Venezuela’s National Assembly and interim government this week enacted sweeping changes to the hydrocarbons sector and Washington moved quickly to broaden US firms’ access to Venezuelan crude. Lawmakers approved and Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed revisions that allow private and foreign companies to contract directly with state oil firm PDVSA, engage in direct commercialisation, hold revenues in overseas bank accounts and resolve disputes via arbitration. Royalties are capped at 30% and the executive retains discretion over contract terms. Hours after the parliamentary vote, the US Treasury issued a wide-ranging general licence enabling “established US entities” to lift, export, refine, store, transport and market Venezuelan‑origin oil, while barring transactions involving entities or individuals from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and Cuba. US officials and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have said Washington will oversee initial sales and revenue flows — part of arrangements made after a Jan. 3 US raid that captured Nicolás Maduro — and have already discussed large sales and revenue-accounting structures. The moves are aimed at attracting US investment to revive output while reshaping geopolitical control of Venezuela’s vast reserves.

A cluster of high‑profile legal actions tied to two recent documentaries about Sean “Diddy” Combs has escalated into separate lawsuits involving major U.S. media companies and new accusers. Combs filed a $100 million defamation suit at the end of January against NBCUniversal, Peacock and Ample Entertainment over the Peacock film Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, submitting a sworn statement denying involvement in the deaths of Kimberly Porter, Christopher Wallace (Biggie Smalls), Heavy D and Andre Harrell and denying sex‑trafficking of minors. NBC and co‑defendants deny wrongdoing and have moved to dismiss. At the same time, Netflix and producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson face a $20 million suit from a former sex worker, Clayton Howard, who alleges selective editing in Netflix’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning misrepresented his testimony and portrayed Cassie Ventura as a victim rather than an alleged trafficker; the case has been moved to federal court in Manhattan. Separately, a New York escort, Steve Otis, has filed claims accusing Combs of sexual assault and threats tied to an alleged agency; he is seeking damages under city and common‑law statutes. Motions and discovery are pending across these matters.

Federal courts this week have cleared all five offshore wind projects that were suspended by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Dec. 22 stop-work order, allowing construction to resume while underlying lawsuits proceed. The final injunction was granted to Denmark’s Ørsted for the 924 MW Sunrise Wind off New York after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth found developers faced irreparable harm from delays, including the potential loss of a specialized cable‑laying vessel. Earlier rulings restored work at Vineyard Wind (about 800 MW, offshore Massachusetts), Revolution Wind (700 MW, Rhode Island), Empire Wind (2 GW, New York) and the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. Developers say the pause, justified by the Interior on vaguely described national security grounds, caused major daily costs and operational disruption — Ørsted cited more than $1.25 million per day in losses on Sunrise and $7 billion committed to the project overall. The Interior Department has declined comment because litigation is pending. Industry groups and state officials welcomed the rulings but warned that the injunctions are temporary and that the administration’s continued classified security claims and broader policy shifts have already raised long‑term financing, scheduling and permitting risks for U.S. offshore wind.

A cluster of personal columns and readers’ letters published in late January and early February 2026 recount multiple episodes in which birds and other wildlife appeared to comfort people after the loss of loved ones. Amy-Jane Beer’s Country Diary (The Guardian, Jan. 27) describing bird ‘visitations’ after her sister’s death prompted dozens of responses: readers in England described robins perching on graves or entering homes, foxes pausing at doorways, nightingales and starlings arriving at poignant moments. Separately, a Feb. 4 Euro Weekly News essay by Santiago Carneri recalled his sister’s death from childhood neuroblastoma and linked avian visitations with memory and mourning on World Cancer Day, while highlighting concerns about pediatric cancer research in Spain. The pieces emphasise recurring motifs — robins, starlings and foxes — and the consolation people take from interpreting wildlife encounters as symbolic gestures during bereavement. Several contributors noted the timing of songs or animal appearances at funerals and anniversaries, reinforcing the cultural resonance of nature as a source of solace.

Ten years after gunmen stormed Dublin’s Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016, killing David Byrne and wounding others, Garda investigators say the inquiry remains active even as questions persist over why no one has been convicted of Byrne’s murder. Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland described the attack as the “worst organised crime-related attack” in the State’s history and appealed for witnesses. The assault — carried out by members of the Hutch group disguised as police and aimed at Kinahan cartel leader Daniel Kinahan — ignited a bloody Hutch–Kinahan feud that saw scores killed and around 90 people jailed in feud-related prosecutions. Firearms, including AK-47-type rifles seized by the Special Detective Unit in March 2016, were key evidence, but reporting has highlighted that SDU-held intelligence was not routinely shared with other Garda units, complicating follow-up investigations. Survivors, witnesses and boxing officials who were present recall scenes of terror. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as part of ongoing efforts to close unresolved aspects of the case.

