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Stephen McCullagh planned ‘cold-blooded and calculated’ killing of Natalie McNally in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, in great detailA YouTuber who set up a false alibi by livestreaming a video-gaming session online has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for the “cold-blooded and calculated” murder of his pregnant partner.Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Lisburn, County Antrim, showed no emotion on Wednesday as he was sentenced at Belfast crown court for the murder of Natalie McNally, a crime that chilled Northern Ireland. Continue reading...

• ECB board member Piero Cipollone stated on February 18, 2026, that the euro's growth in the global currency market has been circumstantial rather than strategic. • He argued that the European Union must implement deliberate policy actions to actively increase the euro's international market share. • This shift is significant as it suggests the ECB is moving toward a more proactive approach to enhance the currency's global influence and stability.

• President Lee Jae-myung addressed the prosecution on the 2nd, urging officials to apologize and withdraw when mistakes are made rather than operating under a delusion of infallibility. • Lee advocated for the introduction of mail and electronic voting to expand the voting rights of overseas Koreans, describing it as a basic citizen's right rather than a service. • He emphasized that while minority opinions should be respected, the National Assembly must not avoid the issue and should proceed based on majority opinion if agreements cannot be reached.

• The Taliban administration has officially welcomed China's expanded role in managing Afghanistan-related discussions and draft resolutions at the United Nations. • This diplomatic shift indicates a growing reliance on Beijing to mediate Afghanistan's international standing and navigate complex UN processes. • The move is significant as it signals a strategic pivot toward China for legitimacy and political support amidst ongoing global isolation.

• The House of Commons Library has published a comprehensive timeline documenting the major events of the Russia-Ukraine conflict from the February 2022 invasion to the present. • The report tracks key military developments, diplomatic efforts, and geopolitical shifts resulting from Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine. • This resource serves as a critical reference for policymakers and the public to understand the progression of the war and the evolving strategic landscape.

• Following US-Israel strikes and subsequent Iranian counter-strikes, a broader conflict has escalated involving Israel and Hezbollah. • On 28 February 2026, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany condemning Iran's military actions. • The UK response emphasizes the urgent need for a resumption of diplomacy to prevent further regional destabilization.

• Diplomatic efforts are underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following closures linked to the 2026 Israel/US-Iran conflict. • The strait serves as a critical global maritime chokepoint, essential for the transport of oil, gas, and other vital supplies. • Restoring access is a priority to stabilize global energy markets and prevent widespread economic disruption caused by supply shortages.

Anthony Odiong is charged with exploiting his status as clergyman to pursue sex with female parishioners to whom he was providing spiritual directionA jury of eight women and four men in Texas began deliberating a verdict on Friday afternoon in the trial of a Roman Catholic priest charged with illegally exploiting his status as a clergyman to pursue sex with female parishioners to whom he was providing spiritual direction.Anthony Odiong, 57, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual assault in the first degree and two such counts in the second degree involving two women, each of whom testified during a trial that began with jury selection on Tuesday in the Texas city of Waco.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

Angus Taylor believes the former PM is uniquely placed to help the party as its new president, but some fear he will render it even more unelectableGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastImmediately after ousting Sussan Ley, Angus Taylor used his first press conference as opposition leader to debut a slogan he hoped would define a new era of Liberal conservatism.“The door must be shut,” Taylor said of his approach to prospective migrants who didn’t subscribe to Australia’s “core beliefs”. Continue reading...

Former prime minister elected Liberal party president on Friday after running unopposedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTony Abbott has declared the Liberals are “under new management” after his election as party president, vowing to help Angus Taylor lead a “people’s revolt” against the Labor government.The former prime minister and conservative warrior was elected to the position at the Liberal federal council meeting in Melbourne on Friday, marking a return to active political life seven years after losing his seat in federal parliament. Continue reading...

• Pakistan and Afghanistan remain locked in deadly border clashes in 2026, with Islamabad blaming the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for ongoing attacks. • The Taliban government in Kabul has countered these claims by accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes and orchestrating the mass expulsion of refugees. • The conflict has triggered a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, further destabilizing the border areas.

Liberal insiders concerned former PM could pull party even further to the right by appointing Advance allies to prominent positionsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTony Abbott will step down from his role advising the rightwing advocacy group, Advance, as the conservative ideologue prepares for his high-profile role as the Liberal party’s new federal president.Liberal insiders have also shared concerns Abbott is considering Advance’s director, Matthew Sheahan, or Steve Doyle – who runs Whitestone Strategic, the consultancy group that supports its operations – to fill the vacant federal director position, warning it could dismantle what is left of the party’s identity. Continue reading...

• A formal review of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is scheduled for 2026, potentially aligning with broader efforts to reset diplomatic and economic relations. • Proposed initiatives include establishing a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area for food and agricultural standards and linking the UK and EU emission trading schemes (ETS). • Further negotiations may cover UK participation in the EU’s internal electricity market and the creation of a UK-EU youth experience agreement.

• Libya remains geographically and politically fractured, with rival administrations governing the eastern and western regions of the country. • This division intensified following a general election in mid-2014, which triggered a surge in violence and institutional collapse. • The split is characterized by competing governments that are supported by various foreign powers and local armed groups.

