**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

**Summary:** Defence Minister Luke Pollard became the first senior Cabinet Minister to support calls for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the line of royal succession, stating it is the right thing to do while he is eighth in line. The government is actively considering legislation to remove his right of succession once the police investigation concludes.

- Luke Pollard, the Labour MP and Defence Minister, made the comments on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions programme.
- Removing Andrew would require an Act of Parliament and the support of 14 Commonwealth realms where the King is Head of State, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray confirmed the government is considering necessary steps but is not ruling anything out due to the live police investigation.
- The police investigation stems from findings in correspondence belonging to American financier Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting Andrew may have improperly shared details from an official trade mission.

**Why it matters:** This represents a significant escalation of political pressure on Number 10, as a senior Cabinet Minister has publicly endorsed removing a member of the Royal Family from the line of succession.

UK govt mulls removing ex-prince Andrew from line of succession - FRANCE 24

Verwicklung in Epstein-Fall: Wie sich König Charles von seinem Bruder Andrew distanziert - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Andrew Montbatten-Windsor MUST be removed from line of royal succession, says Cabinet Minister as pressure grows on Number 10 - Daily Mail Online

UK Cabinet Minister backs removing Prince Andrew from royal succession line

**Summary:** A two-year-old boy named Domenico died in a Naples hospital following a heart transplant performed in December 2025, after it was discovered the donated heart was damaged during transport. The judiciary has opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter.

- The transplant involved a heart transported from Bolzano to Naples.
- The organ was reportedly transported by an untrained team in an improper container using dry ice.
- Medics involved in the organ transport are under investigation.
- The child was first on the transplant list, but his condition rapidly deteriorated, preventing a second transplant.
- The prosecutor's office, led by Deputy Prosecutor Antonio Ricci, arrived at the hospital after the death.

**Why it matters:** The death of the child following a transplant involving a damaged organ has shocked Italian public opinion and prompted investigations by the judiciary and the Ministry of Health.

Przeszczepiono mu uszkodzone serce. Mały Domenico nie żyje

Domenico, morto il bimbo col cuore bruciato: arresto cardiaco all'alba

Il calvario del piccolo Domenico: dal trapianto di un cuore “bruciato” al triste epilogo

Morto bimbo al Monaldi, ora l’inchiesta sul trapianto di un cuore guasto è per omicidio colposo

Child Dies After Receiving Damaged Heart Transplant; Investigation Launched