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AP News Digest 12 p.m.

Posted

Here are the AP’s top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.

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UPCOMING

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CAR--NASCAR-DAYTONA 500

DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the Daytona 500, the season-opening race of the NASCAR season and its biggest race of the year. Green flag is scheduled for 2:13 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 02/15/2026 2:13 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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BKN—ALL STAR GAME

DESCRIPTION: Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic lead the World team against two teams of American players in the latest iteration of the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. The league is trying its fourth format in four years, hoping fans in an Olympic mood will enjoy this nationalistic version. LeBron James is playing in his record 21st All-Star Game.

UPCOMING: By 02/15/2026 8:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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INTERNATIONAL

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ML--IRAN-US-TALKS

Iran’s top diplomat to attend ‘indirect’ talks with US in Geneva, state-run IRNA news agency says

SUMMARY: Iranian state media reports that Iran’s top diplomat is traveling to Geneva where the second round of nuclear negotiations with the U.S. will take place. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation left for the Swiss city on Sunday after the first round of indirect talks took place in Oman last week. Oman will mediate the talks in Geneva, the IRNA state-run news agency reported on its Telegram channel. Araghchi is also expected to meet with his Swiss and Omani counterparts, as well as the director general of the U.N.’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

WORDS: 537 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 12:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:02f5495590387700ab5fbbb593aa6a2b&mediaType=text

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ML--WEST BANK-LAND REGULATION

Israel will begin contentious West Bank land registration in new step to deepen control

SUMMARY: Israel is beginning a land registration process in the occupied West Bank that critics say can shift large areas into state control. On Sunday, the Cabinet approved a decision to restart the long-frozen process, which means Israeli authorities can declare an area up for registration. The Peace Now settlement watchdog says the process likely amounts to a major land grab from Palestinians. The decision is the latest step to deepen Israeli control over the West Bank. The proposal had been put forward by some of Israel’s far-right members of the ruling coalition.

WORDS: 748 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 11:54 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4fab1fbdf76b9db674c38a9ba18ff32e&mediaType=text

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ML--MIDEAST WARS

Gaza’s Nasser Hospital condemns MSF decision to suspend most services

SUMMARY: Nasser Hospital in Gaza has condemned the decision by Doctors Without Borders to suspend most work at the facility due to concerns over armed men in the compound. MSF had said security breaches, arbitrary arrests and intimidation put staff and patients at risk. Nasser Hospital is one of Gaza’s last functioning large hospitals. It rejects the MSF claims and says police are inside to protect patients and staff. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll since the current ceasefire has surpassed 600. At least 11 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the last 24 hours.

WORDS: 1027 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 10:20 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:345d17db61847356e5036407ed84a439&mediaType=text

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EU--GERMANY-SECURITY CONFERENCE

Europeans push back at US over claim they face ‘civilizational erasure’

SUMMARY: A top European Union official has rejected the notion that Europe faces “civilizational erasure,” pushing back at criticism of the continent by the Trump administration. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addressed the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, a day after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a somewhat reassuring message to European allies. He struck a less aggressive tone than Vice President JD Vance last year but maintained a firm tone on Washington’s intent to reshape the trans-Atlantic alliance and push its policy priorities.

WORDS: 470 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 6:09 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0efc0b3d464f118e3e5d6748113c9271&mediaType=text

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EU--RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR

Ukrainian drone strike sparks fires at Russian Black Sea port ahead of US-brokered peace talks

SUMMARY: A Ukrainian drone attack hit a Russian Black Sea port as diplomats prepare for fresh U.S.-brokered peace talks. The Russian regional governor says the strike Sunday set fires at the port of Taman, wounding two people and damaging an oil tank, a warehouse and terminals. Ukrainian officials says Russian drone debris damaged infrastructure in the Odesa region. Ukraine targets Russian energy sites to cut oil export revenue while Russia targets Ukraine’s power grid to deny civilians access to heat and electricity. Zelenskyy says U.S. security guarantees still remain unclear. European officials warn peace needs Russian concessions.

WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 5:49 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:90e731743c18d6d82c343314e07b1630&mediaType=text

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EU--GERMANY-SECURITY CONFERENCE-IRAN

Crown prince urges the world to stand with the people of Iran as 250,000 rally in Munich

SUMMARY: About 250,000 people have demonstrated against Iran’s government on the sidelines of a gathering of world leaders in Germany. The giant protest in Munich on Saturday answered a call from Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for cranked up international pressure on Tehran. Speaking Saturday on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, Pahlavi warned of more deaths in Iran if “democracies stand by and watch” in the wake of Tehran’s deadly crackdown on protesters last month. Supporters of Pahlavi in Munich banged drums and chanted for regime change.

WORDS: 657 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 4:25 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53d2448dd26d28a1206ecefdfde168f2&mediaType=text

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UNITED STATES

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US--SEVERE WEATHER

A storm system sweeps across the Southeast triggering tornado warnings and damaging winds

SUMMARY: A strong storm system is bringing tornado watches and widespread damage across the Southeast just as the Northeast starts to warm up. On Sunday, the National Weather Service reports some of the worst damage near Lake Charles, Louisiana. High winds overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float. They also damaged an airport jet bridge and knocked an awning into power lines. The weather service also reports snapped and toppled power poles near Jena, Cheneyville, and Donaldsonville. No deaths or serious injuries are being reported. Forecasters have tornado watches up for south Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.

