Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:10pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
Donald Trump has warned that countries could face higher tariffs if they delay or step back from trade deals with the United States. His remarks came after the US Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said any country that wants to “play games” would be met with “a much higher Tariff.” He added that nothing has changed in the proposed India-US trade deal. The European Commission has asked for clarity, saying, “A deal is a deal.” (PC: The Indian Express)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:05pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest is part of an investigation into links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Metropolitan Police said officers detained a 72-year-old man as part of the probe into a former minister. The case follows the release of emails by the US Justice Department. The messages suggested closer ties between Mandelson and Epstein than earlier known. Last week, Prince Andrew was also arrested in the widening investigation. Police said inquiries are ongoing. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:02pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday India
All seven people on board a Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance died after the aircraft crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. The plane went down in the Kasiyatu forest area near Simaria. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the Beechcraft King Air BE9L took off from Ranchi at 7:11 pm. It lost contact with Air Traffic Control at 7:34 pm. The aircraft was operated by Redbird Airways. Those on board included a patient, two pilots, a doctor, a paramedic and two attendants. “The search and rescue team is at the location and the AAIB team is being dispatched,” the DGCA said. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:59pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
Muhammad Yunus has returned to his role at the Yunus Centre after serving nearly 18 months as head of Bangladesh’s interim government. The 85-year-old reached the Mirpur office on Sunday and was welcomed by staff. In a farewell message, he said, “Today, the interim government is stepping down. But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights… not be halted.” Yunus stepped down after the new government was formed under the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. He congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman on their election win. (PC: NDTV)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:03pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
Locals and tourists in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta have described scenes of shocking devastation following cartel retaliation after drug lord El Mencho's killing. Nashville-born resident Jerry Jones, a four-year Puerto Vallarta resident, described being "completely caught off guard" as hundreds of vehicles were set ablaze simultaneously across the city, including over 30 cars destroyed in a single store parking lot. Canadian content creator Marc-André called the usually vibrant resort town an "absolute war zone," describing streets as "very quiet and unsettling." Dallas tourist Adryan Moorefield compared the experience to "being in the twilight zone," while another visitor Jim Beck found himself stranded after his flight was cancelled. Community members united, helping overwhelmed firefighters and food-deprived tourists amid the unprecedented crisis.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:58pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday Weather & Environment
A major winter storm has brought heavy snow to the US east coast. New York officials warned of “near impossible” travel conditions. Parts of the region have received more than 22 inches of snow. Central Park recorded over 15 inches, the National Weather Service said. Winter storm warnings stretch from North Carolina to Maine. Thousands of flights have been cancelled. Many homes are without power. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned of falling trees, calling it “a very dangerous situation.” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said about 20,000 people were without electricity. Travel bans remain in several areas as strong winds continue. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:54pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday India
An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. One person died in the accident. The victim was Sanjay Kumar, 41, a burn patient being taken for treatment. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft took off at 7:11 pm. It lost communication and radar contact at 7:34 pm. The plane was a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Redbird Airways. Seven people were on board, including two pilots, a doctor and a paramedic. Rescue teams reached the site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will probe the crash. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:39pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday India Global
Israel has reportedly proposed supplying India with the Golden Horizon Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM), a sophisticated deep-strike weapon capable of targeting fortified underground strategic facilities including command bunkers and nuclear-related infrastructure. Derived from Israel's Silver Sparrow target missile, the Golden Horizon is estimated to have a range between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres significantly exceeding BrahMos capabilities and follows a ballistic trajectory reaching near-hypersonic terminal velocities above Mach 5, making interception extremely challenging. If acquired, the missile would likely be integrated with IAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet. The offer represents a significant upgrade beyond Israel's previously supplied LORA and Rampage systems, potentially transforming India's aerial deep-strike capabilities against hardened enemy infrastructure considerably. (PC: News18)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:22pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday India Global
Urvashi, an Indian woman based in Japan, recently visited the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens to meet Punch, the internet's beloved baby Japanese macaque, sharing heartwarming glimpses on Instagram captioned "Finally met the tiniest fighter in Japan." Born in July 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and hand-raised by dedicated zoo staff. He developed a deep attachment to a stuffed orangutan plush, affectionately dubbed "Ora-mama" by fans online. Despite facing intimidation from older monkeys, Punch has shown remarkable resilience. The zoo has witnessed a significant spike in visitors since Punch's story went viral. Recent updates confirm Punch has made new friends and was groomed by two fellow monkeys, steadily integrating into the group.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:17pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to global trading partners hours after the US Supreme Court struck down his sweeping tariff powers, threatening significantly higher duties against any nation attempting to exploit the ruling. Writing on Truth Social, Trump cautioned that countries trying to "play games" would face tariffs far worse than previously agreed rates. Following the court's decision, Trump raised import duties to 15%, the maximum permitted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and signed an executive order imposing a 10% global import tax effective Tuesday, coinciding with his State of the Union address. Trump maintained he requires no Congressional approval, arguing such authority was granted long ago through existing legislation.