**Summary:** Pakistan's military conducted air strikes in Afghanistan's Paktika and Nangarhar provinces, targeting what Islamabad called "camps and hideouts" of armed groups, including TTP and Daesh Khorasan Province (DKP). The operations were stated to be in response to recent suicide attacks in Pakistan.

**Key points:**
- The Pakistani Air Force targeted a religious seminary in Bermal district, Paktika province, and conducted strikes in Khogyani district, Nangarhar province.
- Pakistan's Ministry of Information stated the strikes targeted seven camps and hideouts of Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), its affiliates, and Daesh Khorasan Province (DKP).
- The strikes followed recent suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu, which Pakistan alleged were directed by Afghanistan-based leadership.
- Pakistan reiterated its expectation that the Afghan Taliban government fulfill its obligations under the Doha Agreement to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.

**Why it matters:** These cross-border military actions escalate tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government, highlighting Pakistan's response to militant activity it claims originates from Afghan soil.

Deccan Chronicle - Pakistan Strikes Religious Seminary in Afghanistan's Paktika

Al Jazeera - Pakistan carries out strikes in Afghanistan after spate of suicide attacks

Le Monde - Le Pakistan frappe des camps « terroristes » à la frontière avec l’Afghanistan et cible un groupe affilié à l’EI

Pakistan Air Force Strikes Targets in Afghanistan's Paktika and Nangarhar

**Summary:** US Ambassador to Jerusalem, Mike Huckabee, sparked international anger after stating in an interview that Israel could have rights to a large part of the Middle East. Several Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, strongly condemned the remarks as inflammatory and against international law.

**Key points:**
- Huckabee made the comments during an interview with American conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
- Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry called the statement 'excessively aggressive and unacceptable' and sought clarification from the US State Department.
- Egypt stated the comments were a clear violation of international law, asserting Israel has no sovereign rights over occupied Palestinian territories or other Arab lands.
- The Arab League warned that such statements incite religious and national sentiments in the region.
- Huckabee has previously opposed the two-state solution.

**Why it matters:** The statement from a high-ranking US diplomat regarding territorial rights has severely strained diplomatic relations with key Arab states and reignited tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Middle East: मिडिल ईस्ट पर इस्राइल का हक? अमेरिकी राजदूत के बयान से मचा बवाल, अरब देशों का तीखा विरोध - Us Ambassador Sparks Global Backlash After Claiming Israel Has Right To Much Of The Middle East

L’ambassadeur américain à Jérusalem provoque la colère des pays arabes après ses propos sur le droit d’Israël à occuper des terres sur une large partie du Moyen-Orient

US ambassador causes uproar by claiming Israel has a right to much of the Middle East - AP News

US Ambassador's Remarks on Israel's Right to Middle East Land Spark Arab Outcry

**Summary:** The film "Yellow Letters" directed by German director İlker Çatak won the Golden Bear, the top prize at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). The film, a German-French-Turkish co-production, depicts the political persecution of a Turkish artist couple. Sandra Hüller also won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for her role in "Rose."

**Key points:**
- The Golden Bear is the most important award at the festival, marking the first main prize for a German production since Fatih Akin's "Gegen die Wand" in 2004.
- The film "Kurtuluş" by Turkish director Emin Alper won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.
- Sandra Hüller won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for her role in "Rose," marking her second career win at the Berlinale.
- The closing gala was marked by political statements from some award recipients concerning the situation in the Middle East.
- The international jury for the 76th Berlinale was chaired by German director Wim Wenders.

**Why it matters:** The Golden Bear win for a German director's film after over two decades highlights a significant moment for German cinema at a major international festival. The event also featured notable political commentary from award winners.

newsfeed.zeit.de - Kultur: Preisträger der 76. Berlinale

RMF24.pl - Turecki film triumfuje na Berlinale. „Yellow Letters” ze Złotym Niedźwiedziem

newsfeed.zeit.de - 76. Berlinale: "Gelbe Briefe" von İlker Çatak gewinnt Goldenen Bären

France 24 - Turkish-language drama "Yellow Letters" wins Berlin Film Festival's top prize

FAZ.net - Berlinale 2026: "Gelbe Briefe" gewinnt Goldenen Bären

ANSA.it - Berlinale, Orso d'Oro a Yellow letters del regista tedesco Catak

"Yellow Letters" by İlker Çatak wins Golden Bear at Berlinale 2026

**Summary:** Willie Colón, the iconic trombonist, composer, and interpreter of salsa music, passed away at the age of 75 due to health complications. The American singer-songwriter of Puerto Rican origin died on the morning of Saturday, February 21, 2026, according to a statement from his family.

- Colón was known by nicknames such as 'El malo del Bronx' and 'Varón de la Salsa'.
- His famous songs include 'Idilio' (1983), 'Gitana' (1974), 'El gran varón', and 'Pedro Navaja'.
- His family confirmed his peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones.
- Concerns arose after media reported his hospitalization on February 18 due to "respiratory problems."

**Why it matters:** Willie Colón was a major reference and icon in the salsa and Latin music genres, leaving behind a legacy of successful tracks.

Muere Willie Colón, ícono de música salsa

Muere la leyenda de la salsa, Willie Colón, a los 75 años de edad

Willie Colón, ícono de la salsa, fallece a los 75 años

Murió Willie Colón, icono de música de salsa, a los 75 años

Muere Willie Colón, intérprete de íconos de la salsa como 'Idilio' o 'Gitana'

Muere Willie Colón, legendario cantante de salsa, a los 75 años: ¿Qué le pasó al ‘Malo del Bronx’?

