- Six Arrested After Man’s Hand Severed at House Party
- Nicolas Jackson ‘open’ to return but Chelsea have signed his replacement
- European finance ministers approve €74 billion defence plans from eight states
- Man identified and pictured after fatal stabbing in Croydon retail park | UK News
- Could Nipah Virus Trigger Another Global Lockdown? Latest News & Insights
- European Commission sends representative to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington this Thursday
- Abandoned Baby Monkey Finds Solace in Cuddly Toy – Heartwarming News UK
- Gang used SMS blasters on the Tube to con Londoners with fraudulent texts
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Six Arrested After Man’s Hand Severed at House Party
TL:DR – Six Arrested After Man’s Hand Severed at House Party
- An 18-year-old had his hand severely injured during a birthday party on Colin Close, Huyton, in September.
- He sought help at the Stanley Arms pub, where he was found with significant injuries.
- Six individuals have been arrested, including an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old, both on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
- The police investigation has been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
- Witnesses described chaotic scenes and significant blood at the scene.
Six people arrested after man’s hand ‘cut clean off’ at house party | News UK

The victim ran into a nearby pub for help (Picture: Liverpool Echo)
After an 18-year-old had his hand sliced ‘clean off’ during a birthday party last September, six people have been detained.
During a party in a home on Colin Close in Huyton, the man was attacked before running into the Stanley Arms on Roby Road, directly across the road from the party, shortly after midnight on Saturday, September 27.
A 17-year-old also suffered a minor hand injury during the incident, but received treatment after.
Now, Merseyside Police have arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and wounding with intent.
They also arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and a third man, aged 18, on suspicion of wounding with intent, but they were released on conditional bail.
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It comes after three 17-year-old boys were arrested last November on suspicion of assisting an offender in relation to the attack.

