MORNING NEWS UPDATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2026

U.S. News

Supreme Court strikes down Trump's sweeping tariffs — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority in imposing broad global tariffs, a major setback to his trade agenda. This has led to discussions about potential refunds of up to $133 billion in collected duties, with companies lining up for reimbursements.
Trump imposes new temporary 10% global import surcharge — In response to the Supreme Court ruling, Trump signed a proclamation for a 150-day "temporary import surcharge" of 10% on imports starting February 24, using alternative legal authority amid ongoing legal and economic battles.
ICE's $45 billion detention expansion faces pushback — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is buying warehouses for expanded detention centers, but some property owners are backing out, and communities are raising concerns over lack of transparency.
Louisiana Ten Commandments law cleared for classrooms — The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed a state law requiring displays of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms to take effect, sparking debates on religion in education.
Office-to-housing conversions slow amid surplus — Many U.S. cities struggle with excess office space and housing shortages, with developers slowly converting buildings into apartments, but progress remains limited.
ICE Warehouse Expansion: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is under scrutiny for quietly purchasing large warehouses in states like Texas, Arizona, and Georgia to convert into detention centers, often bypassing local officials.
Lead Pipe Replacement: The Trump administration’s EPA has surprisingly backed a Biden-era mandate to replace lead pipes nationwide, a move aimed at long-term public water safety.
Environmental Deregulation: Simultaneously, the EPA has moved to weaken limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants, drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups.

Politics

Trump's tariff setback and new levy push — Following the Supreme Court's rejection of his emergency tariffs, Trump quickly imposed a new 10% global surcharge, calling the ruling "deeply disappointing" and signaling further legal fights.
Trump issues ultimatum to Iran on nuclear deal — President Trump warned Iran to agree to a nuclear deal within 15 days or face "really bad things," amid a U.S. military buildup in the region, including additional aircraft carriers.
Governors' White House dinner amid tensions — The annual National Governors Association dinner at the White House occurred during a turbulent week, with partisan divides highlighted under Trump's second term.
Voting legislation debates (Save America Act) — Discussions continue on bills requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, seen as part of Republican efforts to limit voting amid fraud claims.
Former Prince Andrew arrest and succession concerns — British police arrested Prince Andrew over Epstein ties (with release noted), prompting talks of removing him from the line of succession.
Supreme Court Tariff Ruling: In a major blow to the administration, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to bypass Congress on tariffs. The administration is now facing a $133 billion refund "logistics nightmare."
Administration vs. Judiciary: Following the ruling, President Trump and VP JD Vance have intensified rhetoric against the "lawless" justices, with the President calling the decision an "embarrassment."
National Governors Association: Governors have concluded a "turbulent" week in Washington, D.C., marked by a White House dinner and heated debates over federal vs. state authority.

World Affairs

U.S.-Iran tensions escalate with military buildup — Trump warned of severe consequences if Iran doesn't negotiate a nuclear deal, as U.S. forces (including a second carrier) position in the Middle East; Iran demands evidence on protest killings claims.
Bangladesh visa restoration for Indians and new government — Diplomatic sources indicate Bangladesh is moving to restore visas for Indians under its new prime minister, Tarique Rahman, following elections and reforms.
Ongoing global reactions to U.S. tariffs — Countries like India study implications of the new U.S. 10% surcharge; Hungary threatens to block EU aid to Ukraine over oil disputes.
Protests and clashes in Albania — Demonstrators demand the prime minister's resignation amid unrest.
Iran Nuclear Brinkmanship: President Trump warned that "limited strikes" against Iran remain on the table, even as Iranian diplomats suggest a new nuclear deal could be reached within days.
Israel Expansion Comments: U.S. Envoy Mike Huckabee sparked international debate after suggesting in an interview that it would be "fine" if Israel expanded across the Middle East ("from the Nile to the Euphrates").
Nigeria Massacre: Reports indicate gunmen on motorcycles killed at least 50 people in northwest Nigeria; a search for the missing is currently underway.

