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A cross-Pacific investment pact is moving from press release to construction site, testing whether allied capital can ease trade friction without rewriting global rules. At the same time, Beijing is deepening export routes and financing ties designed to outlast political cycles in Washington.

In South Korea, a closely watched court decision removes one immediate threat to the presidency while leaving deeper divisions intact. Energy prices, regulatory shifts and Olympic drama round out a day shaped by power, capital and competition.

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Three U.S. industrial projects have advanced from pledge to plan under a U.S.–Japan agreement designed to steer Japanese financing into American infrastructure. The buildouts cover power generation, an oil export terminal, and a synthetic-diamond facility, with timelines and penalties intended to enforce delivery.

Washington cast the rollout as a model for tariff-era industrial policy. Tokyo described the projects as a way to shield exporters and deepen strategic ties through 2029 with fresh financing commitments. Spillover effects may extend to construction labor, Gulf Coast energy logistics, and the supply chains that support U.S. manufacturing.

Attention now turns to permitting and procurement, key hurdles that will test whether the projects move forward without delay under the deal’s structure. Execution will indicate how effectively allied capital can ease trade friction without overhauling the rules of global commerce.

Beijing is moving to cement its role at the center of global trade by expanding exports and tightening commercial ties across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, as outlined in China’s long-term trade plan. Leaders are betting that deeper market access and state-backed financing can shield Chinese industry from shifts in U.S. policy.

Manufacturers in electric vehicles, solar panels and batteries are producing far more than the domestic market can absorb, pushing goods into overseas markets at competitive prices. Large investments in ports, rail links and logistics networks tied to the Belt and Road initiative are reinforcing trade routes that keep Chinese exports flowing.

Tariffs imposed in recent years redirected some supply chains but did not dislodge China from its central role in global manufacturing, a dynamic explored in the report. Persistent overcapacity and aggressive pricing now pose challenges for Western producers while offering developing economies cheaper access to technology and infrastructure.

A South Korean court acquitted President Yoon Suk Yeol of rebellion charges tied to his brief declaration of martial law last year, concluding prosecutors did not meet the legal threshold outlined in the verdict. Judges found that the order, though controversial, did not amount to an attempt to overthrow constitutional authority.

Yoon had faced accusations that the emergency decree sought to curb political opposition and consolidate executive power during a period of unrest. Public debate over the move deepened divisions between supporters who viewed it as a security measure and critics who saw it as an overreach.

The ruling removes an immediate legal threat to Yoon’s presidency but leaves broader political tensions unresolved, as described in the case details. Lawmakers and civil society groups are now weighing whether additional reforms are needed to clarify limits on emergency powers.

North Korea unveiled 50 new launch vehicles for nuclear-capable short-range missiles in a rollout ahead of a major party congress. The display is likely to sharpen regional security calculations as Seoul and Washington evaluate the implications for warning time and deterrence.

A Feb. 28 visit is set to brief Israel’s leadership on indirect U.S.–Iran negotiations and potential next steps. Military deployments and looming diplomatic deadlines are heightening risks for energy markets and regional security.

Hamas has tightened its grip on Gaza by consolidating security control and sidelining rivals, even as a renewed U.S.-backed peace initiative draws attention in the latest report. Stronger internal control could complicate negotiations if governance questions and factional rivalries remain unresolved during any new diplomatic effort.

A new FDA policy will generally accept a single robust trial, supplemented by supporting evidence, for many drug approvals. Patients could gain faster access to treatments, while researchers and insurers prepare for intensified debates over evidence standards and data quality.

A major portfolio shake-up is underway as Nestlé's shake-up refocuses the company on core categories. Shoppers could see brand ownership changes that affect product lines, pricing, and promotions over time.

U.S.-mediated peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva broke up after just two hours on Feb. 18, with both sides calling the discussions “difficult” and no agreement on ending the war. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of trying to drag out the process, as disputes over territorial control in eastern Ukraine remain unresolved.

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Energy costs moved sharply as jumping oil prices shifted the near-term inflation outlook. Borrowing rates and mortgage affordability can react even before any official policy change.

Saudi Arabia’s state-backed AI venture, Humain, is investing $3 billion in xAI, with the stake set to convert into SpaceX shares under the terms of a planned merger. Sovereign-backed bets of this scale can shape where data centers, talent, and computing capacity cluster.

A wave of large-holder disclosures and earnings headlines set the tone ahead of the open. Portfolio shifts by market bellwethers can drive sector rotations even in the absence of a major macro catalyst.

A new model rollout lets users generate short music clips from text prompts inside a mainstream assistant. Creators and labels are now forced to sort out licensing, provenance, and what counts as a derivative sound.

A review found a consistent link between high consumption of sugary drinks and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. When findings align across multiple studies rather than a single dataset, public health guidance can move toward more targeted interventions.

Engineers have proposed a gyroscopic wave-energy converter designed to generate electricity across a wider range of ocean conditions. Broader operating capacity could make wave power a steadier addition to renewable grids where wind and solar output fluctuates.

Mikaela Shiffrin captured Olympic gold in women’s slalom, while Canada and the United States moved on in the men’s hockey quarterfinals. Medal moments can quickly shift national narratives, and injuries or overtime finishes can reset bracket expectations overnight.

The United States advanced to the men’s Olympic hockey semifinals with a tight win over Sweden, fueled by late pressure and steady goaltending. The result keeps the Americans in medal contention and sets up a high-stakes matchup that could define their tournament run.

Kate Hudson said she hopes to bring Goldie Hawn as her Oscars date while campaigning for a best actress nomination. Award-season visibility can reshape a film’s late-stage box office and streaming demand as ceremonies approach.

The Olympic spotlight amplified Cortina’s long-standing embrace of fur fashion in recent weeks. However, luxury norms can clash with shifting consumer expectations, forcing brands to navigate culture, ethics, and regulation at once.

A running list of 2026 festival and market dates updated this week in the calendar. Scheduling density matters for filmmakers chasing premieres, buyers planning acquisitions and audiences tracking what breaks through.

A high-profile reversal put a flu shot review back on track after regulators declined to file the application, and the company pushed for a formal process reset. Patients are paying attention because flu outcomes are most severe among older adults, and better-matched vaccines can reduce hospital strain in peak season.

Trial design sits at the core of the dispute, since approvals often hinge on what comparators and endpoints count as real-world protection. Investors also care because successful filings can expand platform confidence beyond COVID-era products, while delays can drain cash through added studies and slower launches.

mRNA flu shots promise faster updates and scalable manufacturing, but seasonal timelines are unforgiving, and public trust can be fragile when policy signals look inconsistent. Employers and schools track flu severity because absenteeism can spike quickly, making the difference between a normal winter and strained staffing.

Watch for whether the revised filing narrows the initial label, how post-approval study commitments are structured, and whether the outcome sets a precedent for other next-generation vaccines. A clear pathway would encourage more entrants and faster iteration, while a messy process could slow innovation even when the science is ready.

A loose dog ran onto the cross-country course during a team sprint heat in a moment captured on camera.

Veterinarians flew from Florida to Zimbabwe to treat a rhino’s rare eye condition, highlighting the growing global collaboration behind specialized wildlife care.

A New York man who claimed ownership of the New Yorker Hotel after booking one room now faces legal consequences, highlighting how obscure property laws can spiral into courtroom fights.

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—The Five Minute Daily Team