Salsa Icon Willie Colón Dies at 75

**Summary:** Approximately 3,200 people participated in a tribute march in Lyon for Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist killed after being beaten on February 12. The event, which featured far-right figures and hostile slogans, proceeded in relative calm despite tensions with anti-fascist activists on the sidelines.

- The march route went from Place Jean Jaurès to Rue Victor Lagrange, where Deranque was attacked.
- Organizers estimated attendance at 3,500, while the Ministry of the Interior had expected 2,000 to 3,000.
- Figures present included members of the far-right collective Némésis and Action Française, as well as Marc de Cacqueray-Valmenier.
- The victim's family did not participate and requested the event be peaceful and without political expression.
- Seven people are charged with manslaughter in Deranque's death, most linked to the far-left group Jeune Garde.

**Why it matters:** The event highlights the current climate of political polarization and violence in France, occurring shortly before the municipal elections in March. The incident also caused diplomatic friction between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Lyon: 3200 Teilnehmer bei Gedenkmarsch für ultrarechten Aktivisten

Más de 3.000 personas asisten a la marcha por la muerte a golpes de un joven ultraderechista en Lyon

« Marche d’hommage » à Quentin Deranque à Lyon : 3 200 participants, des figures et des slogans d’extrême droite

3,200 Attend Tribute March for Slain Far-Right Activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon

**Summary:** NASA has announced that the Artemis II crewed mission around the Moon will not launch in March due to technical problems identified on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The issue involves an interruption in the helium flow to the rocket's upper stage, forcing NASA to consider returning the rocket to the assembly building for repairs.

- The targeted launch date was March 6, following a successful full-scale test the previous day.
- The four astronauts, three Americans and one Canadian, who had entered quarantine, may now exit.
- The helium flow issue affects the SLS rocket's interim cryogenic propulsion stage, critical for orbit insertion.
- Previous delays for Artemis II included issues with the heat shield and hydrogen fuel leaks.
- The mission is the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years, a step toward Artemis III.

**Why it matters:** This setback impacts the timeline for NASA's first crewed mission around the Moon in over five decades, emphasizing the technical hurdles in the Artemis program before a crewed lunar landing can occur.

NASA moon rocket suffers setback likely to delay March launch: officials

NASA moon rocket hit by new problem, putting March launch with astronauts in jeopardy

NASA’s Artemis II Mission To Send Humans To Moon May Be Delayed Due To Rocket Issue | World News - News18

Artémis 2 : la Nasa annonce exclure un lancement en mars en raison de problèmes techniques

Vol vers la Lune | La NASA exclut un lancement en mars à cause de problèmes techniques

NASA Delays Artemis II Moon Mission Due to Technical Setback

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump announced an immediate increase of the proposed global tariff rate from 10% to 15%, citing a recent "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision" by the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had ruled 6-3 that his administration lacked the legal authority to impose sweeping global duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

- The new 15% global tariff is being imposed under Section 122 of US trade law (balance-of-payments tariff), which allows tariffs up to 15% for up to 150 days.
- Trump accused several countries of exploiting the US for decades and claimed the revised rate is legally sound.
- The Supreme Court setback involved ruling that IEEPA does not authorize the president to unilaterally levy broad, economy-wide tariffs.
- Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the Supreme Court ruling.

**Why it matters:** This action represents a significant escalation in trade policy following a major judicial check on presidential authority, likely increasing economic uncertainty.

Welthandel: Trump will weltweiten Zollsatz auf 15 Prozent erhöhen

USA: Donald Trump will globale Zölle von zehn auf 15 Prozent anheben

Trump Raises Global Tariff To 15%, Calls US Top Court's Ruling 'Anti-American'

Donde dije 10%, digo 15%: Trump anuncia una nueva subida de su arancel global hasta el 15%

Trump redobla su pulso y sube del 10% al 15% el arancel global anunciado tras el revés del Supremo

Trump eleva ahora el nuevo arancel global al 15%, solo un día después de fijarlo en el 10%

Trump Raises Global Tariff To 15%, Calling Supreme Court Ruling 'Anti-American'

**Summary:** Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, specifically near the village of Rayak in the Baalbek area, resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people and wounded 24, according to Lebanese officials. The Israeli military stated it eliminated several members of Hezbollah's missile unit in three command centers.

- Hezbollah officials confirmed eight militants were killed, including three local commanders identified as Ali al-Moussawi, Mohammed al-Moussawi, and Hussein Yaghi.
- The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 10 fatalities, including a Syrian man and an Ethiopian woman, and 24 wounded, among them three children.
- The Israeli military claimed the targeted Hezbollah members were planning fire attacks toward Israel.
- The strikes occurred late Friday, and a funeral for several Hezbollah members was held Saturday in Nabi Sheet.
- The event follows a low-level conflict that escalated into full-scale war in September 2024 before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

**Why it matters:** This incident marks an unusually high death toll from recent strikes, occurring amid intensified regional tensions, including threats by the United States regarding Iran.

CBC News - Israeli strikes in eastern Lebanon kill 8 Hezbollah members, 2 others: officials

La Tercera - Al menos 12 personas murieron tras ataques israelís en el Líbano

BreakingNews.ie - Israeli air strikes in eastern Lebanon kill eight Hezbollah members – officials

Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill at Least 10, Including Hezbollah Members