**Summary:** NASA has announced significant changes to its Artemis lunar program, including adding a mission in 2027 that will only orbit the Moon, while the first crewed landing attempt is now scheduled for 2028. These adjustments follow recent issues with the SLS rocket.

**Key points:**
- The original Artemis 3 mission, planned for a 2028 landing, is replaced by a transition mission in 2027 for a lunar flyby.
- Crewed landings are now planned for two missions in 2028: Artemis 4 early in the year and Artemis 5 later.
- The changes aim to improve the readiness of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket after recent testing setbacks, including fuel leaks and a module issue.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated the agency will accelerate the flight rate to every ten months instead of every three years.
- The Artemis 2 mission, which will orbit the Moon, is still tentatively scheduled for launch in April 2026.

**Why it matters:** This restructuring of the Artemis program is driven by technical issues with the SLS rocket and a desire to increase flight frequency, all while maintaining a competitive pace with China's lunar ambitions.

NASA Adds Mission to Artemis Lunar Program, Updates Architecture

La NASA modifica su programa Artemis y realizará dos misiones a la Luna en 2028

La NASA cambia por completo sus planes para llegar a la Luna: incluirá una nueva misión en 2027 antes de intentar aterrizar

La NASA annonce une refonte de son programme lunaire Artémis

NASA Reschedules Artemis Moon Missions, Adds 2027 Lunar Flyby

**Summary:** China has advised its citizens in Iran to leave "as soon as possible" due to a significant increase in external security risks, coinciding with US threats of strikes against Iran. This follows the failure of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear plan.

**Key points:**
- The US authorized the departure of non-emergency embassy staff and their families from Israel due to security risks.
- The US is conducting its largest military deployment in decades in the Middle East and threatens strikes if negotiations fail.
- Iran's Foreign Minister stated that avoiding "excessive demands" is necessary for an agreement.
- Chinese embassies in Iran and neighboring countries will assist citizens leaving via commercial flights or overland routes.
- China's embassy in Israel warned its citizens to be vigilant, prepare emergency plans, and know evacuation routes.

**Why it matters:** The evacuation advisories from China and the US staff reduction in Israel signal a severe escalation in regional security concerns stemming from the unresolved US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

The Straits Times - China urges citizens to evacuate from Iran ‘as soon as possible’

Clarín - Tensión con Irán: Estados Unidos autoriza a su personal no esencial a salir de Israel

La Tercera - China recomienda a sus ciudadanos que salgan de Irán “lo antes posible” por las tensiones en la región

China Urges Citizens to Evacuate Iran Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

**Summary:** Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late ex-FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni, were arraigned by the Federal Government on a 12-count fraud charge before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and Justice Chizoba Oji granted them bail of ₦10 million each, with conditions including depositing their international passports.

**Key points:**
- The charges relate to alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, concerning a disputed property in the United Kingdom.
- The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications made by defence counsels Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and F. R. Onoja (SAN).
- Bail conditions require each defendant to provide one surety with verifiable property in the FCT.
- The case was adjourned to a later date for trial.

**Why it matters:** The arraignment involves a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the son of a former FCT Minister in a case involving alleged forgery related to a UK property, highlighting high-profile legal proceedings in Nigeria.

legit.ng - Breaking: FG Arraigns Ozekhome, Ex-FCT Minister's Son Over Alleged Fraud

dailypost.ng - Alleged forgery on UK property: Court grants Prof Ozekhome, one other N10m bail each

premiumtimesng.com - London Property Saga: AGF office arraigns Ozekhome, co-defendant on forgery, impersonation charges

Ozekhome, Ex-FCT Minister's Son Arraigned on 12-Count Fraud Charge, Granted N10m Bail Each

**Summary:** The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, announced the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, following ratification by Argentina and Uruguay. This step proceeds despite legal doubts raised by the European Parliament, which sent the treaty for review by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

**Key points:**
- The provisional application allows companies in the EU, Uruguay, and Argentina to benefit from new customs rules before the formal entry into force.
- The European Parliament had previously decided to have the European Court of Justice (CJEU) review the agreement before a final vote.
- The agreement, signed in January after over 25 years of negotiation, aims to create one of the world's largest free trade areas.
- Von der Leyen defended the move as strategically necessary, especially given uncertainty in US trade relations.
- The deal faced resistance from the European agricultural lobby due to fears of competition from Mercosur agricultural products.

**Why it matters:** The provisional application is relevant because the formal ratification could be delayed for months or longer pending the CJEU's opinion, and the move is seen as a signal against US protectionist trade policy.

EU-Kommission kündigt vorläufige Anwendung von Mercosur-Abkommen an

Bruselas anuncia la aplicación provisional del acuerdo comercial con Mercosur

Von der Leyen anuncia la "aplicación provisional" del acuerdo comercial entre la UE y Mercosur

Mercosur : l’Union européenne va appliquer l’accord de façon provisoire, annonce Usurla von der Leyen

EU announces provisional application of Mercosur trade deal

**Summary:** The motorcade of 2027 presidential aspirant Peter Obi, along with other African Democratic Party (ADC) leaders including former Edo governor John Odigie-Oyegun, was shot at in Benin City, Edo State, during an event welcoming Olumide Akpata into the ADC. Olumide Akpata, a former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, stated that the attack occurred after they left the ADC Secretariat and were at Chief John Oyegun's house, resulting in damaged vehicles and injuries to some attendees.

