Five dead, six injured after car hits divider in Gujarat’s Mehsana

Mehsana, Feb 21, 2026

Five members of a family from Ahmedabad were killed and six others injured when their car collided with a divider on the Unjha-Mehsana highway near Unava in north Gujarat early on Saturday, police said.

The family was returning to the Ramol area of Ahmedabad after attending a wedding in Rajasthan when the accident occurred.

According to police, the driver of the Eeco car lost control of the vehicle near Unava, causing it to crash into the central divider. The force of the collision left the vehicle severely damaged.

Four people — Ramlal Kumawat, Kailash Kumawat, Komal Kumawat and a child — died at the scene. An elderly woman, identified as Mantharadevi, later died while undergoing treatment at Mehsana Civil Hospital, taking the total number of deaths to five.

Six other occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, sustained serious injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Police said their condition remains serious. The family is originally from the Pali district in Rajasthan and has roots in Bhavnagar. They currently reside in Ahmedabad.

Officers from the Unava police station reached the site shortly after being informed and carried out rescue operations with the help of the local residents. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination, and a case of accidental death has been registered.

Further investigation is underway. The accident caused a temporary traffic disruption on the highway until the damaged vehicle was removed and the road was cleared.

On Friday, seven people died after a Maruti Eeco car rammed a truck in Valsad district. According to officials, five members of the same family died on the spot when their car collided with a speeding truck at a turn on the ghat stretch. The family, residents of Amba Jungle village in Kaprada, were travelling in the Eeco car at the time of the accident.(Agency)

India rejects proposal for third category of UNSC membership as ploy to delay reforms

United Nations, Feb 21, 2026

India has rejected proposals for a third category of membership in the Security Council that would have longer terms and be eligible for re-election and be a substitute for expanding permanent membership, calling it a ploy to delay reforms.

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative Yojna Patel on Friday said the suggestion would continue to leave the UN mired in its crisis of legitimacy for decades.

“Consideration of a third category is a red herring that is intended to delay the process further and derail the path towards reforms entirely, or deliberately seek a sub-optimal outcome that would push real reform many decades into the future to the detriment of the legitimacy, credibility and relevance of the UN”, she said at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) for reforms that discussed categories of membership.

The proposal for the third category referred to as Fixed Regional Seats emanates mainly from a small group opposed to expanding permanent membership, which calls itself the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group that is led by Italy, with Pakistan as a member.

The group proposed the category as a substitute for expanding the permanent membership category, which it opposes.

The UfC has also consistently blocked progress in the negotiation by using procedural manoeuvres to prevent the adoption of negotiating text essential for making progress.

In a dig at the group, Patel said, “Barring a few member states with vested interests, the wider membership agrees that the time for reforming the Security Council was yesterday.”

Japan’s Permanent Representative Yamazaki Kazuyuki, who spoke on behalf of the Group of 4 that includes India, pointed out that “The proposed [category of] seats are essentially not any different from the current non-permanent seats.”

Since continuity of membership is not assured for this proposed category, “it cannot be a substitute for permanent seats and does not constitute a sufficient solution to the structural imbalances currently existing within the Council”, he said.

The G4, which also includes Germany and Brazil, advocates jointly for a reform that includes expanding the permanent membership, and its members mutually support each other for permanent seats.

“The G4 reiterates that this proposal disregards the majority of voices supporting the expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories”, Yamazaki said.

Another pro-reform group to which India also belongs, the L.69, also came out against the third category proposal.

Saint Lucia’s Permanent Representative Menissa Rambally, who spoke on behalf of the L.69 group said it “views with concern” any intermediate or hybrid proposal that substitutes expansion of the two categories.

It would not be a real reform of the Council, she said, and added, “The Global South did not wait 80 years only to accept hybrid formulas as a consolation or the appearance of reform”.

The L.69 is a group of 42 developing countries from across the world that pursues Council reform, and it gets the name from a document that helped start the IGN process.

Patel dismissed another suggestion to give the Fixed Regional Seat-holders vetoes.

“A veto cannot be granted to a group with no clarity on which country will exercise it and in what manner”, she said.

