Feb. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations intercepted a dozen immigrants and an alleged smuggler trying to illegally enter the United States Tuesday evening.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump would like the U.S. Department of Education closed "immediately," he told reporters while in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A U.S. District Judge on Tuesday refused to block the Trump administration's deferred resignation program for federal employees after issuing two stays, the first legal victory for the Trump administration.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Sewing and crafts retailer Joann will close 500 of its 800 stores in the United States while undergoing bankruptcy restructuring.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Eight Venezuelan gang members have been indicted in connection with sex trafficking women from South America to Tennessee, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Two transgender teens challenging a New Hampshire law banning trans people from playing in girls' sports will now expand it to include the Trump administration's recent anti-trans executive orders.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- As Valentine's Day nears, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are working to keep imported flowers free of pests or diseases, which could "jeopardize" the nation's agricultural and floral industry.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Missouri's Republican Attorney General sued Starbucks Tuesday claiming the company's diversity, equity and inclusion hiring policies discriminate on the basis of race and sex. Starbucks denies the allegations.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called corruption charges against him politically motivated while testifying in a Tel Aviv courtroom on Wednesday.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Chevron on Wednesday announced it will lay off 15-20% of its global workforce in an effort to reduce costs by up to $3 billion. Chevron expects to complete most of the cuts by the end of 2026.