WORDS: 375 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 12:02 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed98b3ad57a2a59b0c61f4fc98e2b4d1&mediaType=text

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US--SAVANNAH-GUTHRIE-MOM-MISSING-WHAT TO KNOW

What to know about the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance and the search for clues

SUMMARY: Law enforcement agents have been gathering more potential evidence as the search for “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother heads into its third week. Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities say her blood was found on the front porch. Purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for paying have passed. Investigators are studying surveillance video, collecting DNA and sorting through tens of thousands of tips submitted by the public as they try to solve the mystery of her disappearance.

WORDS: 763 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 8:24 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:04be2a6d555109113f525aab0321dfc8&mediaType=text

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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US--IMMIGRATION-ENFORCEMENT-MINNESOTA

Trump’s border czar says ‘small’ security force will remain in Minnesota after enforcement drawdown

SUMMARY: More than 1,000 immigration agents have left Minnesota’s Twin Cities area and hundreds more will depart in the days ahead as part of the Trump administration’s drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge. That word comes from White House border czar Tom Homan. He tells CBS’ “Face the Nation” that a “small” security force will stay for a short period to protect remaining immigration agents and will respond “when our agents are out and they get surrounded by agitators and things got out of control.” He didn’t define “small.” The Trump administration announced last week it was drawing down its immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

WORDS: 344 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 12:35 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5a7940eb9b5100d46efc33a97f524da0&mediaType=text

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US--TRUMP-GAZA

Trump says Board of Peace will unveil $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges at inaugural meeting

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says that members of his newly created Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding Gaza and will commit thousands of personnel to international stabilization and police forces for the territory. Trump said Sunday that the pledges will be formally announced when members of the board gather for their first meeting Thursday in Washington. Trump isn’t detailing which board member nations are making the pledges for reconstruction or would contribute personnel to the stabilization force. But Indonesia’s military says up to 8,000 of its troops are expected to be ready by the end of June for a potential deployment to Gaza.

WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 11:45 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:685251b3e8f24cf8779d6fe3f5f2ca04&mediaType=text

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HEALTH/SCIENCE

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MED--PROFOUND AUTISM-TAKEAWAYS

Should people with autism and very high needs have a separate diagnosis? Takeaways from AP’s report

SUMMARY: As the definition of autism has widened, there’s been a growing push to separate profound autism into its own diagnosis. Proponents seek to ensure that autistic people who need lifelong care get the support and services they need. Judith Ursitti, president of the Profound Autism Alliance, said people in this category now lack appropriate treatments, support and enough providers trained to handle their level of care. And the vast majority of clinical research doesn’t include them. But some in the autism community worry that creating a separate diagnosis of profound autism would reduce attention on the broader spectrum and the individual needs of everyone on it.

WORDS: 532 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 7:37 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dd46d3c79dd4b5afc4d23943a358e844&mediaType=text

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MED--PROFOUND AUTISM

As some people push to make profound autism its own diagnosis, this family is raising twins with it

SUMMARY: As the definition of autism has widened, there’s a growing push to separate profound autism into its own diagnosis. People with this condition, such as 9-year-old twins from Massachusetts, need lifelong care. Proponents of separating out this condition seek to ensure that people like them get the support and services they need. But some in the autism community worry this would reduce attention on the broader spectrum and the individual needs of everyone on it. The debate is gaining prominence as the Trump administration focuses on autism, awarding money for research projects while promoting unproven and debunked claims about what causes it.

WORDS: 1557 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 7:28 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8b1d269a0672fc33a3de66c0c8e9d7fe&mediaType=text

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ENTERTAINMENT

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ENT--FILM-BOX OFFICE

Powered by women, ‘Wuthering Heights’ digs up $34.8 million at the box office for a No. 1 debut

SUMMARY: Emerald Fennell’s new “Wuthering Heights” has opened in first place at the North American box office. Studio estimates on Sunday say it made $34.8 million in its first three days. The total could climb to about $40 million by the end of Monday’s holiday. PostTrak says 76% of ticket buyers for the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi film were women. Second place went to the animated basketball film “Goat,” which earned $26 million. “Crime 101” made an estimated $15.1 million in its first three days. Further down the charts was the sci-fi comedy “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,” which made $3.6 million.

WORDS: 853 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 12:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d10e1c446826f2ef7b7029953d468875&mediaType=text

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WINTER OLYMPICS

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OLY--MILAN CORTINA ROUNDUP

Winter Olympics recap: Brignone’s double gold after broken leg, Klaebo sets a medal record

SUMMARY: Federica Brignone and Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo have glided into history at the Winter Olympics in very different ways. Host nation Italy was delighted as Brignone’s sensational comeback continued with a second gold medal of the Olympics, still in pain after a badly broken leg last year. Klaebo has the most gold medals of any Winter Olympian in history with nine after taking gold with Norway’s cross-country men’s relay team. Later Sunday, Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam and Erin Jackson of the United States compete for the women’s 500-meter gold.

WORDS: 516 - MOVED: 02/15/2026 11:34 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/pronto/bf4dd32834eddafd36ce524654045731