The briefing for Monday, February 23.

The Mexican army killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' during a capture operation Sunday in Jalisco state. The 59-year-old drug lord died from wounds sustained in a firefight with special forces that killed four cartel members and injured three soldiers. The operation, supported by U.S. intelligence, represents the highest-profile blow against Mexican cartels since the recapture of El Chapo a decade ago.

Cartel members responded with widespread violence across 20 states, erecting more than 250 roadblocks and setting vehicles ablaze. Schools closed Monday in several states, and Guadalajara—Mexico's second-largest city and a World Cup host venue—virtually shut down as residents sheltered at home. Airlines including Air Canada, United, and American suspended flights to Jalisco. The U.S. State Department issued shelter-in-place warnings for five Mexican states, while Guatemala reinforced border security.

El Mencho led one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations, trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States. The U.S. had offered a $15 million reward for his capture. The killing could strengthen President Claudia Sheinbaum's position with the Trump administration, which has threatened tariffs and military action over drug trafficking. However, the long-term security impact remains uncertain as rival cartels may attempt to fill the power vacuum in the organization that controls vast drug trafficking networks across Mexico and into all 50 U.S. states.

President Trump launched an unusually personal attack on Supreme Court justices Friday after the court struck down his sweeping global tariffs in a 6-3 decision. Trump called the ruling 'deeply disappointing' and said he was 'ashamed' of certain justices, particularly his own appointees Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett who voted with the majority. 'I think it's an embarrassment to their families,' Trump said of the two justices, crossing what legal experts described as a significant line in presidential criticism of the judiciary.

Trump responded to the decision by announcing alternative tariff plans, first proposing a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, later raising it to 15%. He also said he's exploring additional tariffs requiring Commerce Department investigations. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said existing trade deals remain in effect and partners are expected to honor them, though uncertainty persists about the administration's next moves.

Markets reacted with mixed signals. U.S. futures fell Monday morning, with the S&P 500 contract down 0.8% and the Dow futures dropping 0.7%. Asian markets showed divergent responses—Hong Kong surged 2.2% while China's markets were closed for holidays. The EU demanded the U.S. honor existing trade agreements, with top lawmaker Bernd Lange proposing to pause ratification of the EU-U.S. trade deal amid what he called 'pure tariff chaos.' Bitcoin tumbled as much as 5%, dropping below $65,000 as investors pulled back from speculative assets.

The United States and Iran will hold their next round of nuclear negotiations Thursday in Geneva, Oman's foreign minister confirmed Sunday. The talks come as Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News he expects to present a draft proposal within days and believes there's still a 'good chance' for a diplomatic solution. The U.S. has built up the largest American military presence in the Middle East in decades, including deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier groups with accompanying destroyers and fighter jets.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News the president is 'curious' why Iran hasn't 'capitulated' given the massive U.S. military buildup. Trump warned Friday that limited strikes against Iran are possible if talks fail, giving negotiators roughly 10 days to reach an agreement. The U.S. provided intelligence support for the recent Geneva talks and insists Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or enrich uranium, while Iran maintains it has the right to enrichment for peaceful purposes.

Meanwhile, anti-government protests resumed at Iranian universities over the weekend for the first time since January's deadly crackdown that killed thousands. The BBC verified footage showing demonstrations at multiple universities in Tehran and Mashhad, with students raising pre-revolution flags and chanting anti-government slogans. Iranian state media reported protests at five Tehran universities and one in Mashhad. The Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed at least 7,015 deaths during January's crackdown, including 6,508 protesters and 226 children, though it is investigating 11,744 additional reported deaths.

The European Union's executive arm demanded 'full clarity' from the United States and insisted Washington honor its trade commitments after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's global tariffs. The European Commission said the current situation threatens the 'fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial' trans-Atlantic trade relationship outlined in the August 2025 EU-U.S. Joint Statement, which established a 15% import tax on 70% of European goods. 'A deal is a deal,' the Commission stated, adding that EU products must continue receiving competitive treatment with no tariff increases beyond agreed ceilings.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's international trade committee, said Sunday he will propose pausing ratification of the trade deal, calling the situation 'pure tariff chaos on the part of the U.S. administration.' He wrote that 'no one can make sense of it anymore' given the rapid policy shifts. The value of EU-U.S. trade in goods and services totaled 1.7 trillion euros ($2 trillion) in 2024, averaging 4.6 billion euros daily according to Eurostat.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CBS News he expects trading partners to honor existing deals and hasn't heard anyone say agreements are off. However, the EU possesses powerful retaliatory tools through its Anti-Coercion Instrument, which could block trade, bar companies from public tenders, or limit foreign investment. In its most severe form, the measures could close off the EU's 450-million customer market to U.S. companies, potentially inflicting billions in losses on the American economy.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has purchased or leased at least seven large warehouses across the U.S. for detention centers, often without informing local officials until after deals closed. The $45 billion expansion project aims to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds through eight large-scale centers housing 7,000-10,000 detainees each and 16 smaller regional facilities. In Socorro, Texas, Mayor Rudy Cruz learned federal officials had purchased three warehouses totaling 826,000 square feet for $122.8 million only after the deed was filed. 'Nobody from the federal government bothered to pick up the phone,' Cruz said.

The secret purchasing strategy has drawn opposition in at least 20 communities, with deals scuttled in eight locations after public backlash. ICE acknowledged making a 'mistake' announcing purchases in Chester, New York, and Roxbury, New Jersey, though Roxbury later confirmed its sale had closed Friday. Many mayors and officials learned about planned facilities through leaked spreadsheets circulating among activists or media inquiries rather than direct government communication.

The Trump administration is using military contracts that allow significant secrecy and speed while bypassing usual safeguards, according to University of Baltimore law professor Charles Tiefer. Communities are raising concerns that the facilities could strain water supplies and services while reducing tax revenue. The Department of Homeland Security objected to calling the sites warehouses, emphasizing they would be 'very well structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards.' The project is funded through last year's tax and spending bill that nearly doubled DHS's budget.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday repealed the Biden administration's tightened Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for coal-fired power plants, reverting to the original 2012 Obama-era standards. EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi announced the change at Kentucky's Mill Creek Generating Station, saying it 'rights the wrongs of the last administration's rule' and should save the industry hundreds of millions of dollars. The decision marks the latest Trump administration effort to boost fossil fuels by rolling back clean air and water regulations.

Coal-fired plants are the largest single human source of mercury pollutants, which can harm brain development in young children and contribute to heart attacks in adults. The original 2012 standards reduced mercury emissions by nearly 90%. Environmental groups said the tightened Biden rules saved lives and improved health in communities near coal plants, while industry groups argued the stricter standards made operations too expensive and would force plant retirements.

Coal industry representatives welcomed the rollback. 'For too long, the entire coal supply chain has been the target of bad and onerous environmental regulations,' said Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of America's Power. The change comes as part of what the EPA in March called 'the biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history,' which included rolling back dozens of environmental protections focused on climate change and fossil fuel emissions.