In a landmark decision on February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down former President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs, which were originally implemented under a law typically reserved for national emergencies. This ruling, marking a major setback for a key aspect of Trump's economic policy with significant global implications, surprisingly saw U.S. stocks remain relatively steady despite broader economic concerns.
Ukrainian authorities successfully thwarted a sophisticated Russian plot to assassinate high-ranking officials, including a strategic communications coordinator, which offered $100,000 bounties for their deaths. This cross-border operation, involving arrests and the seizure of weapons and explosives, highlights the persistent and complex security threats Ukraine faces.
A newly discovered giant virus, ushikuvirus, found in Japan, is challenging long-held theories about the origin of complex life. This amoeba-infecting virus offers unique insights by connecting different giant DNA virus families and suggesting how viruses might have influenced the evolution of the cell nucleus.
A devastating gas explosion ripped through a residential building in Karachi, Pakistan, killing at least 16 people and injuring many more as it collapsed during the early hours of Ramadan. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the blast, which tragically struck residents preparing for their pre-dawn meal, adding a somber dimension to the holy month.
NASA is conducting a crucial second wet dress rehearsal for its Artemis 2 mission, a high-stakes fueling test designed to resolve persistent hydrogen leaks and other issues that plagued a previous attempt. This intensive 50-hour countdown, involving over 700,000 gallons of supercold propellants, is a vital step toward the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 and will determine the feasibility of a March launch for the four astronauts.
Peru's Congress has elected 83-year-old leftist Jose Balcazar as the nation's eighth president in eight years, underscoring a period of profound political instability. Balcazar, who replaces a leader ousted by scandal, now faces the challenge of overseeing transparent elections despite his own controversial past comments defending child marriage.
