Ghislaine Maxwell's offer to testify for clemency and Jamie Raskin's accusations against the DoJ on redacted Epstein files intensify the global fallout, while Keir Starmer faces immense pressure and resignations within his government over Peter Mandelson's links to the scandal, fueling speculation about his leadership.

• Ghislaine Maxwell prepared to speak ‘unfiltered truth’ about Epstein if Trump grants clemency, lawyer says – live — The Guardian -
• Jamie Raskin accuses DoJ of cover-up after viewing unredacted Epstein files — The Guardian -
• Keir Starmer’s Allies Rally Around Him Amid Pressure to Resign as Britain’s Prime Minister — New York Times World -

• Allies Back Keir Starmer Amid Pressure to Resign Over Epstein Turmoil — New York Times World -
• Starmer tells Labour MPs he is ‘not prepared to walk away’ after call for him to resign – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Starmer survives Sarwar’s putsch, for now – podcast — The Guardian -
• Starmer’s Epstein Crisis — New York Times World -
• Norway police investigate diplomat over Epstein links — BBC World -
• Keir Starmer says he is ‘not prepared to walk away’ after call for resignation — The Guardian -
• ‘Rayner for leader’ site proves race to succeed Starmer is well under way — The Guardian -
• Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in days — The Guardian -
• DWP permanent secretary to step down after carer’s allowance scandal — The Guardian -
• King Charles ‘ready to support’ police over claims about Andrew — The Guardian -
• Is Britain about to lose another prime minister? — The Guardian -
• Two senior Norwegian diplomats being investigated over Epstein links — The Guardian -
• Streeting wrote off his re-election chances in WhatsApp exchanges with Mandelson — The Guardian -
• Maxwell refuses to answer questions about Epstein in congressional hearing — BBC World -
• Rise in UK borrowing costs reverses after cabinet backs Starmer — The Guardian -
• The resignation of a key Starmer aide has accelerated the scandal. — New York Times World -
• Sarwar has shown his ruthless streak. But will his swipe at Starmer mean anything to voters? — The Guardian -
• Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to stand down — The Guardian -
• Planning ahead: the political leadership campaigns that launched too soon — The Guardian -
• Revealed: ‘Rayner for leader’ site briefly went live in January — The Guardian -
• Files cast light on Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to cryptocurrency — The Guardian -
• Epstein survivors call for full release of files in video — BBC World -
• Keir Starmer’s director of communications Tim Allan steps down — The Guardian -
• Starmer’s Chief of Staff Resigns, Citing Role in Hiring Friend of Epstein — New York Times World -
• Monday briefing: ​The Welsh were Labour’s most loyal voters, but even their support is in doubt — The Guardian -
• ‘Blame me’: what the UK papers say as Morgan McSweeney quits over Mandelson-Epstein scandal — The Guardian -

The severe 20-year prison sentence for Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and pro-democracy media mogul, on national security charges, has been widely condemned internationally as a monumental injustice and an escalation of Beijing's crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.

• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Jimmy Lai: will Hong Kong media tycoon die in jail? – The Latest — The Guardian -
• Jimmy Lai’s 20-Year Sentence Follows Beijing’s Playbook on Dissent — New York Times World -

• UK, UN and EU deplore ‘monumental injustice’ of Jimmy Lai’s 20-year jail sentence — The Guardian -
• Hong Kong court jails media tycoon and British citizen Jimmy Lai for 20 years — BBC World -
• Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong pro-democracy figure, sentenced to 20 years in prison — The Guardian -
• Apple Daily Sentences Show a New Era of Media Peril in Hong Kong — New York Times World -
• UK expands Hong Kong visa scheme in wake of Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence — The Guardian -
• BBC reports from outside court after Jimmy Lai sentencing — BBC World -
• Lai has been held in solitary confinement for more than 1,800 days. — New York Times World -
• Jimmy Lai’s 20-Year Term Follows a Familiar Chinese Pattern — New York Times World -
• Jimmy Lai sentencing – as it happened — The Guardian -
• This billionaire tested China's limits. It cost him his freedom — BBC World -
• Jimmy Lai’s children have led a global campaign for him. — New York Times World -
• Jimmy Lai’s conviction was years in the making. — New York Times World -

Sydney police actions at protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit draw criticism and defense, while Queensland introduces new gun control laws following the Bondi terror attack, and concerns are raised over Roblox's child safety ratings and political transparency in donation disclosures.

