Daily Current Affairs – 22-02-2026

International News

US Supreme Court Ruling on Additional 10% Tax Announcement

The US President Donald Trump announced an additional 10% tax on all countries including India using his special powers under Article 122. Earlier, in April, he had announced new tax impositions on more than 100 countries, which were challenged by 12 groups including small businesses and the Democratic Party in the International Trade Court. The court annulled the tax imposition, and the ruling was upheld by the Federal Circuit Court. Subsequently, the case was appealed to the US Supreme Court, where a 9-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Roberts ruled against the new tax imposition by a 6–3 majority, declaring it invalid. Before the new tax, the US imposed a 3.5% tax on certain Indian goods, and with the additional 10%, the total tax became 13.5%. The issue is linked to discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump regarding trade relations and import duties, including the 18% import duty issue. India considers the United States as one of its major export markets, and the matter is significant for bilateral trade relations. The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal stated that the Government of India has taken note of the US Supreme Court ruling and is studying its implications.

India–Brazil Bilateral Trade Target of Rs 1.81 Lakh Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Lula da Silva met in New Delhi during the latter’s official visit to India. President Lula da Silva was received at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the bilateral meeting was held at Hyderabad House, Delhi. Both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and international political developments. India and Brazil have set a target to increase their bilateral trade to over Rs 1.81 lakh crore within the next five years. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for cooperation in the sectors of digital technology, critical minerals, and steel supply. Brazil is identified as India’s largest trading partner in Latin America. The leaders also discussed cooperation in critical minerals and defence sectors and agreed to work together against terrorism. India and Brazil were described as two major democracies of the Global South, supporting multilateral relations and cooperation.

Tamil Nadu News

MoU Between TN State Council for Science and Technology and Startup Tamil Nadu

An MoU was signed in Chennai at the Metro Rail Head Office between the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) and Startup Tamil Nadu to convert research findings into commercial startup products. The agreement was signed in the presence of T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for MSME, by S.V. Chelliah, Member Secretary of TNSCST, and Sivaraj Ramanathan, Chairman of Startup Tamil Nadu. The objective of the agreement is to commercialize research outcomes from educational institutions and organizations, facilitate intellectual property rights (IPR) for new discoveries, bridge the gap between academia and industry, and create market opportunities for new enterprises. Under this agreement, TNSCST will identify new technologies, facilitate patent protection, and ensure technological readiness, while Startup Tamil Nadu will integrate new companies, establish industry linkages, and support market access for new products. A Joint Coordination Committee comprising representatives from both organizations will be formed for effective implementation of the project.

New Delhi AI Declaration Signed by 88 Countries

The India-AI Summit 2026 was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, beginning on the 16th and concluding after two days, with participation of more than 5 lakh visitors. During the summit, the New Delhi AI Declaration was adopted and signed by 88 countries, including the United States, Russia, China, France, and the European Union. The declaration emphasizes ensuring that the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are accessible to all and highlights the importance of national sovereignty, accessibility of AI technology, and strengthening international cooperation. It focuses on seven key sectors, including democratization of AI resources, economic growth and social welfare, safe and reliable AI, AI in science, social empowerment, and human resource development. Union Minister for Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that agreements related to investments exceeding Rs. 22 lakh crore in India’s infrastructure sector were signed during the summit.

Sol Pudhu Project – 26 Tamil Equivalents Finalised

On February 21, the 10th meeting of the “Sol Pudhu” Project was conducted by the Tamil Development Department at the Tamil Development Office, Chennai, under the chairmanship of M. Rasendiran, Head of the Tamil Development Department. During the meeting, 26 pure Tamil equivalents for English words were finalised. Participants included Professors Saravanan, Oppilla Mathivanan, Bharathibalan, Kalthuri Raja, Dr. M. Elangovan, journalists Rajkannan, M. Murugesan, and social media personality Neechchalakaran. Among the finalized terms were equivalents for words such as M-Sand (Maatru Manal), Photo Gallery (Padak Kaatchiyagam), Photoshoot (Olippada Eduppu), Satellite Bus (Inaippu Perundhu), Semi-sleeper Seat (Saayvirukkai), Sleeper Seat (Padukkai Irukkai), Translocation (Idap Peyarvu), and Wheelchair Ramp (Sakkara Naarkaali Paathai), as part of efforts to promote the usage of pure Tamil words.

National News

India-Made Tetanus–Diphtheria Vaccine Launched

At the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda launched the India-made combined Tetanus (Tetanus) and Diphtheria (Diphtheria) vaccine. The vaccine has been included under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). The institute is set to supply 55 lakh doses by April, with plans to increase production in the coming years. India is one of the leading vaccine-producing countries globally, and during the pandemic, India supplied about 2 crore doses of domestically produced tetanus vaccines, including booster doses. Under the Universal Immunization Programme, 11 vaccines are administered, and newborn children receive 27 doses up to the age of 16 years. Every year, around 5 crore people, including 2.5 crore pregnant women and 2.5 crore children, are vaccinated. The monitoring of pregnant women is carried out through the ‘U-WIN’ platform, and approximately 99% vaccination coverage has been achieved in India.

Supreme Court Issues New Rules on Solid Waste Management

The Supreme Court of India issued a comprehensive set of new rules on Solid Waste Management while hearing a petition challenging two orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) related to environmental violations in Puzhal Municipality. The case was heard by a bench comprising Justices Pangus Mittal and NVN The Court directed that the new rules will come into force from April 1, and compliance must be ensured by March 31 by providing copies of the order to waste disposal contractors and local bodies. The Court mandated that District Collectors in all states must ensure full implementation of solid waste rules, monitor compliance by Corporations, Municipalities, and Village Panchayats, and submit reports to the Chief Secretary. District Collectors were also directed to form a board for solid waste management and ensure public disclosure of information. The Ministry of Environment and Forests was instructed to include a section on solid waste management rules in the school curriculum, including in local languages. Non-compliance with the rules will be treated as an offence, with three types of administrative actions including fines, and repeated violations will be treated as a criminal offence under environmental laws.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Aousha Sharmaan Appointed CEO of Microsoft Gaming Division

Aousha Sharmaan was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Xbox, the gaming division of Microsoft, headquartered in Washington. She succeeded Phil Spencer, who retired after serving for 38 years at Microsoft and leading the Xbox division. Phil Spencer will continue as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition until the summer. Aousha Sharmaan began her career at Microsoft in 2011, later served as General Manager at Modan, and worked as Vice President and CEO at Intelkar. She rejoined Microsoft in 2024 as the Head of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division and has now been promoted to head the gaming division.

Fourth Volume of Tamil–Indo-European Dictionary Released

On the occasion of World Mother Tongue Day (February 21), Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin released the fourth volume of the Comparative Etymological Dictionary of Tamil and Indo-European Languages in Chennai. The project is a joint initiative of the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation (TNTB&ESC) and Oxford University Press. The four-year project was launched in July 2022 with a total project cost of ₹8 crore, and a total of 12 volumes are planned. In March 2025, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released the general introduction volume and the first volume, while the second and third volumes were released during the Chennai International Book Fair in January. The project team is headed by Chief Editor K. Arasendran, and the research is based on the identification of 461 Indo-European roots by English etymologist Walter Skeat, of which around 300 roots are said to have links with Tamil. In January 2025, TNTB&ESC signed an agreement with Oxford University Press to publish the findings in 12 volumes. The fourth volume documents links between 19 Tamil roots and Indo-European languages.