“This new idea seems to be deliberately intended to complicate an already difficult discussion and indirectly entrench opposition to expansion of the permanent category”, she said.

Patel said that expanding just the permanent and non-permanent categories “is central to achieving meaningful reforms” and it has the backing of the majority of UN members.

“Any reform that does not result in the expansion of the permanent category would be incomplete, unjust and ignorant of the aspirations of an overwhelming number of member states, particularly various reform-centric groups”, she said.

Dismissing criticism that expanding permanent membership will complicate the working of the Council, Patel said, “The working methods and practices of the Security Council could be reviewed and reformulated in order to meet the requirements of a reformed Council, with increased presence of more member states in both categories”.

The non-representation or under-representation of the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America-Caribbean group in the permanent category is central to any Council reform, she said.(Agency)

Melania Trump donates inaugural gown

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

US First Lady Melania Trump entered her 2025 inaugural gown into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, calling it proof that “America’s fashion industry can lead the rest of the world.”

“The human condition is captured within every stitch—the idea to endure and rise above mediocrity—to reach the highest level—America’s destiny,” Melania Trump said at the ceremony.

The gown now joins the museum’s historic First Ladies Collection. The collection, established in 1912, displays inaugural attire worn by First Ladies and remains one of the Smithsonian’s most visited exhibitions.

“Human nature resides in the discipline of detail. Everything is in the detail,” she said.

“This is not a dress. This is more than 50 years of education, experience, and wisdom realized with each thread, each stitch, each sharp edge.”

Designed by Herve Pierre, the strapless off-white silk crepe gown is trimmed with black silk gazar. It was paired with a reproduction of a 1955 diamond brooch by Harry Winston, worn on a black ribbon choker.

The First Lady described the design as a tribute to American craftsmanship.

“It is no easy feat to construct such a complex garment. Behind every true couture piece stands a superior team of patternmakers, seamstresses, and artisans who transform a creative idea into reality,” she said.

She added: “It’s a testament as to why America’s fashion industry can lead the rest of the world.”

The First Lady said the black and white contrast “sets a mood rich with emotion” and called the gown “a modern silhouette, bold and dignified, and ruthlessly chic.”

The presentation included remarks from Smithsonian Secretary Dr Lonnie G. Bunch III and Museum Director Anthea M. Hartig.

Melania Trump is the first non-consecutive First Lady to donate an inaugural gown for a second time. She is also only the second First Lady in history to have two inaugural ball gowns represented in the collection, the last being Ida McKinley in 1897 and 1901.

Visitors can view the gown at the National Museum of American History. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with free admission.

Reflecting on the creative process, Melania Trump said: “Personally, I relish the entire design process, from start to finish. It takes time, it’s slow, but the end result is always magical.”

“We must take pride not only in the small rituals of self-care, but in the courageous act of self-expression—our outward appearance to the world,” she said.

She concluded: “I am honored to have our creative vision on display here, once again, within the walls of this institution, indefinitely.”

The Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection spans more than a century and includes nearly 1,000 objects, ranging from gowns to personal effects and White House ephemera. The exhibition has long been seen as a cultural marker of changing styles and public roles of presidential spouses.(Agency)

US trade gap widens; India deficit at $58bn

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

The US trade deficit widened sharply in December, capping a year in which America’s goods gap with India reached $58.2 billion.

The goods and services deficit rose to $70.3 billion in December, up from $53.0 billion in November, revised, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said this week.

Exports fell 1.7 per cent to $287.3 billion. Imports climbed 3.6 per cent to $357.6 billion.

The widening gap was driven by goods. The goods deficit increased $15.7 billion to $99.3 billion. The services surplus narrowed $1.6 billion to $29.0 billion.

In December alone, the US goods deficit with India was $5.2 billion.

For the full year 2025, the overall goods and services deficit stood at $901.5 billion, down slightly from $903.5 billion in 2024. Exports rose $199.8 billion to $3,432.3 billion. Imports increased $197.8 billion to $4,333.8 billion.

The goods deficit widened $25.5 billion to $1,240.9 billion in 2025. The services surplus increased $27.6 billion to $339.5 billion.

