The Washington Times AI News Desk

New brain implant can shine light, record signals and deliver drugs all at once

An international team of researchers has built a brain implant thinner than a sewing needle that can deliver light, record electrical activity and inject medication into different layers of the brain, all through a single device.

February 5, 2026

Harris’ ‘Kamala HQ’ relaunch fuels 2028 speculation

Former Vice President Kamala Harris relaunched her social media platform Thursday, transforming her 2024 campaign's "Kamala HQ" into "Headquarters," a digital organizing hub aimed at mobilizing younger voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

February 5, 2026

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher death risk in cancer survivors, study finds

Cancer survivors who eat the most ultra-processed foods have 48% higher death risk and 57% higher cancer death risk, 15-year Italian study finds.

February 5, 2026

Baltimore health officials under fire for ‘White caucus’ meetings funded by taxpayers

The Justice Department opened an investigation into Baltimore City Health Department for allegedly segregating employees into racial groups during taxpayer-funded equity training.

February 5, 2026

What we know about Kyle Wagner, ‘I’M ANTIFA!’ activist accused of threatening Minneapolis ICE agents

Federal authorities arrested a Minneapolis activist Thursday on charges of threatening to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, marking what the Trump administration calls a marquee case in its crackdown on anti-ICE protests.

February 5, 2026

Bipartisan bill would end legal shield for social media giants

A bipartisan pair of senators is taking aim at the legal shield that has protected internet companies for three decades, arguing that tech giants have transformed from neutral platforms into profit-driven algorithmic powerhouses.

February 5, 2026

NYPD bodycam shows officer shooting knife-wielding man during mental health crisis

The New York Police Department on Tuesday released body-camera footage showing a Queens police officer shooting a knife-wielding man during what officials described as a fast-moving encounter involving a mental health crisis.

February 5, 2026

Bitcoin’s slump deepens: Experts warn of further downside as price crashes below $70,000

Bitcoin slid decisively under the $70,000 mark this week, briefly trading near $67,000 as selling pressure intensified across financial markets.

February 5, 2026

Do Nike Mind shoes live up to the hype? What experts are saying about the brain-friendly footwear

Nike's neuroscience-backed Mind footwear collection continues to sell out rapidly, but early reviews suggest mixed reactions to whether the unusual sensory technology delivers on its promises.

February 5, 2026

End of an era as CIA discontinues popular World Factbook reference site

The CIA announced Wednesday it is shuttering its World Factbook after more than 60 years of providing detailed reference information about foreign nations to intelligence officers, government agencies and the public.

February 5, 2026

Gavin McKenna, top NHL prospect, faces felony assault charges after alleged fight

Gavin McKenna, the 18-year-old Penn State hockey forward and consensus top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, has been charged with multiple offenses including felony aggravated assault following an alleged incident in downtown State College, Pennsylvania, according to multiple reports.

February 4, 2026

Anthony Davis trade: Grades, expert reaction to Wizards-Mavericks mega-deal

The Washington Wizards shocked the NBA world today by acquiring 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks in an eight-player blockbuster deal. Here's what sports pundits and analysts are saying about one of the most surprising trades of the 2026 deadline.

February 4, 2026

5 questions about plastic surgeons’ new stance on transgender surgery for minors

The nation's largest professional organization for plastic surgeons recommended Tuesday that transgender surgeries be delayed until patients turn 19, citing "insufficient evidence" that the benefits of chest, genital and facial surgeries on minors experiencing gender dysphoria outweigh the risks.

February 4, 2026

Who is Ryan Routh, the man convicted after attempting to assassinate Donald Trump?

Ryan Routh, 59, was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus seven years on Wednesday after being convicted of attempting to assassinate President Trump -- who at the time was a former president and a presidential candidate -- at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2024.

February 4, 2026

What happens if Mitch McConnell can’t finish his term?

Sen. Mitch McConnell's hospitalization this week with flu-like symptoms has renewed attention not just to the 83-year-old's health, but to a question with significant political ramifications: What happens if Kentucky's senior senator cannot complete his term?

February 4, 2026

Trump scolds CNN’s Kaitlan Collins over Epstein question

President Trump criticized CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office exchange Tuesday, calling her "the worst reporter" and chiding her for not smiling as she pressed him about newly released files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

February 4, 2026

Things to do in Washington, D.C. this weekend: Feb. 6-8

From Tony Award-winning theater to world-class symphony performances, Washington's cultural calendar is packed this weekend.

February 4, 2026

Shocking Texas upset puts Trump in the middle of brutal Senate fight

President Trump faces mounting pressure to intervene in Texas's chaotic Republican Senate primary after a shocking special election loss has party elites worried the GOP could lose its first statewide race in three decades.

February 4, 2026

Former Washington Post employees react to major newsroom restructuring and layoffs

The Washington Post laid off roughly one-third of its staff across newsroom and other departments on Wednesday in what leadership characterized as a strategic restructuring, prompting affected journalists to share their reactions publicly on social media.

February 4, 2026

Why European Jews fear there may be no safer haven amid growing antisemitism

European Jewish communities face rising antisemitism with a troubling difference from past crises: the U.S., Israel, and other traditional havens are not definitively safer refuge options.

February 4, 2026