Authorities in Libya and Greece have recovered the bodies of eight refugees following separate maritime incidents. Five bodies were found washed ashore near Tripoli, Libya, while three others were recovered off the coast of Crete, Greece. Residents of Libya’s coastal town of Qasr al-Akhyar discovered the bodies on Saturday, and local police said more may still be floating at sea.

The Libyan incident occurred just weeks after a rubber boat carrying 55 migrants sank off Zuwara, leaving about 53 people dead or missing, including two children. In Greece, the Athens News Agency reported that a wooden boat carrying migrants and asylum seekers capsized near Crete. Authorities rescued at least 20 survivors, mostly Egyptian and Sudanese nationals, including four minors.

According to ERT, survivors said around 50 people had been on the wooden boat, and another vessel carrying about 40 migrants was spotted nearby, prompting a new rescue operation.

Elon Musk, currently the world’s richest person, is projected to become the highest individual taxpayer in history. According to his own statement, he expects to pay more than 500 billion dollars in taxes over his lifetime. Musk’s total wealth now stands at about 852 billion dollars, placing him far ahead of other billionaires.

The surge in Musk’s wealth follows the recent merger between his rocket company SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm xAI, which created a new entity valued at 1.25 trillion dollars. The merger alone added 84 billion dollars to Musk’s personal fortune in a single day. Responding humorously on social media platform X, Musk said he had already paid over 10 billion dollars in taxes and joked that he deserved a small trophy for it.

Musk currently leads the race to become the world’s first trillionaire, with his closest rivals holding between 100 and 250 billion dollars. The source notes that if Tesla’s new incentives and stock targets are achieved, his wealth could multiply further over the next decade.

More than 7,000 languages are spoken globally, but at least 3,000—around 40 percent—are endangered, according to Ethnologue. Of the 7,159 known living languages, 3,193 are endangered, 3,479 are stable, and 487 are institutional, meaning they are used by governments, schools, and media. About 88.1 million people speak an endangered language as their mother tongue, and just 25 countries account for 80 percent of these languages. Oceania has the highest concentration of endangered languages, followed by Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Examples include Yugambeh in Australia, which is being revitalized through community programs and learning apps; Ainu in Japan, a critically endangered language with very few speakers; Ongota in Ethiopia, spoken by only a handful of elders; Louisiana Creole in the United States; Leco in Bolivia; and Cornish in England, which was revived after being declared extinct. Languages become endangered when communities shift to more dominant tongues, often passing them to younger generations as second languages.

The data highlight the global urgency of language preservation, with revitalization efforts emerging in some regions to sustain cultural identity and linguistic diversity.

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will raise global tariffs on imported goods to 15 percent after the United States Supreme Court struck down his previous trade measures. The ruling has triggered widespread concern and responses from governments and markets, as countries assess the legal and economic implications of the decision and Trump’s new tariff plan.

In South Korea, the presidential office said it would review its trade deal with the US, while India faces uncertainty over a recently signed framework agreement that includes major purchases in defence, energy, and artificial intelligence. China’s response was muted, though analysts said the ruling could ease tariff pressure on its exports. Canada and Mexico both welcomed the court’s decision but noted that some tariffs remain in place. European leaders, including those from France and Germany, emphasized the importance of legal checks and signaled coordinated responses within the European Union.

Legal experts described the Supreme Court’s ruling as a landmark moment, asserting that the court acted to reaffirm constitutional limits on presidential authority rather than to decide on economic policy.

Meta has announced that the standalone Messenger.com website will stop operating from April 6, 2026. After that date, users attempting to access Messenger.com will be automatically redirected to facebook.com/messages. This means that web-based messaging will only be available through Facebook’s main site. The Android and iOS mobile Messenger apps will continue to function as usual without any changes.

The company had previously discontinued the Messenger desktop applications for Windows and Mac, and this latest move extends that consolidation to the web version. Users who relied on Messenger.com without a Facebook account will now need to log in to Facebook to view or send messages. Small businesses, community groups, and individuals who preferred using the browser-based Messenger will have to switch to Facebook’s main desktop interface for chatting.