The United States recorded a goods deficit of $58.2 billion with India in 2025. That placed India among Washington’s larger bilateral trade gaps.

By comparison, the US goods deficit stood at $218.8 billion with the European Union and $202.1 billion with China. It was $196.9 billion with Mexico, $178.2 billion with Vietnam and $146.8 billion with Taiwan.

Exports of goods fell $5.5 billion in December to $180.8 billion. Industrial supplies and materials dropped $8.7 billion. Non-monetary gold fell $7.1 billion.

Capital goods exports rose $2.5 billion. Semiconductor exports increased $0.9 billion. Consumer goods exports rose $1.8 billion, including a $1.3 billion increase in pharmaceutical preparations.

Imports of goods rose $10.2 billion to $280.2 billion in December. Capital goods imports increased $5.6 billion. Computer accessories rose $3.4 billion. Telecommunications equipment increased $1.3 billion.

Industrial supplies and materials imports rose $7.0 billion. Copper increased $1.5 billion. Crude oil imports rose $1.0 billion. Consumer goods imports fell $3.5 billion.

In real terms, the goods deficit increased $12.5 billion, or 14.8 per cent, to $97.1 billion in December.

For India, the figures reflect expanding trade ties with the United States. India has emerged as a key supplier of goods to the US market, even as Washington seeks to diversify supply chains across Asia.

Trade data are closely watched in both capitals. They shape debates over tariffs, manufacturing and strategic economic ties between the world’s two largest democracies.(Agency)

Key takeaways from President Trump’s press conference

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

US President Donald Trump used an expansive and combative news conference to respond to a Supreme Court judgment that curtailed his use of a key tariff authority, turning what might have been a defensive moment into an aggressive reaffirmation of his trade doctrine.

Over more than an hour inside the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump attacked the apex court, dismissed Congressional critics, signalled higher tariffs ahead, defended his economic record, accused unnamed “foreign interests” of influencing justices, and framed tariffs not merely as trade tools but as instruments of diplomacy, border security, and national power.

His crowded news conference underscored how central tariffs remain to his presidency — and how little the apex court’s ruling appears to have moderated his approach.

Here are the comprehensive takeaways from the press conference:

1. A new 10 per cent global tariff

Trump announced he would sign an executive order imposing “a 10 per cent global tariff under Section 122”, adding to existing measures.

He emphasised that national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing Section 301 tariffs would “remain in place, fully in place and in full force and effect”.

The move signalled not retreat, but a shift in legal strategy.

2. Tariffs could go higher

When asked whether tariff rates could ultimately increase beyond current levels, Trump replied: “Potentially higher… It depends whatever we want them to be.”

He added that under alternative statutes, “we can judge much more than I was charging,” suggesting the Supreme Court’s judgment might lead to broader tax duties.

3. Emphasis on embargo powers

President Trump repeatedly stressed the scope of his authority beyond tariffs.

“I can embargo,” he said.

“I can do anything I want.”

He elaborated: “I’m allowed to destroy the country, but I can’t charge them a little fee.”

Though hyperbolic, the language highlighted President Trump’s view that the court had affirmed sweeping executive power to restrict or halt trade entirely.

4. Sharp attack on the Supreme Court

President Trump called the Apex court’s judgment “deeply disappointing” and said he was “ashamed of certain members of the court”.

He praised Justices Thomas, Alito and Kavanaugh for dissenting, citing their “strength and wisdom and love of our country”.

Of other Supreme Court Justices, including some he appointed, President Trump said the decision was “an embarrassment to their families”, though he declined to say whether he regretted nominating them.

5. Allegations of foreign influence

In one of the most striking moments, President Trump asserted: “It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests.”

Asked if he had evidence, he replied, “You’re going to find out what?” but offered no specifics.

He suggested outside forces had “undue influence” and that the Supreme Court Justices might be affected “through fear or respect or friendships”.

The allegation marked a significant rhetorical escalation against the Judiciary in the US.

6. Dismissal of Congress

President Trump brushed aside suggestions that he should work with lawmakers to craft a new tariff framework.

“You don’t need to — it’s already been approved,” he said.

“I have the right to do tariffs. And I’ve always had the right to do tariffs.”