Six people have now been arrested in relation to the attack (Picture: Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police said the case has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for review.
Neighbours previously said the doors of the home ‘burst open’ as people ran out of the property shortly after the incident.
Another source said the man ran into the pub with ‘part of his arm hacked off’.
Dried blood was visible on the door frame and doorstep of the property on Colin Close as police worked in the area in the days that followed the incident.
The pub remained shut on the day after the incident while professional cleaners worked at the scene.
One witness said: ‘There was blood everywhere and the pub was seconds away from locking the doors when he ran in.’
One neighbour added: ‘I was watching the aftermath of the Ryder Cup and I just saw this large group of young people appear in the alleyway just after midnight.
‘They were there behind the houses, and there were more than 10, but I couldn’t be certain how many exactly.’
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Nicolas Jackson ‘open’ to return but Chelsea have signed his replacement
Nicolas Jackson ‘open’ to return but Chelsea have signed his replacement | Football
TL;DR – Two-minute read
Nicolas Jackson’s loan at Bayern Munich faced challenges as he struggled for playtime, starting only five league matches this season. Despite his initial hope for a permanent move, he fell short of triggering the buy clause. Chelsea, meanwhile, has reportedly signed his potential replacement, Emanuel Emegha, as they prepare for life without the striker.
Nicolas Jackson is reportedly ‘open’ to the possibility of returning to Chelsea Football Club, although the club believes they have already secured his long-term replacement. This development comes as Jackson has spent the current season on loan at Bayern Munich after two years at Stamford Bridge during which he scored 30 goals in 81 appearances.
Jackson initially joined Bayern Munich last summer, with the club spending approximately £14 million for his loan and agreeing a deal to make it permanent for a further £56 million, contingent upon him making a set number of appearances. However, playing as a backup to England captain Harry Kane, Jackson has only made five league starts and two Champions League starts this season, leading to doubts about him triggering the obligation-to-buy clause in his loan agreement.
Jackson Likely to Return to Chelsea
Due to his limited playing time, it appears inevitable that Nicolas Jackson will return to Chelsea at the end of the season. Bayern Munich may opt to discuss a new deal, but this seems unlikely given Jackson’s tally of just five goals across all competitions. The 24-year-old has received interest from clubs across England, Italy, and Spain but has not ruled out a return to Chelsea, according to The Times.
Chelsea have been planning for life without Jackson and are reported to have signed his replacement, Netherlands international Emanuel Emegha, from partner club Strasbourg. Emegha, who has been in impressive form, scored 14 goals last season and has already netted seven goals in 11 appearances this season despite injury problems.
Chelsea’s Current Position and Next Match
Despite Jackson’s struggles to secure a permanent position at Bayern Munich, he is likely to remain part of their Bundesliga-winning squad, with Bayern currently six points ahead of Borussia Dortmund. Chelsea, who are in fifth place in the Premier League, recently progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League. They also secured a 4-0 victory over Championship side Hull City in the FA Cup and will face relegation-battlers Burnley in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday.
European finance ministers approve €74 billion defence plans from eight states
TL:DR – European finance ministers approve €74 billion defence plans from eight states
• On 17 February 2026, finance ministers approved defence investment plans from eight European states.
• The plans are collectively valued at €74 billion, part of the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund.
• Poland requested over €43 billion in funding.
• A total of 19 member states applied for SAFE assistance; Czechia, France, and Hungary await approval.
• SAFE aims to boost defence procurement, including European-made equipment.
Ministers greenlight member states’ plans worth half of EU’s €150bn defence loan scheme
The national defence investment plans of eight European Union member states, collectively valued at €74 billion, were approved by finance ministers on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. The plans come as part of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) financial instrument, which offers long-term loans to enhance defence capabilities across the bloc.
This significant approval follows a previous endorsement from defence ministers for an initial batch of plans from eight other member states worth €38 billion. The plans aim to address increasing defence needs amid regional security concerns, with Poland prominently requesting over €43 billion of the allocated funds.
Approval of Investment Plans for European Defence
The plans submitted by Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Finland utilise half of the €150 billion available through the SAFE initiative. A spokesperson for the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union stated, “These implementing decisions will pave the way for affordable, long-term loans to be released by the Commission under the SAFE instrument, demonstrating that the EU is delivering when it comes to defence.”
A total of 19 member states have applied for financial assistance under the SAFE programme. Czechia, France, and Hungary are still awaiting approval from the European Commission before they can move forward with their plans.
Details of the SAFE Financial Instrument
The SAFE initiative is part of the European Commission’s Readiness 2030 plan aimed at allocating up to €800 billion into defence by the end of the decade. The scheme specifically prioritises the procurement of various defence products, including ammunition, drones, and cybersecurity technology.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that the scheme’s popularity has exceeded expectations, prompting discussions about potential expansions beyond the current budget. The programme’s stipulation that equipment purchased must be predominantly European-made seeks to enhance local defence capabilities while financially benefiting member states with lower credit ratings.
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Man identified and pictured after fatal stabbing in Croydon retail park | UK News
TL:DR – Man identified and pictured after fatal stabbing in Croydon retail park | UK News
- Lorik Abazi, 22, was fatally stabbed on Hesterman Way, Croydon, early Sunday morning.
- He was one of three men found with stab wounds; he later died in hospital.
- Seven individuals have been arrested, including two women and a man, on suspicion of murder.
- Two 21-year-old men were also arrested for affray; one is in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
- Police appeal for witnesses and assure the community this seems to be an isolated incident.
Man stabbed to death in Croydon retail park named and pictured | News UK

Lorik Abazi was one of three men found stabbed on Hesterman Way, Croydon, at 1.15am on Sunday (Picture: Met Police)
A ‘caring and smart’ 22-year-old man found stabbed to death outside Ikea has been named and pictured.
Lorik Abazi was one of three men found stabbed on Hesterman Way, Croydon, at 1.15am on Sunday.
Seven people in total have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Lorik’s family said: ‘Lorik was a caring, smart young man with a good sense of humour and his whole future ahead of him.
‘We, his parents, brother, girlfriend, grandparents and extended family and friends loved him very much.
‘A light has gone out in our lives, and we are devastated beyond words by his loss. We kindly ask for privacy at this time.’

