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The Associated Press reported on the 21st that U.S. forces attacked a vessel believed to be a drug cartel off the Pacific coast near Costa Rica, killing at least two people and seriously injuring one. T

he U.S. Southern Command announced via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that it had “launched a lethal physical attack” on a vessel, stating that it had “confirmed the vessel was involved in drug transport operations while passing through known drug trafficking routes in the Pacific.”

The command also released video footage showing the ship engulfed in flames and exploding. The Costa Rican National Coast Guard dispatched a rescue vessel to an area 126 nautical miles off the Pacific coast of Golfito after receiving information about the sinking of the ship.

While two bodies were recovered and one seriously injured person was found at the scene, the number of people on board at the time of the attack has not yet been confirmed. The Trump administration, having launched a war on drugs, has been intensively attacking vessels suspected of transporting drugs since last September.

The U.S. military has reportedly attacked drug carriers more than 40 times so far, resulting in the deaths of 159 people believed to be couriers. In contrast, it is reported that no casualties have been reported so far on the part of the U.S. military, which employs long-range precision strike methods.

A study has found that reducing sedentary time by just 30 minutes a day during adolescence and increasing exercise or sleep can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

According to a team led by Dr. Søren Arnois-Leblanc at Harvard Medical School on the 23rd, a five-year follow-up study tracking the daily activity patterns and health indicators of approximately 800 early-teenagers showed that reducing sedentary time by 30 minutes a day and engaging in moderate-to-high intensity physical activity (MVPA) resulted in a 15% reduction in insulin resistance.

Dr. Arnois-Leblanc stated, “Simply replacing sedentary behavior with physical activity or sleep for even a few minutes a day can have health benefits,” adding that public health strategies need to focus on reducing sedentary time and increasing exercise and sleep among adolescents. The results of this study were presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026 (EPI) recently held in Boston.

The research team pointed out that while physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep are determinants of adolescent cardiometabolic health, there are few studies analyzing how these behaviors are interconnected within the 24-hour daily routine. They analyzed the relationship between daily lifestyle patterns during adolescence and subsequent health indicators using data from Project Viva, a long-term cohort study tracking adolescents and their mothers born in eastern Massachusetts between 1999 and 2002. 802 early adolescent participants (median age 12.9) wore wrist accelerometers and kept sleep diaries for 7 to 10 days.

Based on this data, the team calculated sleep, sedentary time, low-intensity physical activity, and the ratio of moderate to high-intensity physical activity and subsequently evaluated insulin resistance using fasting blood tests during late adolescence (median age 17.5). As a result, adolescents spent an average of 48% (11.5 hours) of their 24-hour day sitting for classes, homework, and rest; sleep accounted for 33%, low-intensity physical activity for 17%, and moderate-to-high-intensity physical activity for only 2%.

Furthermore, an analysis of health indicators from 394 individuals whose lifestyle pattern changes were confirmed revealed that those who engaged in moderate-to-high-intensity physical activity instead of sitting for 30 minutes a day showed a 14.8% decrease in insulin resistance, while those who replaced 30 minutes of sitting with sleep showed a 5% decrease. However, when the 30 minutes of sitting were replaced with low-intensity physical activity, there was no significant change in insulin resistance, and this change in activity was not associated with fasting blood glucose levels.

Dr. Harnois-Leblanc stated, “The fact that reducing sedentary time by 30 minutes and replacing it with moderate-to-high-intensity physical activity lowers insulin resistance by 15% is a significant change,” adding, “This means that changing sedentary behavior to physical activity or sleep, starting with just a few minutes a day, offers health benefits.”

As a movement led by labor unions pushes for a drastic increase in the minimum wage to $25 per hour in Washington, D.C., local small business owners are pushing back, warning that it will lead to business closures and layoffs.

According to local media outlet ARLNOW on the 11th, the labor group “One Fair Wage” is campaigning to put a proposal to raise the D.C. minimum wage to $25 by July 2029 to a public referendum. While labor unions welcome this move, arguing it will reduce the cost of living for workers, analysts suggest it could be the “final blow” to the restaurant industry, which has already been hit hard by cuts in federal and contract workers, immigration restrictions, and a decline in tourism.

