World News Update: Trade Deal, Winter Storm, Court Rulings, and Wildfires Dominate Headlines

The European Union and India announced a landmark trade deal after nearly two decades of negotiations, aiming to strengthen ties amid global trade tensions. Meanwhile, a severe winter storm in the United States caused deaths, power outages, and widespread flight delays, impacting millions. In other news, the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to face pre-trial proceedings for alleged crimes against humanity. A Japanese court ordered North Korea to compensate migrants lured to the country decades ago, and firefighters in Australia battled "emergency level" blazes amid a record-breaking heatwave.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the EU-India trade agreement as "the mother of all deals" during a media briefing in Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deal as "historic." According to BBC World, the agreement will allow free trade of goods between the 27 European states and India, representing nearly 25% of global gross domestic product.

In the United States, a deadly winter storm disrupted travel and daily life from Texas to Maine. "Several people have died in a winter storm that hit a wide swathe of the US, causing thousands of flights to be cancelled or delayed due to severe conditions," BBC World reported. Some areas in the northeast experienced over 20 inches (50.8cm) of snow in a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Canadian officials also reported significant disruptions in southern Ontario due to the storm.

The ICC ruled that Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, is fit to attend pre-trial proceedings related to alleged crimes against humanity during his "war on drugs." The court will hold a hearing on February 23 to determine if the prosecution's case is strong enough to proceed to trial. Duterte's lawyers had argued that the 80-year-old was unfit due to "cognitive impairment," according to BBC World. He has been detained at the Hague since March 2025.

A Tokyo court ordered North Korea to pay 88 million Japanese yen (approximately $570,000 USD) to four people who were lured to North Korea decades ago through a propaganda scheme. The plaintiffs claimed they were promised "paradise on Earth" but instead faced harsh conditions and forced labor before eventually escaping. While the ruling is largely symbolic due to North Korea's consistent disregard for such legal actions, it comes after a years-long legal battle.

In Australia, firefighters in Victoria are battling at least six major fires as a record-breaking heatwave grips the country's southeast. Two fires are currently at "emergency level," according to ABC News, with several communities under emergency warnings to evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that some areas have experienced all-time temperature highs. Fire officials warned that the situation is rapidly changing and urged locals to stay informed about the latest warnings.