The United States Treasury Department announced new sanctions related to Iran just hours after President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, in which he supported possible military action. The sanctions, issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target more than 30 individuals, various entities, and ships accused of involvement in illegal Iranian petroleum sales and assistance in developing Iran’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons programs.

According to the announcement, OFAC also targeted several networks that allegedly help Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics procure raw materials and equipment necessary for producing ballistic missiles and other weapons. The move reflects continued U.S. efforts to restrict Iran’s defense and energy sectors.

The sanctions are expected to further tighten financial and logistical constraints on Iran’s military and industrial networks, though the immediate impact on regional dynamics remains unclear.

Bill Gates acknowledged having relationships with two Russian women and accepted responsibility for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The admission came during an internal meeting with Gates Foundation employees, according to a spokesperson’s written statement to Reuters. The spokesperson’s comments followed a Wall Street Journal report detailing Gates’s remarks to staff.

The Gates Foundation previously stated it never funded or employed Epstein. Gates canceled his planned keynote at India’s ‘AI Impact Summit’ shortly before the event. During the internal meeting, Gates described his interactions with Epstein and bringing foundation officials to meet him as a “huge mistake.” He apologized to employees affected by his actions, emphasizing that he had done nothing illegal and had not witnessed any illegal acts.

Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice showed Gates met Epstein multiple times after Epstein’s conviction to discuss philanthropic work. Gates clarified that photos showing him with women were taken at Epstein’s request after meetings and that he never spent time with victims or women associated with Epstein.

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has received more than 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. He made the statement on Tuesday during his first State of the Union address of his second term, held at the White House. Trump said the oil came after the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing Venezuela as a new friend and partner.

Trump also stated that US oil production has increased by more than 600,000 barrels per day. Earlier in January, he had ordered the arrest of Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking and other crimes. Following that action, the US administration eased oil sanctions on Venezuela to boost production.

The announcement highlights a shift in US-Venezuela relations following Maduro’s removal and indicates Washington’s focus on expanding domestic and imported energy supplies.

Four people were killed in a stabbing attack on Tuesday morning near Tacoma, Washington, when a man attacked multiple individuals outside a house on the Key Peninsula. The suspect was later shot dead by police officers. According to local authorities, deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at 8:41 a.m. after reports that the suspect had violated a no-contact order.

Deputies obtained a copy of the order but found it was not yet effective because the suspect had not been formally served. As they proceeded to deliver it, the suspect began stabbing people outside the residence. Witnesses reported seeing the attack around 9:30 a.m. The first deputy arrived within minutes, and the suspect was shot at 9:33 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.

Three victims died at the location, and a fourth succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is investigating both the stabbing and the police shooting.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, speaking during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. He said that although Iran had shown interest in making a deal, it had not yet committed to halting its nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump referenced the 2025 U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying Tehran had been warned not to restart its weapons program but continued pursuing nuclear ambitions.

Trump added that he preferred resolving the issue through diplomacy but emphasized that Iran would not be permitted to possess nuclear arms under any circumstances. His remarks underscored a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear activities and a continued focus on preventing Tehran from advancing its weapons program.

Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting their nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes. Before Trump’s speech, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media that Iran would never build nuclear weapons under any condition.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that countries delaying trade agreements with the United States could face higher tariffs, following a Supreme Court ruling that suspended his administration’s global duties. The court ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose import taxes. In response, Trump announced new global tariffs of 10 percent, later raised to 15 percent, set to take effect Tuesday under a different legal provision allowing temporary tariffs for 150 days without congressional approval.

The European Union said it would delay ratifying a summer trade deal, while India postponed scheduled talks. The United Kingdom sought clarification on whether its agreement would remain exempt from the new 15 percent tariff. British Trade Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the uncertainty, and European Parliament trade chair Bernd Lange said the situation had become more unpredictable. The White House maintained that the ruling did not alter its trade policy, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer stating that only the legal tools had changed.

The new tariffs are due to expire after 150 days unless extended by Congress. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned his party would oppose any effort to increase tariffs. U.S. stock prices fell about 1 percent Monday amid growing market uncertainty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to further strengthen the country’s military and technological capabilities, emphasizing that the development of the nuclear triad will remain a top priority. He made the remarks on February 23 in a video message marking Defender of the Fatherland Day, praising the professionalism and courage of Russian service members defending national sovereignty.

Putin said the Russian army and navy would be reinforced based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, with science and high technology supporting improved combat readiness across all branches of the armed forces. He described the nuclear triad—comprising land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers—as essential to Russia’s security and global strategic balance.

His comments came as the last nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States nears expiration. Moscow stated it would not take the first step to escalate tensions or increase warhead numbers, provided Washington maintains the same stance. Earlier, the renewal process stalled after the Trump administration sought to include China, which Beijing rejected as unfair given its smaller nuclear arsenal.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. The storm has caused widespread travel disruption, with more than 5,000 flights canceled and around 600 delayed across the country, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. New York City has issued a travel ban, while several states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have declared states of emergency.

FlightAware reported that the highest number of cancellations occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia airports. JetBlue Airways said it had already canceled 776 flights and warned passengers of significant disruptions and cancellations through February 24. The National Weather Service forecast that the storm would affect the U.S. Northeast and much of the Canadian Maritimes from Sunday evening through Monday.

Forecasters described the system as potentially the strongest “nor’easter” in nearly a decade, warning of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding across affected areas.

