Congress compelled the White House to release a $51.4bn foreign aid package that included nearly $6bn for the global HIV response, but analysts say the 2026 global health budget remains roughly 6% lower than the previous year.
Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 3% in January from 3.4% in December, the Office for National Statistics reported, with lower petrol and food prices cited among the drivers.
Queen Camilla visited Bath on February 17, touring the Holburne Museum, the Theatre Royal and Persephone bookshop, and took three Persephone titles to be included in the new Buckingham Palace library.
Japan's lower house formally reappointed Sanae Takaichi as prime minister on Wednesday, 10 days after her February 8 election victory; she is due to give a policy speech outlining defence, economic and legislative plans.
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman provided two donations totaling SAR150 million through the Jood Eskan platform to support housing initiatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
One Sixth Form College in Ipswich was awarded Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus status by The British Hedgehog Conservation Charity after students supported Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue through volunteering and donations.
Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, is reachable by short ferries and is reported to have February temperatures around 16–20C; media reports also noted example one-way flights from London Stansted to Malta for £35 and local pints priced at about £1.80.
The BBC reports the NHS has paid nearly £50m to an outsourced firm assessing Covid vaccine harm and a new provider has been appointed to take over the medical assessments under a separate contract.
Twelve students from Chichester College completed the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service's IGNITE course and were presented with certificates at a pass out parade at Bognor Fire Station on February 13.
Martin Kemp was trapped in a lift for about an hour before a DJ set in Falkirk; a Scottish Fire and Rescue crew freed him and the performance started about an hour late.