An economist at George Mason University stated, “While some workers may benefit from the wage increase, many restaurants will eventually cut costs by reducing staff and switching to kiosk ordering or reducing serving staff to use robots.”

Meanwhile, several administrative procedures remain before the proposed $25 hike can be placed on the ballot this coming November, including the need to collect signatures from more than 5% of all D.C. voters within the next 180 days.

As the military conflict between the U.S. and Iran escalates into the Middle East, voices of concern regarding the aftermath of the war are emerging within the Korean community in the Washington area. Anxiety is growing across various sectors, including rising oil prices, inflation, a contraction in the travel industry, and worries about children serving in the military.

Concerns about economic burdens are appearing first. “I am worried because gas prices keep rising,” said Mr. A (a resident of Burke), an office worker in Annandale, Virginia. “When I left for work this morning, I saw it was $3.50 per gallon for regular gas, but I worry that it might go up to $4 if the war continues.” Mr. A added, “Prices have already been rising lately, and I am concerned that the cost of living will increase even further due to the aftermath of the Middle East war.”

Korean restaurant owners are also feeling the economic downturn. Bae Chan-hee, owner of Han River Restaurant in Annandale, said, “Customer numbers have dropped noticeably since Fairfax County imposed a 6% food tax earlier this year, compounded by the war.”

Bae noted, “There is an atmosphere these days where people are reluctant to open their wallets,” adding, “Sales have definitely declined since the war between the U.S. and Iran began.” She further stated, “Many people supported President Donald Trump with the expectation that the economy would improve, but with the war on top of that, the situation has turned out this way, causing great concern.”

The war also increased anxiety among parents with children serving in the military. Bae shared, “One acquaintance of mine has a son serving as an officer in a unit in North Carolina, and there are rumors circulating that his unit could be deployed if ground forces are sent out.

Parents are constantly on edge these days, praying for their children’s safety.” Mr. B, a resident of Centreville, Virginia, said, “My daughter is currently serving as an officer in Germany, and I am extremely worried that if the war escalates and ground troops are deployed, she might also be stationed in Iran.” The travel industry is also closely monitoring the situation.

Joanne Han, president of Hans Travel, a Korean American travel agency in the Washington area, said, “We operate travel packages to the Middle East, including Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and above all, we hope the war in the Middle East ends as soon as possible.”

Ms. Han added, “Fortunately, all Middle East travel itineraries scheduled before the war began have been completed. We are currently planning to resume Middle East travel at the end of this year, and we are receiving continuous inquiries from customers asking if there will be any issues with the trips at that time.”

The retail industry is also concerned about rising costs due to the prolonged war. Mr. C, a Korean-American who operates a large grocery store, said, “Although there hasn’t been a significant impact yet, if the war continues for more than two weeks, there is a high possibility that logistics and transportation costs will rise due to increasing fuel prices.

Ultimately, this increase in costs will inevitably lead to product price hikes.” He specifically added, “For products imported from Korea, the burden of shipping costs could increase, so the price hike is expected to be even greater.” While the Korean community in the Washington area has not yet experienced any direct damage, there is an atmosphere of close monitoring, with concerns about the impact on the economy and daily life should the war become prolonged.

The announcement on the 8th that Mojtaba Khamenei, who President Donald Trump had repeatedly denied, would succeed as Supreme Leader of Iran is expected to escalate the US and Israel’s offensive against Iran that has continued for over a week.

Reuters and AFP reported on the same day that Iran’s Council of Experts has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US and Israeli airstrike, as the next Supreme Leader. While he had envisioned a “Venezuelan model” in which a more moderate figure than Ali Khamenei would lead a pro-US government in Iran, this now appears more likely to result in a “Khamenei Season 2,” contrary to his wishes.

Mojtaba enjoys high trust in the Iranian military and is considered a hardliner on the US. President Trump, who insisted that he should be involved in Iran’s succession structure, strongly expressed his rejection, saying, “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me.” In a telephone interview with the American online media outlet Axios on the 5th, President Trump said, “Khamenei’s son is a lightweight.”