Meta’s decision marks another step in its broader integration strategy, bringing Messenger more tightly under the Facebook platform. Desktop users are advised to have their Facebook login credentials ready, as logging in will become mandatory for web-based messaging once the change takes effect.

Apple is developing three new artificial intelligence–based devices, including smart glasses, a pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods, according to a Bloomberg report cited by Amar Desh Online on February 21, 2026. The devices will feature built-in cameras and connect with iPhones to interpret the user’s surroundings and perform contextual tasks. Production is targeted to begin in December this year, with Apple’s first smart glasses expected to reach the market in 2027.

The report states that Apple will design its own frame for the glasses, emphasizing premium build quality and advanced camera technology. Unlike Meta’s Ray-Ban partnership model, Apple’s glasses will not include a built-in display but may feature speakers, microphones, and high-resolution cameras. Users will be able to make calls, interact with Siri, and listen to music.

The glasses will analyze the environment to provide information such as identifying food ingredients, recognizing landmarks for navigation, and offering reminders. Earlier prototypes required a cable connection to an iPhone, but newer versions integrate components within the frame. The AI-powered pendant and AirPods will also work with iPhones to enable Siri to respond to visual context in real time.

On February 21, 2026, as International Mother Language Day was observed, a report highlighted the alarming global decline of linguistic diversity. According to UNESCO, around 40 percent of the world’s approximately 7,000 languages are now endangered, with one disappearing every two weeks. The loss of a language signifies not only the death of words and sounds but also the extinction of cultural knowledge, traditional wisdom, and ancestral identity.

The article traces this crisis to historical and modern forces of forced assimilation, colonial education systems, and the dominance of global languages such as English, Mandarin, and Spanish. Examples include the suppression of Indigenous languages in North America, Australia, and Japan, and the marginalization of regional tongues in India, Ireland, and Latin America. Climate change and urbanization are also accelerating the erosion of linguistic heritage.

Despite the grim outlook, the piece notes hopeful signs like the revival of Maori in New Zealand, official recognition of Tamazight in Morocco, and the UN’s 2022–2032 Decade of Indigenous Languages. It calls for political will and global solidarity to protect endangered languages and preserve humanity’s cultural diversity.

Global oil markets experienced volatility following heightened tensions between the United States and Iran and a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, on Thursday, February 19, Brent futures rose by 24 cents or 0.3 percent to reach $70.59 per barrel. At the same time, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 28 cents or 0.4 percent to $65.47 per barrel, later climbing by $1.16 or 1.8 percent to $66.35 per barrel.

Analysts noted that about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical route for global energy transport. Any disruption in this waterway could significantly affect global supply. Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief strategist at Nissan Securities, said that while tensions remain, a full-scale armed conflict is unlikely. He added that US President Donald Trump does not favor a sharp rise in crude prices and that any military action would likely be limited and short-term.

Iran’s state media reported that the country had closed the strait for several hours on Tuesday as part of a military exercise. It remains unclear whether normal operations have fully resumed.

The T20 World Cup 2026 match between Australia and Oman will be broadcast live on February 20, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. on T Sports, Nagorik TV, and Star Sports. The fixture headlines a busy evening of televised sports, offering cricket fans a major international contest.

Alongside the cricket action, several European football leagues will also feature live matches. In Spain’s La Liga, Athletic Bilbao will host Elche at 2:00 a.m., while Italy’s Serie A will see Sassuolo face Verona at 1:45 a.m. The Bundesliga match between Mainz and Hamburg will air at 1:30 a.m., and France’s Ligue 1 will feature Brest against Olympique Marseille at 1:45 a.m. These matches will be available on platforms including Fancode, Bet365, and Tapmad.

The lineup highlights a packed night for sports enthusiasts, with simultaneous coverage of major cricket and football events across multiple networks.

Global oil prices have increased following renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, driven by the deadlock in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. According to a Reuters report, crude oil benchmarks showed an upward trend on Thursday, reflecting market concerns about potential supply disruptions.

At the start of trading, Brent crude futures rose by 23 cents, or 0.3 percent, reaching 70.58 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 25 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 65.44 dollars per barrel. On Wednesday, both benchmarks had already climbed by more than four percent, marking their highest levels since January 30.

