INTERNACIONAL
‘It’s absurd’: DHS shutdown bears down on US as lawmakers jet off to Europe
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The government entered a partial shutdown at midnight Friday after Congress failed to reach a funding deal — and some lawmakers’ decision to attend an international gathering in Europe this weekend is drawing criticism from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
«It’s absurd, I hope the American people are paying attention,» Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital.
The deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by the end of the week came with a built-in complication: members of both chambers were scheduled to attend the annual Munich Security Conference, with many set to depart by day’s end Thursday.
GOVERNMENT TO SHUT DOWN AT MIDNIGHT AFTER DEMS, WHITE HOUSE FAIL TO STRIKE DHS DEAL
While the DHS shutdown continues, several lawmakers are overseas in Germany. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty)
Without a deal in place, Congress left Washington, D.C., on Thursday after the Senate failed to pass both a full-year funding bill for DHS and a temporary, two-week funding extension.
At midnight Friday — with several lawmakers already in Germany — DHS shut down.
Both Republican leaders warned members to be prepared to return if a deal was reached. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., gave senators 24 hours’ notice to return, while House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., allowed a 48-hour window.
Despite the conference being scheduled months in advance, some lawmakers said leaving Washington — or even the country — during an active funding standoff sent the wrong message.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arguing that Democrats blocked Republican-led efforts to prevent a partial DHS shutdown.
DHS SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS WITHOUT PAY, WHAT HAPPENS TO AIRPORTS AND DISASTER RESPONSE
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in the Senate Subway during a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 14, 2025. (Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Schumer’s what’s deciding this,» Scott told Fox News Digital. «I mean, he’s deciding that he’s more interested in people going to Munich than he is in funding DHS.»
Several lawmakers from both chambers are attending the conference, participating in side discussions and panels during the annual forum, where heads of state and top decision-makers gather to debate international security policy.
Members of the House expressed frustration that senators would leave amid stalled negotiations between Senate Democrats and the White House.
«The Senate started out a week ago saying, ‘I don’t think anybody should leave town,’» Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., told Fox News Digital. «Now they’re doing the Munich thing. At least [the House] sent a bill over…not a great pride moment for the federal government, is it?»
Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., led a bipartisan delegation of 11 senators to the conference.
When asked whether the shutdown would affect his travel plans, Whitehouse said, «I hope not.»
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was scheduled to participate in a panel with Graham titled «The State of Russia,» according to the conference agenda, said lawmakers should have resolved outstanding issues before leaving town.
«I’m not delighted with Republican resistance and unresponsiveness, but it’s on them at this point,» Blumenthal said.
House rules prohibit official congressional delegations, also known as CODELs, during a shutdown. Still, several House members made the trip to Bavaria. At least a handful of House Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attended the conference.
DEMS DIG IN, GUARANTEE SHUTDOWN WITH BLOCK OF DHS FUNDING
Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., interviews witnesses during a House Rules Committee hearing on the impeachment against President Donald Trump, Dec. 17. 2019. (Jason Andrew/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., said during a hearing on the impact of a DHS shutdown that it would be «unconscionable if Congress leaves and does not solve the problem.»
«I’m sure Munich is a great place. I’ve been there many times. The beer is outstanding,» Cole said. «But we don’t need to go to a defense conference someplace in Europe when we’re not taking care of the defense of the United States of America.»
Lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations throughout the weekend while many are abroad. Senate Democrats have signaled they may present a counteroffer to the White House but have not finalized a proposal.
If an agreement is reached, it would still take time to draft the legislative text and bring the measure to the Senate floor. Even so, some lawmakers argued that stepping away from negotiations — whether returning home or traveling overseas — was the wrong move.
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«I’ve been pretty outspoken to say we need to stay as long as we have to be here to be able to get things resolved so we don’t ever have a shutdown,» Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told Fox News Digital.
«That’s the easiest way to resolve it is to say ‘no one walks away from the table,’» he added. «We stay at the table.»
Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital the situation reflects poorly on GOP leadership’s handling of funding priorities, though he acknowledged the significance of the international conference.
