Global World News Digest
Multi-Source Editorial Roundup • Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Fearing Russia will seize her town, war widow moves husband’s grave to Kyiv
Russia’s gains on the battlefield have forced Natalia to rebury her husband in Kyiv.
Melinda French Gates says ex-husband Bill has questions to answer over Epstein
She said her ex-husband and others named in the Epstein files needed to answer whatever questions remain.
Andrew and Epstein asked exotic dancer for ‘sex acts,’ legal letter claims
Lawyers for the unnamed woman claim she was ‘treated like a prostitute’ at Jeffrey Epstein’s home.
Israeli strikes kill 20 in Gaza, hospitals say, after soldier wounded by gunfire
Hospitals say several children were among those killed in strikes that Israel’s military says it launched after a gun attack on its troops.
Son of Norway’s crown princess holds back tears giving evidence at rape trial
Marius Borg Høiby gives evidence after the first woman he is alleged to have raped told the court she believed she had been drugged.
German activist jailed in Hungary for attacks at Nazi rally
Supporters have questioned whether the 25-year-old, who identifies as non-binary, could receive a fair trial in Hungary.
Church fresco resembling Italian PM has face scrubbed out
The artist who painted the cherub has admitted it was Giorgia Meloni’s face, as the Rome church sees a steady flow of curious visitors.
Fears of new arms race as US-Russia nuclear weapons treaty due to expire
The New Start treaty has limited the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads for both countries.
Boy, 14, stabbed art teacher because he had ‘too much hatred’, he tells police
The teenager allegedly took a knife from his kitchen with the plan to attack the 60-year-old, the prosecutor says.
Greece blames smugglers over migrant deaths but early accounts have been questioned before
Greek officials were quick to blame smugglers, but experience tells us to be wary of instant and unequivocal explanations.
Leader of South Africa’s second largest party to step down
The surprise move may threaten the stability of the coalition government of which the DA is a key partner.
‘Notorious Tanzanian drug trafficker’ arrested during raid in Zambia
Ahmed Muharram is among several suspects arrested in a major crackdown on marijuana trafficking.
Libyan prosecutors launch probe into killing of Gaddafi’s son
The 53-year-old, once widely seen as the second most powerful person in Libya, was killed by “our unknown gunmen”.
Rights groups say China detained two journalists over corruption report
Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao have been reportedly detained after exposing corruption by a senior official in Sichuan.
‘I’ve never hit anything so hard’: What it’s like to be attacked by a shark
Peter Smith and his wife were on holiday in the Caribbean when a beautiful swim suddenly changed.
Watch: BBC joins Colombian commandos fighting ‘never-ending battle’ against drug gangs
As the US and Colombian presidents meet, Orla Guerin joins a police unit tasked with finding and destroying jungle cocaine labs.
US says it shot down Iranian drone flying towards aircraft carrier
A US military spokesman says the drone was shot down while approaching an American vessel in the Arabian Sea.
‘I was thinking about mum’: Boy, 13, swims for hours to save family swept out to sea
Austin Appelbee recounts his ‘superhuman’ swim which saved the lives of his mother and siblings in Australia.
Trump says America should move on from Epstein – it may not be that easy
The justice department says its review of the files is over, but the story is again proving to have a life of its own.
How plans for Trump International hotel in Belgrade unravelled
The project would have built on the ruins of the defence ministry bombed by Nato back in 1999.
Gazans returning through Rafah crossing describe checks by Palestinian militia
One Palestinian woman said members of the Israel-linked militia searched them and their belongings at an Israeli checkpoint inside Gaza.
Why a beauty spot in South Africa could be about to run out of water
Official estimates suggest that around 55% of the town’s drinkable water is lost to leaking pipes.
‘Never imagined this’: Indian village grapples with interfaith couple’s killing
Police say they were beaten to death, allegedly by the woman’s three brothers, who have been arrested.
Shanties in a Lagos lagoon: Bulldozed and burnt
Residents suspect the demolitions are aimed at gentrifying the waterfront in Nigeria’s biggest city, but officials deny this.
Hope and uncertainty as India and US strike long-delayed trade deal
Indian industry has welcomed lower tariffs, but experts caution against celebration until details are clearer.
‘Enemy’ insults and questioning Putin: Steve Rosenberg on tightrope of reporting from Russia
The BBC’s Russia editor reflects on the difficulties of working as a British journalist in Moscow.
Syria’s only female minister pushes for change: ‘I’m not here for window dressing’
The BBC’s Lyse Doucet follows Hind Kabawat as she confronts the challenges of fragmented, post-Assad Syria.
Starbucks bets on robots to brew a turnaround in customers
Chief executive Brian Niccol explains why he thinks AI will help the coffee giant regain its buzz.
Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them
The US signals that restoring democracy is no longer a priority and it is ready to work with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
India’s snakebite crisis is killing tens of thousands every year
A new report has found that 99% of healthcare workers in India face challenges administering antivenom.