The comment reflected President Trump’s longstanding view that existing statutes grant the executive broad trade authority.

7. Intraparty friction

Addressing the Republican critics who opposed elements of his tariff policy, President Trump acknowledged losing “three votes” but said they were “not good Republicans”.

The US President emphasised party unity, noting that the vast majority of Republican lawmakers supported him.

8. Refund uncertainty

The Supreme Court judgment left open the question of what happens to billions of dollars already collected under the challenged authority.

“They don’t even discuss that point,” President Trump said of the opinion.

He predicted the issue would “get litigated for the next two years”, adding, “We’ll end up being in court for the next five years.”

9. Tariffs as economic engine

Trump tied tariffs directly to economic performance, citing stock market milestones.

“Our stock market has just recently broken 50,000 on the Dow… and… broken 7,000 on the S&P,” he said.

He pointed to jobs and inflation data, saying the January jobs report and consumer price numbers “beat expectations” and that “real wages are up”.

Recounting a visit to a Georgia steel plant, President Trump said an executive told him, “Sir, I want to kiss you,” because tariffs had revived the business.

10. Tariffs funding farm aid

Trump said tariff revenue had funded domestic support programmes.

“Last week I gave them $12 billion out of tariff money,” he said, referring to farmers.

11. Tariffs as diplomatic leverage

President Trump again framed tariffs as foreign policy tools.

“Tariffs have likewise been used to end five of the eight wars that I settled,” he said.

He described warning both sides of “a 200 per cent tariff,” adding, “I did it largely with tariffs.”

12. India trade framework

Asked about a pending trade framework with India, President Trump said, “Nothing changes.”

He added that “they’ll be paying tariffs and we will not be paying tariffs”, describing it as a reversal from prior arrangements.

13. Fentanyl and China

President Trump said he had imposed “a 20 per cent tariff” on China “as a penalty for sending fentanyl in,” claiming that fentanyl inflows were down “more than 30 per cent”.

He credited tariffs alongside what he called a “strong border”.

14. Criticism of Europe

In a broader ideological pivot, President Trump said “Europe has gone woke” and warned that Europe was “getting killed” by energy and immigration policies.

The comments reflected how he links trade disputes to larger cultural and geopolitical narratives.

15. Federal Reserve critique

President Trump criticised the Federal Reserve Chair as “very incompetent” and said that interest rates “should come down very substantially”, saying the United States should pay “the lowest interest rates on the planet”.

16. Assertion of “Certainty”

Despite the legal setback, President Trump repeatedly framed the Supreme Court judgment as clarifying rather than constraining executive power.

“There will no longer be any doubt,” he said.

“Great certainty has been brought back to the economy of the United States and actually the economy of the world.”

The news conference illustrated the US President’s instinct to convert institutional pushback into political momentum.

Rather than tempering his tariff agenda after the apex court’s decision, President Trump presented it as validation of a broader strategy — one that blends economic nationalism, diplomatic pressure and expansive executive authority.

The message from the White House was unmistakable: the tariff campaign is not winding down — it may just be entering a new phase.(Agency)

US rejects global AI governance, pushes sovereign stack at Delhi summit

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

The United States firmly rejected global governance of artificial intelligence while urging nations to adopt what it called a sovereign AI model built on the American technology stack, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

Leading the US delegation, Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, delivered a pointed message on AI policy and sovereignty.

“As the Trump Administration has now said many times: We totally reject global governance of AI. We believe AI adoption cannot lead to a brighter future if it is subject to bureaucracies and centralized control,” he said.

Kratsios argued that AI governance must remain local and aligned with national interests. “AI governance must focus on the particular needs and interests of particular people, and so it must be local,” he said.

The US position was framed around what Washington calls “real AI sovereignty”.

“Real AI sovereignty means owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people, and charting your national destiny in the midst of global transformations,” Kratsios said.

He cautioned against complete technological self-sufficiency. “Complete technological self-containment is unrealistic for any country, because the AI stack is incredibly complex,” he said. “But strategic autonomy alongside rapid AI adoption is achievable, and it is a necessity for independent nations. America wants to help.”

