**Summary:** Pakistan confirmed carrying out airstrikes targeting seven "terrorist" camps on the Afghan border, stating the action was in response to recent suicide attacks on Pakistani territory. Afghan officials reported dozens of deaths and injuries, including women and children, in the bombings in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.

**Key points:**
- Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed civilian casualties from the strikes.
- The strikes reportedly hit residential areas, damaging several homes and a madrasa.
- Pakistan stated the attacks were precise and targeted camps belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).

**Why it matters:** The cross-border military action represents a significant escalation in tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

France 24 - Pakistan launches border strikes on Afghanistan

El Comercio - Pakistán bombardea Afganistán y deja al menos 17 muertos, entre ellos 11 niños

ANSA.it - Raid aerei pakistani in Afghanistan, decine di morti tra cui donne e bambini

Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill Dozens, Including Women and Children

**Summary:** China's Eileen Gu defended her Olympic freeski halfpipe title at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, securing a gold medal with a best score of 94.75 in Livigno. This victory made her the most decorated freestyle skier in Winter Games history.

**Key points:**
- Gu, 22, also won silver medals in slopestyle and big air in Italy.
- She recovered from a poor first run (30.00) to score 94.00 in the second and 94.75 in the final run.
- Teammate Li Fanghui took silver with 93.00, and Great Britain's Zoe Atkin earned bronze with 92.50 or 90.50 (conflicting scores mentioned).
- The final was postponed from Saturday due to heavy snowfall in the Italian Alps.
- Gu's sixth Olympic medal surpasses the tie she held with Canada's Mikael Kingsbury and China's Xu Mengtao.

**Why it matters:** Eileen Gu's victory cemented her status as the most decorated freestyle skier ever in the history of the Winter Games, achieving a total of three Olympic golds and three silvers.

RTHK - Eileen Gu defends Olympic freeski halfpipe title

WBALTV.COM - Eileen Gu defends Olympic ski halfpipe gold

ANSA.IT - Milano Cortina: Eileen Gu è d'oro nel freestyle halfpipe

Eileen Gu Wins Olympic Freeski Halfpipe Gold at Milano-Cortina

**Summary:** Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest will block the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia, scheduled for Monday, February 23rd, unless Ukraine restores oil transit via the "Druzhba" pipeline.

**Key points:**
- The blockage is tied to Ukraine allegedly refusing to repair the damaged "Druzhba" pipeline following a Russian attack on January 27th near Brody.
- Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil transit was not restored.
- Hungary also announced a halt to diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine and blocked a 90 billion euro EU loan for Ukraine.
- The proposed 20th package reportedly includes a total ban on seaborne Russian crude oil transport and restrictions on certain Russian metals and minerals.

**Why it matters:** This action highlights internal EU divisions over sanctions against Russia, linking energy transit issues to broader foreign policy decisions.

Сіярто: Угорщина заблокує 20-ий пакет санкцій ЄС через \"Дружбу\" - Українська правда

Угорщина блокуватиме 20-й пакет санкцій ЄС проти РФ - Еспресо

"Węgry go zablokują". 20. pakiet sankcji wobec Rosji pod znakiem zapytania - RMF 24

Hungary threatens to block EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump announced the dispatch of the naval hospital ship USNS Mercy to Greenland, claiming it is to care for sick people not being taken care of. Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that Greenland receives necessary healthcare in Greenland or Denmark, expressing confusion over the need for a special US initiative.

**Key points:**
- The deployment was coordinated with Louisiana governor Jeff Landry, whom Trump appointed as a special envoy to Greenland in December.
- Greenland and Denmark already operate universal, nationalized healthcare systems, leading to local fears of privatization.
- The announcement followed Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command evacuating a US submarine crew member near Nuuk.
- Trump's actions occur amid heightened geopolitical friction following his previous claims for 'total control' of Greenland, which belongs to NATO ally Denmark.

**Why it matters:** The dispatch of a US naval hospital ship to Greenland, which already has free universal healthcare, signals an escalation in US focus on the strategically located Arctic territory, causing tension with NATO ally Denmark.

The Journal.ie - Trump to send aid to Greenland for 'sick people not being taken care of' - Greenland says no thanks

France 24 - Greenland does not need Trump’s ‘great hospital boat’, Denmark says

News18 - 'It's On The Way': Greenland Has Free Healthcare, So Why Is Trump Sending Hospital Boat To The Island?

Trump Sends Hospital Boat to Greenland; Denmark and Greenland Express Confusion

**Summary:** Following the US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), France stated the EU possesses the "appropriate instruments at its disposal" to retaliate. Trump subsequently announced a new flat global tariff of 10%, later escalating it to 15%.

**Key points:**
- The EU may deploy measures like the "trade bazooka" (Anti-Coercion Instrument or ACI) against US technology companies.
- A suspended package of retaliatory tariffs potentially targeting $106 billion of US goods could be deployed.
- The UK hopes its negotiated preferential arrangements on steel, cars, and pharmaceuticals will be unaffected by the new 15% global rate.
- The Supreme Court ruled six-three that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, marking a major defeat for Trump's economic policy.
- The US administration is also threatening to pressure the UK for concessions on issues like chlorinated chicken and pharmaceutical costs.

