Executive summary
- The US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global tariffs, leading him to impose new, higher tariffs under different legal authority.
- President Trump is considering a limited military strike on Iran, while Iran faces new anti-government student protests.
- Israeli air strikes killed at least 10 in eastern Lebanon, escalating tensions despite a ceasefire.
- Venezuela began releasing political prisoners under a new amnesty law.
- US GDP growth slowed unexpectedly in the fourth quarter, and private credit market fears resurfaced after Blue Owl Capital restricted withdrawals.
- OpenAI projects substantial AI compute spending, and India is attracting billions in AI investment from tech giants.
- Nasa’s Artemis II moon mission was delayed due to a rocket issue.
International Relations & Diplomacy
- US Tariffs Policy Shift
- US-Iran Tensions Escalating
- Ukraine War’s Human Cost
- Personal accounts reveal the profound transformation of Ukrainian civilians into soldiers after four years of conflict.
- The impact highlights the psychological toll and resilience amidst ongoing fighting.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddn2e11zm8o)
- US Domestic Policy Echoes Globally
- Project 2025, an ultra-conservative policy blueprint for Trump’s second term, has seen approximately half its ideas implemented.
- Measures include significant immigration crackdown, foreign aid reductions, and federal workforce changes.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvvjw8pdvo)
Major Regional Events
- Iran Anti-Government Protests Resume
- Students at several universities, including Sharif University, staged large-scale anti-government rallies.
- Protesters chanted against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- These are the first major demonstrations since a deadly crackdown last month that reportedly killed 6,159.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yj2kzkrj0o)
- Israel-Lebanon Tensions Intensify
- Israeli air strikes killed at least 10 people in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.
- Eight of the dead were confirmed Hezbollah members, including a senior commander.
- Israel stated targets were Hezbollah command centers, while a Hamas center in Ain al-Helweh camp was also hit.
- Lebanon’s PM warns of “one-sided war of attrition” despite a November 2024 ceasefire.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg8914dkl0o)
- West Bank Violence and US Citizen Death
- A 19-year-old Palestinian-American man, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, was shot dead by an Israeli settler near Ramallah.
- Family demands accountability; US expects “full, thorough, and transparent investigation.”
- This marks the sixth American citizen killed by Israeli settlers or soldiers in the West Bank in two years.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgk7z15gnpo)
- Venezuelan Political Prisoners Freed
- More than 1,500 political prisoners have applied for amnesty under a new law, with hundreds already released.
- The US had urged Venezuela to expedite the release of political prisoners.
- The new law is criticized for excluding individuals who advocated for foreign intervention.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93w9g2dvn5o)
- French Political Landscape Shift
- The killing of nationalist student Quentin Deranque by suspected far-left militants in Lyon sparks political fallout.
- Condemnation targets the radical-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party, potentially “de-demonising” the far-right National Rally (RN).
- This shift could have significant implications for upcoming municipal elections and the 2027 national elections.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv61zv534eo)
Global Economic & Market Movers
- US GDP Growth Slows Unexpectedly
- Fourth-quarter US GDP increased by only 1.4% (annualized rate), falling short of the 2.5% estimate.
- This slowdown was driven by weaker consumer spending and a sharp decline in government spending due to the shutdown.
- The core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index remained firm at 3% in December.
- Source: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/pce-inflation-december-2025.html)
- Private Credit Market Jitters
- Berkshire Hathaway’s Q4 Portfolio Adjustments
Science, Tech, & Health (Major Developments)
- AI Spending and Investment Outlook
- India’s AI Superpower Ambitions
- AI and Security: OpenAI’s Policy Scrutiny
- OpenAI banned a mass shooting suspect’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 for “abuse detection” (violence furtherance).
- The company did not alert authorities as usage did not meet its “imminent physical harm” threshold.
- OpenAI is reviewing its referral criteria with experts.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4gq352w89o)
- Microsoft Gaming Leadership Change
- Google Trade Secret Theft Accusations
- Nasa Moon Mission Postponed
- The Artemis II mission, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon, was delayed due to a rocket issue.
- A helium flow interruption during routine checks made the planned March 6 launch “out of consideration.”
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626v265zqlo)
- Galapagos Tortoises Return Home
- 158 captive-bred juvenile giant tortoises were released on Floreana Island, marking their return after 180 years.
- This is part of a “hugely significant” ecological restoration project.
- Source: (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wn1jrzk4go)
- Meta Child Safety Concerns Lead to Partnership Break