**Summary:** The European Parliament has formally paused the ratification process for the EU-USA trade agreement due to uncertainty following US President Donald Trump's latest tariff announcements. The move was confirmed by Bernd Lange, Chairman of the Trade Committee, who demanded clear assurances from the US regarding adherence to the deal.

**Key points:**
- The vote in the European Parliament's trade committee, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed.
- The pause is a reaction to US President Trump announcing a worldwide import tariff rate of 10%, later raised to 15%, after a Supreme Court decision against his previous tariff policy.
- The agreement reached in August 2025 included generalized tariffs of 15% on most EU imports to the US, down from an initial 30%, and zero tariffs on American lobster.
- This is the second time the European Parliament has suspended the legislative process for the agreement.
- The EU Commission and the German government are seeking clarity from Washington on the new US tariff policy to ensure planning security for businesses.

**Why it matters:** The suspension signals significant friction in EU-US trade relations, jeopardizing an agreement intended to provide legal certainty and stability for businesses on both sides.

EU-Parlament stoppt Umsetzung von Zolldeal mit USA vorerst

EU: Kreise: US-Zoll auf EU-Importe soll 15 Prozent betragen

UE wstrzymuje zatwierdzenie wielkiej umowy handlowej z USA

UE suspende tramitación del acuerdo comercial con Estados Unidos ante incertidumbre arancelaria

EU Parliament Halts Ratification of Trade Deal with USA Over Tariff Uncertainty

**Summary:** UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body provisionally suspended Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for one match due to alleged discriminatory behavior against Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during the first leg of the Champions League playoff in Lisbon. Vinícius reported being called a racial slur, prompting the referee to activate the anti-racism protocol.

**Key points:**
- The suspension prevents Prestianni from playing in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- The provisional ban is based on a prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations concerning discriminatory conduct.
- Prestianni denies the allegation that he called Vinícius a racial slur, while Kylian Mbappé allegedly stated Prestianni used the slur five times.
- Benfica has announced its intention to appeal the provisional decision.
- The incident occurred after Vinícius scored the 0-1 goal in the first leg on February 17.

**Why it matters:** This immediate disciplinary action by UEFA highlights the governing body's commitment to addressing racism in football while the full investigation, which could lead to severe sanctions under Article 14, remains ongoing.

thenationonlineng.net - BREAKING: UEFA suspends Prestianni amid racism allegations

latercera.com - La UEFA suspende provisoriamente a Prestianni tras acusaciones de racismo de Vinícius

faz.net - Nach Rassismus-Vorfall: UEFA sperrt Prestianni für Rückspiel

huffingtonpost.es - La UEFA suspende provisionalmente un partido a Prestianni por "comportamiento discriminatorio" con Vinícius

eldiario.es - La UEFA sanciona a Prestianni por los insultos racistas a Vinicius y no jugará en la vuelta de Champions en el Bernabéu

UEFA provisionally suspends Benfica's Prestianni over racism claim by Vinícius Jr.

**Summary:** The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague formally opened the confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte, 80, to determine if there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity.

**Key points:**
- The charges against Duterte relate to murder and attempted murder in 78 cases between 2013 and 2019, stemming from his "war on drugs."
- Duterte, who has been detained in Scheveningen since March 2025, waived his right to appear at the hearing.
- The prosecution, represented by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, outlined three counts involving deaths linked to the Davao Death Squad (DDS) and police operations.
- Victims' representatives expressed disappointment over Duterte's absence, arguing his presence was vital for justice.

**Why it matters:** The proceedings are closely watched by victims' families hoping for justice, as victims' representatives stated domestic avenues for justice appeared blocked, citing a former Justice Secretary's admission that evidence was erased.

FAZ.net - Prozess gegen Duterte: „Wenn ich Präsident werde, werdet ihr alle ausgelöscht“

inquirer.net - WATCH: Prosecution’s submission of the merits at ICC hearing on Rodrigo Duterte’s case

BusinessWorld Online - ICC begins pre-trial hearing on Duterte’s crimes against humanity charges

ICC Pre-Trial Hearing Begins Against Former Philippine President Duterte

**Summary:** A federal operation targeting Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), resulted in significant violence, including armed confrontations, vehicle burnings, and road blockades primarily in Jalisco, Mexico. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed 61 total fatalities, comprising 34 alleged criminals and 25 federal forces, including National Guard elements, a custodian, and an FGJ agent.

**Key points:**
- The initial clash in Tapalpa, Jalisco, involved the Army and CJNG security, leading to the death of eight criminals and the seizure of an arsenal including two rocket launchers.
- Following the action, 27 aggressive acts were registered in Jalisco, resulting in the deaths of 25 National Guard elements, one custodian, and one state FGJ agent, plus 30 alleged criminals killed in those attacks.
- Four alleged criminals were killed in Michoacán, and 15 security personnel were injured in the related violence.
- The US Embassy in Mexico issued a third security alert, advising US citizens and diplomatic personnel to shelter in place across numerous states due to ongoing security operations and associated criminal activity.
- The location of 'El Mencho' was reportedly revealed through military intelligence tracking one of his sentimental partners.