**Why it matters:** The US Supreme Court's decision dismantled the legal basis for Trump's sweeping tariffs, but the President immediately sought alternative authorities, leading to new tariffs that could negatively impact international trade partners like the EU and UK.

tribune.com.pk - US Supreme Court strikes down Trump's sweeping tariffs

Daily Mail Online - Starmer scrambles to stop Trump's new 15% tariff onslaught inflicting fresh damage on UK economy

News18.com - ‘Appropriate Instruments At Its Disposal’: France Says EU Has Tools To Retaliate Against US Tariffs

EU Considers Retaliation Against New US Tariffs After Court Ruling

**Summary:** The Trump administration is reportedly considering plans to target Iran's top leadership and attempt regime change in Tehran as part of a potential military operation, should diplomatic efforts fail. The US military has already prepared for a sustained operation involving strikes on security and nuclear infrastructure.

**Key points:**
- Potential military action includes striking specific individuals if President Donald Trump gives the order.
- The US has amassed significant military assets in the Middle East, including warships, fighter jets, and long-range bombers.
- President Trump previously stated that regime change in Iran could be the 'best thing' but did not specify who he would want in power.
- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran will not yield to US pressure following a warning from Donald Trump about 'bad things' if a deal is not reached within 15 days.
- US intelligence is reportedly aware of China quietly developing a 'new generation of nuclear weapons' while attention is focused on Iran.

**Why it matters:** This escalation in rhetoric and reported planning suggests a high risk of serious military conflict between the US and Iran, potentially destabilizing the Middle East. It also highlights a shift in US policy if regime change is considered, contrasting with Trump's prior campaign promises.

jagonews24.com - ইরানে হামলায় শীর্ষ নেতৃত্বকে নিশানা, সরকার বদলের চিন্তা যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের

dailymail.co.uk - China has been quietly building a 'new generation of nuclear weapons' while all eyes are on Iran

aljazeera.com - Iran’s president says his country will not bow to US pressure

US Considers Targeting Iranian Leadership and Regime Change Amid Military Buildup

**Summary:** Security forces engaged in an encounter with 2 to 3 terrorists from the Jaish-e-Mohammed organization in the Chateru area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Sunday morning. The exchange of fire began after security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence regarding the terrorists' presence.

**Key points:**
- The joint operation involved CIF Delta, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF, named Operation ‘Kiya’.
- A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed was reportedly killed in the encounter, though the body has not yet been recovered due to difficult geography and ongoing operations.
- This incident follows a previous encounter on February 4 in Chateru where one Jaish terrorist was killed.
- Operation Trashi-1 is also ongoing in Kishtwar, which started on January 18 and has seen four encounters, resulting in one soldier's death and eight injuries.

**Why it matters:** The ongoing security operations target the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group in the Kishtwar region, highlighting persistent militant activity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bhaskar - जम्मू-कश्मीर के किश्तवाड़ में सुरक्षाबलों की आतंकियों से मुठभेड़:जैश के 3 टेररिस्ट घिरे; 18 दिन पहले भी एक आतंकी मार गिराया था

Amar Ujala - Kishtwar Encounter: किश्तवाड़ में सुरक्षाबलों और आतंकियों के बीच मुठभेड़, जैश-ए-मोहम्मद का शीर्ष कमांडर ढेर

Divya Bhaskar - જમ્મુ-કાશ્મીરના કિશ્તવાડમાં સુરક્ષા દળો અને આતંકવાદીઓ વચ્ચે અથડામણ:જૈશના 3 આતંકીઓ ઘેરાયા; 18 દિવસ પહેલા પણ એક આતંકવાદીને ઠાર કરાયો હતો

Encounter in J&K's Kishtwar: 2-3 Jaish Terrorists Cornered by Security Forces

**Summary:** On the morning of February 22, Poland scrambled its air force, including fighter jets and early warning aircraft, due to strategic Russian aviation activity and strikes across Ukraine. These preemptive measures were taken to protect Polish airspace, and no violations were recorded, while Russian attacks caused power outages in Mykolaiv and casualties in Kyiv's suburbs.

**Key points:**
- Poland's Operational Command confirmed the activation of necessary forces and air defense systems to the highest readiness level.
- The Russian attacks involved one missile strike, 97 air strikes, 280 guided aerial bombs, and 8,328 kamikaze drones across Ukraine.
- In Mykolaiv, energy infrastructure was damaged by 'Shahed' drones, leaving 16,000 subscribers without power; no civilian casualties were reported there.
- In the Kyiv region, a woman and a child were injured due to the strikes.
- Over the past day, Ukrainian forces reported 138 combat engagements on the front line, with 29 Russian assaults stopped in the Pokrovsk direction.

**Why it matters:** The massive Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine triggered a defensive response from Poland, highlighting the cross-border security implications of the ongoing conflict. The strikes also severely impacted Ukraine's energy infrastructure and caused civilian harm.

РФ била по енергетиці у Миколаєві: без світла тисячі абонентів

Польща підіймала авіацію через масований обстріл Росією України

Dramatyczna noc w Kijowie. Wieżowiec w płomieniach, ranna kobieta i dziecko

Минулої доби на фронті зафіксували 138 боїв: на Покровському напрямку Сили оборони зупинили 29 штурмів

Russia's massive strikes on Ukraine prompt Poland to scramble air force assets