Politics

A Texas judge will consider a formal declaration of innocence for four men who were wrongfully accused in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders. Cold-case investigators say DNA and other evidence point to Robert Eugene Brashers, who died in 1999.

A federal judge will hear arguments on whether to extend a Minnesota order that blocks arrests and deportations of lawfully admitted refugees; the temporary restraining order expires Feb. 25.

Ministers say an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill will require platforms to take down non‑consensual intimate images within 48 hours of a report, with penalties for non‑compliance; the change is presented as part of a wider effort on online safety.

A Lancet Global Health study estimates more than 75,000 people were killed in Gaza in the first 16 months of the war, about 25,000 more than local authorities reported at the time.

A small group of Chagossians landed on a Chagos atoll and were served an eviction notice by British authorities; the US has formally signalled support for a Labour agreement to transfer the islands to Mauritius.

Norman C. Francis, longtime president of Xavier University and a civil rights leader who helped lead Louisiana's post-Katrina recovery, has died at age 94.

NYU Langone announced it will close its gender‑affirming care program for minors, citing the departure of its medical director and the current regulatory environment.

A former Hampshire officer says she reported an attack in January 2020 that was not progressed; the suspect, Bruno Sala, was later convicted and jailed in 2025, and the force says it is carrying out an internal review.

A two-month-old boy and his family were deported to Mexico after the infant was taken to a Texas hospital, with lawmakers and Homeland Security giving differing accounts of his condition and the circumstances of the removal.

At least 37 miners died in a suspected carbon-monoxide leak at a lead and zinc mine near Wase in Plateau state; more than 20 others were rescued and taken to hospital and the site has been sealed as investigations begin.

The Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister made a joint appearance to back Transport for Wales's rail improvement pipeline, which lists 43 projects and has an estimated cost of up to £14 billion.

Politicians and experts in the UK are urging that suicides where domestic abuse is suspected be investigated as potential homicides, and they call for better police training and a more investigative approach. Reporting cited a large discrepancy between a media estimate of up to 1,500 such suicides a year and official figures that recorded 98 last year.

Japan's lower house formally reappointed Sanae Takaichi as prime minister on Wednesday, 10 days after her February 8 election victory; she is due to give a policy speech outlining defence, economic and legislative plans.

New rules for New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa, introduced in April 2025, have coincided with 573 applications representing 1,833 people, with nearly 40% from the United States and a doubling of applications from China since August 2025.

Almost 1.5 million households have received a £25 Cold Weather Payment since December, and over £35 million has been paid to vulnerable households across England and Wales this winter as part of wider cost of living support.

The UK government announced a package of rail schemes for Wales estimated at up to £14bn, including new stations and service extensions. Ministers said exact funding allocations will be set at future spending reviews.

An inquest heard that Kerri-Anne Donaldson had said she would take her own life if an allegation became known; she died in June 2023 and the inquest is ongoing.

Subramanyam Vedam, 64, whose 1980 murder conviction was overturned after 43 years, was denied bail and will remain in immigration custody while he appeals a 1999 deportation order.

Police said a person opened fire at a Senior Night hockey game in Pawtucket, killing two people; players fled on skates and the shooter died by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Authorities say a gunman opened fire at a Pawtucket high school hockey game, killing two people and injuring three before dying by suicide; the shooter's daughter spoke briefly to reporters. Undetermined at this time.

Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84, his family said. They described him as a "servant leader" to the oppressed, the voiceless and the overlooked.

Sri Lanka signed a letter of intent on 17 February 2026 to join the Global Charter for Children's Care Reform, with Minister Saroja Paulraj signing during a visit by UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy; the UK also provided £1 million in humanitarian assistance for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Donald Trump said he would be "indirectly" involved in US–Iran talks due to start in Geneva, and Tehran's foreign ministry said the US position on the nuclear issue appeared "more realistic."

A national Australian Human Rights Commission study found racism is systemic at universities, reporting high rates of indirect and direct incidents and shortcomings in complaints processes; the report includes 47 recommendations and the federal government says it will review them and introduce legislation to strengthen the regulator.

An AFP analysis using Institute for the Study of War data says Kyiv recaptured about 201 sq km last week, mainly east of Zaporizhzhia, the largest short-term gain since June 2023. ISW reported the counterattacks are likely linked to a recent block on Russian access to Starlink.

Imran Khan's sons say they are seeking access after reports their father suffered vision loss in custody; a medical board reported reduced swelling and improved vision and the Supreme Court has sought details of his treatment.

Keir Starmer said the government will move quickly to change rules on young people’s social media access and that a ban for under-16s is being considered but has not been decided; amendments to two bills would give ministers powers to act and any secondary legislation will need parliamentary approval.

Thirty-four Australian citizens from 11 families departed the Roj camp in northeast Syria on Monday to travel to Damascus and then fly to Australia, camp officials and relatives said. The Roj camp holds about 2,200 people and is under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

President Lai thanked Taiwan's armed forces and pledged to bolster the island's defences in a Lunar New Year address, while his proposal for an extra $40bn in defence spending has not been reviewed by the opposition-controlled legislature.

Unemployment in Gaza is estimated at about 80%, and although humanitarian aid deliveries have increased since the October ceasefire, many people still lack cash to buy essentials because prices remain high.