On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, around 2 billion people will celebrate the start of a lunar new year. The lunar calendar marks each year with one of 12 animals, and 2026 moves from the Year of the Snake – a biodiversity hero in its own right – to that of the horse.   Horses have quietly shaped their environments for more than 50 million years and accompanied human development for the past 4 millennia. Every July, these creatures are honored on World Horse Day, and this year is also the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, recognizing specific types of communities and ecosystems that have been critically supported by horses. Horses are ecosystem engineers Horses improve the environment for other species – if managed sustainably Horses are resilience in action Horses are stronger together

National Average Price for Regular Unleaded Current: $3.859; Month Ago: $3.854; Year Ago: $3.684. National Average Price for Diesel Current: $4.582; Month Ago: $4.349; Year Ago: $4.919.

Iraqi forces advanced toward the disputed city of Kirkuk, as the government sharply intensified its efforts to stall moves toward a Kurdish state by seizing the oil fields that would underpin its economy. Crude exports from the disputed area were flowing normally on Monday. State-run Iraqiya television said the military had also captured a refinery, a gas plant and a main road in Kirkuk, which has emerged as a flashpoint in the power struggle between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government. The Associated Press reported that Kurdish fighters had abandoned their positions outside Kirkuk’s airport while civilians were fleeing the city, where sporadic gunfire could be heard. Click Read More below for additional information.