FEB 10: Canada–U.S. Tensions Over Bridge, Ukraine’s EU Path, Epstein Fallout
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GLOBAL REVIEW
USA
The National Governors Association has canceled a planned meeting with President Donald Trump later this month after the White House excluded Democratic governors, according to a source familiar with the decision. NGA chair Kevin Stitt informed members on Monday.
A federal judge struck down California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks, ruling that “the law failed to apply equally across law enforcement agencies”. Meanwhile, fear among children from immigrant families in Minnesota is keeping many home from school, cutting them off from free breakfast and lunch programs. Some districts have begun sending volunteers to deliver food directly to families.
The Trump administration plans to withdraw $600 million in public health funding from four Democratic-led states: California, Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado.
More than 700 measles cases have been recorded nationwide since the start of the year, with the vast majority involving unvaccinated individuals. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s director of Medicare and Medicaid Services, urged Americans to get vaccinated against measles.
Teachers in San Francisco walked out after nearly a year of stalled contract negotiations, closing schools for tens of thousands of students.
In New York City, nurses reached an agreement to end a monthlong strike at two major hospital systems, while nurses at a third system remain on strike.
Two dozen Buddhist monks arrived in Washington, D.C., wearing burnt-orange robes, as part of a 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” across nine states — a spiritual journey that has drawn crowds of thousands along the route.
A severe snow drought across the western United States is threatening water supplies and contributing to one of the worst ski seasons in decades. The lack of snow has also forced the cancellation of a dog sled race.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe — one of two National Guard members shot in a Washington, D.C., attack — will soon receive the Purple Heart.
The U.S. military destroyed an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific on February 9, killing two individuals described as “narco-terrorists” and leaving one survivor. U.S. Southern Command said “the boat was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was traveling along known trafficking routes”.
The White House deleted a post from Vice President JD Vance’s account that referred to the Armenian massacres as a “genocide,” saying the message — likely to anger U.S. ally Turkey — had been posted in error.
The Trump administration will not restrict U.S. companies’ access to advanced artificial intelligence chips designed by Nvidia, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said at a Senate hearing. “We agree that demand by American firms is vast for these chips, and we don’t want to do anything that stands in their way,” Lutnick said.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership agreement in Baku focused on economic and security cooperation, as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region once dominated by Russia.
EPSTEIN CONSEQUENCES
Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to abuse minors, sent a message to President Trump suggesting that “she would clear his name in exchange for clemency”. The overture, revealed by her lawyer during the deposition, has intensified scrutiny over accountability and transparency. Trump has not ruled out a pardon or commutation. Lawmakers say Maxwell is attempting to leverage her silence to obtain clemency.
Two members of Congress — one Republican and one Democrat — reviewed unredacted Epstein files and criticized the government for obscuring the identities of six men they believe were implicated in sex-trafficking offenses.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign after appointing an associate of Epstein as ambassador to the United States.
CANADA
Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Germany from February 11–15 to attend the Munich Security Conference as Canada steps up efforts to strengthen defense readiness and security partnerships amid a shifting global landscape.
While in Munich, Carney will meet international leaders to reinforce transatlantic security, NATO preparedness, and energy security, while advancing cooperation on artificial intelligence, critical supply chains, and ongoing support for Ukraine. He is expected to outline plans to rapidly scale Canada’s defense capabilities, including Arctic protection and NATO’s northern and western flanks.
*ONEST will be covering the Munich Security Conference daily from Friday throughout Sunday.
The Prime Minister will also engage global business leaders to promote Canada as a destination for investment in critical minerals, energy, and advanced technologies.
The visit comes as Canada boosts defense spending, launches a new Defence Investment Agency, and deepens cooperation with European partners — including participation in the EU’s SAFE defense initiative and commitments made at the NATO summit to raise defense investment to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Canada and Germany will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
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President Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, escalating tensions with Canada over economic issues. Trump said he would “not allow” the bridge to open “until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them.” Construction on the 1.5-mile bridge linking Detroit and Windsor is complete, with opening expected later this year after testing.
Flashback to 2017:
CBC reported that a Trudeau–Trump joint statement affirmed confidence in the project.
“To make the project a reality, the Canadian government agreed to pay for all construction costs, including $250 million for the inspection plaza on the American side of the river, with a plan to recoup the costs through tolls.”
