Stay updated with the latest politics news and analysis
Facing a week-long government shutdown initiated by Congressional Democrats over funding, the Department of Homeland Security enacted emergency measures on February 22, 2026, to protect national security and conserve vital resources. These drastic steps immediately halted FEMA's non-disaster response and suspended CBP Global Entry, creating significant disruptions for both urgent disaster relief and international travelers.
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.
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.
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.
Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was reportedly arrested on his 66th birthday, February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This dramatic development, confirmed by Thames Valley Police, follows intensifying scrutiny over his Jeffrey Epstein connections and allegations he sent confidential trade reports to the convicted sex offender.
Russia unleashed a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 400 drones and 29 missiles just hours before US-brokered peace talks were set to commence in Geneva. Ukrainian officials and President Zelenskyy swiftly condemned the strikes as a blatant disregard for peace efforts, urging international allies to respond forcefully to this apparent attempt to undermine diplomacy.
India's National Green Tribunal has officially greenlit the controversial Great Nicobar project, citing its "strategic importance" despite ongoing environmental concerns. This decision highlights the government's prioritization of national development, sparking further debate on balancing progress with the unique ecosystem of the Great Nicobar region.
The Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown on February 15, 2026, after Congress failed to pass a crucial funding bill due to deep partisan divisions over immigration policy. This budgetary stalemate severely impacts vital services like border security, airport screening, disaster response, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel pay, with no immediate resolution in sight.
In a controversial move, the Trump administration officially repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding on February 12, 2026, thereby eliminating the federal government's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This decision, which environmental organizations are preparing to challenge legally, is widely condemned for threatening public health, exacerbating climate change, and undermining years of environmental progress.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a stunning landslide victory in the February 2026 parliamentary elections, returning to power after two decades in the first election since the 2024 July Revolution. BNP leader Tarique Rahman is now poised to become Prime Minister after the party won over 200 seats, with international congratulations following the peaceful election.
The Trump administration has controversially repealed a 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger human health, effectively dismantling the legal basis for federal climate regulations. This "largest deregulation in American history," aimed at reducing manufacturing costs, faces widespread condemnation from environmental groups and former President Obama, who warn of severe environmental and health risks and anticipate significant legal challenges.