Politics

Hospitals in Gaza reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 12 people, including women and children. The strikes occurred a day before a southern border crossing is expected to open.

A Russian drone strike hit a bus carrying mineworkers in Dnipro, killing at least 12 people and injuring seven, authorities and the company DTEK reported; the same day, Ukraine said US-brokered talks with Russia were delayed until 4–5 February in Abu Dhabi.

Erfan Soltani, 26, who was arrested on January 8 on charges including propaganda and acting against national security, has been released on bail after about three weeks and reportedly had his belongings returned.

Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike killed at least 12 miners, and Kyiv has rescheduled trilateral peace talks while planned outages strain the power grid amid severe cold.

Erfan Soltani was reported to have been released on bail after earlier reports said he faced a possible death sentence; Iran's judiciary denied a death sentence and said he faces security-related charges carrying prison terms only.

Hundreds of Minnesota businesses closed in a coordinated economic strike and organised rallies to protest the presence and operations of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Department of Homeland Security says thousands of federal officers have been deployed and has reported about 10,000 arrests.

Erfan Soltani was released on bail after his 8 January arrest, his lawyer told AFP; a two billion toman bail was paid for his release.

Forty-six families have launched a civil case after allegations about a nursery worker led to a Metropolitan Police inquiry; around 700 children who attended the nursery during the period have been contacted and are receiving specialist support.

A five-year-old boy and his father who had been detained by US immigration authorities have returned to Minnesota after being released from the Dilley detention center in Texas, a congressman said; a US judge ordered their release on Saturday.

Officials reported a Russian drone struck near a shuttle bus carrying DTEK mine workers in Dnipropetrovsk region, killing at least 12 and wounding seven.

Javier Tarazona was released from prison after Venezuela's government announced an amnesty bill to free political prisoners; rights groups say about 310 people have been freed so far while roughly 700 remain detained.

Prosecutors say seven deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are under investigation after a public inquiry heard evidence of serious infections; the Crown Office has pledged to keep families informed.

Pope Leo called for "sincere and effective dialogue" to avoid violence after President Trump announced planned tariffs on imports from countries supplying Cuba with oil.

The Justice Department released about 3 million Epstein-related files while saying some pages were withheld; survivors' attorneys say flawed redactions have exposed victims' identities and are demanding further review.

A federal judge ordered the release by 3 February of five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, who were held by ICE in San Antonio; the family says they came from Ecuador in 2024 to seek asylum.

Federal immigration raids in Minneapolis have led one Mexican family to remain inside their home for weeks, and the article reports earlier fatal incidents involving federal agents during the recent operations.

Exiled Tibetans in 27 countries began voting for a government-in-exile to select parliamentary candidates and a leader, with a final round set for April 26 and results due May 13; China condemned the elections as a "farce."

More than five million Afghans have returned since September 2023, and in Bamiyan families were given new houses financed by UNHCR on land provided by local authorities but lack running water, nearby services and steady work.

A US envoy said he held constructive talks with a Russian envoy in Florida; Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were due to meet in Abu Dhabi the next day to discuss a US-backed plan.

A federal judge ordered the release of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from an ICE family facility and barred their transfer pending release; their immigration case will continue in federal court.

Stephen A. Smith criticized the arrest of journalist Don Lemon and framed it as a threat to press freedom. Lemon was released without bail after being federally indicted over a January church protest and his lawyers say he will plead not guilty.

The Scottish Government has announced an additional £3.4 million to improve access to neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and families, including more than £1 million for direct family support and digital services.

U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas to reopen the American diplomatic mission after seven years of severed ties; Venezuelan officials said the visit is part of a joint schedule to pursue diplomatic dialogue.

Local authorities said Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed at least 32 people, including children, and struck residential and public sites; mediators warned the attacks risked the ceasefire process.

Lord Triesman, a former Labour minister and ex-chair of the Football Association, died aged 82, Labour said he died peacefully at home. Senior Labour figures including Tony Blair and Baroness Angela Smith paid tribute to his long public service.

Diana Armstrong, ratified as deputy leader and the UUP's only female MLA, will lead a group to encourage more women into the party; the UUP says it will develop policy to boost female membership and examine practical barriers such as childcare.

Palestinian health officials said 27 people, including three children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza; the Israeli military said the strikes targeted militant commanders and sites after an alleged ceasefire breach.

A former Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner criticises Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plan to abolish PCCs, saying the role—created in 2012 to provide local accountability and control over budgets and leadership—has matured and should be reformed rather than scrapped.

British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili has been using his platform to amplify protesters in Iran and highlight reports of a harsh government crackdown; an internet blackout and differing accounts from human rights groups mean casualty figures are difficult to verify.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said freezing the Plan 2 repayment threshold is 'fair and reasonable' and aims to align repayment plans; personal finance expert Martin Lewis criticised the move as treating loans like a tax.