Federal Building has become both a staging ground for immigration agents and a hub for demonstrations against the crackdown in the Twin Cities.

Savannah Guthrie, in New Video Message, Promises to Pay for Return of Her Mother

The “Today” show anchor, in a message on social media with her siblings, said the return of their mother Nancy “is the only way we will have peace.”

One Month After Renee Good’s Killing, Her Partner Makes First Public Appearance

Becca Good attended a memorial for Renee Good, offering words of compassion and resilience to the crowd gathered in a snow-covered Minneapolis park.

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Politics

Whistle-Blower Report Involved Intelligence About a Trump Contact

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, moved to lock down an intelligence intercept that referred to someone close to President Trump, the report said.

Ohio Man Is Charged With Threatening to Kill JD Vance

During the investigation, the man was found to have child sex abuse materials on his phone, federal prosecutors said.

Pelosi to Endorse Jack Schlossberg, Again Backing a Kennedy for Congress

The former speaker, a prodigious fund-raiser and shrewd campaign strategist, seldom intervenes in primaries but has made an exception for a Kennedy before.

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Business

A Super Bowl in Silicon Valley Filled With Valley Billionaires

A who’s who of celebrities will join them. Just a little over 25 percent of the seats for the game will be for regular fans, with the cheapest ticket now selling for more than $4,000.

Fake Post About Racist Video Looked to Be Trump’s on Truth Social

The post, which spread widely, appeared to describe the president’s rationale for deleting a racist video about the Obamas that he had shared.

Binance Gives Trump Family’s Crypto Firm a Leg Up

Ties between the exchange and the president’s company, World Liberty Financial, have only strengthened since the president pardoned Binance’s founder, Changpeng Zhao.

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Technology

Elon Musk Is Betting Another Tech Conglomerate (His) Can Win Over Wall St.

The billionaire’s decision to merge his A.I. start-up with his rocket company will test investors’ interest in giant combinations of unalike businesses.

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New York

Files Detail Epstein’s Dealings With Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Mr. Lutnick had claimed to have distanced himself from Jeffrey Epstein even before the disgraced financier was convicted of a sex crime in Florida.

We Love You, Snow. Now Go Away.

Ah, those first wondrous hours of a snowstorm in New York. Two weeks later, the sidewalks are sooty and treacherous, and the parked cars are frozen in surrender.

What to Know About the Cold Snap in New York This Weekend

Cold-weary New Yorkers will get hit by another blast of frigid weather. Here’s what to expect, and what the city is doing to protect the vulnerable.

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Arts

Paul Thomas Anderson Wins Directors Guild Award for ‘One Battle After Another’

The filmmaker beat out Ryan Coogler, Guillermo del Toro, Josh Safdie and Chloé Zhao. The prize is a strong predictor of the Oscars.

Super Bowl Halftime Is the World’s Biggest Stage. He Designs It.

From Prince’s giant symbol to Kendrick Lamar’s streetlamps, the set production designer Bruce Rodgers “makes the impossible possible.”

Haruki Murakami Isn’t Afraid of the Dark

The author, who brought Japanese literature into the global mainstream, grapples with aging and his place in the world of letters.

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Food