At today’s White House press briefing:
Q: Trump threatened to block the new bridge, which would connect Detroit to Canada. This was fully paid for by Canada. Why has he changed his mind?
Leavitt: “This is just another example of President Trump putting America’s interests first.”
Prime Minister Carney said he discussed the bridge with Trump, reminding him that Canada funded construction, used both Canadian and U.S. steel and workers, and jointly manages the bridge with Michigan. Carney described the conversation as “positive” and emphasized its benefits for trade and tourism.
UKRAINE
The EU is considering fast-tracking certain membership protections for Ukraine as part of potential peace negotiations, sources told Bloomberg. While accession remains under discussion, Brussels has not finalized its position, and the standard — slower — accession process remains an option.
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Ukraine has launched Mission Control, a nationwide digital command-and-control system designed to unify planning, execution, and reporting for drone operations, as Kyiv seeks new ways to break battlefield stalemates nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu during his first official visit to Ukraine. Zelenskyy thanked Moldova for supporting Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s invasion and reaffirmed shared ambitions for EU membership.
“Your political support is extremely important. We are grateful for your backing of our territorial integrity and sovereignty. I believe we share a common vision for our future EU membership, and I hope we will walk this path together,” Zelenskyy said.
The leaders discussed energy infrastructure damage caused by Russian strikes, coordination against ongoing threats, and expanded cooperation in the energy sector. Moldova announced new humanitarian aid, including generators and medicines. Joint projects in defense production, transport, and infrastructure were also discussed, along with synchronizing EU accession negotiations.
PALESTINE
Israel has eased restrictions allowing Jewish settlers to purchase land in the West Bank, raising concerns over potential violations of international law.
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over Israeli plans to authorize new administrative and enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank.
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At a UN Security Council debate on January 28, Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov warned that nearly all of Gaza’s population remains dependent on humanitarian assistance, while aid groups remain unable to operate at scale. He reported intensified Israeli military operations, settler violence, and arrests — including of children — in the West Bank.
Nicaragua’s Ambassador Jaime Hermida Castillo said Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements, including in East Jerusalem and previously evacuated areas, represents a serious setback.
“These illegal, colonial actions openly seek to destroy the contiguity of the Palestinian land and foreclose the possibility of a viable Palestinian State,” he said.
He added that UNRWA “is a lifeline for millions of Palestine refugees,” calling Israeli measures targeting the agency “appalling,” and warned that “peace cannot coexist with annexation and oppression.”
Police clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in Sydney as Israel’s president visited the site of the Bondi Beach attack.
IRAN
Iranian authorities have detained at least seven prominent opposition figures amid a broader crackdown on dissent.
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Additional U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East on February 9, with multiple F–35A aircraft landing at RAF Lakenheath in the U.K., according to flight tracking data.
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Satellite imagery shows U.S. forces at Qatar’s al-Udeid base placing missiles onto truck-mounted launchers, increasing mobility as tensions with Iran continue to rise.
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh will face a 19% U.S. tariff base rate, with limited exemptions for apparel made using U.S. materials, interim leader Muhammad Yunus said. No similar exemption has been granted to neighboring India.
LIBYA
Fifty-three people are dead or missing after a migrant boat sank off Libya’s coast, according to the International Organization for Migration. Only two survivors were rescued. The IOM reported that more than 1,300 migrants died or went missing in the Central Mediterranean in 2025, with 484 already recorded in the first weeks of 2026.
SYRIA
Severe flooding in northwest Syria has killed two children and displaced more than 5,000 people, the United Nations said.
INDONESIA
Indonesia is preparing to deploy between 5,000 and 8,000 troops to Gaza as part of a potential international peacekeeping force, making it the first country to publicly commit personnel. President Prabowo Subianto said “Indonesia aims to help stabilize Gaza and advance a two-state solution”.
OLYMPICS
The IOC reviewed Ukrainian athlete Heraskevych’s request to compete wearing a helmet featuring photos of athletes killed by Russia. While the helmet was permitted during training, the IOC said it will allow Heraskevych to wear a black armband during competition in commemoration.
This is the current Medal Count as of 4:30pm ET on Feb. 10, 2026
HUMANITY
A moment of kindness from Canada.
When Olympian Maddie Schizas asked for an extension on an assignment, her professor responded with understanding and support.
Go, Maddie!
Stay informed. Stay human. Stay ONEST.
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