Israeli forces carried out violent raids across the occupied West Bank, detaining Palestinians and demolishing homes. A young man was killed by settlers in Mukhmas, Jerusalem, while restrictions on West Bank worshippers at Al-Aqsa added to tensions during Ramadan.
Published On 19 Feb 2026
An 18-month siege and mass killings carried out by Sudanese rebels during their seizure of a city in Darfur bore the hallmarks of genocide, UN experts have said.
The Rapid Support Force paramilitaries are said to have committed atrocities and human rights abuses in el-Fasher during a campaign that started in 2023 and ended with they overran the territory in October 2024.
The conflict also saw Arab militias try to completely destroy non-Arab communities, with more than half the population slaughtered in the bloodbath, according to the independent fact-finding mission.
Mona Rishmawi, one of the authors of the report, wrote: “Starvation, denial of assistance, mass killings, rape, torture and enforced disappearance…leaves only one reasonable inference – these are the hallmarks of genocide”.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for “urgent action” from the international community, including criminal investigations “to ensure accountability for vile perpetrators, justice for victims, and to break the cycle of bloodshed”.
Rebel commanders “calculated to bring about the physical destruction” of non-Arab areas, in particular the Zaghawa and the Fur communities, according to the report released on Thursday.
UN officials said several thousand civilians were killed when the RSF and fellow paramilitary groups took over el-Fasher, which had been the Sudanese army’s only remaining stronghold in Darfur.
Only 40% of the city’s 260,000 residents were able to flee the assault alive, thousands of whom were wounded, the officials said. The fate of the rest remains unknown.
The report went on to say: “Thousands of persons, particularly the Zaghawa, were killed, raped or disappeared during three days of absolute horror.
“The wanton violations that were perpetrated by the RSF and allied Arab militia in the final offensive on el-Fasher underscore that persistent impunity fuels continued cycles of violence.”
One witness was quoted as saying that he saw bodies thrown into the air, “like a scene out of a horror movie”, according to the report.
Ms Cooper said: “The world is still failing the people of Sudan. When the stories started to emerge about the horrors of el-Fasher it should have been a turning point, but the violence is continuing.
“It is time to listen to the women of Sudan, not the military men who have been prosecuting this war. We need action for justice, accountability and peace.”
Ms Cooper is expected to raise the report at a UN Security Council meeting in New York today.
Sudan was plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-running tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders erupted in the capital Khartoum and spread to other regions, including Darfur.
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The war has seen more than 40,000 people killed, according to UN figures, but aid groups say the true number could be many times higher.
The RSF and their allied Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, overran el-Fasher on 26 October and stormed the city.
Widespread atrocities were committed during the offensive that included mass killings and summary executions, sexual violence, torture, and abductions for ransom, according to the UN Human Rights Office.
More than 6,000 people were killed between 25 October and 27 October in the city, the office said.
Ahead of the assault, the rebels ran riot in the Abu Shouk displacement camp, just outside of the city, and killed at least 300 people over two days, it said.
The group’s commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has previously acknowledged abuses by his forces, but disputed the scale of atrocities.
An international convention known colloquially as the “Genocide Convention” – adopted in 1948 – sets out five criteria to assess whether genocide has taken place.
They include killing members of a group, causing its members serious bodily or mental harm, imposing measures aimed to prevent births in the group, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the “physical destruction” of the group, and forcibly transferring its children to another group.
The fact-finding team, which doesn’t have the final say on whether a genocide has been committed, said it found at least three of those five factors were met in the RSF’s actions.
Under the convention, a genocide determination could be made even if only one of the five were met.
The RSF acts in el-Fasher included killing members of a protected ethnic group; causing serious mental and bodily harm; and deliberately inflicting conditions of life to bring about the group’s physical destruction in whole or in part – all key elements of the crime of genocide under international law, according to the fact-finding team.
The fact-finding mission pointed to mass killings, widespread rape, sexual violence, torture and cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, extortion, and enforced disappearances during RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher in late October.
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Margaret Qualley has leaned into her Southern upbringing to transform her work as an actress.
During a cover story for Vanity Fair, Qualley shared that, in some ways, she had a normal childhood despite being the daughter of Andie MacDowell and former model, Paul Qualley.
