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UK Post Office Moves to Ditch Fujitsu’s Horizon as Tehran Protests Flare, DHS Halts Trusted Traveler, Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan, AI Agents Surge, and Feb. 22 Marks Christchurch Anniversary, Birthdays, Education & Olympics Updates
After 16 Years, Interim CTO Moves to Remove Fujitsu and the Horizon System from the UK Post Office
The UK Post Office’s interim CTO, Paul Anastassi, says he is pushing to replace Fujitsu’s long-running Horizon platform—software described as error-prone and linked by a public inquiry to severe harm, including 13 deaths—by before 2030. He says the Horizon estate spans more than 80 components across Fujitsu, internal systems, and other third parties, with plans for a modern, device-agnostic front end. Previous replacement efforts, including an IBM-led attempt and the later NBIT programme, collapsed after complexity and governance problems, but the Post Office now expects to sign two supplier contracts by this summer to begin the final transition away from Fujitsu, which Anastassi says should also cut costs.
Iranian Students Resume Anti-Government Protests in Tehran as U.S. Military Presence Increases
Iranian students renewed anti-government protests at universities in Tehran as the U.S. increased its military presence in the region. Geolocated videos show students chanting “bi sharaf” (“disgraceful” in Farsi) and clashes breaking out with government supporters.
AI Agent Boom Drives a Rush to Identify Winners
An influx of AI agents that can handle tasks ranging from writing software to giving tax guidance is pushing the tech industry and financial markets to quickly sort likely winners from potential losers.
Homeland Security suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs
Homeland Security is suspending the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs as the partial government shutdown continues.
Pakistan Carries Out Strikes in Afghanistan; Taliban Reports Dozens Killed
Pakistan launched strikes in Afghanistan, saying the operation was retaliation for recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan. The Taliban said the strikes killed dozens of people.
Feb. 22: Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake kills 185
On Feb. 22, 2011, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city, causing severe damage, killing 185 people, and injuring up to 2,000.
Notable birthdays for February 22 include Connor Storrie and Kyle MacLachlan
Famous birthdays for Feb. 22 include actor Connor Storrie turning 26 and actor Kyle MacLachlan turning 67.
Calls from Children Living with Alcohol-Dependent Parents Rise by 60%, New Figures Show
New figures show calls from children living with alcoholic parents have risen by 60% since 2019, with the National Association for Children of Alcoholics reporting a sharp increase in young people seeking help. In 2025 the charity recorded 37,000 contacts, often linked to family breakdown and parental death, as campaigners estimate 2.6 million UK children live with a parent who drinks excessively. Separate NSPCC data reported 9,192 helpline contacts in the year to March 2025 about parental alcohol or drug misuse, and 73,250 children in England were identified in Child in Need assessments as having a parent misusing alcohol. Advocates are calling for stronger, coordinated government action and an updated alcohol strategy to better protect and support affected families.
Government plans to halve the attainment gap for disadvantaged students
The government plans to cut the attainment gap for disadvantaged students by half as part of a new Schools White Paper, due to be published in full on Monday.
Unexpected Stories from the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics produced a mix of memorable and unusual moments, highlighting several unexpected stories from across the Games.
Preparedness Notes for Sunday, February 22, 2026
highlights notable February 22 anniversaries: President Grover Cleveland’s 1889 signing of the bill admitting the Dakotas, Montana, and Washington as U.S. states; the 1857 birth of German physicist Heinrich Hertz, whose work proved radio waves; and the 1943 execution of Sophie Scholl for her role in the White Rose resistance against Nazi Germany.
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