A federal judge on Feb. 4, 2026 sentenced Ryan Routh, 59, to life in prison for attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in September 2024. Routh was convicted by a jury last September of five counts, including attempted assassination, three illegal firearm possession charges and impeding a federal officer. US District Judge Aileen Cannon handed down the sentence in Fort Pierce, Florida, after prosecutors urged life imprisonment and said Routh plotted the attack for months. Evidence presented at trial showed Routh hid in bushes near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024 with an assault-style rifle, body-armor plates, multiple phones and a camera, and fled the scene when Secret Service agents spotted him. Routh represented himself at trial and has denied intending to kill Trump, offering instead that he would seek psychological treatment in prison. He previously displayed erratic behaviour in court and tried to stab himself after the guilty verdict. President Trump praised the conviction.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are asking a judge to allow selected Lil Durk songs, music videos and related audio to be admitted as evidence in the rapper’s federal murder-for-hire case, touching off a dispute over whether artistic expression can be treated as proof of criminal intent. Court filings show the government plans to play multiple music videos and audio clips — it notified nine videos and three audio recordings — and points to lyrics it says reference retaliatory violence, bounties, Beverly Hills and other details tied to a 2022 ambush that left Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson dead. Durk, charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and related federal counts over an alleged plot against rival Quando Rondo, has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed since his 2024 arrest. His defense argues the material is narrative performance and would unfairly prejudice jurors, while prosecutors contend excluding the work would prevent the jury from weighing defendants’ own words. In filings prosecutors also liken Durk’s Only The Family collective to prior U.S. cases that used rap lyrics as admissions, citing the Chuckie Taylor conviction involving Liberia’s Anti-Terrorist Unit. The trial is scheduled to begin April 21, 2026.

Deontay Wilder walked out of a media interview on Feb. 4 after being pressed on long-running accusations against Tyson Fury ahead of his April 4 heavyweight bout with Derek Chisora at London’s O2 Arena. During an exchange with TalkSport host Simon Jordan, Wilder repeatedly said he would not discuss Fury but then accused the Briton of cheating in their trilogy, alleging incidents including a long count, spiked water and other irregularities. He also said his forthcoming documentary would set out “proof and evidence.” Security intervened as Wilder rose from his chair and left the interview. Fury, who is due to return on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov, rejected the claims and dismissed Wilder’s comments after being linked to accusations of “white supremacy” influencing officiating in their first fight. The confrontation comes as Wilder, 40, seeks a statement win against 42-year-old Chisora in what is billed as Chisora’s potential final fight; the bout will mark each man’s 50th professional fight.

Cristiano Ronaldo has trained with Al-Nassr after missing the club’s recent 1-0 win amid reports of a dispute over the Saudi Pro League winter transfer window and the role of the state-owned Public Investment Fund (PIF). The 40-year-old Portuguese forward did not feature in Al-Nassr’s match on Feb. 2-3, prompting media reports he was unhappy that PIF-backed rivals — including Al-Hilal, which signed Karim Benzema on Feb. 2 — have received heavier recruitment support. Al-Nassr made one winter signing, 21-year-old Hayder Abdulkareem, while leaders Al-Hilal bolstered their squad with Benzema and other additions. Ronaldo, who signed a two-year extension with Al-Nassr in mid-2025, has been a prolific scorer this season and is reported to have 17 league goals. Al-Nassr sit one point behind Al-Hilal in the title race as the clubs prepare for key fixtures this week, including Al-Nassr’s upcoming match against Al-Ittihad.

Veteran broadcaster and Loose Women panellist Janet Street-Porter has married her long-term partner, Peter Spanton, in a private ceremony last Saturday in Great Yarmouth, she revealed on ITV’s Loose Women on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Street-Porter, 79, appeared alongside Spanton and their dog, Badger, in a video message to tell co-panellists and viewers that the couple — together for about 27 years — had tied the knot. Spanton, reported to be a former restaurateur in his 70s, has kept a low public profile during the relationship that began around 1999. Loose Women colleagues responded with warm congratulations on air; social media and colleagues further offered messages of support. Street-Porter, a journalist, broadcaster and author, has been married four times previously, with marriages spanning from the late 1960s to the 1990s. She is currently touring the UK with a one-woman show, Off The Leash, with forthcoming dates in Blackfriars, Southampton and Hampshire. The announcement was framed as a personal milestone for the broadcaster rather than a publicity stunt.