Iran’s choice of a figure whom President Trump declared “unacceptable” as its next leader can be interpreted as a demonstration of its will not to easily surrender to the United States in this war. Iran’s plan seems to be to create chaos in the international economy, including oil prices, by effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy transport chokepoint, and launching offensives against neighboring countries under the pretext of attacking US military bases, thereby driving the United States into a situation where it will be difficult to engage in a prolonged war.

While President Trump’s response to the Iranian Supreme Leader’s son’s succession has not yet been released, his previous remarks suggest he will likely tighten the reins on Iran’s offensive. In public statements and media interviews, Trump has declared that he will continue military operations against Iran without a time limit and will keep various options for military action on the table until he achieves his goals. He has dismissed concerns about oil prices, a potential burden on the war, stating, “Once this operation is over, oil prices will fall,” and has indicated he will not be concerned about domestic opposition.

Furthermore, his aides have stated that they have sufficient firepower to attack Iran. Attention is focused on whether the “decapitation operation” that took place immediately after the war, targeting Ali Khamenei, will be repeated against Mojtaba. President Trump, who remarked in Iran on the 3rd that “everyone who appears to want to be a leader is ultimately dead,” added in an ABC interview that day, “Without our approval, he (Iran’s new Supreme Leader) won’t last long.”

Given that it seems unlikely that Iran announced Mojtaba’s succession with President Trump’s “approval,” if his remarks are true, the US and Israeli militaries could launch an operation to oust Iran’s second-generation Supreme Leader. President Trump deployed special forces to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and he has not ruled out the possibility of deploying special forces against Iran, even if it is based on the premise of “securing enriched uranium.” However, Iran is also expected to anticipate and prepare for bombings or the deployment of special forces. It remains unclear whether a military operation to remove Mojtaba will unfold, as it did during the raid on Ali Khamenei at the start of the war, or whether it will be successful even if it does.

If the operation fails, the burden will fall back on Iran, and if Iran regroups around the next Supreme Leader and prolongs the war, the domestic and international political and economic pressures President Trump will face will inevitably increase. With the number of US military casualties in this war rising to seven as of today, the issue of US casualties could further exacerbate President Trump’s concerns amidst weak public support for the war in the United States.

With Iran seemingly effectively rejecting President Trump’s message regarding the appointment of the Supreme Leader, expectations are high that the war, now in its tenth day, will not end quickly. The international community will likely focus on President Trump’s message regarding Mojtaba’s appointment.

President Trump, who has frequently touted the “Venezuelan model” toward Iran and hoped to induce a shift toward pro-American policies through a moderate leader from within the Iranian power structure, will likely deliver a hard-liner message or adopt a cautious approach, observing Mojtaba’s actions.

An anti-Islam protest and a counter-protest took place simultaneously in front of the residence of New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, a Muslim, resulting in clashes. A total of six people, including two men who threw explosives, were arrested during the protest.

According to US media outlets such as NBC News on the 8th, two protests with opposing themes took place simultaneously in front of the mayor’s residence on the Upper East Side of Manhattan the previous day. About 20 people participated in the anti-Islam protest, organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang, with slogans such as “Stop Islam from taking over New York City” and “End Muslim prayer services in public places in New York City.”

About 120 counter-protesters also gathered at the scene, chanting slogans such as “Get the Nazis out of New York” and “Stand up to hate.” Tensions escalated around noon as the two sides confronted each other. When one anti-Islam protester sprayed pepper spray at the other side, two men, aged 18 and 19, each threw an improvised explosive device in quick succession. The ignited devices struck a police barricade and fell onto the crosswalk. The devices, smaller than a soccer ball, were found to be contained in a bottle wrapped in black tape, along with nuts, bolts, screws, and a fuse for use as a fuse.

The New York City Police Department announced on Twitter that day, “Preliminary analysis has confirmed that the device is not a fake explosive or smoke bomb, but rather an improvised explosive device capable of causing serious injury or death.” Police have arrested six people, including the two who threw the explosives, on charges of pepper spray use, affray, and obstructing traffic.