• Australia politics live: Minns says police actions at Sydney protest prevented ‘disaster’; Greens MLC claims police ‘just started assaulting people’ — The Guardian -
• Sydney protest: NSW premier defends police in ‘impossible situation’ after accusations of violence against protesters — The Guardian -
• Australia Visit by President Herzog of Israel Prompts Protest — New York Times World -

• Queensland government to introduce new gun control laws criticised as ‘weakest in Australia’ — The Guardian -
• Australian ministers met Japanese gas companies 20 times amid fossil fuel lobbying push — The Guardian -
• A tale of two Scott Farquhars: how one small change set back political transparency in Australia — The Guardian -
• Police use pepper spray at Sydney rally against Isaac Herzog visit, with MP alleging officers threw punches — The Guardian -
• Police pepper spray protesters as Israeli president visits Sydney — BBC World -
• ‘Disturbing’: Australian government demands review of Roblox’s PG rating after reports of child grooming — The Guardian -
• Police clash with protesters as thousands rally to oppose Israeli president’s visit – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Isaac Herzog meets survivors of Bondi terror attack as thousands in Sydney and Melbourne protest visit — The Guardian -
• Authorities seek to remove from social media image of foetus being circulated by Australian anti-abortion activists — The Guardian -
• Israeli president lays wreath at Bondi at start of controversial visit — BBC World -
• Pro-Palestine group loses legal challenge against sweeping NSW police powers for Isaac Herzog’s visit — The Guardian -
• Angus Taylor supporters expect him to challenge Sussan Ley for Liberal leadership within days — The Guardian -
• ABC to air Four Corners episode on Bondi terror attack despite preemptive criticism by Asio — The Guardian -
• Jon Kudelka, much-loved Australian political cartoonist, dies aged 53 — The Guardian -

The Trump administration faces scrutiny over the dismissal of Steve Bannon's criminal case, its oil grab in Venezuela, and its aggressive immigration crackdown that has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates and European security experts.

• Trump justice department moves to dismiss Steve Bannon criminal case — The Guardian -
• Trump’s Oil Grab in Venezuela Shatters an American Taboo — New York Times World -
• Trump Is a Global ‘Wrecking Ball,’ European Security Experts Say — New York Times World -

• Irish man with valid US work permit held in ICE detention for five months — The Guardian -
• US not trying to dismantle Nato or undermine world order, says ambassador – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon urges US to ‘keep fighting’ for right to free press — The Guardian -
• Trump’s border czar warned deportations should be targeted to ‘keep faith of American people’ — The Guardian -
• Whistle becomes key tool in protests against Trump’s ICE crackdown — The Guardian -
• US federal contractor hired white supremacist leader for wildfire relief — The Guardian -
• World’s largest pencil maker accuses Costa Rica of misusing old factory as detention center — The Guardian -
• Hundreds protested this Venezuelan’s detention by ICE. Now he’s free after seven months — The Guardian -
• Trump’s Greenland Threats Rattle the Faroe Islands — New York Times World -
• Maine shaken by ICE raids as backlash threatens Republican Senate control — The Guardian -
• Europe’s ‘painful’ realisation it must be bolder with US set out in security report — The Guardian -

Japan's Sanae Takaichi secures a landslide election victory sparking a stock market surge, while Venezuela frees and then rearrests opposition figures, Israel takes measures to increase control over the occupied West Bank, and Cuba faces flight cancellations due to a jet fuel shortage amidst a US oil blockade.

