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Oscar-Nominated Filmmaker Jafar Panahi Speaks Out on Jailing of Screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian in Iran
Democracy Now Feb 12, 2026

Oscar-Nominated Filmmaker Jafar Panahi Speaks Out on Jailing of Screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian in Iran

Authorities in Iran have arrested the Oscar-nominated screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian in Tehran. Mahmoudian co-wrote the film It Was Just an Accident with dissident director Jafar Panahi, and their film is nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards. Mahmoudian was arrested after signing a public statement condemning Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, calling it “an organized state crime against humanity.” Panahi, who also signed the statement alongside 15 others, recently spoke with Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Panahi described meeting Mehdi when they were both imprisoned, which led to their creative partnership. “Because he had spent nine years of his life in prison, I knew that he had a deep understanding of different people in the society, and for that reason, I invited him to this film to help with writing the dialogues, because he knew the different characters of this film very well,” Panahi said.

Netanyahu Seeks to Kill U.S.-Iran Talks to Start Another War: Mouin Rabbani
Democracy Now Feb 12, 2026

Netanyahu Seeks to Kill U.S.-Iran Talks to Start Another War: Mouin Rabbani

President Donald Trump held a lengthy meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday at the White House, where the two leaders discussed ongoing nuclear talks with Iran. Trump has said he wants to reach a deal with Iran about the country’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is only for peaceful civilian purposes but which the U.S. and Israel claim is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran after the Iranian government crushed a wave of anti-government protests, killing thousands of people. The Pentagon is also reportedly preparing to move a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, raising pressure on Iran’s leadership. “What Netanyahu is seeking to do with this visit is to inject poison pills into the negotiations in order to ensure that they fail, and thereby set the stage for a new armed conflict with Iran,” says Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani.

"Massive Cover-Up": Rep. Jayapal Slams AG Pam Bondi over Epstein Files & Spying on Lawmakers
Democracy Now Feb 12, 2026

"Massive Cover-Up": Rep. Jayapal Slams AG Pam Bondi over Epstein Files & Spying on Lawmakers

Attorney General Pam Bondi testified Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, where she repeatedly refused to answer questions about her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. She also refused to apologize to Epstein survivors over the botched release of files, some of which contained survivors’ personal information and even uncensored nude photographs. During the hearing, Bondi was photographed consulting a binder that appeared to show the search history of lawmakers who visited the Justice Department to examine the unredacted Epstein files in person. “Essentially, they were spying on us,” says Democratic Congressmember Pramila Jayapal. “It’s certainly not going to stop me from continuing to review the files, but it is absolutely outrageous.” Jayapal also condemns the Justice Department for refusing to open new investigations into Epstein’s associates listed in the files. “These were rich, powerful, wealthy people, mostly men, who groomed, raped, abused, manipulated young girls,” she says.

Rubio turns up the heat on Europe
Semafor Feb 12, 2026

Rubio turns up the heat on Europe

This year’s Munich Security Conference will test how willing the EU is to risk closer energy ties with the US.

Why VA Psychologists Are Quitting in Record Numbers
Mother Jones Feb 12, 2026

Why VA Psychologists Are Quitting in Record Numbers

This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. Each year, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ internal watchdog sends a survey to all 139 of the agency’s medical centers coast to coast with a straightforward question: Which jobs have severe staffing […]

📉 It’s The Economy, (You) Stupid (Fascist)
Zeteo Feb 12, 2026

📉 It’s The Economy, (You) Stupid (Fascist)

One of Trump’s favorite pollsters warns he’d lose to Biden in an election held today. Plus, the DOJ is spying on lawmakers who search the Epstein files, and a balloon gets mistaken for... a drone.