Kratsios urged nations to partner with Washington through the American AI Exports Program. “We believe that independent partners are critical to unlocking the prosperity AI adoption can open to all of us. That is why the president launched the American AI Export Program,” he said.

At the summit, he announced a series of initiatives aimed at accelerating global adoption of US AI systems.

These include a National Champions Initiative to integrate partner nations’ leading AI companies into customised American AI export stacks. The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology will facilitate interoperable and secure standards through a new AI Agent Standards Initiative.

To address financial barriers, he said the US International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, the US Trade and Development Agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and “a new World Bank Fund have all initiated new AI-focused programs.”

Kratsios also unveiled the Tech Corps, which will embed volunteer technical talent with partner countries to support the deployment of AI applications in public services.

He warned that adoption gaps are widening. “Developing countries are falling behind developed economies at a fundamental inflection point,” he said, citing financing constraints and technical capacity gaps as key barriers.

Underscoring US technological dominance, Kratsios declared: “The gold standard in AI is made in America.”

The India AI Impact Summit has become a prominent forum for global AI policy dialogue, drawing political leaders, technology executives, and policymakers. India has sought to balance rapid digital expansion with debates over regulation, safety, and equitable access to emerging technologies.(Agency)

Row escalates as organiser moves police against actress Mimi Chakraborty, seeks Rs 20 lakh

Kolkata, Feb 21, 2026

Event organiser Tanay Shastri on Saturday lodged a formal police complaint against Bengali actress and former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty, escalating a legal feud that began with a Rs 20 lakh defamation notice.

Shastri, who recently spent 14 days in judicial custody following a harassment charge by the actress, is now seeking a public apology and the return of a Rs 2.65 lakh performance fee, alleging that Chakraborty’s “false” accusations have caused significant reputational damage.

The complaint has been lodged at the Bangaon Police Station in North 24 Parganas district, two days after Shastri served her a defamation notice.

Speaking to local media on Saturday, event organiser Tanay Shastri said, “Mimi Chakraborty came to perform at our club and took a fee of Rs 2.65 lakh. I have demanded that the money be returned as she did not come at the scheduled time. Because of her complaint, my reputation has been damaged. The actress will have to come and apologise in public. With that demand, I went to the superintendent of police’s office and filed a written complaint at the Bangaon police station against her.”

Shastri further claimed, “We did not disrespect Mimi Chakraborty on stage. I had to spend 14 days in judicial custody because of her false case against me. I have sought justice from the court and the government.”

On Thursday, Shastri said that a legal notice had been sent to Chakraborty asking her to pay Rs 20 lakh as compensation or face legal action. Chakraborty has not issued any official statement on the latest development.

Shastri told reporters, “She has defamed me without any reason. For this, I have demanded Rs 20 lakh from the actress. If she does not tender an apology or pay the money, the defamation case will be filed in court in the next two or three days. This is just the beginning. I will see it through to the end.”

Last month, Chakraborty had travelled to perform at an event organised by Shastri in Bongaon in the North 24 Parganas district, where she was the final performer of the night.

Chakraborty alleged that Shastri removed her from the stage midway through the performance, as it was midnight and he did not have permission for the event to continue beyond that time. She subsequently filed a police complaint accusing him of harassment.

Shastri filed a counter-complaint, claiming that Chakraborty did not arrive for the performance at the specified time and that he had requested her to leave the stage, denying any harassment.

The police later visited his residence to investigate the matter, during which he allegedly obstructed the officers. Shastri and two associates were arrested on charges of harassment and obstruction of police duty, with a case registered under a non-bailable section. After spending more than a week in judicial custody, he was granted bail on February 11.

With Shastri now pursuing a defamation claim against Chakraborty, the dispute appears set to enter a fresh legal phase.(Agency)

US lawmaker leaves seat empty over deportation of Indian American

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

A senior Democratic lawmaker has left his State of the Union guest seat empty to honour a 73-year-old Indian grandmother who was detained and deported by US immigration authorities.

Congressman John Garamendi said he was dedicating the seat to his former constituent, Harjit Kaur, who was deported to India last year.