• Five Years After Myanmar Coup, ‘Even Hope Has Become a Risk’ — New York Times World -
• Israel Gives Itself More Control Over Occupied West Bank — New York Times World -
• Air Canada Cancels Flights to Cuba as Cuba Runs Out of Jet Fuel — New York Times World -

• Palestinians say new Israeli measures in West Bank amount to de facto annexation — BBC World -
• Air Canada cancels all flights to Cuba as US oil blockade cuts off fuel access — The Guardian -
• Prince William Visits Saudi Arabia for Delicate Diplomacy — New York Times World -
• Prominent Venezuelan opposition politician detained hours after release — The Guardian -
• Venezuela's opposition says party leader kidnapped hours after being freed — BBC World -
• Venezuela Frees Key Opposition Figures, Then Rearrests One — New York Times World -
• Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Wins Snap Election in a Landslide — New York Times World -
• Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s president — The Guardian -
• French riot officers go on trial accused of beating gilets jaunes protesters — The Guardian -
• NatWest to buy wealth manager Evelyn Partners for £2.7bn — The Guardian -
• On the Brink of a New Arms Race — New York Times World -
• EU threatens to act over Meta blocking rival AI chatbots from WhatsApp — The Guardian -
• How Japan’s Leader, Sanae Takaichi, Rescued Her Party from the Abyss — New York Times World -
• Russian military scrambles to find Starlink alternative after access blocked — The Guardian -
• Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of fabricating report its troops had crossed the border — BBC World -
• Experts sound alarm over UK exports to firm linked to Russian war machine — The Guardian -
• Vietnam’s Leader Has New Power, and He’s in a Hurry — New York Times World -
• Japanese shares hit record high as Sanae Takaichi wins landslide election victory — The Guardian -
• Portugal elects socialist as president but far-right rival takes record vote share — The Guardian -
• Japanese stocks surge as Takaichi secures historic election victory — BBC World -
• Japanese stocks surge as Takaichi secures historic election victory — BBC World -
• Are Bangladesh's youth turning against India? — BBC World -
• In Pakistan, a Kite Festival Returns to Troubled Skies — New York Times World -
• After M23 Takeover, Goma Carries Violent Memories and Signs of Hope — New York Times World -
• Spanish train drivers to begin nationwide strike after fatal crashes — BBC World -
• The shadowy world of abandoned oil tankers — BBC World -
• How off-the-shelf drones are changing jihadist warfare in West Africa — BBC World -
• How off-the-shelf drones are changing jihadist warfare in West Africa — BBC World -

Tragic migrant boat capsizes off Libya leave dozens dead, New York City experiences a historic cold stretch resulting in multiple fatalities, and the UK government pledges **£1bn for community green energy schemes while facing issues with child refugee policies**.

• Extreme cold in New York City leaves 18 dead — BBC World -
• Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes — The Guardian -
• ‘A beaver blind date’: animals given freedom to repopulate Cornish rivers — The Guardian -

• At least 18 people now dead as historic New York cold stretch nears end — The Guardian -
• 53 Migrants Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Libya, U.N. Agency Says — New York Times World -
• Migrant boat capsizes off Libya leaving 53 dead — BBC World -
• Migrant boat capsizes off Libya leaving 53 dead — BBC World -
• 53 people dead or missing after migrant boat capsizes in Mediterranean — The Guardian -
• US chemical giant to stop producing herbicide called ‘toxic cocktail’ by critics — The Guardian -
• Weather tracker: Spain and Portugal hit by third deadly storm in two weeks — The Guardian -
• Synthetic opioids may have caused hundreds more UK deaths than thought — The Guardian -
• 300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR — The Guardian -
• ‘Pulling up the drawbridge’: Alf Dubs criticises Shabana Mahmood’s plans for child refugees — The Guardian -

Ilia Malinin leads the US to gold in ice skating and garners significant attention at the Winter Olympics, while Bad Bunny's Super Bowl half-time show makes history and receives both praise and criticism, and the Seattle Seahawks dominate to win the Super Bowl title.