Kemon Spell, a five-star running back from McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has committed to the University of Georgia, multiple outlets reported on Feb. 2, 2026. ESPN has listed Spell as the No. 1 running back in the 2027 class and one of its top overall prospects; 247Sports and other services also rank him among the nation’s elite. Spell originally committed to Penn State in August 2024 but reopened his recruitment after coach James Franklin’s midseason departure and formally pledged to Georgia following a multiday visit to Athens. He was credited with 1,755 rushing yards last season; outlets reported between 28 and 32 touchdowns as a junior despite missing games with injury. Georgia beat out programs including Penn State, Notre Dame, Miami and several other powerhouses for Spell’s verbal pledge. His decision is the latest high-profile commitment in an early 2027 cycle in which Georgia sits among the top recruiting classes nationally and comes as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2026 season under coach Kirby Smart.

Tuskegee University men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed and escorted from the court after intervening in a postgame incident involving members of Morehouse College’s basketball and football teams, sources said. Taylor confronted what he described as aggressive behavior by Morehouse football players toward Tuskegee players and parents during postgame handshakes and asked a second officer to enforce conference-mandated security protocols. Instead, an officer placed Taylor in handcuffs; he was not charged. Taylor has retained civil rights attorney Harry Daniels along with Gregory Reynald Williams and Gerald Griggs, and the lawyers say they are considering a civil lawsuit. Tuskegee officials praised Taylor’s conduct and commitment to athlete safety. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference said it fined Morehouse an undisclosed amount for failing to meet mandated safety standards. Morehouse did not immediately comment. The episode has drawn attention to game‑management, campus security enforcement and policing practices at HBCU sporting events.

France’s fractious parliament finally adopted the delayed 2026 budget on February 2 after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence motions triggered by his use of Article 49.3 to force the bill through. Motions from left-wing parties and the far right fell short, winning 260 and 135 votes respectively, clearing the way for final adoption pending a Constitutional Council review expected around February 10. The package targets a deficit of about 5% of GDP and a state deficit of roughly €131.9 billion, loosening an earlier aim of 4.7%. It raises roughly €7.3 billion from higher business taxes, introduces a €2 levy on non-EU parcels (added to an EU €3 charge), imposes a 20% tax on certain assets held in holding companies, and restricts CPF funding for driving lessons. Defence spending is a major beneficiary, with a roughly €6.5–6.7 billion boost earmarked for new equipment and troop modernization. The budget also includes social concessions won from the Socialists — nationwide €1 student meals, higher top-up payments for low-income workers — while postponing contentious pension reform until after the 2027 presidential vote.

Bloober Team, the Polish studio behind the Silent Hill 2 remake and Cronos: The New Dawn, has confirmed that a recent rose-themed teaser does not signal a remake of the controversial 2006 PS2 title Rule of Rose. The teaser — hosted at a cryptic URL and featuring a blood-dripping red rose, atmospheric audio and a countdown to mid-February — sparked widespread fan conjecture after being posted in late January. On Feb. 3 CEO Piotr Babieno responded on LinkedIn to coverage of the speculation, calling it a “nice guess” and saying the teaser “definitely doesn’t refer to any remake.” The clarification also appears to rule out expectations that the reveal might be the long-rumoured Born From A Wish DLC or another legacy remake. Bloober has several projects in development, including an announced remake of the first Silent Hill and other original IPs; a further studio reveal is due around Feb. 14–15. Rule of Rose, which has a cult following and a fraught release history, has attracted separate interest for re-release but — at least for now — not from Bloober Team.

MSC Cruises will add its premium MSC Yacht Club ‘ship‑within‑a‑ship’ experience to two additional vessels, MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, expanding the offering to 19 ships across its fleet. MSC Musica is scheduled to debut its Yacht Club accommodations for a South America season from November 2026 through April 2027, including festive sailings to Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este and a 16‑night transatlantic crossing from Santos to Genoa on April 1, 2027. MSC Orchestra’s upgraded Yacht Club will begin sailings from Bari, Italy, between March 13 and April 24, 2027, on Mediterranean itineraries calling at Izmir, Istanbul, Piraeus and Corfu. The Yacht Club provides suites with 24‑hour butler service, a dedicated concierge, private restaurant, lounge and sundeck, in‑suite treats and a complimentary bottle of premium spirits, plus priority embarkation, unpacking/packing, private shopping appointments and bespoke shore excursions. The rollout will complete Yacht Club coverage across all four Musica‑class ships (Poesia, Magnifica, Musica and Orchestra) and follows planned upgrades to other vessels this year. Bookings for the new suites will open soon, according to company announcements in early February 2026.