“I am dedicating my State of the Union guest seat to my former constituent, 73-year-old grandmother Harjit Kaur. She is unfortunately unable to attend because she was cruelly deported to India in the dead of night,” Garamendi said in a statement.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union Address on February 24.

“This seat is for her and every person across the country that’s been caged, detained, and killed at the hands of Trump’s secret police force. Let her empty seat be a stark symbol of the human cost of Trump’s cruel deportation agenda.”

Kaur, 73, had lived in the United States since the early 1990s. After her asylum case was denied in 2012, she complied with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-ins in San Francisco every six months for more than 13 years.

On September 8, 2025, she was detained during a routine check-in and held at an ICE facility in Bakersfield, California. The following day, she was transferred to the Mesa Verde Detention Facility.

On September 19, at approximately 2:00 a.m., she was transported in handcuffs from Bakersfield to Los Angeles and flown to Georgia without notice to her attorney or family. Shortly thereafter, she was placed on a charter flight to India.

Her whereabouts were unknown for more than 24 hours. Although her family had arranged commercial travel and planned to accompany her to India, she was deported without the opportunity to say goodbye.

“President Trump promised to go after the ‘worst of the worst’ in his immigration policy. Yet his administration’s decision to cruelly deport a 73-year-old grandmother with no criminal record—who faithfully reported to ICE every six months for more than 13 years—is one more example of the thousands of individuals across the country whose lives and families have been upended by Trump’s ICE,” Garamendi said.

“Unfortunately, this has become far too common under Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. I dedicate this seat to Harjit, to her family, and to everyone affected by this rogue administration.”

Congressman’s office said during her detention, Kaur was held for hours without a bed or chair, forced to sleep on the floor, shackled during transfers, denied vegetarian meals consistent with her religious beliefs, restricted from showering, denied access to prescribed medications, and denied adequate water. At one point, she was given only a bowl of ice after not receiving a meal for over a day.

Her attorney said she received only one of several prescribed medications and did not see a doctor or nurse despite repeated requests. She had undergone double knee replacement surgery and suffered from thyroid disease and chronic migraines.

Following her return to India, she has remained in contact with her family but has continued to experience health issues without nearby relatives to assist her.

Immigration enforcement has remained one of the most polarising issues in US politics in recent years, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration. His policies have drawn both support for stricter border controls and criticism over detention conditions and deportation practices.

India is among the countries whose nationals face removal proceedings in the United States, and deportations of Indian citizens have periodically sparked debate in both Washington and New Delhi over consular access, documentation, and humanitarian safeguards.(Agency)

NASA targets March 6 to launch four astronauts to Moon on Artemis II mission

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

NASA has announced that it is targeting March 6 for the launch of its upcoming crewed lunar mission, following the successful completion of a critical wet dress rehearsal and the resolution of fuel leaks that had been detected during earlier testing.

The wet dress rehearsal — a comprehensive countdown simulation involving the loading of super-chilled propellants into the rocket — was carried out successfully this week.

During the initial attempt, engineers discovered hydrogen leaks, which led to a postponement and a detailed technical assessment to identify and rectify the problem.

NASA officials confirmed that the leaks have since been addressed and that the latest round of testing showed no signs of the earlier issue resurfacing.

“The wet test went successfully, and we were able to address the leaks observed during the first attempt,” NASA said in a statement.

“We will now move into an extensive review process and comb through every system of the Space Launch System rocket before certification,” it added.

The Space Launch System (SLS), described as the most powerful rocket ever developed by NASA, is set to carry astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft.

The mission is intended to advance the agency’s objective of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and represents a significant step in its broader lunar exploration programme.

A formal Flight Readiness Review (FRR) is slated for completion by the end of next week.

During this review, mission managers, engineers, and safety officials will thoroughly analyse data gathered from the wet dress rehearsal along with results from other system evaluations before granting final approval for lift-off.

NASA emphasised that safety remains its top priority. Teams will undertake an exhaustive certification process, closely examining propulsion systems, avionics, life-support mechanisms and ground operations to ensure the launch vehicle meets all flight requirements.

In parallel, the astronaut crew is expected to enter a “soft quarantine” in the coming days.