«There’s a certain irony that we would not be here to fund essential services of our government, but we have enough time and energy to go to the Munich Security Conference, which admittedly is a very important international gathering,» Morelle said. «But I think it says a lot about the lack of leadership…we can’t do the fundamentals of this job.»
politics,senate,house of representatives politics,government shutdown,homeland security,germany
INTERNACIONAL
Dos estados de EEUU podrían enfrentar una tormenta invernal con más de 2 metros de nieve
Una tormenta invernal de gran magnitud impactará a California y Nevada desde la noche del domingo 15 de febrero, con previsiones oficiales que anticipan acumulados de nieve por encima de los 2 metros en zonas montañosas y vientos de hasta 160 kilómetros por hora. Este evento, informado por el National Weather Service (NWS), se mantendrá hasta la noche del miércoles 18 de febrero y afectará principalmente a la región de la Sierra Nevada y el área de Lake Tahoe, donde las autoridades prevén complicaciones para la movilidad y los servicios esenciales.
De acuerdo con el NWS, la advertencia de tormenta invernal entrará en vigor el domingo por la noche, con previsión de acumulaciones de nieve de entre 90 y 240 centímetros en altitudes superiores a 1.800 metros. Los vientos serán intensos, con ráfagas que podrían superar los 160 kilómetros por hora en áreas elevadas, lo que aumentará el riesgo de caída de árboles y cortes de energía. El Weather Prediction Center de la NOAA coincide en que este será uno de los episodios más severos de la temporada para el oeste de Estados Unidos.
Las tormentas invernales intensas son recurrentes en la Sierra Nevada durante los meses de enero y febrero, pero la magnitud prevista para este episodio ha llevado a que las autoridades estatales y federales activen protocolos de emergencia. En temporadas anteriores, eventos similares han ocasionado cierres prolongados en rutas como la Interestatal 80 y la autopista 50, así como afectaciones en el acceso a servicios básicos en comunidades de montaña, según datos oficiales del NWS.
El NWS ha informado que la tormenta invernal se iniciará durante la noche del domingo 15 de febrero y se prolongará al menos hasta la noche del miércoles 18 de febrero. Durante este lapso, se esperan las mayores acumulaciones de nieve y los vientos más intensos en la Sierra Nevada, el área de Lake Tahoe y condados aledaños en California y Nevada.
El NWS Hanford especificó que la advertencia abarca parques nacionales como Yosemite, Sequoia y Kings Canyon, así como regiones del norte como Shasta y Plumas. Las primeras horas del lunes marcarán el inicio de las condiciones más severas, con incrementos progresivos en la intensidad del viento y la caída de nieve.
Según el NWS Hanford, la Sierra Nevada central y sur recibirá acumulaciones de nieve de 90 a 150 centímetros entre los 1.800 y 2.400 metros de altitud, con máximos que podrán superar los 210 centímetros en los puntos más elevados. Las cotas medias, a partir de 1.200 metros, podrían registrar entre 30 y 60 centímetros de nieve.
El NWS Sacramento estima que los condados de Shasta, Plumas y el parque nacional Lassen podrían recibir entre 30 y 60 centímetros de nieve en altitudes bajas, y hasta 240 centímetros en las cumbres. El NWS Reno proyecta en el área de Mono e Inyo acumulados de entre 40 y 120 centímetros, con ráfagas de viento superiores a 160 kilómetros por hora en las crestas.
El NWS Las Vegas ha advertido también sobre acumulaciones superiores a 60 centímetros en las laderas orientales de la Sierra y las White Mountains, y acumulados de entre 25 y 40 centímetros en cotas medias. Algunas zonas bajas, incluyendo valles del norte de California, podrían experimentar nevadas menores, pero suficientes para dificultar el tránsito regional.
El pronóstico oficial del NWS anticipa que los principales corredores de montaña, vitales para el transporte regional y el acceso a áreas recreativas, se verán afectados por la intensidad de la tormenta. Se prevé que los desplazamientos serán muy difíciles o imposibles durante los momentos de mayor acumulación de nieve y viento.
La Interestatal 80 y la autopista 50, rutas clave para la comunicación entre el oeste y el este de California y Nevada, podrían cerrar de manera intermitente o mantener controles de cadenas obligatorias para vehículos. El NWS Reno subrayó que habrá riesgo de visibilidad nula y posibles cierres prolongados por acumulación de nieve y caída de árboles o tendido eléctrico.
