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Kyiv hit by Russian drones as energy crunch deepens; UK Rwanda plan risks £100m bill while Eurozone inflation cools; S Korea eyes joint DMZ management; Fire Horse Lunar New Year gets Draco Malfoy mascot; Storm Leonardo kills in Iberia; Imane Khelif open to sex-testing; MoMA PS1 spotlights Vaginal Davis; £112m A46 Coventry upgrade; Mandelson-Epstein questions linger

Kyiv hit by Russian drones amid worsening energy crisis

Russian drones struck Kyiv on 5 February 2026, as the city dealt with deepening power cuts and cold while renewed attacks piled on.

UK’s Rwanda deal, delayed cancellation could stick taxpayers with a £100m bill

An 18-month lag in formally terminating the Rwanda migrant agreement could leave UK taxpayers liable for up to £100 million, because apparently the government needed a long spiritual retreat to “find itself” before sending a cancellation notice. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said official notice only went out on December 16, 2025, with officials arguing they had to repeal the Safety of Rwanda Act first. Rwanda has now launched a claim at the Permanent Court of Arbitration over outstanding payments after the UK asked it to forgo the remainder while termination paperwork crawled along.

Eurozone inflation drops to 1.7% as energy prices slide

Eurozone inflation fell to 1.7% in January, the lowest since September 2024 and below the ECB’s 2% target. Core inflation eased to 2.2%, with cheaper energy doing much of the heavy lifting.

£112m upgrade approved for A46 Walsgrave junction near Coventry

The government approved a £112 million upgrade to the A46 Walsgrave junction to cut congestion and improve safety for roughly 57,000 daily drivers. National Highways aims to start in autumn and open by 2028, keeping A46 through-traffic moving without stopping while maintaining access via new local links, the plan now enters a six-week window for legal challenges.

Minister defends Mandelson amid questions over Epstein links

Steve Reed defended the Prime Minister after backlash over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US Ambassador, claiming Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein were “next to nothing”, which is a fascinating measurement system given reports he stayed in Epstein’s apartment. Questions remain over why Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney approved the appointment with that knowledge.

South Korea proposes joint management of parts of southern DMZ with US

South Korea’s defense ministry has proposed that South Korean forces jointly manage parts of the southern half of the DMZ with the United States, according to a source.

China’s Lunar New Year (Year of the Fire Horse) gets a Draco Malfoy mascot twist

China’s Lunar New Year begins Tuesday, 17 February, marking the Year of the Fire Horse, last seen in 1966. This year’s festivities are drawing attention for a Harry Potter-themed mascot, Draco Malfoy, raising questions about how he ended up hitching a ride on the holiday.

Storm Leonardo batters Portugal and Spain, at least one dead

Storm Leonardo swept through Portugal and Spain, killing at least one person and forcing thousands to evacuate. It follows a run of severe storms this year, after last week’s weather in Portugal killed five people and injured hundreds.

Olympic champion Imane Khelif open to sex verification testing amid new rules dispute

Algerian boxer and Paris 2024 women’s welterweight Olympic champion Imane Khelif said she would undergo sex verification testing if it is the final requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The issue resurfaced after her 2023 World Championships disqualification under IBA eligibility claims, despite being cleared under Olympic criteria in Paris. With governance shifting to World Boxing and new genetic testing rules drawing criticism and an apology over naming her, Khelif has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing mandatory testing is unlawful and disproportionate, while calling for athlete dignity and protection of women’s sport.

MoMA PS1 spotlights Vaginal Davis with “I Have Been Consistent in My Insanity”

MoMA PS1 opened a presentation celebrating Vaginal Davis, a key queercore figure, surveying five decades of work across performance, visual art, writing, filmmaking, music, and education, and emphasizing her influence as a countercultural icon.

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