Education

California schools face funding paradoxes — Despite increased state funding (proposed $88.7 billion for 2026-27), many districts remain financially strained due to inflation and other costs.
Connecticut debates cellphone bans and funding — High-stakes hearings on school funding fights and potential cellphone restrictions in classrooms.
AI literacy concerns in U.S. education — The U.S. lags in preparing students for AI assessments (e.g., upcoming PISA grading), raising worries about global competitiveness.
Illinois teachers' unions criticize state budget — Unions claim the state owes billions in adequate funding under evidence-based laws, with delays pushing targets to 2034.
State Budget Battles: Teachers' unions in several states (notably Illinois) are slamming proposed budgets that limit education spending increases to less than 1%, arguing it falls billions short of "adequate" funding.
Standardized Testing Reform: Ohio is considering legislation (House Bill 326) that would allow students to choose from a wider variety of college entrance exams, including the Classic Learning Test (CLT), beyond just the SAT/ACT.
Higher Ed Funding: Policy debates continue over the "College and Work Ready Assessment System," as lawmakers push for more flexible pathways to post-secondary education.

Economy

U.S. Q4 GDP growth slows to 1.4% — Economic expansion weakened due to government shutdown impacts, moderated consumer spending, and trade effects; inflation (core PCE) rose to 3.0% year-over-year.
Tariff refunds and economic fallout — Post-Supreme Court ruling, potential $133-175 billion in refunds looms, with states like Illinois and Nevada demanding reimbursements; new 10% surcharge adds uncertainty.
Blue-collar job losses highlighted — Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz warns of manufacturing and working-class job declines as a major threat, partly linked to tariff policies.
Bank regulatory reforms boost outlook — 2025 changes in lending standards could add over 0.5% to GDP by end-2026, countering prior tightening effects.
New 10% Global Tariff: In immediate response to the Supreme Court ruling, the White House announced a new 10% global levy for an initial 150-day period, attempting to maintain trade pressure through alternate legal channels.
IMF Growth Forecast: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected global growth at 3.3% for 2026, noting that while the U.S. economy remains resilient, downside risks from trade wars persist.
China’s Trade Surplus: Despite U.S. tariffs, China reported a record trade surplus of $1.2 trillion for the previous year, successfully pivoting exports to non-U.S. markets.

Technology

Tech billionaires limit kids' access to screens/social media — Figures like Peter Thiel publicly restrict their children's use of products (e.g., social media) that built their fortunes, amid growing scrutiny.
AI boom faces public backlash and doubts — Leaders worry about underwhelming enthusiasm for AI's societal remaking; Bernie Sanders calls to "slow this thing down" due to rapid scale and job risks.
U.S. unprepared for AI literacy grading — Concerns rise as international assessments (e.g., PISA) will grade AI skills, with America falling behind despite leading development.
Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) believe they have discovered a "triplet superconductor" (the alloy NbRe), which could allow quantum computers to run with zero energy loss.
AI Impact Summit Protests: Protests erupted at an AI summit in India, leading to the arrest of several activists; the event focused on the geopolitical implications of "AI sovereignty."
Crypto Media Scrutiny: Investigations revealed that several major crypto news blogs have been deleting negative articles after being paid to promote high-risk or "scammy" projects.

Health

Common pneumonia bacterium linked to Alzheimer's — New research suggests Chlamydia pneumoniae may invade the brain/retina, fueling inflammation and contributing to Alzheimer's.
Exercise protects brain from Alzheimer's — Studies reveal mechanisms by which physical activity safeguards against the disease.
Late-night snacks harm heart health — Avoiding food and dimming lights 3+ hours before bed improves cardiovascular and metabolic markers during sleep.
Weight loss drugs online risks — Warnings on buying GLP-1 medications (e.g., compounded versions) from non-traditional sources due to safety and authenticity concerns.
Tremfya long-term data for ulcerative colitis — Sustained remission (clinical, endoscopic, histologic) shown through 3 years in studies.
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment: New long-term data for the drug TREMFYA (guselkumab) shows that 80% of patients remained in clinical remission after three years, a significant milestone for chronic GI care.
Frozen Shoulder Awareness: Medical experts have released new guidelines on "adhesive capsulitis" (frozen shoulder), noting a spike in cases among women aged 40–60 and links to thyroid disorders.
Pollution & Health Costs: Health advocates warn that the recent EPA rollbacks on mercury limits could result in billions of dollars in increased healthcare costs due to respiratory and neurological issues.

