Politics

• Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate and former anti‑corruption minister, was convicted in Bangladesh and sentenced to four years in prison on corruption charges. • The same court sentenced Siddiq’s aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to 10 years in a corruption case involving the Purbachal New Town Project. • Hasina was removed from office in 2024 following a student‑led uprising and has lived in exile in India since August 2024. • The Red Notice was

One in six young people in the UK is currently unemployed. The unemployment rate for 16–24 year olds is the highest in over a decade. 1.8 million people in the UK are currently out of work. The number of unemployed people per job vacancy is at a post-pandemic high. Christians Against Poverty released a report identifying barriers to employment. Key barriers include: Low confidence Low self-esteem Lack of skills Lack of experience Around nine million UK adults have been unsucc

The UK government has published plans to reform the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England. The reforms introduce new terminology including Individual Support Plans (ISPs), “targeted,” “targeted plus,” and “specialist” support layers, and national inclusion standards. The education secretary stated the reforms aim to provide SEND support “when they need it, as routine and without a fight.” Changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs): By 20

The announcement was made on 21 February 2026 via Truth Social. This replaces an earlier proposal of a 10% tariff. The 10% tariffs had been scheduled to take effect on 24 February 2026. It is unclear whether the 15% rate will begin on the same date. ⚖ Supreme Court Ruling On 20 February 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States  ruled 6–3 that: Trump exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping global tariffs last year. He improperly used the International Emergency Econo

Overview Israeli air strikes killed at least 10 people  in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials. Strikes occurred despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The attacks took place in the Bekaa Valley , a Hezbollah stronghold. 🎯 Israeli Position The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)  said: Targets were Hezbollah command centres. Hezbollah embeds military assets within civilian areas. The group was accelerating force build-up and planning missile attacks on Israel

The Taliban said at least 18 people were killed , including women and children. Pakistan stated the strikes targeted alleged militant camps near the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. The strikes follow recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan. 🎯 Pakistan’s Position Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting  said: Seven militant camps and hideouts were targeted. Strikes were “intelligence-based selective targeting.” Operations were a “retributive response” to recent terro

🇮🇷 Iran: Student Protests – Key Facts (February 2026) 📍 Protests Overview Students at multiple universities across Iran staged anti-government protests. These are the first large-scale student demonstrations since the deadly government crackdown in January 2026. Protests began on Saturday, 21 February 2026. Demonstrations were reported to be continuing on Sunday. 🏫 Locations of Protests Tehran Sharif University of Technology Hundreds of students marched peacefully at the

The leader of Reform UK travelled to the Maldives with supplies intended for four Chagossians. The four Chagossians are attempting to establish a permanent base on a deserted island in the Chagos archipelago. Farage arranged for a boat carrying food and medical supplies to travel to the island. The island is located approximately 300 miles south of the Maldives. Farage did not board the vessel due to reported threats, mechanical issues, and UK authorities’ insistence that onl

The Court determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorise the President to impose tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the majority opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. The ruling may require the US government to refund approximately $150 billion in collected tariffs. The decision overturns: “Reciprocal” country-by-country tariffs (e.g., 34% on China, 10% baseline globally). 25% tar

Restore Britain was founded by Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth. Lowe recently formally launched the party, proposing policies including: Banning the burqa Mass deportations Lowe described the defections as a “very important day” for the party and said more defections are expected. The defecting councillors will now form an official group on the local authority, which is currently run by Reform UK. Lowe was elected in 2024 but was later expelled from Reform UK following

newly formed Shadow Cabinet, describing it as the party entering a “new phase.” Robert Jenrick  has been appointed Shadow Chancellor after recently defecting from the Conservatives. Suella Braverman  will oversee education and equalities in the shadow team. Deputy leader Richard Tice  has been handed a broad “super ministry” brief covering business, trade and energy. Policy chief Zia Yusuf  has been named Shadow Home Secretary. Farage rejected claims that Reform UK revolves s

UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2%  in the three months to December, up from 5.1%  in November — the highest level in the post-Covid period. Number of UK payrolled employees fell by 121,000 (0.4%)  over the past year. Provisional January data shows a further 11,000  fall in payrolled employees. Payroll employment is 134,000 lower  than a year earlier. Regular pay growth slowed to 4.2%  in the three months to December. Real pay growth (after CPI inflation) was 0.8% . Private se

this week (week of 16–22 February 2026)  — focusing on national-level developments and key political news (not local or entertainment events): 📅 Political Calendar & Key Events Annual National Governors Association (NGA) gathering  — 19–21 Feb :• Traditionally a bipartisan meeting of governors and the White House, but this year has become politically contentious due to disputes over invitations. • President Trump is hosting a meeting with governors on 20 Feb  at the White Ho

Here’s a summary of this week’s major UK political events  that have happened and ones coming up 📌 Summary of This Week’s UK Political Events Government U-Turn on Council Elections The UK government under Keir Starmer  dropped its plan to delay local council elections slated for May 2026  following legal advice  that postponing them could be unlawful and after a legal challenge by Nigel Farage  and Reform UK . The reversal is being framed by opponents as a victory for democr

Nearly 15,000 public sector workers received paid leave for union activities last year. More than 1,000 spent almost all their working time on union causes. Around £90 million of taxpayer money funded facility time last year. Facility time was funded across councils, schools, Whitehall departments and the NHS. There were more than 20,000 union representatives embedded in public bodies. 14,976 (74%) of union representatives received paid leave. Around 3,000 of those were NHS w