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A captive 'back‑breeding' programme returned 158 juvenile Floreana giant tortoises to Floreana island, restoring a subspecies absent since the 1840s. The reintroduction followed invasive rat and feral cat removal that began in 2023 and is part of a wider ecological restoration effort.

Constitution Hill won the Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes at Southwell by nine-and-a-half lengths after switching to the Flat, with Oisin Murphy in the saddle; trainer Nicky Henderson said the performance could "open up a lot of doors".

The Palestinian health ministry and witnesses say Israeli settlers shot and killed 19-year-old Nasrallah Abu Siyam near the village of Mukhmas; his death is confirmed and the next procedural steps are undetermined.

A new study links a recent rise in global monthly temperatures to a long La Nina followed by a shift toward El Nino, and NOAA this month adopted a relative tropical index to redefine when El Nino and La Nina are declared.

Researchers report a blood test that measures plasma p-tau217 and can estimate the age when a person may begin showing Alzheimer's symptoms, with an average margin of error of three to four years.

Cubans are installing solar panels on homes, businesses and vehicles as the country endures extended blackouts that reporting and officials attribute in part to US measures to block oil shipments; the government and private buyers have expanded solar capacity while a reported Russian crude shipment has no set date.

The US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and business owners expressed cautious relief while noting uncertainty about refunds and other tariff powers the administration may use.

Parts of southern England may reach about 16C this weekend, while rain continues and more than 50 flood warnings remain in parts of the southwest.

Chronic pain affects an estimated 28 million people in the UK and is reported more often by women. An early-stage animal study published in Science Immunology reports a hormonal and immune-cell difference that may help explain why pain can last longer in females.

A council committee approved a DUP proposal on Feb 20 to progress a capital build project for Braniel Community Centre and its outdoor space, and the decision will go to full council in March.

More than 7.1 million birds have been reported affected in Pennsylvania, mainly at Lancaster County egg-laying sites, and state officials say they are deploying extra personnel and expanding testing to track the outbreaks.

A Telegraph article by Ben Farmer, published 20 February 2026, reports that DNA from a lion was used to bring criminal charges against suspected poachers for the first time. The available excerpt does not include further details about the case or upcoming legal steps.

U.S. President Donald Trump will preside over the inaugural Board of Peace meeting with delegations from about 47 countries, and officials say roughly $5 billion has been pledged for Gaza reconstruction while key issues such as Hamas disarmament and aid distribution remain unresolved.

US researchers report a nasal‑spray 'universal' vaccine that, in animal tests, kept lung immune cells on a heightened state and reduced viral passage for about three months; human trials are planned.

Channing Tatum said aspects of his real-life parenting informed scenes in Josephine, which is competing at the Berlin Film Festival and follows an eight-year-old who witnesses a reported sexual assault.

A man from Stockport has been charged with 48 counts alleging he drugged and sexually abused his unconscious wife alongside other men; the case involves 12 other men and allegations reportedly dating back to the early 2000s. Seven defendants, including the husband, pleaded not guilty at Manchester Minshull Crown Court.

NASA's administrator said leadership and decision failures at Boeing and within NASA contributed to the 2024 Starliner mission problems that left two astronauts at the ISS for about nine months, and the agency has classified the incident as a "Type A" mishap.

Fair Ways welcomed the Government's package of reforms backed by £88m aimed at increasing foster carers in England; the charity noted its local work including the Fostering Friendly Employer Charter and Portsmouth becoming the UK's first Fostering Friendly City.

More than 60 people attended Mayor Diane Lyle's quiz night at Ludlow Brewery, and the event raised more than £450 for Working Together Ludlow.

Swale Borough Council approved its 2026/27 budget and set the borough's share for a Band D property at £212.76, a 2.96% increase.

NASA said it is targeting March 6 for the Artemis II crewed mission after a nearly 50-hour Wet Dress Rehearsal that fueled about 730,000 gallons of propellant without the hydrogen leaks seen in an earlier test; officials said remaining checks could still push the date later in the March launch window.

West Sussex County Council approved £4.8m from its fleet capital budget to replace 12 older pumping appliances in its 48-vehicle fire fleet, the council reported on February 20.

Eric Dane, 53, died ten months after announcing an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis and spent his last months fundraising and campaigning for ALS research and awareness.

A minute's silence was observed at a full West Sussex County Council meeting on 20 February to honour Janet Mockridge, who died in January after serving 11 years as the councillor for Southwick.

A care assistant pleaded guilty to nine counts of rape and to charges of making indecent images and was sentenced to 21 years; police say investigations continue and have appealed for any other victims to come forward.

A care assistant was sentenced to 21 years after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences against elderly residents and to possessing indecent images; the court imposed an extended licence, a sexual harm prevention order and lifetime sex offender registration.

A South African couple who drank large amounts of full‑fat cola and ate high‑calorie foods changed their diet and worked with a medical team, losing about 264kg (around 40 stone) between them; their 10‑year‑old son also lost weight.

Swansea Building Society will continue its Charity of the Year partnership with Prostate Cymru into 2026 after raising more than £25,000 in 2025; the Society also supported PSA screening events that tested 1,134 men and produced 63 urgent referrals that year.

A young grey seal pup was found lying in the middle of a Scarborough road on Thursday, prompting a temporary closure while British Divers Marine Life Rescue medics and local authorities returned the animal to the beach and monitored it.

A young grey seal pup was found lying in Foreshore Road in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, on Thursday morning, prompting residents to stay with it and a temporary closure of the main road.