Margaret, her sister Rainey and her brother Justin grew up loving grits, sweet tea and spending time at Waffle House, she told Vanity Fair.
Margaret Qualley on the cover of Vanity Fair’s March issue. (Dan Jackson / Vanity Fair)
In an interview with The Evening Standard in 2023, Qualley recalled her experience of being raised by “probably the only Hollywood actress in Asheville.”
“I grew up always being like, ‘Well, it’s just normal to me. She’s my mom. So, it’s my normal life.’ But also I knew it was weird,” she began.
“It’s weird. I’m really lucky. It was a strange thing, but then I did go to a normal school, [had] normal friends and have a somewhat normal life.”
“It’s weird. I’m really lucky. It was a strange thing, but then I did go to a normal school, [had] normal friends and have a somewhat normal life. Then my mom would go off and do movies, and sometimes I’d go with her. And sometimes I’d meet, like, Gérard Depardieu.”
“The Substance” star shared that spending her early years in Montana, before moving to North Carolina, greatly shaped how she performs as an actress.
Margaret Qualley on the cover of Vanity Fair. (Dan Jackson / Vanity Fair)
Much of Margaret’s childhood was spent in competitive dance. For high school, she went to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, a boarding school. She told the outlet that her experience as a competitive dancer in the South still sticks with her today.
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“I remember a teacher saying to me in front of everyone, ‘You’re dancing like a peacock when you should be dancing like a pigeon.’ I think I interpreted that as I’m physically asking for too much attention,” Qualley told Vanity Fair.
At 16, Margaret decided to leave the world of competitive dance behind and moved to New York City. She signed to IMG and by the time she entered her 20s, she was already feeling the effects of the industry.
Andie MacDowell has two daughters: Rainey Qualley (L) and Margaret Qualley. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for National Women’s History Museum)
“I was controlling my body and my body had control over me: I must go to sleep now, must wake up now, must work out now,” Margaret said. At this point in her life, the “Maid” star decided to follow in her famous mother’s footsteps and began auditioning for acting roles.
Although she is rising to superstar fame, Margaret has decided to keep her personal life private, which includes her marriage to Taylor Swift’s producer, Jack Antonoff.
Qualley and Antonoff met in 2021 at a party and tied the knot two years later. She has kept most details about her marriage private, but told Vanity Fair, “I’ve always been very love-oriented. I’ve always been looking for my person, and I met Jack.”
Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff married in 2023. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
During an interview with Cosmopolitan in 2025, Qualley told the outlet that she won Antonoff over with her “Southern girl etiquette.”
“I’m very old-school about stuff like this,” she said, referring to him saying, “I love you” first.
“I would never put myself out there first. I never text twice. I mean, now we’re married, and I can text him anything at any time. We’re always having a conversation; he’s like my human diary. But, before we were together, at the beginning, I would always follow Southern girl etiquette.”
Andie MacDowell, Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff at the AFI Awards Luncheon in 2022. (Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
In her relationship with Jack, Qualley felt “safe and comfortable.”
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“In every other relationship I’ve ever been in, I still felt really lonely because I wasn’t with my person, and it’s like I was seeking something,” she said. “I don’t feel like that anymore. Jack makes me feel safe and comfortable.”
Margaret Qualley won her husband over with her “Southern girl etiquette.” (Getty Images)
“I spent so many years trying to be someone’s perfect girl, and that girl changed over and over again,” Qualley admitted. “But I can’t lie to Jack. I can’t be that for him. He’d see through it. So, I just have to be myself. He’s been the person I’ve pictured my whole life. And I’m not even saying that metaphorically. My first crush was Adam Sandler in ‘Happy Gilmore’ and ‘Big Daddy,’ and I’ve been looking for that essence my whole life. I’m like, ‘That’s Jack.’”
Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr alleges he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
Published On 19 Feb 2026
Real Madrid has sent UEFA, football’s governing body in Europe, “all available evidence” of an alleged racist insult against Vinicius Jr in a Champions League match against Benfica.
“Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match,” the Spanish club said on Thursday without elaborating on the evidence.