**Key points:**
- The attack occurred during the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
- Akpata received intelligence that the ADC Secretariat would be attacked, leading to an attempt to speed up the event.
- The shooting was described as a 'double drive by' near Chief Oyegun's house, forcing security personnel to push the group inside.
- Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, ADC deputy governorship candidate in Anambra, called on President Bola Tinubu to condemn the violence.
- One of Akpata's cousins sustained an injury, having a bottle smashed on her head.

**Why it matters:** The incident involved a prominent political figure, Peter Obi, and has raised concerns about political intimidation and the safety of opposition parties operating in Nigeria, with calls for the federal government to condemn the violence.

Attack on Peter Obi: Anambra Ex-ADC Deputy Gov Candidate Sends Strong Message to Tinubu

Benin attack: ‘Anyone in those vehicles would’ve died’ – Akpata narrates how Peter Obi, others escaped death

Peter Obi and Others Escape Attack in Benin City

**Summary:** Negotiations between Iran and the United States concluded in Geneva without a final agreement, although the Omani Foreign Minister reported "significant progress" in the third round of indirect talks. Technical discussions between expert teams are scheduled to begin in Vienna soon.

**Key points:**
- Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, urged the US to avoid 'excessive demands' for a successful outcome.
- The US, under President Donald Trump, has used military pressure, described as a 'credible military threat,' as a tool in negotiations.
- US officials, including Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, acknowledged Iran has not yet surrendered to pressure tactics.
- The US military presence in the region is reportedly large enough to send a threat but insufficient for a prolonged conflict, according to CNN.
- The US has refused to offer Iran guarantees against military action during the three rounds of talks that began last month.

**Why it matters:** Despite the lack of a final deal, the reported progress suggests a diplomatic path remains open, even as US military posturing continues to be a factor in the negotiations.

Signs of 'gradual progress' in Iran-US talks

Irã pede aos Estados Unidos que evitem ‘exigências excessivas’ para alcançar acordo | Jornal de Brasília

پیشرفت مذاکرات سایه جنگ را دور کرد؟ / آمریکا فشار نظامی را ابزار موثری می‌داند / «ناوگان عظیم زیبا» فقط برای نمایش است؟ - خبرآنلاین

مذاکرات ایران و آمریکا بدون توافق پایان یافت اما نشانه‌های بالقوه پیشرفت مشاهده شد - باشگاه خبرنگاران جوان

Iran-US Talks Conclude Without Agreement, But Show Signs of Progress

**Summary:** Pakistan declared "open war" on the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan following Afghan strikes on Thursday, leading to retaliatory Pakistani bombings in Kabul and other major Afghan cities overnight. This escalation stems from a long-simmering conflict primarily concerning Pakistan's accusation that the Afghan Taliban is harboring members of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

**Key points:**
- Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated, "Our patience has reached its limits. It is now open war between us and you."
- Pakistan launched Operation "Just Wrath" involving air and ground strikes targeting Afghan defense sites in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province.
- The immediate trigger was Afghan offensive attacks on Pakistani border posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday.
- The Taliban claimed to have captured 15 Pakistani outposts and killed "dozens" of soldiers in their offensive.
- Pakistan claims to have killed 133 TTP fighters and wounded 200 in its retaliatory strikes, while the Taliban claims 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed.

**Why it matters:** This marks a significant and dangerous military escalation between the two neighbors, moving beyond previous targeted strikes against the TTP to direct confrontation with the Taliban regime itself. International bodies like the UN and Russia have called for de-escalation and diplomacy.

tagesschau.de - Pakistan spricht von \"offenem Krieg\" mit Afghanistan

rp.pl - Bomby spadły na Kabul. Pakistan: To już otwarta wojna

FAZ - Konflikt mit Afghanistan: Pakistan sieht sich im Krieg

Le Nouvel Obs - « Guerre ouverte » entre le Pakistan et l’Afghanistan : ce que l’on sait

Pakistan Declares "Open War" on Afghanistan After Cross-Border Attacks

**Summary:** Starting March 1, 2026, a new tax of 2 euros per item will be applied to parcels valued under 150 euros imported from outside the European Union, affecting online purchases from platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. This measure, introduced by the 2026 finance law adopted in January, is intended to limit cheap imports and encourage local commerce.

**Key points:**
- The tax is 2 euros per article, meaning a 50-euro parcel with 10 items incurs a 20-euro tax.
- The seller or platform is responsible for paying the tax along with VAT, but the cost is expected to be passed on to the consumer.
- This national measure will remain in effect until a similar European system is implemented, no later than December 31, 2026.
- Other changes starting March 1 include increases in gas reference prices and hospital/emergency service fees.

**Why it matters:** This new tax directly impacts the final price of low-value goods purchased from major international e-commerce sites, potentially altering consumer purchasing habits.

ladepeche.fr - Shein, Temu… le prix de vos "petits colis" va augmenter à partir du 1er mars

huffingtonpost.fr - Ce qui change au 1er mars 2026 : carte grise, petits colis, recours en justice, carnet de maternité…

New Tax on Small Parcels from Outside EU Starts March 1, 2026