El Weather Prediction Center de la NOAA incluyó a gran parte de la región occidental de Estados Unidos en su mapa de riesgos para la semana, con especial énfasis en California y Nevada debido a la magnitud del evento.
La Oficina de Servicios de Emergencia de California (Cal OES) ha activado planes de contingencia para coordinar la respuesta ante incidentes derivados de la tormenta invernal. Entre las medidas previstas se encuentran el despliegue de maquinaria pesada para despejar carreteras, el refuerzo de cuadrillas eléctricas y la instalación de centros de información para residentes y viajeros.
El NWS mantiene contacto permanente con los gobiernos estatales y locales para actualizar las alertas y difundir recomendaciones. El organismo recordó que “las condiciones meteorológicas pueden cambiar con rapidez y los pronósticos de nevadas extremas suelen ajustarse conforme se acerca el evento”. El monitoreo de la tormenta se realiza con herramientas satelitales y modelos predictivos actualizados.
El NWS recomienda evitar desplazamientos no esenciales durante el periodo de la tormenta. Para quienes deban viajar, la institución sugiere llevar cadenas para neumáticos, mantas, agua, alimentos no perecederos, linternas y baterías de repuesto. El organismo advirtió que “las personas que deban viajar por motivos inaplazables deben considerar la posibilidad de quedar varadas por varias horas”.
Los residentes en zonas de montaña han sido instados a prepararse para posibles cortes de energía y dificultades de acceso. La acumulación de nieve sobre techos, automóviles y caminos incrementa los riesgos estructurales y de movilidad. El NWS Hanford y el NWS Sacramento reiteran la importancia de seguir las actualizaciones oficiales que se difundirán a través de los canales gubernamentales.
El invierno de 2023 registró tormentas invernales de características similares en la Sierra Nevada, con acumulados altos y efectos sobre el transporte y la vida de las comunidades de montaña. Según la NOAA, la nieve extrema en la Sierra tiene un impacto directo en el abastecimiento de agua de California, ya que el deshielo primaveral alimenta los embalses estatales.
El área de Lake Tahoe y las estaciones de esquí de la Sierra suelen anticipar estas situaciones reforzando protocolos de seguridad. La intensidad prevista para este episodio se ubica en el rango superior de los registros recientes, lo que explica el nivel elevado de alerta y la movilización de recursos estatales y federales.
El NWS prevé que las nevadas intensas continuarán hasta la noche del miércoles 18 de febrero, aunque algunas áreas de montaña podrían registrar acumulaciones adicionales si persisten las condiciones atmosféricas. Las autoridades mantienen la recomendación de evitar traslados innecesarios y permanecer atentos a las indicaciones oficiales.
La situación será monitoreada de manera continua a través de los sitios web y canales de comunicación del NWS, la NOAA y las agencias estatales de emergencia, donde se actualizará la información sobre rutas, servicios y evolución meteorológica.
climate,extreme weather,snow,weather,winter storm
INTERNACIONAL
ICE officers face criminal probe for alleged ‘untruthful statements’ under oath about Minneapolis shooting
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Two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are under criminal investigation after federal prosecutors moved to dismiss felony assault charges against Venezuelan migrants stemming from a January shooting in Minneapolis.
ICE Director Todd Lyons said Friday that newly reviewed video evidence suggests the officers may have made «untruthful statements» under oath about the Jan. 14 confrontation, during which a Venezuelan national was shot, The Associated Press reported. The officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination and possible criminal prosecution, according to Lyons and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
«A joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice (DOJ) of video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements,» McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in an email. «Both officers have been immediately placed on administrative leave pending the completion of a thorough internal investigation.»
«Lying under oath is a serious federal offense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is actively investigating these false statements,» McLaughlin added. «Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution. The men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated.»
MINNESOTA POLICE CHIEFS ALLEGE SOME ICE AGENTS RACIALLY PROFILED US CITIZENS, INCLUDING OFF-DUTY OFFICERS
Federal law enforcement agents confront anti-ICE protesters during a demonstration outside the Bishop Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 15, 2026. (Getty Images)
The case centered on Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, two Venezuelan nationals initially accused of attacking an ICE officer during what authorities described as a targeted traffic stop.
