A massive bomb cyclone nor'easter described as the strongest storm in a decade battered the northeastern United States from Maryland to Maine on Monday, dumping over two feet of snow across the metropolitan Northeast. More than 5,600 flights were cancelled, with an additional 2,000 grounded Tuesday. Schools shuttered across New York, Boston and Philadelphia, while over 450,000 households lost power. Central Park recorded 19 inches of snowfall, while Warwick, Rhode Island surpassed three feet, breaking a 1978 record. Emergency declarations were issued across multiple states. The United Nations even postponed a Security Council meeting. Meteorologists warned another storm could strike the region later this week. (PC: X)

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged deep national exhaustion but firmly rejected any surrender, warning that capitulating to Moscow would mean Ukraine losing its sovereignty entirely. Speaking to CNN, Zelenskyy called Putin himself "a war" and urged stronger US pressure on Russia, bluntly stating Trump was not doing enough. He indicated Ukraine could consider freezing front lines but refused withdrawing troops from Donetsk. Peace talks remain deadlocked over security guarantees, with Kyiv insisting Congressional approval must precede any settlement. Separately, Zelenskyy declared on X that Putin has already triggered World War III, with Ukraine serving as the world's defensive outpost. (PC: X)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon for a high-stakes confrontation over military access to the Claude AI system. The Defence Department is pressuring Anthropic to deploy its most advanced models within classified military networks with significantly fewer safety restrictions. Currently Claude is the only frontier AI operating in certain sensitive defence environments. Tensions escalated after reports emerged that Claude was allegedly used during the January 3 Venezuela operation that captured Nicolas Maduro, though Anthropic denied confirming this. The Pentagon has threatened to designate Anthropic a "supply chain risk," which would force all defence contractors to abandon Claude entirely, effectively severing the partnership. (PC: India Today)  

Following the US Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling declaring Trump's global tariffs "unlawful," President Donald Trump swiftly retaliated by signing an executive order imposing a 10% global tariff on foreign goods, subsequently raising it to 15% the very next day. The Court ruled Trump exceeded his legal authority by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act without Congressional approval. Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that extraordinary assertions of power require clear congressional authorisation. Undeterred, Trump issued a stark warning on Truth Social, threatening countries attempting to exploit the ruling with "much higher tariffs and worse." Global allies including the EU and UK are now reconsidering their trade arrangements with Washington.

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)

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)

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)

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.

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.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming his government's support for removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the British royal line of succession. Andrew, currently eighth in line to the throne, was arrested by Thames Valley Police on February 19 at his Sandringham residence on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Allegations tied to claims he shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during official overseas visits. Released after 11 hours of questioning, he remains under investigation without charges filed. Removing Andrew from succession would require primary legislation approved by both Houses of Parliament, royal assent from King Charles III, and consent from 14 Commonwealth realms including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PC: India Today)