Recent reporting, background, and summaries from the politics desk.
In a significant shift for its defense policy, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will increase its nuclear warheads for the first time in decades. This bold decision, part of an updated nuclear strategy, is driven by Macron's conviction that "to be free, we have to be feared," aiming to bolster the nation's deterrent for freedom and security.
Joint Israeli-U.S. airstrikes have reportedly killed five students at an Iranian girls' school, with U.S. President Trump confirming "major combat operations" and urging the Iranian public to revolt. These widespread attacks, which targeted areas near the Supreme Leader's offices and followed warnings about Iran's nuclear program, signal a dramatic escalation in regional tensions.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently underwent a six-hour, closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee concerning the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, vehemently denying any prior acquaintance with the disgraced financier. She characterized the questioning as "repetitive" and expressed a desire for the proceedings to have been public, as former President Bill Clinton is also expected to testify in the ongoing inquiry into the Epstein files.
India's Supreme Court has dramatically banned a new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook, citing a chapter on "corruption" in the judiciary as a "deep-rooted conspiracy." The Court ordered the immediate seizure of all copies and issued show-cause notices, ultimately prompting an "unconditional and unqualified apology" from the Ministry of Education after rejecting NCERT's initial explanation.
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Russia has failed to break his nation's spirit, underscoring the enduring resilience of the Ukrainian people. This significant milestone was met with strong international support, as European leaders visited Kyiv to reaffirm their unwavering commitment and the United Kingdom announced a new package of military and humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Iran, declaring that any attack on Israel would be "perhaps the most serious mistake in their history," following reports that the United States has given Iran a 48-hour deadline to submit a detailed nuclear proposal. Failure to meet this critical deadline could trigger potential military action against Iran, significantly escalating already high regional tensions and leaving the world on edge.
The Supreme Court recently struck down former President Trump's previous tariffs for exceeding presidential authority, prompting him to immediately announce a new 15% global tariff on all imports. This new measure, intended to generate revenue, has created significant uncertainty for businesses and drawn concerns from international trade partners.
Facing a week-long government shutdown initiated by Congressional Democrats over funding, the Department of Homeland Security enacted emergency measures on February 22, 2026, to protect national security and conserve vital resources. These drastic steps immediately halted FEMA's non-disaster response and suspended CBP Global Entry, creating significant disruptions for both urgent disaster relief and international travelers.
Friedrich Merz was overwhelmingly re-elected as chairman of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on Friday, securing a commanding 91.17 percent of delegate votes. This strong mandate, his first re-election since becoming Federal Chancellor last June, solidifies his leadership within the party for another two-year term.
The European Union has enacted a groundbreaking ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear, a critical step to combat overproduction and the 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions generated annually by discarded goods. This pioneering regulation, part of the EU's push for a circular economy, mandates large companies to comply by July 2026, encouraging sustainable alternatives like resale and reuse.
In a landmark decision on February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down former President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs, which were originally implemented under a law typically reserved for national emergencies. This ruling, marking a major setback for a key aspect of Trump's economic policy with significant global implications, surprisingly saw U.S. stocks remain relatively steady despite broader economic concerns.
Peru's Congress has elected 83-year-old leftist Jose Balcazar as the nation's eighth president in eight years, underscoring a period of profound political instability. Balcazar, who replaces a leader ousted by scandal, now faces the challenge of overseeing transparent elections despite his own controversial past comments defending child marriage.