In total, seven people have been arrested in connection with the incident (Picture: UKNIP)
Two women, both aged 25, and a 28-year-old man, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The two men, both aged 21, taken to hospital have been arrested on suspicion of affray.
One has potentially life-changing injuries while the other has since been discharged and taken into police custody.
Two other women, aged 21 and 22, were also arrested on suspicion of affray. The 21-year-old woman has been bailed while enquiries continue and the 22-year-old woman remains in police custody.
Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn said: ‘My thoughts are with Lorik’s family and loved ones, who have suffered an unimaginable loss.
‘Detectives are working around-the-clock to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
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Police taped off an area near the Burger King at the retail park early on Monday morning while continuing their investigations (Picture: UKNIP)
‘I want to appeal to anyone with knowledge of what happened or who has footage that could help our detectives to share it with the police.
‘I know a tragic incident like this will concern people locally. We believe this to have been an isolated incident and I hope the fact we have a number of suspects in custody provides some reassurance to people in Croydon.
‘We have increased patrols in the local area and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to my officers.’
The stabbing took place within Croydon’s retail park, which contains several shops including Ikea, Boots, Sports Direct and Dunelm, as well as a McDonald’s and a cinema.
Could Nipah Virus Trigger Another Global Lockdown? Latest News & Insights
TL:DR – “Could Nipah Virus Trigger Another Global Lockdown? Latest News & Insights”
- India reports confirmed cases of the Nipah virus, raising concerns in neighbouring countries.
- Nipah is a zoonotic infection spread via fruit bats, with symptoms including fever and potential brain damage.
- High mortality rate (45%-70%), no vaccine or cure available.
- UK Health Security Agency states no Nipah cases have been reported in the UK; risk remains low.
- Travellers advised to avoid bats, consume properly prepared food, and maintain hygiene.
Could the Nipah virus lead to another global lockdown? | News World
Any news of an outbreak of a virus can bring many of us back to 2020, when the then novel coronavirus sparked a years-long pandemic.
India has seen a rise in confirmed cases of the rare, brain-damaging virus, even prompting neighbouring countries to bring back health checks.
Now with ‘Nipah virus’ in the headlines, should people in the UK be worried?
WTX News spoke with several health experts to find out.
What is the Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection, meaning it can leap from animals to people (Picture: Shutterstock/Kateryna Kon)
The Nipah virus is found in fruit bats across South and Southeast Asia.
It spreads to humans through contact with the animals’ bodily fluids, such as eating fruit or sap contaminated with the bats’ urine or saliva.
There is evidence that it can infect other animals, including pigs, dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep.
The virus was first identified during an outbreak in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia, where it killed over 100 people.
Dr Kaja Abbas, an associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that sporadic outbreaks of the virus have happened since 2001 in Bangladesh and India.
‘In addition to zoonotic transmission from animals such as fruit bats to humans, human-to-human transmission and transmission from contaminated fruit products (such as date palm juice) to humans also occur,’ he added.
Symptoms can develop between four and 21 days after infection. They include flu-like symptoms, such as fevers, body aches, and vomiting.
Over time, however, it can cause respiratory syndrome and encephalitis, or brain inflammation.
Between 45% and 70% of the people who are infected die. There is no vaccine and no cure.
About 20% of survivors suffer neurological effects, such as seizures or personality changes, according to the World Health Organization.
Where is the virus now?

