Japan releases 200,000 tonnes of emergency rice stockpile as prices soar

Agriculture minister says rising prices have ‘had a significant impact on people’s lives’ amid record heat, surges in demand and distribution problems

Japan is to flood the market with almost …

Source: The Guardian

Peruvian policeman in capybara costume makes Valentine's drug bust

Video shows the moment police use fancy dress to carry out a drug raid in Lima, Peru.

Source: BBC

Archaeologists discover London's first Roman basilica under office building

An office building from the 1930s in the heart of London was about to be demolished and redeveloped by its owners — until archaeologists unearthed remnants of the city’s first …

Source: NBC News

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls for united US-Europe support against Russia

Ukraine's president meets leaders at Munich Security Conference amid a push to end Russia-Ukraine war.

Source: Al Jazeera

Amazon accused by Italy of evading €1.2bn in VAT payments

Tech giant hit by total claim worth €3bn amid investigation over sale of goods from non-EU countries including China

Source: Financial Times

'I felt a slimy texture brush my face': Man describes being swallowed by whale

Adrián Simancas, 23, was kayaking off Chilean Patagonia when he found himself inside a whale.

Source: BBC

Pope Francis admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment, cancels events for 3 days

Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital for bronchitis treatment Friday and has canceled all scheduled events for the next three days, according to the Vatican.

Source: NBC News

Hamas says it will release Israeli hostages Saturday, amid ceasefire strain

Hamas said it would carry out the ceasefire agreement “according to the specified timetable,” reversing a vow to delay prisoner releases over alleged Israeli violations.

Source: Washington Post

Trump’s call with Putin alarms Europe and shocks Ukraine

The announcement of the Trump-Putin call made no mention of Europe or of much of a Ukrainian role, playing into fears that their interests will fall by the wayside.

Source: Washington Post

Hegseth softens stance on Ukraine’s NATO goal as Trump doubles down

Their remarks added to the anxiety, in Washington and across Europe, surrounding Trump’s plan to pursue a deal that would end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Source: Washington Post

Russian drone hits Chernobyl reactor but radiation normal, Ukraine says

Ukraine said a Russian drone crashed into the containment structure, starting a fire, but so far radiation levels have stayed constant.

Source: Washington Post

Video shows whale swallow kayaker, spit him out: "I thought I was dead"

A humpback whale briefly swallowed a kayaker in Chile, before spitting him out unharmed, an amazing escape that was all captured on video.

Source: CBS News