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Summary

Within hours of Maine Gov. Janet Mills publicly defying Donald Trump’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports, the U.S. Education Department launched a Title IX compliance probe targeting Maine’s transgender-inclusive policies.

Trump threatened to withhold federal funding if Maine did not comply. Mills firmly responded, “We’ll see you in court.”

She condemned the investigation as political retaliation and an unconstitutional use of federal power.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey vowed to fight back.

LGBTQ+ advocates praised Mills for standing up for students, saying Trump’s bullying would be legally challenged.

Summary

Donald Trump fired Gen CQ Brown Jr, the Black chair of the joint chiefs of staff, continuing a purge of leaders supporting diversity in the military.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had insisted on ousting Brown due to his role in “woke” DEI programs, questioning Brown’s selection as possibly based on race.

Brown, praised for his achievements and role in deterring China, was replaced by Lt Gen Dan “Razin” Caine, bypassing statutory prerequisites.

The move signals sweeping Pentagon changes, including further high-level firings and a dramatic shift in America’s defense priorities.

Summary

Trump’s mass federal layoffs, including over 1,000 VA employees, have disproportionately impacted veterans, both as workers and beneficiaries.

With nearly 30% of federal employees being veterans, job losses threaten their economic stability and could delay essential VA services.

While VA Secretary Doug Collins claims the cuts will not harm healthcare or benefits, Democratic lawmakers warn of staffing shortages, halted services, and longer wait times.

Veterans and advocates fear lasting damage to the VA system, with research and critical patient care already disrupted.

Summary

The Supreme Court declined Donald Trump’s emergency request to immediately fire Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, while litigation continues.

Trump fired Dellinger on Feb. 7, but U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson temporarily reinstated him, citing legal protections requiring cause for removal.

The Justice Department argued that blocking the firing undermines presidential authority. The Court will reconsider the case after a Feb. 26 hearing.

The ruling marks the first Supreme Court response to Trump’s aggressive efforts to reshape government.

Summary

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is pushing to ban lab-grown meat, arguing it threatens traditional ranchers.

However, many ranchers and farm groups oppose the ban, saying they can compete without government interference.

Critics argue the move stifles free-market competition and is driven by industry protection, not public health concerns.

Supporters, including state Sen. Barry DeKay, cite safety worries but have shifted from economic arguments. Some groups favor clear labeling over an outright ban.

Florida and Alabama have already enacted similar prohibitions, while other states are considering them.

Summary

A federal judge blocked most of Donald Trump’s executive orders that aimed to end government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson found the orders likely violated free speech rights and issued a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement.

The plaintiffs, including Baltimore and academic groups, argued the orders were unconstitutional and caused widespread harm.

The ruling allows the attorney general to investigate DEI practices but halts enforcement.

Summary

The city of Buriticupu in Brazil’s Amazon declared a state of emergency after huge sinkholes threatened hundreds of homes.

In Maranhão state, rapidly expanding sinkholes have already destroyed several buildings and risk displacing about 1,200 people from a population of 55,000.

Known locally as “voçoroca,” these erosions have worsened over 30 years due to deforestation, poorly planned construction, and heavy rains eroding vulnerable sandy soils.

Authorities admit their limited capacity to address the erosion and relocation.

Summary

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested near the U.S. Capitol for allegedly assaulting a protester by striking her phone and arm.

Tarrio had just left a press conference alongside other far-right figures pardoned by Donald Trump for their roles in the January 6 attack.

Tarrio was previously serving a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy before Trump's mass clemency.

A recent poll shows most Americans disapprove of pardoning Capitol rioters. Tarrio's attorney has not yet commented on the new charges.

Summary

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old DOGE staffer recently promoted to a senior adviser role in the State Department, is reportedly the grandson of former KGB spy Valery Martynov.

Martynov was executed in the Soviet Union after being exposed as an FBI informant. Coristine, an alleged former cybercriminal, previously worked in the General Services Administration and now has potential access to sensitive diplomatic data.

Concerns have been raised over his background and apparent lack of a security check.

The situation fuels fears about foreign influence in U.S. government operations.

Summary

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that forcing Ukraine into an unfair peace deal would lead to more war, rejecting any agreement that concedes territory to Russia without security guarantees.

She urged Europe to pressure the U.S. to support its NATO allies. Meanwhile, Trump dismissed Zelensky's role in peace talks, claiming Ukraine has "no cards" to negotiate.

U.S.-Ukraine relations remain strained, though some American officials signaled continued support.

Trump's team insists Zelensky will eventually accept a U.S. rare earth mineral deal despite Kyiv’s current resistance.

Summary

Thousands of people across Germany rallied in mid-February under the slogan “Vote for love,” protesting the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) ahead of an election expected to see the party surge in support.

Activists warn of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence, citing 26 attacks on Pride marches last year.

The AfD opposes LGBTQ+ rights, despite its chancellor candidate Alice Weidel being openly lesbian.

Concerns also mount over mainstream parties adopting AfD’s stances, including efforts to repeal Germany’s Self-Determination law.

Summary

Moscow warns that Western companies that left Russia after its invasion of Ukraine will face consequences if they return.

Russian industry minister Anton Alikhanov stated, "There will be a price to pay for past decisions," emphasizing a focus on domestic and Eurasian partners.

Nearly 475 firms, including McDonald's and Ikea, exited following sanctions, though some may consider returning post-war.

Experts note that political, reputational, and economic challenges—amid ongoing inflation, tight monetary policy, and Putin’s authoritarian control—will likely deter a rapid re-entry by Western companies.