Some countries have rolled out Covid-style health checks (Picture: Reuters)
The first two recorded cases were in West Bengal, the fourth most populous state in India.
Health experts in India have repeatedly stressed that there are only two confirmed cases, despite reports of five.
The patients were two nurses employed at the same private hospital in Barasat, Katoya.
The nurses, both 25, began feeling unwell in December, before their conditions spiralled and they were taken to emergency care.
While a male nurse has since been discharged, the other, a woman, died of cardiac arrest last week.
Indian health officials aren’t sure how the pair became infected but suspect they may have had date palm sap while visiting the village of Ghughragachhi.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said last week that a woman in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, died from the virus.
But in both countries, WHO has stressed that the risk of human-to-human transmission is very low.
Nearby Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan, and Pakistan are now monitoring passengers for Nipah symptoms.
Could Nipah virus lead to a global lockdown in future?

Indian health officials have the situation under control, WHO says (Picture: AFP)
No need to stock up on toilet roll just yet – the Nipah virus has never even been reported in the UK before.
Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading, said that the Nipah virus is very different from the coronavirus.
He said: ‘Following Covid, any new virus is treated with alarm – could it become pandemic? – but for Nipah this cannot happen as the virus does not transmit by air and has never shown any sign of doing so.’

Fruit bats spread the brain-damaging virus (Picture: Roy/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
WHO considers Nipah as a possible epidemic candidate, a regional outbreak of an illness that spreads unexpectedly.
A pandemic, however, is a disease that spreads worldwide.
What is the UK’s current guidance around Nipah virus?
The UK Health Security Agency Nipah virus guidance says none of this is a sign that people should panic – it’s just always a good idea to understand what a virus is.
No cases have been recorded in the UK.
There is no mention of Nipah virus in the Foreign Office’s travel advice for India.
To travellers, the UKHSA recommends people:
Avoid contact with bats and their environments, especially sick bats.
Don’t consume raw or partially fermented date palm sap – always boil date palm juice first.
Wash all fruit thoroughly with clean water and peel before eating.
Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals and during slaughter and culling procedures.
Practice good hand hygiene.
The agency stresses that the risk for tourists visiting endemic countries is ‘very low’ if safety recommendations are followed.
European Commission sends representative to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington this Thursday
TL:DR – European Commission sends representative to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington this Thursday
• The European Commission will attend Trump’s Board of Peace meeting on Thursday but will not join due to governance concerns (European Commission, 2023).
• Dubravka Šuica will participate in discussions regarding Gaza, avoiding controversy (European Commissioner, 2023).
• The EU foreign ministers will discuss the Board next week in Brussels (Kaja Kallas, 2023).
• The EU aims to finalise sanctions against Russia amid ongoing Ukraine conflict (David O’Sullivan, 2023).
• Ireland’s Data Protection Commission is probing X’s AI chatbot Grok over issues related to sexual imagery (Irish DPC, 2023).
Newsletter: The EU’s balancing act on Trump’s Peace Board
The European Commission is sending a representative to the first meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, though it will not join as a member due to ongoing concerns regarding the Board’s scope, governance, and potential overlap with the United Nations. According to the Commission, Dubravka Šuica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, will participate only in the section of the meeting addressing Gaza. This engagement is aimed at ensuring the EU remains involved in the implementation of the US-brokered 20-point peace plan while avoiding any controversy surrounding the Board.
The Board of Peace was initially proposed to solidify the ceasefire in Gaza and received endorsement in a United Nations Security Council resolution. However, many European leaders have voiced unease that Trump has expanded its mandate to create a structure that could overshadow the UN, which he would lead indefinitely after his presidency concludes. Currently, only Hungary and Bulgaria are members, while Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Romania have accepted observer status, a designation from which EU officials are trying to distance themselves.
In coordination with this, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, is engaged with various governments regarding the Board’s activities. The topic will be addressed when EU foreign ministers convene in Brussels next week, accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the Bulgarian diplomat appointed by Trump as High Representative for Gaza, who will facilitate collaboration between the Board and a Palestinian committee managing day-to-day operations.
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