World

The European Union (EU) is considering a renewed focus on nuclear energy, particularly the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), to address energy security concerns. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen allegedly stated last month that Europe's turn away from nuclear power was a "strategic mistake." Brussels is now reportedly examining additional funding for nuclear, prioritizing SMR deployment in the bloc by the early 2030s. This move comes as energy supply shocks, including the Iran war and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, have exposed the vulnerability of many member states to external oil and gas dependencies, despite previous lessons.

A recent study in Germany reveals that 21% of young people aged 14 to 29 are actively planning to leave their homeland, with 41% considering emigration in the long term. The findings are based on a nationally representative survey of 2,012 individuals conducted by Datajockey Verlag between January 9 and February 9, 2026.

The village of 'Ghana Town' on Gambia's Atlantic coast stands out for its illegal status. Of the 900 residents in the village, 850 lack citizenship, passports, and even national identification cards. These individuals are descendants of fishermen who arrived from Ghana in the 1950s, and although they were born and raised in Gambia, the law does not recognize them as citizens.

The war launched by the US and Israeli regimes against Iran has resulted in extensive damage to the country's cultural heritage sites, educational institutions, and scientific research centers. According to Iranian government data, at least 56 heritage sites, 30 universities, and 55 libraries have been damaged so far. Minister of Culture and Tourism Reza Salehi Amiri described the destruction as a "deliberate and conscious attack" on Iranian identity.

Joint US-Israeli strikes across Iran have reportedly resulted in the complete destruction of the historic Rafi-Nia Synagogue in central Tehran, with Iranian media stating at least 15 people were killed in the overnight attacks. The strikes allegedly targeted multiple locations, raising tensions in the region.

The Israeli military has warned people in Iran not to use trains or go near railway lines, indicating an intent to strike civilian infrastructure before the deadline set by United States President Donald Trump to open the Strait of Hormuz expires. In a post on X in Persian, the Israeli military command stated: "For the sake of your security, we kindly request that from this moment until 21:00 Iran time (17:30 GMT), you refrain from using and travelling by train throughout Iran. Your presence on trains and near railway lines endangers your life."

A Ukrainian drone strike killed three civilians in Russia's Vladimir region, including a couple and their 12-year-old son, according to Governor Alexander Avdeev. The attack targeted a residential building in the Alexandrovsky district, with their five-year-old daughter hospitalized with burns, highlighting the escalating toll on non-combatants in the ongoing war.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company representing stars such as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Kendrick Lamar, has received a takeover offer estimated at $64.3 billion (£48 billion). The offer comes from US investment firm Pershing Square, with its billionaire CEO Bill Ackman stating that the merger would see the new company listed in America.

A shooting incident near the Israeli consulate building in Istanbul's Besiktas district has resulted in three fatalities and two police officers injured. According to Turkish media reports, the gunfire was carried out by three individuals who were subsequently "eliminated" by Turkish police. Al Jazeera correspondent Sinem Koseoglu reported that witnesses saw three people exit a car and open fire, with security forces returning fire.

A high-speed passenger train collided with a lorry at a level crossing in northern France on Tuesday morning, resulting in the death of the train driver. The incident occurred around 07:00 local time between Béthune and Lens in the Pas-de-Calais region, with the train travelling at an estimated speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). The 56-year-old train driver, a long-term employee of the state-owned rail operator SNCF, was killed in the crash.

During the first month of the US-Israel war on Iran, the Houthis adopted a cautious approach, even though many expected faster action based on their close ties with Tehran. This assessment is not incorrect — the relationship is indeed strong — but what this view overlooks is that decision-making within the Yemeni group has increasingly become the product of an extended internal debate.

Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested and charged with war crimes related to the alleged murder of unarmed detainees in Afghanistan. The 47-year-old Victoria Cross recipient, who left the defence force in 2013, was taken into custody at Sydney airport on Tuesday and faces five charges, including one count of the war crime of murder, one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring a murder. He will spend the night in a cell before a bail hearing on Wednesday.