U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen moved to dismiss the charges, citing «newly discovered evidence» that was «materially inconsistent» with allegations outlined in the criminal complaint and earlier court testimony. A federal judge granted the motion on Friday. In court, video footage and witness testimony reportedly failed to support claims that the ICE agent had been assaulted with a shovel and broom, according to the AP.
JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMIN FROM ‘DESTROYING OR ALTERING’ EVIDENCE IN DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING
Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is pictured on Feb. 12, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
According to a previous announcement from DHS, officers attempted to arrest Sosa-Celis on Jan. 14 when he allegedly fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into a parked car and ran on foot.
DHS said at the time that an agent caught up with him and that Sosa-Celis resisted and assaulted him.
The agency alleged that two additional men — Aljorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma — then struck the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle before the agent fired a shot, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg.
All three men were taken into custody after retreating into an apartment, and both the officer and Sosa-Celis were hospitalized, according to authorities.
FEDERAL JUDGE BACKS AWAY FROM THREAT TO HOLD ICE LEADER IN CONTEMPT
ICE arrested three men who were allegedly involved in hitting an agent with a shovel during an enforcement operation. (DHS and Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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The officers’ names were not released. It remains unclear whether the Venezuelan nationals could face possible deportation.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
enforcement,immigration,crime world,homeland security,minneapolis st paul
INTERNACIONAL
Starmer sends UK strike group to Arctic, cites rising Russia threat as Trump pushes Greenland deal
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the United Kingdom will deploy its aircraft carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and the High North later this year, marking a show of force as security tensions escalate across Europe.
Speaking on Saturday at the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, Starmer said the mission would be led by HMS Prince of Wales and carried out alongside the U.S., Canada and other NATO allies.
«I can announce today that the U.K. will deploy our carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and the High North this year, led by HMS Prince of Wales, operating alongside the U.S., Canada and other NATO allies, in a powerful show of our commitment to Euro-atlantic security,» Starmer told the high-profile forum aimed at strengthening European defense and diplomatic ties.
NATO LAUNCHES ARCTIC SECURITY PUSH AS TRUMP EYES GREENLAND TAKEOVER
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes part in a panel discussion with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 14, 2026. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS)
The High North — a term referring to the Arctic and surrounding regions — has become increasingly strategic amid growing Russian military activity.
The deployment is intended to bolster security against potential Russian threats, according to BBC News.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly reiterated interest in the U.S. acquiring Greenland, citing national security concerns in the Arctic regarding Russia and China.
Starmer warned that Moscow’s military buildup could intensify even if a peace agreement is reached in Ukraine, arguing that Russian rearmament would «only accelerate.»
UK PRIME MINISTER OUTRAGED AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED CO-OWNER WARNS COUNTRY IS BEING ‘COLONIZED’ BY MIGRANTS
People with umbrellas walk past a pedestrian bridge with the logo of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, southern Germany on Feb. 12, 2026. (THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP via Getty Images)
Europe, he said, must be prepared to «deter aggression» and, if necessary, be ready to fight.
«We must build our hard power, because that is the currency of the age,» he said.
The carrier strike group is an international naval task force led by the Royal Navy. It consists of one aircraft carrier, about 40 aircraft, a frigate, a destroyer, a submarine and a supply ship, according to BBC News.
HMS Prince of Wales, a roughly $3.5 billion aircraft carrier, serves as the Royal Navy’s flagship, BBC News reported.
TROOPS FROM EUROPE DEPLOY TO GREENLAND IN RAPID 2-DAY MISSION AS TRUMP EYES US TAKEOVER
Trump has previously threatened tariffs on Britain and other European countries unless an agreement is reached allowing the U.S. to take control of the Danish territory.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes part in a panel discussion with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 14, 2026. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS)
After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in late January, Trump announced that he would not impose tariffs that were set to take effect Feb. 1 given they formed the «framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.»
Trump told reporters outside the White House on Friday that the administration is «negotiating right now for Greenland,» adding that, «We get along very well with Europe.»
The president was also asked about the Munich Security Conference.
«If it wasn’t for me, they’d be paying 2% and not paying,» Trump said of NATO allies. «They’re paying 5% and they’re paying. We have a very good relationship with NATO.»
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The three-day Munich conference brings together world leaders, defense chiefs and security officials.
Starmer did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
world,world politics,nato,united kingdom,russia
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