Parents in England may soon face limits on choosing special schools for their children under sweeping reforms to special educational needs and disabilities provision. The white paper proposes that councils provide families with a shortlist of suitable placements, considering parental preference alongside value for money and the needs of all children in the area. Ministers say the changes aim to place more pupils closer to home, reducing long travel times and rising transport costs (now up to £3.4 billion a year). £4 billion has been pledged to expand specialist places within mainstream schools and reduce reliance on expensive independent providers. Private placements can cost more than twice as much as state-sector options, adding pressure to local authority budgets. While parents will retain the right to appeal decisions, tribunals will no longer be able to name a specific school. Broader reforms also include reviewing the future use of care plans.

Reform UK has suspended a campaign figure in the Gorton and Denton by-election, which they hope to win, after reported social media posts containing racist and misogynistic remarks. Adam Mitula, said to be involved in candidate Matt Goodwin’s campaign, allegedly questioned the scale of the Holocaust and made offensive comments about Jewish women and transgender people. He claimed that the posts were taken out of context, and angrily defended his reputation. Reform UK declined to comment on internal disciplinary matters. Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell urged Goodwin to distance himself from the remarks, warning that failure to do so would suggest tolerance of such views. The controversy comes during a closely watched contest in which Goodwin has positioned the vote as a challenge to Keir Starmer, focusing his campaign on borders, crime and cultural issues. Update: the Green Party won the by-election with a large majority. See

On 26 February, the UK’s first deep geothermal power plant began generating electricity in Cornwall after nearly twenty years of development. The United Downs project, led by Geothermal Engineering Ltd, drilled three miles into granite rock to access water heated to almost 200°C. The super-heated water will drive turbines, producing constant renewable electricity for up to 10,000 homes. Unlike wind or solar, geothermal provides continuous ‘always-on’ power. The site will also extract lithium from underground fluids, creating the UK’s first domestic commercial supply of this critical mineral used in electric vehicle batteries. While hailed as a major step for energy innovation, experts note that high upfront drilling costs may limit rapid expansion without sustained investment and supportive policy. Three more such projects are planned, reflecting growing interest in harnessing subterranean heat. Other countries are already doing this more widely; the Netherlands plan to have a quarter of their homes heated by geothermal by 2050.

Robert Aramayo, a relative newcomer, was a surprise winner at the Bafta awards, ahead of several better-known stars. Born in Hull, he won two awards (Best Actor and Rising Star) for his portrayal of John Davidson in I Swear. The film tells the story of Davidson’s experience growing up with Tourette’s syndrome in 1980s Scotland. Aramayo, who trained at Wyke College and developed his craft at Hull Truck Theatre, became emotional while accepting the awards, later saying the achievement ‘blows my mind’. Local educators and theatre leaders described his success as inspirational for young people across the city. Hull Truck’s artistic director praised both his talent and integrity, noting the vital role regional theatres play in nurturing performers. Aramayo has previously spoken of his pride in Hull and gratitude for early mentors who supported his journey from local stages to international recognition.

Tensions flared in Brussels as Hungary vetoed both an emergency EU loan for Ukraine and a new sanctions package against Russia. Foreign minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of disrupting oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons and alleged misleading statements. Ukraine maintains the pipeline was damaged by a Russian drone strike and says repairs are complicated by ongoing attacks. The dispute left financial aid and punitive measures in limbo, frustrating member states supportive of Kyiv. Slovakia aligned with Hungary, intensifying divisions. Critics, who argue that repeated vetoes risk paralysing EU decision-making, have revived debate over reforming unanimity rules. With Hungary facing a heated domestic election campaign, some diplomats believe the standoff is as much political as technical. Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen insists that support for Ukraine will continue despite internal discord.

Four Russian soldiers have described severe brutality within their own ranks during the war in Ukraine, including alleged executions of troops who refused orders. In a BBC documentary, two men said they witnessed commanders shoot soldiers at close range for declining to join assaults described as near-suicidal. One claimed he saw about 20 bodies of comrades executed by fellow troops, a practice reportedly referred to in slang as being ‘zeroed’. Another said he was tortured, electrocuted and humiliated after refusing deployment, and that others were forced into repeated, deadly attacks. The men, now in hiding, spoke from an undisclosed location. Moscow has not released official casualty figures (other sources estimate more than a million) and says allegations of misconduct are investigated, insisting its forces act ‘with utmost restraint’. The accounts could not be independently verified, but they add to growing claims about harsh discipline and heavy losses within Russian units.

Only two days after Donald Trump, announcing Japanese-backed investments tied to a major trade pact, posted ‘America is WINNING again’, the Supreme Court ruled much of his tariff regime unlawful, angering Trump and creating huge uncertainty across global markets. Almost immediately, he announced new tariffs, which means that most countries - including those that had negotiated preferential agreements - now face a 15% tariff on exports to the USA. Some nations which made concessions, such as the UK and Japan, may gain little advantage, while others, including China and India, have seen tariff reductions without comparable compromises. The new tariffs will be valid for only 150 days, with confusion about what might happen thereafter. Data suggests much of the economic burden of tariffs has fallen on US businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, Trump has drawn widespread incredulity and criticism for using his position to advertise expensive watches bearing his name: see

An investigation has alleged that the Nigerian government paid a substantial ransom to secure the release of up to 230 children and staff abducted from a Catholic boarding school in November. The pupils were taken from St Mary’s in Niger state during a mass kidnapping by Boko Haram. Intelligence sources told AFP that millions of dollars were delivered by helicopter to militants in northeastern Borno state after negotiations reportedly led by national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Two Boko Haram commanders were also said to have been freed. Officials publicly denied paying any ransom, insisting that government agents do not negotiate with kidnappers. The Islamist insurgent group, active since 2009, has carried out widespread violence and abductions across northern Nigeria. Reports suggest the children were released in stages after confirmation that the payment had been received.

The government has deployed thousands of troops after deadly unrest followed the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. Around 9,500 soldiers have been sent to western states, including 2,500 reinforcements to Jalisco, where he was captured. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, long regarded as one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organisations, responded with coordinated attacks. Roads were blocked with burning vehicles, spikes and debris, while banks and businesses were set alight. Clashes between cartel members and the National Guard left dozens dead, including security personnel and alleged gang members. El Mencho was seriously wounded on 22 February during a firefight with special forces and died while being transported to Mexico City. President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the operation and pledged to restore peace. Authorities say order is gradually returning, though tensions remain high in affected communities. The level of violence has been made worse by warfare between and even within different cartels: see

The two key ports at either end of the Panama Canal have been taken over by the Panamanian government. This follows a supreme court ruling last month that the renewed 25-year concession given to Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison to operate the ports was ‘unconstitutional’. The authorities have entered the terminals at Balboa and Cristobal and assumed administrative and operational control. A government decree authorised the Panama Maritime Authority to do this ‘for reasons of urgent social interest’. Beijing described the ruling as ‘absurd’ and ‘shameful’, while warning that the Latin American country would pay ‘heavy prices both politically and economically’; in response, president Jose Raul Mulino defended Panama’s judicial independence and strongly rejected China’s threats. The takeover marks a significant development in the strategic and political debate surrounding one of the world’s most vital shipping routes.