Sports

2026 Winter Olympics Day 15 highlights (Milan-Cortina) — Team USA repeats gold in mixed team aerials; Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo wins historic sixth gold (50km cross-country), setting records with 11 career Winter golds.
U.S. strong medal performance — USA locks up most golds ever at a Winter Olympics (11th in aerials); women's curling team vies for first medal vs. Canada.
Other events — Close calls in ski mountaineering; ongoing hockey and other competitions on penultimate day.
NCAA Basketball: No. 7 Purdue crushed rival Indiana 93-64, rebounding from a losing streak with their largest margin of victory in the series since the 90s.
NCAA Basketball: No. 7 Purdue crushed rival Indiana 93-64, rebounding from a losing streak with their largest margin of victory in the series since the 90s.
T20 World Cup: In cricket, defending champions India are set to face South Africa in a highly anticipated Super Eights rematch of the last final.
English Premier League: Arsenal is looking to revive its faltering title push today in a crucial North London derby against a struggling Tottenham Hotspur.

EDUCATION SPECIAL
TOP US EDUCATION NEWS TODAY
TOP WORLD EDUCATION NEWS TODAY

Here is a summary of the top education news for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Top US Education News

1. Federal Crackdown on DEI Partnerships

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has secured 31 resolution agreements with major universities (including MIT, Duke, and Emory) to end their partnerships with The Ph.D. Project. The administration argues these programs violate Title VI by being "race-based" and exclusionary. This move marks a significant shift in federal enforcement, with Secretary Linda McMahon citing a return to "merit and excellence."

2. School Calendar Reversal in Maryland

In a win for local advocacy, Montgomery County Public Schools reversed a controversial decision to use Eid al-Fitr as a weather makeup day. After significant backlash from the Muslim community and civil rights leaders, the district confirmed classes will no longer be held on the holiday.

3. Kentucky Supreme Court Ruling on School Funding

The Kentucky Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision this week affirming that state funds are for "common schools and for nothing else." The ruling blocks the diversion of public tax dollars to private or charter schools, emphasizing that while innovation is welcome, constitutional "circumvention" is not.

4. Pentagon Cuts Ties with "Woke" Harvard

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the end of graduate-level programs for military personnel at Harvard University, claiming the institution has become a "breeding ground for radical ideologies." The Pentagon stated it will pivot resources toward training "warriors" rather than funding graduate degrees at Ivy League schools.

Top World Education News

1. The "Quiet Revolution": Global Smartphone Bans

A new UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report reveals that over 50% of countries now have policies restricting or banning smartphones in schools. This is a massive jump from 2023, where only one in four countries had such rules. The surge is driven by data showing a direct negative correlation between phone use and academic performance.

2. OECD 2026 Digital Outlook: The "AI Performance Gap"

The OECD released its Digital Education Outlook 2026, warning of "metacognitive laziness." New research suggests that while general-purpose AI (like standard chatbots) helps students produce better homework, their performance drops by 17% during exams when the AI is removed. The report urges a shift toward "pedagogical AI" designed specifically for learning rather than just task completion.

3. Global Higher Ed Rankings & Mobility

Japan has officially eased caps on foreign student enrollment at its top-tier universities to combat demographic decline.
The World’s Top Universities of 2026 list was released, showing a tightening gap between Western institutions and rising hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Australian Language Colleges are reportedly "struggling for survival" following shifts in international visa policies and decreased enrollment from traditional markets.

4. Global Finance Gap Hits $97 Billion

UNESCO reports a staggering $97 billion annual financing gap for lower-income countries to reach their 2030 education targets. Currently, 272 million children remain out of school globally, with the gap widening due to the rising costs of digital transformation.

Saturday, February 21, 2026