**Summary:** US President Donald Trump stated he is considering a limited military strike against Iran as a pressure tactic regarding its nuclear program. Trump indicated a decision on military intervention could come within ten to fifteen days.

  - The potential action is intended to pressure Tehran into reaching an agreement to limit its nuclear program.
- The US military is reportedly prepared for an imminent attack, awaiting final presidential authorization.
- A significant US military buildup is occurring in the Middle East, including the USS Gerald R. Ford joining the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- Oil prices rallied over 5% this week due to market fears of potential conflict disrupting flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

  **Why it matters:** The consideration of military action by the US President against Iran raises significant geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning the stability of global oil supplies.

elnorte.com - Considera Trump un 'ataque limitado' contra Irán

cnbc.com - Trump says he's considering limited military strike against Iran

elcomercio.pe - Trump dice que considera un ataque limitado para presionar a Irán

Trump Considers Limited Military Strike Against Iran Over Nuclear Program

**Summary:** The US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs in a 6-3 ruling, determining he exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose the trade measures. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Congress did not expressly grant the power to impose tariffs under IEEPA.

  - The ruling overturns most of Trump’s tariffs imposed under IEEPA, though steel and aluminum tariffs based on different laws remain in place.
- Justices Gorsuch and Barrett, both Trump appointees, joined the majority opinion against the tariffs, alongside Chief Justice Roberts and three liberal justices.
- The White House plans to quickly replace the invalidated levies using alternative, though potentially more cumbersome or limited, legal tools.
- The court did not rule on the entitlement of importers to refunds, leaving that issue for a lower court to resolve, with potential refunds estimated up to $170 billion.
- Trump stated he has a "backup plan" for tariffs following the verdict, while Democrats and industry groups welcomed the decision.

  **Why it matters:** This decision represents a major legal defeat for President Trump's signature economic policy, blunting an executive tool he frequently used against trading partners. The ruling reinforces that tariff authority rests with Congress, not the President under IEEPA, creating renewed uncertainty for international trade.

DIE ZEIT - US-Zollpolitik: Supreme Court kippt viele Trump-Zölle – Was bedeutet das?

Moneyweb - Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs, Wall Street reacts

News18 - Meet The Nine Supreme Court Justices Who Struck Down Trump Tariffs, Six Were Republican-Nominated

News18 - Why Did US Supreme Court Reject Trump's Global Tariffs? Here's What It Said

US Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Sweeping Global Tariffs

**Summary:** Ukrainian and Moldovan law enforcement uncovered and neutralized a Russian special service-backed operative-combat group planning a series of high-profile assassinations in Ukraine. Targets included journalists, public figures, a strategic enterprise head, and military personnel from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR MO), including members of the Foreign Legion.

  - The operation, codenamed "Enigma 2.0", resulted in the detention of seven suspects in Ukraine and three in Moldova, including the network's organizer.
- The Russian side allegedly promised up to $100,000 USD for each assassination, with methods planned ranging from close-range shootings to car bombings.
- Agents monitored targets by posing as delivery service couriers to record locations and movements, reporting back to a Russian resident.
- One of the intended victims was Andriy Yusov, a representative for strategic communications at HUR MO and deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

  **Why it matters:** The foiled plot aimed to destabilize Ukrainian society and spread panic, indicating an active Russian effort to target prominent Ukrainian figures through cross-border criminal networks.

UNIAN - РФ готовила серию убийств в Украине: Генпрокуратура раскрыла, кто был на прицеле

TSN.ua - Росія вдарила по об’єктах «Нафтогазу» в одній з областей: деталі

TSN.ua - РФ готувала вбивства медійників і військових: у МВС розповіли про завдання кіллерів

TSN.ua - Відключення світла 20 лютого: у яких областях ввели нові обмеження та чому

Ukraine and Moldova foil Russian plot to assassinate journalists and military figures

**Summary:** The Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko, stated that Ukraine is capable of fighting for 100% several more years and will not consider ceding territories, despite acknowledging that military victory—the return of occupied territories—is not currently timely. This statement was made in response to claims by Trump regarding the necessity of an immediate ceasefire.

  - Pivnenko stated that military victory means reclaiming all occupied territories, a strategic goal for the future, potentially spanning decades.
- Current priorities for Ukraine are survival and achieving a ceasefire along the line of contact.
- Pivnenko countered claims by Trump that Ukraine would lose the war without an immediate ceasefire.
- In a separate event, police in Storozhynets, Chernivtsi region, detained a man who threw a grenade at officers responding to a call, injuring two policemen.
- The suspect in the grenade incident was a 26-year-old local resident identified as a serviceman who had deserted his unit (SZZh).

  **Why it matters:** The assessment of Ukraine's long-term fighting capability directly influences diplomatic discussions and international support perceptions regarding the conflict's duration.

