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Friedrich Merz was overwhelmingly re-elected as chairman of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on Friday, securing a commanding 91.17 percent of delegate votes. This strong mandate, his first re-election since becoming Federal Chancellor last June, solidifies his leadership within the party for another two-year term.
The European Union has enacted a groundbreaking ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear, a critical step to combat overproduction and the 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions generated annually by discarded goods. This pioneering regulation, part of the EU's push for a circular economy, mandates large companies to comply by July 2026, encouraging sustainable alternatives like resale and reuse.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul has electrified the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament, securing a two-stroke lead heading into the final round in her home country. Her dominant position was cemented by an incredible 6-under 66 in the third round, highlighted by birdies on her final three holes.
Mark Gurman has revealed Apple's plans for three new AI wearables, including smart glasses, a pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods, with the glasses positioned as a groundbreaking "all-day AI companion." These innovative smart glasses will utilize built-in cameras to understand the user's real-time environment, offering contextual information and a hands-free experience through integrated Siri, microphones, and speakers.
Samsung Electronics and KT Corporation have achieved a significant milestone for 6G development by successfully verifying eXtreme multiple-input multiple-output (X-MIMO) technology in the crucial 7 GHz band. This breakthrough demonstrated an impressive peak downlink data rate of 3 gigabits per second, powered by ultra-high-density antenna technology four times denser than current 5G systems.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has controversially repealed the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, allowing coal and oil power plants to emit more harmful pollutants like mercury and soot. This decision, which critics warn will significantly increase public health risks by avoiding critical safety standards, is projected by the EPA to save $670 million, though opponents argue it disregards crucial health benefits.
Scientists at Stanford University have achieved a significant breakthrough by creating the first global map of rare earthquakes occurring deep within Earth's mantle, a phenomenon long debated and difficult to confirm. This groundbreaking research, which identified 459 such events since 1990, offers crucial insights into the crust-mantle boundary and the upper mantle's role in seismic activity, particularly in regions like the Himalayas.
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 avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada has claimed eight lives, marking it as one of the deadliest in the state's history and the worst in the U.S. since 1981. While six individuals were successfully rescued, the search for a ninth missing skier has tragically transitioned to a recovery operation after the incident involving a group of 15 backcountry enthusiasts.
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.