UEFA appointed a special investigator on Wednesday to gather evidence about what happened in Lisbon on Tuesday in Madrid’s 1-0 win at Benfica in the first leg of the knockout round of the Champions League.
Vinicius accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of calling him “monkey” after the Brazilian scored the only goal. Prestianni was among the Benfica players upset with Vinícius after the forward celebrated by the Benfica corner flag.
Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt when he allegedly spoke to the Brazilian player and denied racially abusing Vinicius, who is Black and has been subjected to repeated racist insults in Spain.
“Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community,” the club said. “Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.”
Benfica said Prestianni was the victim of a “defamation campaign” and welcomed the investigation opened by UEFA, saying it “fully supports and believes the version presented” by Prestianni.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday he was “shocked and saddened to see the incident of alleged racism” and praised the referee for activating the antiracism protocol during the match, which was halted for nearly 10 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
Baroness Harman has said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest has heightened the need for him to testify to US politicians about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
It follows the former prince being taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on Thursday – his birthday – over allegations of misconduct in a public office. He has previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Speaking to the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Harriet Harman said: “I think it also makes it even more important that Prince Andrew agrees to go to give evidence to Congress on the investigations that they’re doing there.”
The US Congress has been publishing documents relating to deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein over recent months, the so-called Epstein files.
In November, Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee wrote to the former prince, asking him to travel to Washington DC to testify before them about his relationship with the disgraced financier.
This followed Mountbatten-Windsor being stripped of his royal titles.
Speaking following his arrest, Baroness Harman told Sky News political editor Beth Rigby: “Well, I think it was inevitable once there was started to be investigation on Peter Mandelson for leaking information, which was supposedly confidential government economic and commercial information, that if those emails appeared to show Prince Andrew when he was trade envoy doing the exact same thing, that he would have to be investigated and arrested as well.”
Lord Mandelson remains under police investigation over allegations he leaked government information while serving as business secretary – under then-PM Gordon Brown – something he denies.
Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed by the government as a trade envoy in 2001. He held the role – which gave him had access to senior ministers and business contacts – for a decade, in which time he travelled the world promoting the UK.
Baroness Harman continued: “I think that this is an absolutely unprecedented moment of huge implications because I think what’s happened is that Epstein emails have broken open the secrecy about how very rich, powerful, and sometimes royal men behave.
“Remember that Andrew has been arrested by police who are part of His Majesty’s constabulary. These are the King’s police. If it were to go to court, it is His Majesty’s court. But as the prime minister said, nobody should be above the law.”
She said the arrest would have “huge implications” for the Royal Family.
Her podcast co-host, former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, agreed, saying images of police cars arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to arrest Mountbatten-Windsor are the “sort of pictures you never thought you would see”.
She added: “The human side of me is thinking, thank God the late queen didn’t live to see this, because it would have broken her heart.
“But then the kind of, the rational side of my brain kicks in. People who may have committed crimes – that we’re finding out about through the Epstein trials being opened – should face that in the same way.”
Ms Davidson added: “Even the investigations happening now, none of them are touching at the fundamental question of why were young women and girls trafficked around the world to be abused by rich and powerful men and why are no rich and powerful men being questioned about that element of any of this.”
You can listen to the full episode of Electoral Dysfunction tomorrow morning.
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The Republican National Committee (RNC) and two GOP members of Congress sued Virginia election officials Wednesday in an effort to block Democrats’ push to redraw the state’s congressional map, arguing a proposed constitutional amendment and upcoming special election violate Virginia’s Constitution.
In a 48-page complaint filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, the RNC, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Reps. Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith of Virginia contend that legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly would allow lawmakers to temporarily take over congressional redistricting from the state’s voter-approved independent commission.
The lawsuit challenges House Bill 1384, which sets a special election on April 21 for voters to decide whether to amend the Virginia Constitution to allow the General Assembly to temporarily redraw the state’s congressional districts to “restore fairness in the upcoming elections.”
Early voting for the special election is scheduled to begin March 6.
The Senate of Virginia convenes during the first day of the legislative session at the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond, Virginia, on Jan. 10, 2024. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The plaintiffs argue the measure was not properly adopted by two separate General Assemblies with an “intervening election,” as required under Article XII of the Virginia Constitution.