A former Starbucks executive has filed a lawsuit alleging she was terminated in retaliation after raising health, safety and profitability concerns about a new in-store equipment platform known as the Siren System. Janice Waszak, who worked at Starbucks from 2004 and led testing at its Tryer Innovation Center in Seattle, says problems emerged after the system was introduced in 2022. The suit alleges that during an October 2022 demonstration maggots fell from an overhead milk dispenser and that a Siren unit later caught fire in September 2023. Waszak says she reported sanitation, design and manufacturing defects to senior equipment management, including then-vice president of global equipment Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, and refused to endorse statements about the system’s profitability. She says she was dismissed on Dec. 11, 2023, after an internal complaint about her conduct. Waszak also alleges sex discrimination, claiming male employees were not disciplined for similar behaviour. Starbucks has denied the claims, saying safety is a priority and that her separation followed an internal investigation; the company says it will present evidence in court. The lawsuit was filed on Jan. 26 and was reported in early February 2026.

Marc-Antoine Dequoy, a 31-year-old national defensive back for the Montreal Alouettes, announced his retirement from the Canadian Football League in early February 2026. Dequoy, who was slated to become a free agent on Feb. 10, had a contract offer from Montreal but said the physical toll of the game and an inability to give 100% led him to step away. The Université de Montréal product joined the Alouettes in 2021 after a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers and played 73 regular-season games over five seasons. He compiled career totals of 162 tackles, 21 special-teams tackles, three sacks, five forced fumbles, 12 interceptions and three touchdowns, and earned All-CFL honours in 2023 and 2024. Dequoy helped Montreal win the 2023 Grey Cup and played in the 2025 championship game. He cited respect for teammates and the sport as reasons for retiring rather than playing at a reduced level. The announcement came alongside public gratitude for the city, team management and fans; future plans were not announced.

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police report quietly posted online on Jan. 21, 2026 shows 443 conduct files were opened in 2024 involving 408 members — under 2% of the force’s roughly 21,641 employees. The largest category was “discreditable conduct,” which the report says covers improper social media posts, sexual misconduct and Criminal Code offences. The data mark a return to pre-pandemic volumes after a dip between 2021 and 2023. Disciplinary outcomes shifted toward harsher penalties: remedial measures fell to 29% (from 51% in 2023), corrective measures rose to 42%, and serious measures climbed to 24%. About 5% of cases resulted in dismissals or forced resignations — a five-fold increase from the prior year — and demotions more than doubled to 10 cases. Interim actions during investigations included a rise in suspensions with pay (105 cases, up 47%) and frequent temporary reassignments. The RCMP says it will review how serious misconduct is addressed and communicated and pursue further process improvements in 2025.

A new IUCN report and public online atlas identifies 816 Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) where protections could help recover declining shark and ray populations. The Ocean Travellers report, published in December and announced in January, covers nine of 13 ocean regions to date and maps sites that support reproduction, feeding, aggregation or migration for 327 species, including 42 species already protected under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS). The ISRAs occupy less than 3% of ocean surface in the regions assessed, suggesting targeted area-based measures could be achievable. Examples include three ISRAs for the critically endangered green sawfish in the Red Sea off Sudan, 27 small ISRAs across the Maldives and a large ISRA south of Hawai‘i the size of Colombia designated for bigeye thresher sharks. The project began in 2021, with the remaining four regions’ data due later in 2026. Authors say the atlas is intended to inform national and multilateral policy ahead of the CMS meeting in Brazil in March and to dovetail with other important-area mapping such as CBD ecologically significant areas.

Executives, directors and institutional investors made a string of disclosed UMB Financial Corp (NASDAQ:UMBF) transactions in filings and trading reports this week. CEO J. Mariner Kemper sold 15,214 shares on Feb. 2 at an average $128.59 (about $1.96 million) and also disposed of 3,500 shares the same day at roughly $129.06. Director Kevin Charles Gallagher sold 388 shares on Feb. 3 at $129.30. Offsetting insider sales, Director Greg Graves purchased 220 shares on Feb. 2 at about $127.83 and Director Tamara Peterman acquired 154 shares the same day. Separately, institutional filings show WCM Investment Management disclosed a new 183,800‑share stake (about $21.78 million) in a 13F report; Principal Financial trimmed its UMB holding by 25,605 shares in the third quarter and now holds roughly 751,277 shares (0.99%). UMBF shares traded near $128 this week, with a market cap around $9.7 billion; the bank reported quarterly EPS of $3.08 on Jan. 27 and recently declared a $0.43 quarterly dividend (ex‑dividend March 10). All transactions were disclosed in SEC filings or regulatory reports.