One of the two suspects in the bombing reportedly directly mentioned the Islamic State (IS) during his statement to police. AFP also reported that the man was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” (Arabic for “God is greatest”) at the scene. The incident is being investigated jointly by the New York City Police Department, the Southern District of New York Attorney General’s Office, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Lang, who organized the protest, was previously charged with assaulting a police officer and causing a disturbance but was released last year when President Donald Trump pardoned those involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. He has recently been organizing a series of Islamic protests and has also announced his candidacy for the Florida Senate, the Associated Press reported. Mayor Mamdani is New York City’s first Muslim mayor. The protest took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Police said Mayor Mamdani and his wife were staying at their residence at the time of the incident, but there were no injuries.

On that day, Mayor Mamdani criticized Lang at X, calling him a “white supremacist” and saying, “(He) organized a protest based on racism and bigotry,” and that “this kind of hate has no place in New York City.” Regarding the bombing, he wrote, “Violence at protests is absolutely unacceptable,” and “Attempting to use explosives and harm others is not only a crime, but also reprehensible and goes against who we are.”

The United States, a “nation of immigrants,” which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, has experienced its first net population outflow since the Great Depression, according to estimates. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), an analysis of data from 15 countries, including European countries, found that at least 180,000 Americans migrated to these countries last year.

An analysis by the Brookings Institution, a think tank, also found that the US saw a net population outflow of 150,000 last year. The net outflow is expected to increase this year. Immigration companies say the US government currently has a backlog of applications for Americans requesting to renounce their citizenship to obtain foreign passports or avoid taxation on their foreign income. The number of applications to renounce US citizenship has increased by 48% as of 2024 compared to the previous year, and the increase is expected to be even larger last year, the WSJ reported.

The last time a net outflow of US population occurred statistically was in 1935. The most popular country of choice for immigrants leaving the United States at the time was the Soviet Union, with over 100,000 people.

Pre-registration applications for the H-1B visa, a professional employment visa for the 2027 fiscal year, will begin on the 4th of next month, the first time a high-income priority system has been implemented. According to USCIS, the pre-registration application for the 2027 H-1B visa will be accepted for 15 days, from noon on March 4th to noon on March 19th, Eastern Standard Time. Individual notifications of selection results will be made by March 31st.

Starting this year, the H-1B visa issuance selection method will be significantly changed. According to the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security in December of last year, the selection of H-1B visa applicants will be changed from the previous random lottery to a lottery that gives weight to applicants classified as high-income. The new system sorts applicants into four categories based on wages, with the highest-wage category receiving four chances in the lottery and the lowest category receiving only one.

Previously, all applicants had an equal chance of being selected for the lottery, but the new rules significantly increase the chances of being selected for a visa. The Department of Homeland Security explains that while the selection probability for the lowest wage category, Category 1, is 15.29%, it will increase to 30.58% for Category 2, 45.87% for Category 3, and 61.16% for Category 4, the highest-wage category.

Another major change to H-1B issuance this year is the fee regulations. According to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in September of last year, employers who hire foreign nationals who do not have an H-1B visa and reside outside the United States must pay a $100,000 fee when filing the H-1B petition (Form I-129). However, if an international student (F-1 visa holder) legally residing in the United States applies for a change of status, the $100,000 fee will be waived

US President Trump’s counterattack against the Supreme Court’s ruling that tariffs were unconstitutional, and his subsequent announcement of new tariff rates, are bound to introduce more uncertainty and further complicate the situation. Reports indicate that some White House officials were bewildered by the sudden tariff increases. The newly announced 15% tariff rate has a mixed impact on various countries. For countries like the UK, Australia, and Singapore, the new rate is higher than the previously agreed-upon 10% benchmark tariff. However, for countries that previously faced high US tariffs, such as China (20%), Vietnam (20%), India (18%), and Brazil (50%), the new rate is significantly lower.

Some trade experts have pointed out that the U.S. imposing uniform tariffs on imported goods from all countries in the world may ultimately benefit low-cost producers in China and other Asian countries, because even with a 15% import tax, these goods are still relatively inexpensive. However, U.S. Trade Representative Greer pointed out in a Fox News interview on Friday that despite Trump’s announcement of new tariffs, countries that have reached agreements with the U.S. will still be required to adhere to the tariff rates stipulated in those agreements.