The Republicans also allege the ballot language is misleading and that holding the special election less than 90 days after the amendment’s final passage violates constitutional timing requirements.
MIDTERM ELECTIONS: GOP REDISTRICTING SETBACKS PROMPT LAWSUITS, GERRYMANDERING ACCUSATIONS
Voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting at the Western Government Center on Sept. 19, 2025 in Henrico, Virginia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)
The suit asks the court to block state officials from conducting the special election, transmitting ballots, or submitting the proposed amendment to voters, on the grounds that it fails to comply with the state constitution’s amendment process.
Virginia Democrats’ redistricting push comes as other blue states have pursued mid-decade map changes in response to Republican-led states, including Texas, ahead of the 2026 midterms.
A representative looks at a congressional redistricting map during debate of a congressional redistricting plan in the House Chamber at the Capitol in Austin on Aug. 20, 2025. (Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)
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California voters approved Proposition 50 in November, a measure that could give Democrats the opportunity to gain up to five additional U.S. House seats, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
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New Delhi. After Australia, Zimbabwe made another big upset by defeating Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe team, which has already made it to the Super-8, defeated co-host Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in its last group match. Zimbabwe will enter Super-8 as the topper of Group-B.
Working as Sub Editor in Network 18 Group since November 2025. 3 years experience in journalism. Debuted in sports journalism with Zee News. Interested in writing about cricket as well as hockey and badminton. mother…read more
Target: ₹240
CMP: ₹205.45
We upgraded Tata Steel to Buy in Oct’25 at ₹177 and reiterated our positive stance on the name in our detailed steel thematic report in Jan’26. While the stock has performed well after our upgrade, we remain constructive on the stock on the back of a strong domestic demand outlook, safeguard duty-led price support, ongoing capacity expansions and a gradual turnaround in the EU business.
India’s steel demand is projected to grow by about 8-10 per cent over FY26-30, backed by a robust demand environment, policy support, and ongoing recovery in industry fundamentals. Tata Steel is aggressively expanding its capacity in India to capitalize on rising domestic demand, scaling from 26.5 mtpa in FY25 to 40 mtpa by FY31 over the medium term, with an annual capex commitment of ₹16,000 crore.
Recently, Tata Steel commissioned 5mtpa integrated capacity at Kalinganagar, increasing the plant’s total capacity to 8 mtpa (₹270 billion investment), with phase-III expansion targeting 13 mtpa. Tata Steel is transitioning into green steelmaking in Europe, where it is converting Port Talbot (UK) to a 3 mtpa EAF from conventional BF route steelmaking. The company is also exploring a gas-based DRI + EAF route at IJmuiden (the Netherlands), subject to policy clarity.
At CMP, Tata Steel is trading at 7.7x EV/EBITDA and 2.3x FY27E P/B. We maintain our Buy rating with an SoTP-based TP of ₹240 on Sep’27 estimate.
Published on February 19, 2026
The man jumped onto the horse, then started jumping over the rope, you will not believe your eyes after seeing the feat!
The man jumped onto the horse, then started jumping over the rope, you will not believe your eyes after seeing the feat!
Social media account @qanagat_qanatuly is the account of a circus artist who shows amazing tricks. Recently, one of his videos is becoming increasingly viral, in which he is seen jumping on a horse and then jumping a rope over it. This feat of his is surprising people a lot. This video has received 26 lakh views while many people have given their feedback by commenting. One said that the horse also maintained the rhythm, this is amazing. (Note: If the user has any objection to the use of this video, he can contact News18 Hindi for its removal.)
‘If any child comes in between…’ The bride got worried about the entry, openly threatened!
Recently a video has been posted on Instagram account @dil_hariya_ in which a bride is bullying a small child. She is telling him that if any child comes in between during his entry, she will put him on the pan and boil him like an egg. Seeing this, people standing around start laughing and the bride also starts laughing. The video has received more than 1 crore views. The interesting thing is that many brands have also taken a dig at the bride by commenting on this video. (Note: If the user has any objection to the use of this video, he can contact News18 Hindi for its removal.)