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after attempting to illegally enter former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to the Secret Service. Officials said the suspect, identified as Austin T. Martin of Cameron, North Carolina, breached the secured perimeter carrying a shotgun and a container of fuel. No security personnel were injured, and Trump was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the incident.

Authorities reported that Secret Service agents ordered Martin to drop his items, but he allegedly pointed the shotgun before being shot. The FBI has launched an investigation, collecting evidence from the scene and reviewing whether the weapon was purchased en route from North Carolina. Law enforcement confirmed that Martin had no prior criminal record and no link to previous attacks targeting Trump.

Following the incident, Secret Service Director Sean Curran visited the site and announced steps to strengthen security vigilance. The Mar-a-Lago estate remains under tight two-tier protection involving both local police and Secret Service agents.

Democratic members of the US Congress have warned President Donald Trump to adhere to legal authority before taking any military action against Iran. They urged Trump to consult with Congress and obtain its approval before making any such decision, emphasizing the importance of legislative oversight in matters of war.

The warning comes amid ongoing nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States, which have raised fears of potential conflict. Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Trump must clearly explain to Congress why Iran poses a threat and why military action would be necessary. She noted that former President George W. Bush sought congressional approval before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Senate leader Chuck Schumer added that the Trump administration has yet to clarify its objectives or seek authorization for any attack on Iran, stressing that only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war.

Senate Armed Services Committee member Jack Reed cautioned that attacking Iran now would be a strategic mistake, warning of uncontrollable consequences and noting that starting a war is easier than ending one.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that expanding nuclear power is one of Russia’s top priorities. He made the remarks in a video message following the expiration of the nuclear treaty with the United States. Putin said that developing nuclear capabilities would ensure Russia’s security. According to his message, strengthening nuclear power will enhance strategic deterrence and maintain the global balance of power.

In his address, Putin also pledged to strengthen Russia’s army and navy. He said that all branches of the armed forces would be improved, including their combat readiness and ability to operate under the most difficult conditions. The statement came after the New START treaty between Russia and the United States expired earlier this month without renewal.

Russia has said it will adopt a responsible approach toward its strategic nuclear capabilities, even as it prioritizes the development of its defense forces.

A nationwide survey has found that most Americans are dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court striking down his tariff plan, Trump has imposed a 15 percent tariff citing a different law. The ABC News and Washington Post Ipsos Knowledge Panel survey indicates that public discontent with Trump’s trade measures has grown amid rising international disagreements over U.S. tariffs.

According to the survey, a large portion of Americans are unhappy with Trump’s policies on trade, foreign relations, immigration, and the overall economy. About 65 percent oppose his inflation-control measures, 64 percent reject high import tariffs, and 62 percent consider his foreign policy misguided. Additionally, 58 percent disapprove of his immigration policy, while 57 percent believe his actions are harming the national economy.

Although frustration with Trump is widespread, the survey also shows limited trust in Democrats. Only 33 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Trump, 31 percent in Democrats, and another 31 percent said they trust neither side.

NASA has postponed its Artemis-2 lunar mission after engineers detected a mechanical fault in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during final preparations. The mission, originally scheduled for early March, was intended to send four astronauts around the far side of the Moon and return them to Earth after ten days. It would have been humanity’s longest-distance space journey in over fifty years.

According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the issue was found in the helium flow system, which is essential for pressurizing the rocket’s fuel tanks and cooling systems. The problem emerged after a 50-hour test that had shown no faults, leading the team to believe the launch could proceed by March 6. NASA described the helium insufficiency as a serious technical problem requiring further maintenance.

On February 19, the rocket had been fueled with about 730,000 gallons of propellant, marking a major milestone in launch preparation. NASA hopes that resolving the issue will allow the Artemis-2 mission to proceed successfully, paving the way for Artemis-3, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since 1972.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. New York City has issued a full travel ban from Sunday night to Monday noon, with Mayor Zohraan Mamdani announcing the closure of all roads, highways, bridges, and schools. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were canceled due to the blizzard.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecasted that this could be the strongest nor’easter in nearly a decade, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. New York City is expecting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency and deployed about 100 National Guard members, warning that Long Island and New York City lie directly in the storm’s path.

Governors across the region have taken precautionary measures, including shutting down public transport in New Jersey and restricting commercial traffic in Connecticut, as the storm continues to intensify through Monday.

Nearly four years after President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the conflict—officially termed a “special military operation”—has deeply altered Russian society. Verified data from the BBC and MediaZona show more than 186,000 Russian combat deaths, far exceeding Soviet losses in Afghanistan. While western border regions like Kursk and Belgorod endure shelling and drone attacks, major cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg remain largely insulated, with sanctions causing inconvenience rather than collapse.

Interviews conducted by Al Jazeera reveal a divided nation. Some Russians, like photographer Kirill from St Petersburg, lament Western sanctions and government censorship that blocks social media and punishes “fake news.” Others, such as Vladislav from Saratov, have come to support the war, citing patriotic motives. Meanwhile, soldiers like Alexander Medvedev, after witnessing combat in Ukraine, have deserted and fled abroad, disillusioned by the war’s toll. Millions have emigrated since 2022, though some have returned due to difficulties abroad.

Despite economic adaptation and official claims of public support, many citizens remain apathetic or fearful of expressing dissent. The war’s continuation has entrenched censorship, reshaped daily life, and deepened both loyalty and fatigue across Russian society.