Changes to political funding and the need for crossbenchers to remain relevant are driving discussions but some independents are opposedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt is a tag that has been unfairly – and incorrectly – attached to the band of teal MPs since their arrival en-masse in federal parliament in 2022, a slur deployed by their political opponents in an attempt to undermine their independence.The “teal party”. Continue reading...

Speaking at Hay literary festival, former Labour minister says complete disengagement has potential ‘for us to end up in a very, very difficult position’ Former foreign secretary David Miliband has said Europe should have “separate bedrooms” from the US, but not seek a “divorce” from its traditional alliance, despite the Trump administration’s impact on the relationship.Speaking at the Hay literary festival on Sunday, the former Labour minister, who has served as the president of the International Rescue Committee since 2013, said: “You can see the argument that strategic autonomy for Europe means divorce from the United States. I really counsel the dangers of that.” Continue reading...

Ex-foreign secretary urges reset at ‘higher dosage’ after officials revealed to have pitched single market for goodsThe UK needs a “national consensus” about rejoining the European Union, David Miliband has said, in response to revelations that the UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU to the bloc.The former foreign secretary, who is now president of the International Rescue Committee, said he thought the UK needed a reset of its relations with the EU at “a much higher dosage” than the government was planning. Continue reading...

• The House of Commons Library released an analysis of the latest UK and international economic indicators. • Government borrowing for the 2025/26 financial year was recorded at £132 billion. • This figure represents a £20 billion decrease in borrowing compared to the 2024/25 financial year.

Chancellor’s supporters urge MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced, saying she is only candidate who can safeguard UK’s financesRachel Reeves has launched a rearguard action to save her job as chancellor, telling friends she would like to stay in the post even under a new prime minister.The chancellor’s supporters have been urging MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced later this year, saying she is the only candidate who can safeguard the country’s finances. Continue reading...

• The House of Commons Library has released updated economic indicators focusing on UK government borrowing and debt. • Public sector net financial liabilities (PSNFL), a key metric for the government's wider financial balance sheet, reached 83.6% of GDP by the end of April 2026. • These indicators are critical as they track the government's progress toward specific fiscal targets and overall financial stability.

Unopposed nomination comes seven years after Abbott lost his Sydney seat of Warringah at the 2019 electionTony Abbott will become the new federal Liberal party president in a return to the political frontlines for the conservative former prime minister.Abbott was the only nominee for the presidency after the other contender – former foreign minister Alexander Downer – chose to instead run for one of the vice-president’s positions. Continue reading...

Up to 70% of girls may be in early or forced marriages but law now makes divorce impossible if husbands disagreeChild marriage appears to have been legally recognised for the first time by the Taliban in Afghanistan, as activists say “shameful” new laws make it almost impossible for girls and young women to seek divorce against their husbands’ will.There are no official statistics on forced and underage marriages in Afghanistan, but activists say it has risen at an alarming rate in recent years, driven by the ban on girls being in education after the age of 11. Continue reading...

• Viktor Orbán lost his position as Prime Minister in the April 2026 Hungarian parliamentary elections, ending a 16-year tenure in power. • The election saw significant international involvement, with US President Donald Trump endorsing Orbán and Vice President JD Vance visiting Hungary to criticize EU interference. • Opposing parties, including Magyar and Tisza, campaigned on platforms to combat corruption and "state-capture" orchestrated by Orbán and the Fidesz party.

• The Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 proposes lowering the voting age to 16 for all elections and introducing automated electoral registration. • To increase voter turnout, the bill aims to move the postal vote application deadline in Great Britain three days earlier, providing more time for ballots to be returned. • Part 4 of the legislation tightens rules regarding donations from companies, limited liability partnerships, and unincorporated associations to prevent foreign influence in UK politics.

• The House of Commons Library has released updated GDP international comparisons to measure the size and growth of the UK economy. • The report provides the latest GDP growth data for the UK and offers direct performance benchmarks against other G7 economies. • These indicators are critical for policymakers to assess the UK's relative economic competitiveness and overall financial health on a global scale.

Billionaire philanthropist’s Open Society Foundations has worked to advance justice and human rights around worldFor decades, the Open Society Foundations have worked to advance justice and human rights in Africa, the Middle East and trouble spots around the world. But the OSF’s latest major investment is aimed at a crisis closer to home.On Tuesday, the organisation, founded by the billionaire philanthropist George Soros and headquartered in New York, announced a $300m spend aimed at boosting economic security and defending civil liberties in the US. Continue reading...

Prosecution is seen as landmark step towards justice over abuses of refugees trying to reach Europe from AfricaA former militia commander accused of overseeing murder, rape, enslavement and torture in Libyan detention centres will appear at the international criminal court on Tuesday for a hearing that campaigners say is a landmark step towards “justice, truth, reparation and deterrence” of abuses of refugees trying to reach Europe from Africa.The prosecution of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity is the first to reach a courtroom resulting from the ICC’s investigation into crimes in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Continue reading...

‘We cannot continue to blame migrants for the problems of our economy,’ backbencher Andrew McLachlan says A Liberal senator has broken ranks to criticise Angus Taylor’s plan to bar non-citizens from accessing welfare, warning it will create “two types of members of the community” and is “not the Australian way”.The outspoken backbencher Andrew McLachlan said migrants should not be blamed for economic problems including the housing crisis, and warned his party’s immigration rhetoric was alienating diaspora communities. Continue reading...