A second round of talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. to address the war in Ukraine has been postponed. Originally set for Sunday in Abu Dhabi, the meetings were moved to Wednesday and Thursday after a surprise U.S.-Russia meeting in Florida, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media.

Amazon is set to reduce its global corporate workforce by approximately 16,000 positions, marking another significant round of layoffs within a three-month period. The latest cuts bring the company’s total corporate job losses to around 30,000 since late 2025.

The reductions represent close to one-tenth of Amazon’s corporate staff and reflect the company’s efforts to streamline operations, reduce costs, and adapt to a growing reliance on automation and artificial intelligence to improve productivity.

In a controversial move, the United States has transferred the captain and first officer of a seized tanker from Scottish waters onto a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1, had been detained in the Moray Firth as part of U.S. sanctions enforcement related to Venezuelan oil exports.

The captain’s wife, Natia Dzadzama, had filed an emergency petition with Scotland’s Court of Session to prevent the removal, arguing that her husband’s rights were being violated. However, officials confirmed that the transfer had already occurred, leaving Scottish authorities unable to intervene.

BMW Group South Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen has warned that an influx of low-cost Chinese and Indian vehicles could harm South Africa’s second-hand car market. While BMW remains resilient, he said the focus on cheaper new cars is short-sighted and could lead to job losses, economic strain, and long-term negative effects for consumers.

US President Trump has threatened to sue Trevor Noah over a joke at the 2026 Grammys referencing Jeffrey Epstein. He denied ever visiting Epstein’s island, called the remarks false and defamatory, and said such matters are too serious for jokes, warning that legal action may follow.

The South African government has approved renaming 21 towns, including East London, which will become KuGompo City. Supporters say the changes restore local culture, but critics warn of high costs and limited consultation.

Since 2019, taxpayers have spent around R14 million on the Geographical Names Council, which oversees such changes. This does not include expenses for updating road signs, maps, government systems, or business materials - costs that could run into millions more.

Residents and political parties argue funds should focus on urgent public services instead of symbolic renaming. The changes still need to be gazetted before taking effect, with a possible objection period for the public.

Deportation, ICE, and the Media Narrative: What the Numbers Really Say

Deportation (formally called “removal”) has long been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy. But when it comes to understanding who is actually being deported, how, and why, the story is often distorted by selective media narratives.

Between 1993 and 2001, Bill Clinton oversaw roughly 866,000 formal removals. George W. Bush, navigating the post‑9/11 landscape, nearly doubled that number to 2 million. Barack Obama holds the modern record with 3.06 million, combining interior enforcement with targeted border operations.

Under Donald Trump's leadership formal removals fell to around 1.2 million. Trump’s “America First” approach prioritizes citizen safety, focusing on selective enforcement and border security rather than indiscriminate mass deportations. This strategy is reflected in ICE’s methods: intelligence-driven operations using surveillance tech, biometric databases and administrative warrants.

John Steenhuisen has announced that he will step down as leader of the Democratic Alliance, following growing pressure within the party. His decision comes amid criticism over his leadership style and ongoing factional tensions, with particular dissatisfaction linked to his handling of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in his role as Minister of Agriculture.

Some party insiders and agricultural stakeholders have argued that the response to the crisis was too slow and poorly coordinated, damaging confidence among key constituencies. While the FMD issue was not the sole factor, it is widely seen as a significant contributor to the erosion of support that ultimately led to Steenhuisen’s decision to relinquish the DA leadership.

Ukraine has reportedly hit a power station inside Russia, leading to temporary disruptions to electricity and heating in nearby areas. Russian authorities condemned the strike, calling it an attack on civilian infrastructure.

The incident highlights the growing focus on energy facilities in the conflict, with power infrastructure increasingly affected as fighting continues.

The United States has renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extending the trade agreement until 31 December 2026. The short-term renewal allows eligible African countries to continue exporting selected goods to the US duty-free, helping to protect jobs and maintain trade flows. However, the one-year extension has created uncertainty, as many African governments and businesses were hoping for a longer-term commitment to support investment and economic planning.

The U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian drone over the Arabian Sea after it approached an American aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, with what officials described as “unclear” or “aggressive” intent. A U.S. fighter jet intercepted the drone in international waters, and the military said the action was taken in self-defense to protect the ship and its crew.

China has executed Bai Tianhui, a former senior banker and ex-general manager of China Huarong International Holdings, for accepting 1.1 billion yuan in bribes (equivalent to about R2.5 billion).

The case forms part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing campaign to crack down on corruption at senior levels of government and finance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine could hold presidential elections within 60 to 90 days, provided that security conditions are guaranteed by international partners, including the United States and European allies. The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to operate under martial law, which legally prohibits nationwide elections during wartime.

Iran and the United States have moved their nuclear talks from Istanbul, Turkey, to Muscat, Oman. Iran wanted the meetings to stay private and focus only on nuclear issues, avoiding other regional topics. Oman was chosen because it has a long history of acting as a neutral and trusted mediator between Iran and the U.S., unlike Turkey, which is more politically involved in the region.

Bitcoin dropped below $70,000 on February 5, 2026, reaching its lowest level in over a year. The fall came as investors pulled money from crypto and tech markets, showing increased caution and worry about riskier investments.

Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee swam for four hours through rough, cold waters off Western Australia to save his mother and two siblings after they were swept out to sea. Exhausted and without a life jacket, he reached shore, ran nearly two kilometers to alert authorities, and a rescue helicopter later found his family, who had spent nearly ten hours in the water. His mother called sending him for help “one of the hardest decisions” of her life, praising his bravery and determination.

Longstanding U.S.-Cuba tensions and Cuba’s reliance on foreign fuel have led the U.S. to target the island’s oil imports to weaken its government economically and politically. Venezuela has stopped shipments, and Mexico faces U.S. pressure to do the same, though Russia continues deliveries.

Eight healthy babies have been born in the United Kingdom using the DNA from three people. The technique, known as mitochondrial replacement therapy, combines genetic material from the mother, father, and a donor (who provides healthy mitochondrial DNA). The procedure aims to prevent the transmission of rare but serious mitochondrial diseases.

A recent U.S. lawsuit over gender-affirming surgery has sent shockwaves through medical, legal, and political circles, as a jury found healthcare providers liable for malpractice related to a gender surgery performed on a minor.

The case, which centers on allegations of inadequate informed consent and long-term harm, is being widely viewed as a landmark moment in the growing legal scrutiny of gender-affirming medical care. The jury awarded the plaintiff $2 million in damages, including compensation for pain and suffering and future medical expenses.

Moltbook is a social network, but its users aren’t human. Launched in January 2026 by Matt Schlicht, the platform is built exclusively for AI agents. Humans can watch, but they can’t join the conversation.

Moltbook has raised red flags. Critics worry about the risks of unsupervised AI communities, which could spread biased or misleading information without human moderation.

Saif al‑Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s late leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed at his home in Zintan on February 3, 2026, by masked gunmen who disabled security cameras before the attack. Once seen as his father’s potential successor, Saif had played a key role in Libya’s 2011 uprising.