Politics

Russia warned that Western troops sent to Ukraine would be "legitimate combat targets" after Britain and France pledged a possible post‑ceasefire multinational deployment; the United States has ruled out sending its own forces.

A 21-year-old driver was sentenced after a July 2024 crash on a country road near Falkirk that killed her boyfriend and two friends; she received three years and ten months in prison and a driving ban of six years and eleven months.

Residents and political figures in Greenland report rising tensions after statements and visits from U.S. officials about the island's future, and some local supporters of closer U.S. ties say they have experienced harassment and moved to Denmark.

Harrel Braddy, 76, who was convicted in the 1998 death of five-year-old Quatisha Maycock is back in court for resentencing after legal changes to Florida's death-penalty process; jury selection began Monday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court.

David Coote pleaded guilty to making an indecent moving image of a 15-year-old and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

The Department of Homeland Security says an ICE agent fired defensive shots after a vehicle allegedly tried to run over officers, while local officials and video footage have questioned that account. Prosecutors face legal hurdles because federal immunity and the high standard for federal criminal charges could limit or bar prosecution.

U.S. senators from both parties said they expect the Senate to vote on legislation aimed at limiting President Trump's ability to seize Greenland; Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Danish leaders next week to discuss the matter.

The House will hold votes to try to override President Trump’s vetoes of two recently passed bills: one to aid financing of a Colorado water pipeline and one to add a site in Everglades National Park to the Miccosukee Indian Reservation. Overriding a presidential veto requires two‑thirds support in both chambers, and it is unclear whether House Republicans will reach that threshold.

US officials say American law enforcement and armed forces boarded and seized the Russia-flagged tanker Marinera while it was travelling in waters between Iceland and Scotland, and that the action was carried out under a warrant issued by a US federal court.

Emma Little-Pengelly said the draft multi-year budget does not provide sufficient funding for education and communities, while Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he is "in listening mode" and aims for a final budget by the first of April.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct says officers recovered a gas-powered air gun after armed officers shot a 61-year-old man on the A11 in Thetford; the IOPC is carrying out an independent investigation.

South East Water chief David Hinton told MPs he would give the company's response an eight out of 10 after an outage that left about 24,000 homes and businesses in the Tunbridge Wells area without drinking water for two weeks; the boil-water notice was lifted on 12 December.

Keir Starmer has not spoken to Donald Trump since the Venezuela operation, and UK and Danish leaders are raising concern after senior US officials discussed Greenland’s future.

Diosdado Cabello, a long-time Venezuelan powerbroker, was reappointed interior minister in August 2024 and oversees the country's security and intelligence services; the United States has posted a $25 million reward for his capture, accusing him of drug trafficking and terrorism.

Russian strikes on energy infrastructure reportedly cut water and heating to over one million people in Dnipropetrovsk, officials said, and repair work is under way while neighbouring Zaporizhzhia is also affected.

Gov. Gavin Newsom will give his final State of the State address in Sacramento as he outlines priorities for his last year in office and amid discussion of a potential 2028 presidential run.

The Lebanese military announced it has finished the first phase of a plan to deploy across southern Lebanon and restrict weapons held by non-state groups; officials say further government meetings are planned and the military will announce next stages.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism and named former High Court judge Virginia Bell to lead it, saying the inquiry will examine the nature and prevalence of antisemitism and the December 14 Bondi Beach attack. He set a deadline of 14 December 2026 and said the commission would be tightly managed to avoid prejudicing any criminal proceedings.

Essex Library Service has been accepted into Arts Council England's new Libraries Development Framework, a programme intended to strengthen public library services. The service applied in July and was assessed on how its libraries understand and impact their communities.

Steny Hoyer, 86, said he will not seek reelection after more than 40 years in the U.S. House and plans to announce his retirement in a floor speech, the Washington Post reported.

The partner of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good said she had urged Good to go to a Minneapolis immigration enforcement scene and later blamed herself after Good was shot dead by ICE agents; federal and state investigators are now looking into the incident.

An 18-year-old Wisconsin man accused of killing his parents and of plotting to assassinate President Donald Trump is expected to enter a plea deal Thursday; a state trial is scheduled for March 2.

Human Rights Watch and Justice say recent laws in England and Wales have chilled lawful protest and call for repeal; the Home Office has announced an independent review of public order legislation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will appoint former High Court judge Virginia Bell to head a federal Royal Commission into antisemitism after cabinet approval, and some Jewish community figures and opposition politicians have publicly criticised the choice.

AP reports the U.S. seized two sanctioned tankers as part of a plan to oversee Venezuelan oil sales, and that an ICE officer shot and killed a Minneapolis driver, which officials described as self-defense.

Two weeks after US airstrikes in north-west Nigeria, officials have released limited information and it remains unclear how many members of the Islamist group Lakurawa, if any, were killed.

The House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Leslie Wexner to give a deposition about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia said; the panel also approved subpoenas for executors of the Epstein estate.

Mogadishu's tightened security and intelligence-led operations have coincided with fewer major al-Shabab attacks in the capital, while clashes and shifting control of towns continue in southern regions such as Lower Shabelle.

A judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Kerri Aherne, who is charged in a December stabbing at a Macy's bathroom in midtown Manhattan; she pleaded not guilty and remains in custody with a Feb. 11 court date.

Senator Lindsey Graham said President Trump has "greenlit" a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill after a meeting and that he expects a bipartisan vote possibly as early as next week.