Headlines: 23/28 February 2026

Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Louvre museum director resigns in wake of 'heist of the century' — 25 February 2026 (LINK)

— Laurence Des Cars became the first female director of the Louvre Museum in its 230-year history, when she took on the role in September 2021.

Facing tough odds, Hungary's Orbán stakes his reelection on anti-Ukraine message — 25 February 2026 (LINK)

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

On invasion anniversary, UN says Ukraine cannot be divided — 24 February 2026 (LINK)

ISW: Russian offensive campaign assessment, February 24, 2026 — (LINK)

Council of Europe: In a decision published today, the Committee of Ministers — which brings together representatives of 46 European countries — reiterated that the Russian Federation bears full responsibility for its war of aggression against Ukraine, in violation of international law, and for all the destruction and loss of life it has caused. It reaffirmed the Council of Europe's central role in advancing a comprehensive accountability framework in this regard. — (LINK)

Europe promises to 'stand firm' with Kyiv. US warned Ukraine not to hit US interests in strikes on Russia, envoy says.
The World Bank has updated its cost estimate for Ukraine's reconstruction, raising it to $588bn as of the end of last year from $524bn in its previous report.
US special envoy Witkoff plans to meet Ukraine's top negotiator in Geneva
Dozens of delegates have walked out of Russian ambassador Gennady Gatilov's speech to the UN conference on disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland. They gathered outside the room holding the Ukrainian flag, returning once the ambassador had finished speaking.
Ukraine must defend 'territorial integrity', 'right to exist', G7 says
Italy will keep sending military aid to Ukraine in 2026, official says — (LINK)

Why did US abstain from UN General Assembly vote? Tammy Bruce, the US deputy ambassador to the UN, says she welcomed the General Assembly resolution's appeal for a ceasefire. But she said the resolution included "language that is likely to distract" from diplomatic efforts to end the war rather than support them — without explaining what specific language was at issue. The US delegation had pressed for a separate vote on paragraphs involving Ukraine's territorial integrity and international law, but its push was rejected. — (LINK)

Trump jabs, taunts Democrats in marathon State of the Union speech: nearly one hour and 50 minutes — 24 February 2026 (LINK)

— As Trump stopped to take photos with lawmakers, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) held up a sign behind the president that read "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES," a reference to a video Trump posted of former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama that was later deleted. When Trump spoke about immigration enforcement and the border, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) yelled out, "You have killed Americans." Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) yelled, "You're killing Americans."

• Trump used his speech Tuesday night to emphasize he wants to reach an agreement with Iran on its nuclear program while outlining his arguments for using military force if necessary. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy—but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon," he said. "Can't let that happen." The president issued a stark warning, accusing Iran of developing long-range missiles that can reach U.S. territory.
• A federal judge has rejected the Department of Justice's request to search the electronic devices of a Washington Post reporter after they were seized last month as part of a leak investigation. Federal agents had taken a phone, two laptops, a recorder, a hard drive and a watch in the unprecedented search.
• A federal judge has rejected the Department of Justice's request to search the electronic devices of a Washington Post reporter after they were seized last month as part of a leak investigation. Federal agents had taken a phone, two laptops, a recorder, a hard drive and a watch in the unprecedented search.

The Hill Five takeaways from President Trump's State of the Union address — (LINK)

• Iran plans remain murky
• A confrontation on immigration
• He returned to a version of an attack he has made previously, contending that Democrats were, in fact, to blame for prices
• Supreme Court draws only a bit of ire
• Politically, both parties got what they wanted

At least 30 dead after 'massive landslide' wipes out hillside neighborhood of Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil as 39 people remain missing — 24 February 2026 (LINK)

North Korea's Kim Jong Un re-elected as chief of Workers' Party on 22 February — 24 February 2026 (LINK)

Kim Jon-Un's sister promoted in rare North Korea party congress — (LINK)

— She was educated in Switzerland alongside her brother and rose rapidly up the ranks once he inherited power after their father's death in 2011.

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