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By
Brittney Melton
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Yesterday, the House voted 217 to 214 to fund most government offices through September, ending the partial federal government shutdown. Congress now has fewer than two weeks to negotiate the Department of Homeland Security budget. However, some lawmakers doubt they will have enough time to come to a compromise on changes to immigration enforcement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks with reporters following a rules vote on funding the U.S. government at the U.S. Capitol February 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images North America hide caption
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine resume today in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are meeting face-to-face alongside the United States. President Trump says he is more optimistic than ever about a deal.
This week, Trump said that Republicans should "nationalize" elections. The president made numerous false claims about noncitizens voting while on former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino's podcast. Trump then pushed for more federal control over elections, which would be illegal without a law change. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump was referring to a law the GOP wants to pass in Congress.
Today, a federal judge is set to sentence Ryan Routh, a man charged with attempting to assassinate Trump. The planned attempt occurred in 2024, during Trump's run for president. A jury convicted Routh last fall. Prosecutors now want U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to impose a life sentence.
Bob Mondello and his father Tony Mondello Bob Mondello hide caption
After NPR's Bob Mondello watched the period drama The History of Sound around his dad's birthday, he found himself craving his father's voice. The movie follows two conservatory students who record people singing on state-of-the-art recording equipment in 1919: wax cylinders, a metal cone, and a diamond-tipped stylus. That year was the same year Mondello's father was born. Although Mondello has spent his life recording himself and others, he recognized he had never recorded his dad. With this in mind, Mondello set out to hear his father's voice again. Spoiler alert: he found it. Listen to how he was able to discover it again.
Luise Easton has continued competing in triathlons into her 80s despite having a heart condition. Shawn Green/Cleveland Clinic hide caption
The Winter Olympics begin this week. As you watch world-class athletes compete, they might inspire you to move more. If you think you're too out of shape to accomplish what you see, don't let that deter you. Despite having chronic health conditions, 87-year-old Luise Easton still competes in triathlons. To stay active and healthy like Easton, check out these tips:
PepsiCo is cutting on many of its chips, including Lay's, as soon as this week. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
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