February 9, 2026

Ghislaine Maxwell to Testify Before US Congress But Likely to Plead the Fifth

Jeffrey Epstein’s aide Ghislaine Maxwell will appear by video before the House Oversight Committee Monday. She is expected to avoid answering questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

February 9, 2026

Jihadist Groups Step Up Drone Attacks in West Africa Using Commercial Drones

Jihadist groups in West Africa are using cheap commercial drones to carry out deadly attacks. Since 2023, over 100 strikes by IS and al-Qaeda affiliates hit military and civilian targets, signaling a dangerous shift in local warfare tactics.

February 9, 2026

Spanish Train Drivers Begin Nationwide Strike After Deadly Crashes

Spanish train drivers start a three-day strike Monday. They protest poor rail safety after two deadly crashes in January. The union wants more staff and better maintenance to stop rail accidents.

February 9, 2026

UK Deaths from Potent Nitazene Opioids Likely Underestimated by One-Third

A new study suggests deaths from nitazene opioids, up to 500 times stronger than heroin, are underreported in the UK by 33%. Testing methods may miss this lethal drug in postmortem samples, risking incomplete data and flawed prevention efforts.

February 9, 2026

NSW Government Faces Court Challenge Over Police Powers During Israeli President’s Visit

NSW grants police strong powers to control protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. Palestine Action Group challenges the move in court. The government says it’s for safety. Protest planned despite restrictions.