Ukraine and the U.S. have agreed on a draft minerals deal, crucial for Kyiv's strategy to secure U.S. backing in its ongoing war with Russia. The deal will open Ukraine's vast mineral resources to the U.S. without offering specific security guarantees. Although President Trump has emphasized the U.S. will benefit financially, some European allies are concerned about the lack of security assurances for Ukraine. Trump, who wants to end the war quickly, has suggested peacekeeping troops might be needed. The minerals deal could reinvest revenues into Ukraine’s development, providing long-term economic support.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending the security clearances of Covington & Burling attorneys who provided pro bono legal services to Special Counsel Jack Smith. This action targets the law firm that represented Smith during investigations into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents and involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Trump criticized the firm's assistance to Smith, labeling it as political targeting. Covington & Burling maintains that their representation of Smith was in a personal capacity and remains committed to defending his interests.

Ukraine requires $524 billion to rebuild after three years of war, according to a new assessment by the World Bank, UN, and EU. The figure marks a 7% increase from last year’s estimate, with energy infrastructure damage rising by 70% due to Russian attacks. Housing, transport, and industry remain the most affected sectors. Ukraine’s government has allocated $7.37 billion for 2025 but faces a $10 billion funding gap. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed a peace deal could be reached in weeks. Over 2.5 million households have been affected, with debris clearance alone estimated at nearly $13 billion.

French President Emmanuel Macron, after meeting Donald Trump in Washington DC, stated that a Ukraine ceasefire could be reached within weeks. He emphasized that negotiations must include both Ukraine and Europe, warning against a rushed US-Russia deal. Trump has agreed to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Macron stressed the need for security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression, proposing a European troop presence in Ukraine. He also backed US access to rare earth minerals as part of the agreement. With over 6 million Ukrainian refugees and a $524 billion reconstruction cost, a resolution remains critical.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce biannual Class 10 board exams starting in 2026, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The first session will run from February 17 to March 6, while the second will be held between May 5 and 20. Both exams will cover the full syllabus, and students can attempt a second exam to improve scores. Exam fees will be collected for both attempts. CBSE aims to ease academic pressure and shift the focus from rote learning. Stakeholders can submit feedback on the draft guidelines until March 9.

Federal workers in the U.S. faced confusion after an Elon Musk-backed demand required them to list their weekly tasks or face termination. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) initially clarified responses were voluntary, but President Donald Trump later insisted non-compliance would lead to job loss. Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, reinforced the ultimatum, stating non-responders would be "terminated." Federal agencies, including the FBI and Health Department, issued conflicting guidance, prompting a lawsuit in California. "They're succeeding in driving us insane," an employee told BBC. Trump defended Musk’s move as "genius," intensifying uncertainty among federal workers.    

The US voted against a European-backed UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aligning with Moscow, North Korea, and Belarus. Instead, Washington pushed its own resolution at the UN Security Council, calling for an end to the war but omitting criticism of Russia. The move, marking a major shift under the Trump administration, stunned European allies, with the UK and France abstaining. "This posture is a dramatic shift from American ideals," said US Senator John Curtis. Ukrainian officials condemned the US stance, calling it a strategic realignment. The votes coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Washington.

Iran has strengthened security around its nuclear sites, fearing a possible attack by the US and Israel, reports The Telegraph. The country has deployed more air defence systems to protect key nuclear and missile facilities. Concerns are rising over a joint military operation by Israel and the US. Earlier, US intelligence warned both the Biden and Trump administrations about Israel’s plans to target Iran’s nuclear sites. Tensions in the region remain high as Iran continues military drills. The situation is being closely watched by global powers.

The United States has diverged from its European allies by refusing to assign blame to Russia for the Ukraine conflict in recent UN votes. This shift has led to a split within Western nations, with the U.S. abstaining from resolutions that explicitly condemn Russia's actions. In contrast, European countries have consistently supported measures holding Russia accountable. This division underscores the evolving dynamics in international relations concerning the Ukraine war.

French President Macron suggested a truce between Ukraine and Russia could be reached soon, with discussions on security guarantees and peacekeeping troops involved. He emphasized a deal must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty, not lead to its surrender. Macron is collaborating with European leaders on a peacekeeping plan, while Trump advocated for European nations to bear the cost of peacekeeping efforts. Macron also voiced concerns over Trump’s characterization of EU support for Ukraine. At the UN, the US sided with Russia in a resolution that lacked criticism of Moscow. Meanwhile, the EU and UK imposed new sanctions on Russia.