How the Board of Peace pledge reshapes Gaza relief and regional dynamics
An analysis of the Board of Peace’s $5bn pledge, international troop commitments, recent Gaza fatalities and parallel US-led pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon
News
Security Council moves meeting to address Gaza ceasefire and West Bank plans before Trump board
The UN Security Council shifted its session to review the Gaza ceasefire and Israeli West Bank policies ahead of President Trump’s Board of Peace meeting, as countries and organisations urge a halt to annexation efforts
Rescuers reach six survivors after Castle Peak avalanche; frantic search continues for nine still missing
On Feb. 17, 2026, an avalanche near Castle Peak swept through a group of skiers; six were rescued and brought to safety while authorities continue searching for nine others amid dangerous storm conditions.
U.S.-led Geneva talks end without breakthrough as Russia and Ukraine remain far apart
U.S.-mediated negotiations in Geneva produced limited progress on military issues while political gaps over occupied territory and security guarantees remain wide
U.S.-Belgium diplomatic rift over allegations of antisemitism and ritual circumcision probe
Belgium summoned the U.S. ambassador following a public message that framed a local probe into ritual circumcisions as antisemitic, highlighting diplomatic friction and debates over religious freedom and public health
How Israel is deepening control in the West Bank and what the U.S. may do
As Israel moves policies that strengthen its hold on the West Bank, tensions rise between its government, Palestinian communities and the United States over legality, displacement and regional strategy
Why a phantom stealth fighter highlights fragmentation in European defense
A phantom stealth fighter project has become a symbol of Europe’s defense challenges, exposing duplicated efforts, industrial fragmentation and diplomatic strains that reduce value from military budgets
Woman arrested in Kursk accused of attempted treason after trying to reach a Ukrainian soldier
A translator from Irkutsk attempted to reach her Ukrainian fiancé via Kursk in October 2026; detained by the FSB, she alleges torture and is charged with attempted treason based on evidence found on her phone
Franco-German and international fighter projects under strain amid political and industrial frictions
European defence plans are fragmented: doubts from German leaders, protests in Italy over rising costs and competing programmes with UK, Japan and France reshape the future of sixth-generation fighters
Why speculation over Lagarde’s early exit from the ECB is gaining traction
Speculation that Christine Lagarde could leave the European Central Bank ahead of schedule has sparked debate over who would shape the next monetary leadership in Europe
Sara Duterte announces 2028 run as Duterte ICC case and political tensions escalate
Sara Duterte announced a 2028 presidential run while navigating multiple impeachment complaints and the high-profile ICC case against her father, Rodrigo Duterte, which has implicated senior officials
Escalating attacks on Ukraine’s power ahead of Geneva peace talks
Russian bombardment of Ukrainian energy assets left tens of thousands without power and killed three energy workers as U.S.-backed talks in Geneva began; Kyiv reported striking a Russian oil refinery in response
Geneva talks yield guiding principles as Iran and US aim to bridge nuclear standoff
Iran and the United States said they reached an understanding on main guiding principles during mediated talks, but negotiators warned that significant technical and political hurdles remain
Texas attorney general debate brings four Republican candidates to the Granada Theater
Four Republicans—Chip Roy, Aaron Reitz, Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman—meet at the Granada Theater for a debate hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association and moderated by Allie Beth Stuckey
GOP advances new voting limits amid court rulings and immigration debates
Republicans in Congress are pursuing tougher voting rules including proof of citizenship while legal rulings and immigration responses add complexity to the national debate
Newly released Epstein files expose royal ties, corporate closures and Bologna mentions
Newly released justice department files tied to Jeffrey Epstein have produced a wave of resignations and investigations, exposed previously undisclosed emails involving Sarah Ferguson and her daughters, and even linked Epstein’s network to Bologna in multiple documents