Analysts attribute the price surge to heightened military activity by both nations in key oil-producing regions and fears of supply interruptions. Traders have adjusted prices in response to the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran standoff.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the future of artificial intelligence (AI) must not depend on the will of a few wealthy individuals or countries. Speaking at a global AI conference in New Delhi, he proposed the creation of a $3 billion “Global Fund on AI” to ensure fair participation in the rapidly advancing technology. Guterres called on leading tech billionaires to contribute to the fund, emphasizing that AI should serve everyone.

He cautioned that without timely action, AI could deepen global inequality, but if used responsibly, it could revolutionize healthcare, education, food security, climate response, and public services. Guterres also expressed concern that unregulated AI use could lead to bias, discrimination, and harm. He announced that the UN has formed a global scientific advisory committee to help countries develop AI policies and stressed protecting people from exploitation and preventing children from being used in uncontrolled technology testing.

Guterres urged the use of eco-friendly energy in data centers as AI expansion increases electricity and water demand, warning that without proper investment and safeguards, many nations risk being left behind in the AI revolution.

Real Madrid earned a 1-0 victory over Benfica at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz in the first leg of the Champions League knockout playoff, just three weeks after losing 4-2 to the same opponent in the group stage. The win marked a swift turnaround for the Spanish club, which had been forced into the playoff after that earlier defeat.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain also began their playoff campaign with a 3-2 win against Monaco. Meanwhile, former champions Juventus suffered a heavy 5-2 loss to Turkish side Galatasaray, conceding two goals after Juan Cabal was sent off in the 67th minute. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund defeated Italian club Atalanta 2-0 to strengthen their position in the tie.

The results set the stage for decisive second-leg matches as teams aim to secure advancement to the next round of the Champions League knockout phase.

The Vatican City will not participate in the ‘Peace Board’ announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, its foreign minister confirmed on Tuesday. The board, led by Trump, was initially formed to oversee the ceasefire and reconstruction efforts in Gaza following the Hamas-Israel war. It was later expanded to address broader international conflicts, a move critics say could be seen as an attempt to create an alternative to the United Nations.

Vatican Foreign Minister Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the United Nations should remain the primary body for managing global crises, emphasizing the importance of its role in international conflict resolution. The ‘Peace Board’ was first announced by Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos last January, and at least 19 countries have reportedly signed its founding charter.

According to the report, countries seeking permanent membership were asked to contribute one billion U.S. dollars. The decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country invaded Ukraine in 2022, has also drawn criticism.

YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, experienced a major technical disruption late Tuesday night, affecting millions of users worldwide. According to AFP, users across multiple regions reported being unable to access services. YouTube confirmed on social media platform X that it was aware of the issue and that its technical team was working to resolve it.

The outage caused videos to stop displaying across several YouTube services, including the homepage, YouTube app, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids, which were temporarily nonfunctional. The company later stated that the homepage had been restored, though full service recovery was still in progress. Monitoring site Downdetector reported receiving more than 300,000 user complaints, and improvements began around 1 a.m. GMT.

Owned by Google, YouTube serves over 2.5 billion active users each month, making the disruption one of the most significant recent service interruptions for the platform.

Australia has been eliminated from the T20 World Cup group stage for the first time after Zimbabwe secured a spot in the Super Eight. The decisive moment came when the Zimbabwe-Ireland match in Pallekele was abandoned due to rain, resulting in both teams sharing points. That single point allowed Zimbabwe to surpass Australia and qualify for the next round. Australia’s earlier defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had already placed their qualification hopes in jeopardy, leaving players and fans waiting in their hotel rooms for a favorable outcome that never came.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expressed that the team is not content with merely reaching the Super Eight. Speaking after the rain-affected match, he described the qualification as a small achievement and emphasized their focus on adapting to different conditions and improving performance. Raza also highlighted the motivation the team draws from their supporters and reaffirmed their commitment to representing Zimbabwe proudly.

The result marks a historic milestone for Zimbabwe and a disappointing early exit for Australia, reshaping the tournament’s competitive landscape.