Edition - Monday, February 23, 2026

7.4

Top Signal

El Mencho, Jalisco Cartel Leader, Killed in Mexican Military Operation

•El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed in a Mexican operation.
•The operation was part of efforts to showcase Mexico's commitment to drug enforcement.
•The cartel is known for trafficking large quantities of fentanyl to the United States.
•Following his death, cartel members set fire to vehicles and buildings across Mexico.
•El Mencho's killing represents a substantial blow to organized crime in Mexico.

9.0

•The US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs was illegal.
•Bloomberg reported a swift reversal of fortunes, with the hardest-hit countries now emerging as the biggest winners from the ruling.
•China, India, and Brazil are among the nations now seeing significantly lower tariff rates, according to Business Standard.
•The ruling curtails presidential authority to use emergency powers as a mechanism for imposing broad trade duties.
•The decision is expected to reshape trade dynamics between the United States and multiple major economies worldwide.

7.4

•China on Monday called on the United States to revoke unilateral tariffs following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down many of Trump's trade measures.
•The court ruled six to three that Trump had overstepped his authority under a 1977 law in imposing the sweeping tariffs.
•Trump responded by announcing new global import duties of up to 15 percent under separate legal authority.
•Both countries are working to navigate shifting trade dynamics and avoid an all-out trade war that could disrupt the global economy.
•The ruling has created new uncertainty in the broader US-China trade relationship.

5.1

•Apple has invited press to a 'special Apple experience' on March 4 that may differ from its typical event format, per TechCrunch.
•A deep red color is reportedly being tested for the iPhone 18 Pro, according to tipster Shawn Tan.
•MacRumors reports Apple is testing colors for both the iPhone 18 Pro and a foldable iPhone, though no launch timeline is confirmed.
•Samsung's Unpacked 2026 event this week could include surprise devices such as a new foldable phone, according to ZDNET.

7.1

•President Donald Trump announced a global tariff increase to 15% to preserve protective trade measures.
•Bitcoin dropped sharply, falling below $65,000 according to CNBC and dipping near $64,000 per Business Standard, amid broad risk-off sentiment.
•Gold prices extended three consecutive weekly gains, with Business Standard reporting bullion above $5,170 an ounce, though this figure appears historically unusual.
•Bloomberg reported that uncertainty over U.S. trade policy weakened the dollar and unsettled broader markets.
•Analysts described the market reaction as a classic risk-off shift from speculative assets toward traditional safe havens.