This routine precaution is designed to minimise exposure to illness and to ensure that crew members remain in optimal health ahead of the mission.(Agency)

US shifts India, UK, EU to 10 per cent tariff after court ruling

Washington, Feb 21, 2026

Countries that struck trade deals with President Donald Trump — including India, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Japan — will temporarily face a uniform 10 per cent tariff following the Supreme Court’s decision restricting the administration’s use of emergency tariff powers under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), the White House said

“SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) ruled that the President cannot impose tariffs using the IEEPA legal authority,” a White House official said after President Trump signed a new order in this regard following the apex court striking down his IEEPA authority.

The official added that countries that had negotiated trade arrangements with Trump “were being tariffed by the Administration using the IEEPA legal authority.” With that authority no longer applicable, “those countries will now be tariffed at the global 10 per cent tariff using the Section 122 legal authority.”

The change is temporary, the White House said.

“This is, however, only temporary as the Administration will be pursuing other legal authorities to implement more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates,” the official stated. “Until then, we expect all countries to continue abiding by their trade deal commitments on reducing trade barriers and other concessions, which have not changed.”

The clarification confirms that the newly announced 10 per cent global surcharge under Section 122 replaces the earlier IEEPA-based tariffs for now, but does not alter the substance of negotiated trade commitments.

Earlier in the day, Trump reacted sharply to the Supreme Court ruling, calling it “deeply disappointing” and saying he was “ashamed of certain Members of the Court.”

“I would like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for your Strength, Wisdom, and Love of our Country,” Trump wrote, adding that dissenting opinions showed there was “no way that anyone can argue against them.”

He accused the majority of being influenced by outside forces, writing: “It is my opinion that the Court has been swayed by Foreign Interests, and a Political Movement that is far smaller than people would think.”

Trump argued that while the Court struck down his use of IEEPA tariffs, it left other trade authorities intact — and potentially stronger.

“The Supreme Court did not overrule TARIFFS; they merely overruled a particular use of IEEPA TARIFFS,” he said. He added that alternative statutes “are even stronger than the IEEPA TARIFFS” and that “a President can actually charge more TARIFFS than I was charging in the past.”

He announced that “effective immediately, all National Security TARIFFS, Section 232 and existing Section 301 TARIFFS, remain in place,” and confirmed he would impose “a 10 per cent GLOBAL TARIFF, under Section 122, over and above our normal TARIFFS already being charged.”

In a statement, Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the Court’s decision “affects one element of the Administration’s successful work to reorient the global trading system to benefit American workers and businesses.”

Greer said the President’s use of IEEPA had been “a necessary and appropriate tool” to address “the fentanyl, immigration, and trade deficit crises,” and argued that progress had been made. Between April 1 and December 31, 2025, “the trade deficit in goods has declined 17 per cent,” he said.

The administration outlined a series of steps to maintain continuity, including: Immediately imposing a temporary 10 per cent surcharge under Section 122. Initiating several new Section 301 investigations into “unjustifiable, unreasonable, discriminatory, and burdensome acts.” Continuing ongoing Section 301 probes involving Brazil and China and maintaining existing Section 232 tariffs tied to national security.

Greer noted that the Supreme Court ruling addresses “only President Trump’s Reciprocal and Fentanyl Tariffs,” and said “extensive tariffs” under other authorities remain in place.

Existing Section 301 tariffs on China range from 7.5 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the product, while Section 232 tariffs range from 10 per cent to 50 per cent and cover roughly 30 per cent of US imports.

A White House fact sheet issued Friday said the temporary import duty would last 150 days and take effect February 24 at 12:01 a.m. The document said the measure is designed to address “fundamental international payment problems” and rebalance trade relationships.

Certain goods will be exempt from the temporary duty, including critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, certain electronics, passenger vehicles, aerospace products, and informational materials, according to the fact sheet.

The administration also reaffirmed that US trade partners are expected to honour their legally binding agreements despite the change in legal authority.

“Our partners have been responsive and engaged in good-faith negotiations and agreements despite the pending litigation, and we are confident that all trade agreements negotiated by President Trump will remain in effect,” Greer said.(Agency)

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