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There’s a lot happening today. Let’s get into it:
Blasts hit a natural gas pipeline in Iran and an official says it was an act of sabotage
What’s going on: Explosions struck a natural gas pipeline in Iran early Wednesday. As tensions remain high in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war, officials blamed the blasts on a “sabotage and terrorist action.” The blasts hit a pipeline running from Iran’s western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province up north to cities on the Caspian Sea. Details are scarce. Latest developments >
Grocery prices comparison: Inflation at its worst vs. today
The numbers: Annual inflation cooled to 3.1% last month. That’s still hotter than expected, and rising food prices are partially to blame. The latest Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday shows grocery prices accelerated 0.4% in January, up from 0.1% the month prior. Grocery prices are up 1.2% year over year, which is the slowest annual rate since June 2021. How inflation data impacted Wall Street >
Your wallet: Americans are paying 25% more for groceries than they were in 2019. Data suggests pain at the checkout varies based on your shopping cart. Prices for staples like eggs, apples and lettuce are down from previous highs, but bread, sugar and juice prices continue to rise. Find a full breakdown here >
Democrats win seat vacated by disgraced ex-Rep. Santos
What to know: Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, will succeed Rep. George Santos, the disgraced Republican who was expelled from Congress in December. In the unusual special election Tuesday for New York’s 3rd Congressional District seat, Suozzi beat Republican Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip.
Fall from grace: Santos’ life story started to unravel in 2022 after reports emerged that he lied about having Jewish ancestry, a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree, among other things. The House voted to expel Santos last year after ethics complaints and indictments accused him of lying about his resume and improperly using campaign funds.
Charges: Santos faces a host of charges that he defrauded campaign donors, lied to Congress about his wealth, received unemployment benefits while employed and used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses such as designer clothing. In October, he pleaded not guilty to charges he made unauthorized charges on credit cards belonging to some of his campaign donors.
‘Day by day’: Despite his challenges, Santos told NewsNation life has “never been so easy” for him and that he’s taking it “day by day.” Santos — who sells personal videos for $200 each as a “former congressional icon” on the Cameo platform — wants to stay in politics. “What’s next for me is just getting over the 2024 hump and then we’ll see what 2025 holds. But definitely still involved in politics,” he said. Watch the “Dan Abrams Live” interview with Santos >
Chocolates, flowers and procrastination: For many Americans, Valentine’s Day is a last-minute affair
Last-minute love: A large portion of Valentine’s shopping is done at the last minute. Nearly half of U.S. spending on Valentine’s Day flowers, candy and cards occurred between Feb. 11 and Feb. 14 in each of the past two years, and sales don’t peak until Valentine’s Day itself, according to market research company Numerator. Walmart said around 75% of its Valentine’s Day sales occur between Feb. 13 and 14. Those days also account for 80% of Kroger’s sales during Valentine’s week.
Prices: Even though a lot of it’s last minute, Americans are expected to shell out a collective $25.8 billion this year for Valentine’s Day. Candy is the most popular gift, and rising cocoa costs are leading to higher prices for chocolate this holiday. If flowers are more your style, total flower purchases for Valentine’s Day are expected to reach $2.6 billion. How much are people spending on individual bouquets? Here’s a breakdown of states with the highest and lowest cost of a dozen roses >
Not feeling the love: A majority of single Americans said they aren’t looking for romance this Valentine’s Day — or at any other time for that matter, Pew Research found. And about half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness. Experts say helping others, shifting perspectives, and getting creative can help beat the hype of Valentine’s Day and possibly overcome loneliness. While the holiday is typically a time for romantic gestures, it’s also a time for breakups — and at least one business is looking to cash in on couples splitting. Pizza Hut is offering “Goodbye Pies” to people in select cities looking to break up with their significant others.
Love is in the water: Florida Aquarium staff made some special treats for their resident animals in honor of Valentine’s Day. The aquarium shared some seriously adorable footage of the North American river otters, ring-tailed lemurs and African penguins getting into the holiday spirit. Watch >
What we’re watching 👀
We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!
- The U.N. Security Council is set to meet about Yemen and the Middle East.
- The Kansas City Chiefs will celebrate their Super Bowl win with Chiefs Kingdom at a parade Wednesday.
- Tennessee sheriff’s deputy Greg McCowan will be laid to rest Wednesday after the manhunt for murder suspect Kenneth DeHart ended with his capture Tuesday.
- Four years after Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape and sent to prison, New York’s highest court will hear arguments Wednesday in his quest to overturn the verdict.
- A House Foreign Affairs subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Houthi threat in the Middle East.
🌎 News Across America 🌎
Police in Maryland have released new sketches of the man they suspect killed Rachel Morin, a mother of five. Read more >
Students and alumni of Lincoln University of Missouri are demanding accountability and pushing for change following the suicide of former Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Antoinette Candia-Bailey. Read more >
A small plane landed safely near the Buffalo, New York, airport Monday night after a door fell off the aircraft while it was in the air. Read more >
Video from a police body camera in Henderson, Nevada, showed a 9-year-old boy handing officers a bag of drugs he said he found under his mother’s nightstand. Read more >
A trio of deputies in South Carolina face charges after allegedly making prank calls while on-duty. Read more >
Visitors in the Colorado high country were shocked to see a moose hitting resort slopes over the weekend. Read more >
Some say age is just a number. A 93-year-old Upper West Side painter who has devoted her life to art and activism is having a solo show in New York next month. Read more >
☀️ Good NewsNation ☀️
Missing cat reunites with family two years later: It was an unlikely reunion for a Las Vegas family and their pet cat after the four-legged feline went missing years ago. Read more >