• Ilia Malinin, Who Led the U.S. to Gold, Is Bringing Ice Skating Back Into the Limelight — New York Times World -
• How Ilia Malinin and Team U.S.A. Held Off Japan to Win Gold Medal — New York Times World -
• Olympic P.S.A.: Do Not Jump for Joy While Wearing Your Medal — New York Times World -

• Winter Olympics: Eileen Gu expresses sympathy for Hess after Trump’s ‘loser’ attack — The Guardian -
• Beloved LA taco shop makes surprise cameo in Bad Bunny’s half-time show — The Guardian -
• Italian reporters to protest over boss’s gaffe-filled Olympic commentary — The Guardian -
• ‘Made me feel proudly American’: stars react to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show — The Guardian -
• Ilia Malinin, the ‘Quad God,’ leaves an ace up his sleeve. — New York Times World -
• How Mathilde Gremaud Edged Out Eileen Gu in Slopestyle, Again — New York Times World -
• Celebrity appearances, controversial ads and other Super Bowl takeaways — BBC World -
• Wedding in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl half-time show was the real thing — The Guardian -
• Relentless Seahawks pummel Patriots to claim their second Super Bowl title | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Olympians Love Pasta. They’re in the Right Place. — New York Times World -
• Olympians Love Pasta. They’re in the Right Place. — New York Times World -
• Bad Bunny makes history as Trump criticises 'terrible' Super Bowl show — BBC World -
• Bad Bunny makes history as Trump criticises 'terrible' Super Bowl show — BBC World -
• 'Super exciting!' - Seahawks fans celebrate Super Bowl win — BBC World -
• Seahawks dominate Patriots to win Super Bowl — BBC World -
• Seahawks dominate Patriots to win Super Bowl — BBC World -
• Super Bowl 2026: Seattle Seahawks 29-13 New England Patriots – as it happened — The Guardian -

The entertainment world mourns the death of **actor Catherine O’Hara, TV host Savannah Guthrie makes an urgent plea for her missing mother, and a Canadian mining firm** announces its abducted workers were found dead in Mexico, highlighting various social and criminal challenges.

• Actor Catherine O’Hara died of a blood clot in her lungs, death certificate says — The Guardian -
• Savannah Guthrie pleads for help as missing mother's ransom deadline looms — BBC World -
• Senegalese TV Presenter and Singer Are Arrested in Crackdown on Homosexuality — New York Times World -

• Savannah Guthrie pleads for public’s help as search for her missing mother continues — The Guardian -
• Canadian mining firm says its abducted workers found dead in Mexico — BBC World -
• Canadian mining firm says its abducted workers found dead in Mexico — BBC World -
• Troubles-rooted play Sapling wins Women’s prize for playwriting — The Guardian -
• Roland Huntford, Lore-Debunking Historian of Polar Exploration, Dies at 98 — New York Times World -
• Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood demand Phantom Thread music removed from Melania film — The Guardian -
• Ofcom under fire after refusing to investigate ‘misleading’ GB News Trump interview — The Guardian -
• San Francisco teachers begin first strike in nearly 50 years — The Guardian -
• Vanity Fair — New York Times World -
• Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90 — The Guardian -
• A new town for the 21st century? Seven-village build to begin after 20-year journey — The Guardian -
• Fifteen killed in latest Lebanon building collapse, as warnings of neglect grow — BBC World -
• Man, 30, found guilty of sexually abusing five children at Bristol nursery — The Guardian -
• Melania drops 67% at US box office as Rotten Tomatoes defends record-breaking audience scores — The Guardian -
• Outrage as South Korean official suggests 'importing' foreign women to boost birth rate — BBC World -
• Outrage as South Korean official suggests 'importing' foreign women to boost birth rate — BBC World -
• Senegal arrests 14 members of alleged paedophile gang linked to France — BBC World -
• England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones — The Guardian -
• Christchurch shooter seeks to overturn guilty plea — BBC World -
• Christchurch shooter seeks to overturn guilty plea — BBC World -
• Christchurch gunman seeks to appeal convictions and withdraw guilty plea — The Guardian -