Politics

Boris Johnson called for the UK and its allies to deploy non-combat British ground forces to parts of Ukraine immediately, saying waiting for a ceasefire hands initiative to Vladimir Putin. He also expressed regret about not doing more earlier.

The Scottish Greens pledged universal free bus travel and a major expansion of funded childcare, including 570 hours for children aged six months to two years by the end of the next Parliament.

Reverend Jesse Jackson's National Rainbow Coalition and presidential campaigns helped build a multiracial, cross-class coalition and boosted Black voter registration, influencing later Democratic politics.

Several senior Reform UK figures have publicly advocated traditional family norms and commented on abortion and fertility, and the party has proposed scrapping the Equality Act while reversing a pledge on the two‑child benefit cap.

Hong Kong officials proposed buying back ownership rights for about 1,700 Wang Fuk Court units and said they will contact homeowners in March, with payments expected in the third quarter and apartment exchanges available from September.

After the departure of his chief of staff and a series of internal rows, No 10 insiders say Keir Starmer has signalled a firmer public stance and will test that approach at the Gorton and Denton byelection.

The Palestinian Authority is facing severe financial strain after large unpaid tax transfers and the loss of permits for many Palestinian workers, while Israeli land-registration and settlement measures are expanding control across parts of the West Bank.

State media reports at least 10 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in eastern Lebanon; Israel said it targeted sites it described as belonging to Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley.

John Swinney said Scottish independence is 'within reach' after a More in Common poll projected the SNP on 64 seats, and he linked growing momentum to a series of Westminster scandals.

The Lebanese health ministry said at least 10 people were killed and 24 wounded in Israeli strikes in the eastern Bekaa valley; security sources reported that Hezbollah leader Hussein Yaghi was killed and his funeral is set for Saturday.

The Palestinian health ministry and witnesses say Israeli settlers shot and killed 19-year-old Nasrallah Abu Siyam near the village of Mukhmas; his death is confirmed and the next procedural steps are undetermined.

Cubans are installing solar panels on homes, businesses and vehicles as the country endures extended blackouts that reporting and officials attribute in part to US measures to block oil shipments; the government and private buyers have expanded solar capacity while a reported Russian crude shipment has no set date.

U.S. President Donald Trump will preside over the inaugural Board of Peace meeting with delegations from about 47 countries, and officials say roughly $5 billion has been pledged for Gaza reconstruction while key issues such as Hamas disarmament and aid distribution remain unresolved.

A drone strike struck an aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan region, killing three people and wounding four aid workers, the Sudan Doctors Network reported. The convoy was carrying food and humanitarian supplies to Kadugli and Dilling when it was hit.

Mikola Statkevich was released from prison after suffering a stroke, and Belarusian authorities said President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the release because of his condition.

Reports say President Trump is considering a limited strike to press Iran into talks, and he told Iran it has "10 to 15 days" to reach a deal; the US has continued a military buildup in the region.

From February 25, dual British nationals must present a valid UK passport or obtain a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK; the Home Office has said carriers may accept an expired British passport at their discretion if the traveller also holds a valid foreign passport.

Virginia Giuffre's family thanked King Charles after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office; he was questioned, spent around 11 hours in custody and was released under investigation without charges. The King said the law must take its course and pledged cooperation while the police inquiry continues; next steps are undetermined at this time.

Campaigners in Queensbury have called a public meeting after 991 objections were lodged against a proposal to build 295 homes on green belt land that could be reclassified under 2024 planning changes.

Unemployment among 18–24-year-olds has risen to a level not seen since 2015 outside the pandemic, and analysts say recent increases in employers' costs, including rises in the under‑20 minimum wage, have raised the cost of hiring young workers.

Parks workers restored panels about slavery at the President's House in Philadelphia after a federal judge ordered the materials put back; city leaders welcomed the reinstatement.

A £50 million Wales Defence Growth Deal was signed to position Wales as a UK launchpad for autonomous and uncrewed systems and to expand testing access; the parties intend to establish a Defence Technical Excellence College by September 2027.

Nine UK police forces are examining links between Jeffrey Epstein and the UK after the release of his files; Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and police say inquiries are ongoing.

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, 84, has died, and the article recalls his commitment to nonviolence and to building coalitions and direct-action campaigns that used love as a public force.

A UN fact-finding mission reported that actions in el-Fasher show hallmarks of genocide and named senior Rapid Support Forces leaders; investigators say they will continue inquiries, including into alleged foreign involvement.

Children with a legal right to special needs support will face a review when they move to secondary school under planned SEND reforms, and new-style EHCPs are to be introduced from 2030 reserving EHCPs for the most severe and complex needs.

A 90-page penal code issued by the Taliban is reported to permit husbands to physically punish wives unless injuries are severe, and it reportedly assigns different penalties based on social status.

U.S. officials say Washington has deployed its largest fleet of jet fighters to the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq war, and President Trump is reported to be weighing options for possible strikes on Iran.

From 25 February dual nationals will need to use a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to enter the UK as part of the Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout; the Home Office says information has been public since October 2024.

A U.N.-backed fact-finding mission reported that an October operation by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces in and around el-Fasher displayed "hallmarks of genocide," targeting non-Arab communities, and the team called for accountability.