**Why it matters:** The high casualty count underscores the intensity of the confrontation with the CJNG, leading to widespread security disruptions like transportation cancellations and toll booth closures across several Mexican states.

El operativo: Ubican a 'Mencho' por seguimiento a su pareja

Seguimiento a novia del ‘Mencho’ reveló su escondite en Tapalpa, revela la Sedena

Emite alerta de seguridad de la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México por violencia tras muerte de ‘El Mencho’

García Harfuch confirma 34 delincuentes del CJNG muertos y 25 elementos de la GN fallecidos en operativo contra ‘El Mencho’

México: 25 militares de la Guardia Nacional y 30 delincuentes murieron en ataques tras el operativo contra ‘El Mencho’

Violent Clashes Follow Operation Against CJNG Leader 'El Mencho'

**Summary:** The British Academy Film Awards ceremony was disrupted when an audience member with Tourette's syndrome, Scottish campaigner John Davidson, involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. Both the British film academy and the BBC issued apologies following the incident.

**Key points:**
- Host Alan Cumming explained to the audience that the outburst was due to involuntary tics associated with Tourette's syndrome.
- The offensive word was heard during the live ceremony and also broadcast on the BBC, which later apologized for not editing it out prior to broadcast.
- John Davidson, whose life inspired the film "I Swear," left the ceremony halfway through after the incident.
- Actor Jamie Foxx criticized the outburst as "unacceptable," while the charity Tourette's Action defended Davidson, stating tics are involuntary.

**Why it matters:** The incident sparked controversy regarding the balance between acknowledging a disability and the offense caused by involuntary hate speech during a high-profile international event.

CBC News - British film academy, BBC apologize after BAFTA awards guest with Tourette's shouts racial slur

deccanchronicle.com - BAFTA Awards Ceremony Disrupted by Tourette's Syndrome Campaigner Davidson

Daily Mail - Jamie Foxx hits out at Bafta N-word controversy - as Tourette's charity says involuntary tics are 'not a reflection of the sufferer's beliefs'

Racial Slur Shouted at BAFTA Awards by Guest with Tourette's Syndrome

**Summary:** Civil servants claim that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, used taxpayer money to pay for massages and excessive travel costs while serving as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. One former staff member stated they initially refused the massage expense but were overruled by senior staff.

**Key points:**
- The alleged expenses, including massages and excessive travel costs, occurred during Andrew's unpaid role as trade representative from 2001 to 2011.
- A retired civil servant claimed to have been annoyed by the massage request and refused payment, but was overruled by superiors.
- A former senior Whitehall official overseeing finances confirmed seeing similar expenses and had 'absolutely no doubt' about the massage claims.
- The allegations surface shortly after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
- The Department for Business and Trade declined to comment on the specific claim.

**Why it matters:** These fresh allegations regarding the use of public funds add to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, particularly following his recent arrest.

Daily Mail - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'used taxpayers' money to pay for massages while he was trade envoy', civil servants claim

Huffington Post ES - Suma y sigue: el expríncipe Andrés usó dinero de los contribuyentes para pagarse masajes, según exfuncionarios

Ex-Royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Accused of Using Taxpayer Funds for Massages

**Summary:** Following a Supreme Court ruling, China has urged the United States to cancel unilateral tariffs, specifically those imposed during the Trump era. This call is a direct diplomatic action following the judicial decision.

**Key points:**
- China called on the US to cancel tariffs that were implemented during the Trump administration.
- The call for tariff cancellation was made subsequent to a ruling by the US Supreme Court.
- The event is linked to Asian stock market reactions, with reports noting a rally after the tariff decision.

**Why it matters:** The event signifies a diplomatic push by China to reverse trade measures following a significant legal development in the US, potentially impacting international economic relations.

inquirer.net - Asian stocks rally after Trump's Supreme Court tariffs blow

france24.com - China calls on US to cancel Trump-era tariffs following Supreme Court ruling

inquirer.net - China urges US to cancel unilateral tariffs after Supreme Court ruling

China Urges US to Cancel Unilateral Tariffs After Supreme Court Ruling

**Summary:** Austin Tucker Martin, 21, was fatally shot by US Secret Service agents after breaching the security perimeter of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida early Sunday morning while carrying a shotgun and a gas canister. Martin reportedly came from a family of avid Trump supporters and was described as being 'obsessed with the Epstein cover up.'

**Key points:**
- The incident occurred around 1:30 am (0630 GMT) while President Trump was in Washington.
- Martin, a North Carolina resident, allegedly raised his shotgun after being told to disarm.
- A cousin stated Martin's family were big Trump supporters and described him as quiet.
- Text messages uncovered by TMZ showed Martin was concerned about the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

**Why it matters:** The event highlights ongoing security concerns surrounding high-profile political figures and residences, particularly in the context of politically charged incidents.

US Secret Service kills man trying to access Trump Florida estate - INQUIRER.net

US Secret Service Kills Man Trying to Access Trump's Florida Home - Deccan Chronicle

Gunman shot dead at Mar-a-Lago was 'obsessed with Epstein cover up,' came from family of 'avid Trump supporters' - Daily Mail Online

Gunman Shot Dead at Mar-a-Lago After Breaching Security Perimeter