Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has granted authorization for legal representatives to visit former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro while he is hospitalized. The decision follows a request from Bolsonaro's defense team, ensuring the former president maintains access to his counsel during his medical treatment in Brazil.
Two individuals have been charged in Queensland, Australia, under recently enacted legislation that prohibits the use of specific phrases deemed to cause menace or harassment. The charges mark a significant application of the state's updated public order laws, sparking debate over the balance between public safety and the right to freedom of expression.
The Congress of the People (COPE) gathered at the historic Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto to honor the life and legacy of its late leader, Mosiuoa 'Terror' Lekota. The memorial service served as the first official tribute to the veteran politician, activist, and former government minister, drawing mourners from across the political spectrum to celebrate his contributions to South Africa.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of France has formally called on legislators to oppose the assisted dying bill following its recent approval in the National Assembly. The bishops argue the legislation threatens the fundamental protection of life, urging a shift toward palliative care instead of medical assistance in dying as the bill moves to the Senate.
Scotland has officially legalized water cremations, also known as resomation or alkaline hydrolysis, making it the first country in the UK to offer this environmentally friendly alternative. The new funeral option, approved by the Scottish Parliament on March 2, 2026, is supported by 84% of the public and is expected to be available by summer 2026.
Umar Dzhabrailov, a prominent Chechen-born Russian businessman and former Senator, was found dead in a central Moscow hotel on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the age of 67. Authorities are investigating his death as an apparent suicide, with a pistol found near his body. Dzhabrailov had a notable career in business and politics, including representing Chechnya in the Federation Council.
Loris Costantino, a 36-year-old worker, died after falling approximately 10-12 meters at the former Ilva steel plant in Taranto, Italy, on Monday. This marks the second fatal accident at the facility this year, prompting union strikes and calls for improved safety.
The Danish government is set to introduce stricter penalties for honor-related offenses, including violence and murder. This legislative push aims to combat 'negative social control' prevalent in certain minority-ethnic communities, according to Minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund.
The Welsh Senedd has voted 28 to 23, with two abstentions, in favor of a Legislative Consent Motion for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This decision allows Welsh ministers to shape how assisted dying services could operate within NHS Wales, should the Westminster bill, currently in the House of Lords, become law. The vote does not legalize assisted dying but ensures Welsh oversight of its implementation.
A legislative proposal, dubbed a 'time-limit solution' for abortion, has been submitted to the Liechtenstein government in February 2026. This initiative seeks to reform the principality's highly restrictive abortion laws, which currently prohibit the procedure except in very limited circumstances, and comes after a similar proposal was rejected in a 2011 referendum.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the suspicious death of 19-year-old University of Lancashire student Carla Georgescu. Georgescu was found deceased in her Preston accommodation on Thursday, February 5. Police confirm the arrested man was known to her and they are not seeking further suspects.
UN torture prevention experts concluded their third visit to Mexico, acknowledging legislative progress but expressing significant concern over the implementation of prevention measures. The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture highlighted worrying conditions and coercive practices in unregulated private drug rehabilitation centers, urging urgent state action to address these issues.
The House of Lords recently debated Clause 191 of the Crime and Policing Bill, a provision that seeks to decriminalise abortion for women up to full term in the United Kingdom. This proposed change, which passed the Commons last year with limited debate, has sparked significant discussion among peers regarding its potential impact on existing abortion legislation and public safety.
General practitioners in New Zealand have commenced prescribing stimulant medication for adult ADHD patients as of February 1, 2026. This significant policy change aims to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, reducing previous barriers like long waitlists and high specialist costs.
A 22-year-old Australian snowboarder, Brooke Day, died at Tsugaike Mountain Resort near Nagano, Japan, after her backpack became entangled with a ski lift, leaving her suspended. The incident occurred on January 30, 2026, leading to cardiac arrest and her subsequent death.
President Javier Milei's government is pushing to lower Argentina's age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 13 or 14. The bill, formally incorporated via Decree 53/2026, will be debated in extraordinary sessions of Congress starting February 2, sparking renewed debate over juvenile justice and public safety.
An Irish teenager accused of raping a 15-year-old girl has failed in his High Court attempt to stop his trial. He cited stress from Asperger's and ADHD, exacerbated by a two-year delay in being charged, but the court ruled the public interest in prosecution was paramount, allowing the trial to proceed. The decision was made on January 29, 2026.
A pack of dingoes on Australia's K'gari (Fraser Island) is slated for euthanasia after the death of 19-year-old Canadian tourist Piper James. Preliminary autopsy results indicate drowning with pre- and post-mortem dingo bites, prompting a government decision that has drawn criticism from Traditional Owners.
Greece's migration ministry has submitted a new bill to parliament to significantly toughen penalties for migrant trafficking, proposing life sentences for smugglers and direct expulsion for convicted migrants. The legislation also targets aid workers, drawing criticism from NGOs.
Despite abortion remaining legal in Argentina, President Javier Milei's administration has implemented administrative measures that have severely curtailed access to services. These actions include halting the national distribution of abortion medications and contraceptives, dismantling key reproductive health programs, and eliminating the Ministry of Women, Genders and Diversity, leading to widespread shortages and confusion.