Чоловіка, який кинув гранату у поліцейських на Буковині, затримали - Українська правда

Побиття, викрадення людей, убивства на Майдані. Чим відома "Чорна рота" - Українська правда

У Києві військовий у СЗЧ влаштував різанину: двоє людей поранені - tsn.ua

У РФ брак спроможностей накопичити резерви: Ягун про ймовірність широкомасштабної операції противника навесні - Espreso.tv

"Віддавати території ніхто не буде": командувач Нацгардії Півненко заявив, що Україна здатна воювати "ще кілька років" - Espreso.tv

Ukrainian National Guard Commander: Ukraine can fight for several more years

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump announced he will direct the Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and other agencies to identify and release government files concerning aliens, extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and UFOs due to "enormous interest." This follows former President Barack Obama's recent podcast comments where he joked about aliens being real.

  - Trump accused former President Barack Obama of making a "big mistake" by improperly disclosing classified information regarding aliens.
- Obama later clarified his statement, saying statistically life is likely given the universe's size, but he saw no evidence of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency.
- The scope and timeline for the release of the documents remain unclear.
- The Pentagon has investigated UFO reports in recent years, with military leaders stating in 2022 and a 2024 report that no evidence of alien visits or crashed technology was found.

  **Why it matters:** The directive by the sitting US President to release classified material on UFOs/aliens signals a significant shift in government transparency regarding long-speculated phenomena.

CBC News - Trump claims he'll order agencies to begin releasing records on aliens, UFOs

DIE ZEIT - USA: US-Präsident will Dokumente zu Außerirdischen freigeben

FAZ - „Enormes Interesse“: Trump will Ufo-Akten freigeben lassen

la Repubblica - Ufo, Trump ordina al Pentagono di rendere pubblici i documenti sugli alieni

Trump Orders Release of Government Files on Aliens and UFOs

**Summary:** The National Assembly of Venezuela unanimously approved a historic Amnesty Law proposed by the acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, covering political crisis episodes between 2002 and 2025. However, the law excludes those involved in armed actions against the country's sovereignty and specific serious crimes.

  - The amnesty covers events such as the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chávez, the 2002-2003 oil strike, and protests in 2013, 2017, and 2024.
- Exclusions include serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, intentional homicide, drug trafficking, and corruption offenses.
- Individuals accused of promoting armed actions against Venezuela by foreign entities are also excluded.
- A special commission will be established to develop and implement mechanisms to ensure the law's compliance.
- The NGO Foro Penal currently counts 644 political prisoners in the country.

  **Why it matters:** This legislative action is framed as part of a 'new political moment' following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and comes as some families continue a hunger strike demanding the release of loved ones.

Venezuela aprueba Ley de Amnistía

El Parlamento de Venezuela aprueba por unanimidad una histórica ley de amnistía

Venezuela's Parliament Approves Amnesty Law for Political Prisoners

**Summary:** Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince, has been released from police custody after being arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest followed the US Department of Justice releasing new documents related to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

  - Andrew was detained during an 8am raid on his new home at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.
- Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest occurred just after 10am on Thursday.
- The arrest is understood to relate to allegations of passing sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy.
- King Charles III was reportedly not warned beforehand, though Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's team was briefed.
- King Charles III issued an unprecedented statement saying 'the law must take its course'.

  **Why it matters:** This marks the first arrest of a modern royal in modern times, causing significant scandal for the monarchy, with King Charles III expressing 'deepest concern'.

Ehemaliger Prinz Andrew: Andrew Mountbatten Windsor verlässt Polizeiwache

Andrew is released from custody: Shamed former Prince is driven from police station after being arrested

Former Prince Andrew Released from Custody After Arrest on Suspicion of Misconduct

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump officially extended anti-Russian sanctions for another year, citing that Russia's actions and policies continue to pose an extraordinary threat to US national security and foreign policy. The extension affects restrictions initially imposed in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

  - The extension continues restrictions on Russian finances, companies, and individuals involved in the aggression against Ukraine.
- The national emergency regime, introduced by Executive Order No. 13660 in 2014, is maintained for another year past March 6, 2026.
- The initial 2014 sanctions targeted those who facilitated Russia's occupation of Crimea.
- The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, previously indicated that the US administration has largely exhausted options for new sanctions, focusing instead on enforcement.
- The decision was announced in an official document published in the US Federal Register.

  **Why it matters:** The renewal of sanctions underscores the ongoing US commitment to maintaining economic pressure on Russia due to the war in Ukraine, despite Russia's claims that the US will eventually be forced to lift them.

Трамп продовжив на рік низку санкцій США проти РФ

Трамп офіційно подовжив санкції проти Росії — термін

Трамп продлил санкции против России из-за вторжения в Украину

Donald Trump przedłużył sankcje USA wobec Rosji na kolejny rok

Trump Extends US Sanctions Against Russia for Another Year