Greer stated that although the new tariffs are lower, exports from countries like Malaysia and Cambodia to the U.S. will continue to be taxed at the negotiated 19% rate. Despite legal setbacks, Trump is determined to push through his tariff rates to the end. Trump announced a new 10% tariff immediately after the Supreme Court ruling; less than 24 hours later, on Saturday (February 21), he announced that he would raise the tariff rate to the legally allowed 15% cap, effective immediately.

On Saturday, Trump tweeted on his Truth Social media account that he would determine and enact new legal tariffs within the next 150 days. This move indicates that despite significant legal setbacks, Trump is determined to carry out his plan to impose high tariffs on global imports.

Trump said, “As President of the United States, I will immediately raise the 10% global tariffs imposed on many countries to a fully legal and legally tested 15%. These countries have been exploiting the United States for decades without any punishment.”

Countries are in disarray and are studying countermeasures. Sources revealed that White House staff were caught off guard by the sudden tariff increase. Other countries are also thrown into disarray, scrambling to study the potential repercussions of the US Supreme Court ruling and Trump’s new tariff rates. German Chancellor Merz said on Saturday that he would hold talks with European allies before his visit to the United States in early March to clarify Europe’s position and provide a collective response to the United States.

The Australian government is prepared to explore all options. Australian Trade Minister Farrell said in a statement on Sunday, “We have always opposed these unreasonable tariffs. Australia is working closely with its embassy in Washington to assess the impact of the new tariffs and explore all possible responses.”

Despite facing significant legal setbacks, US President Trump remains determined to implement his plan to impose high tariffs on global imports. (Reuters) Itsunori Onodera, a senior official of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, said on Sunday (22nd) that Trump’s new tariffs were “outrageous” and he worried that they would only accelerate the estrangement of countries from the United States.

Although the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs were unlawful, there are predictions that there will be no significant international action to overturn trade agreements concluded with the United States.

According to the Financial Times (FT) on the 21st, international trade and legal experts analyzed that it is unlikely that governments will attempt to reverse trade agreements concluded with the Trump administration. Regardless of legal issues in the United States, these experts note that the Trump administration still holds leverage in international negotiations. The US holds absolute influence in non-trade areas such as defense and security cooperation. Furthermore, countries should keep in mind that the Trump administration possesses the means to retaliate in the trade sector.

The Supreme Court’s ruling was limited to tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Tariffs on specific products, such as automobiles, steel, semiconductors, and medical supplies, based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and Section 301 of the Trade Act remain in effect. Ultimately, this means that the Trump administration could retaliate against countries attempting to reverse trade agreements with the US by imposing high tariffs on key industries like automobiles. Therefore, experts generally believe that trade agreements with countries whose key industries are at risk of retaliation, such as the European Union (EU), Japan, and South Korea, are unlikely to result in renegotiation or termination.

The European Parliament is scheduled to discuss whether to postpone the ratification of the trade agreement with the US, but given the security situation, including the war in Ukraine and the impact on the auto industry, it is unlikely to escalate into a full-scale review. Simon Evernet, a professor at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling did not weaken the Trump administration’s threat, but merely replaced it with another threat. He argued that concerns that the Trump administration could impose higher tariffs after 150 days still weigh on negotiating partners.

Immediately following the Supreme Court ruling the previous day, President Trump reimposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act and announced a day later that he would increase it to 15%. This measure remains in effect for 150 days without further congressional approval. However, some countries may seek to leverage the Supreme Court ruling in negotiations with the Trump administration.

Pratik Dattani, founder of the think tank Bridge India, predicted, “This ruling will enhance the negotiating power of trading partners like India.” He argued that India may slow down negotiations to await not only the Supreme Court ruling but also the shift in power in the U.S. Congress following the midterm elections in November. India is currently in further negotiations following the interim trade agreement reached with the United States earlier this month. However, President Trump also insisted that “nothing has changed” regarding the trade agreement with India.