Here is a news article synthesizing information from the provided sources:
International News Roundup: Political Sentencings, Cultural Restrictions, and Legal Troubles Dominate Headlines
Several international events unfolded on Monday, February 2, 2026, ranging from political sentencings in Bangladesh to cultural restrictions in Europe and legal troubles for figures connected to European royalty and Iranian cinema.
In Bangladesh, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her niece, Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, were sentenced to jail following a corruption probe. According to Sky News, the country's corruption watchdog alleged that Hasina colluded with government officials to illegally secure six plots for herself and her family in a development near Dhaka. Hasina received a 10-year jail sentence, while Siddiq was sentenced to four years. Both women condemned the verdicts, with Hasina branding the special tribunal that tried her "a kangaroo court," according to Sky News.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Pornhub began restricting access for users, a move prompted by the forthcoming implementation of the Online Safety Act in July 2025. BBC Technology reported that the law mandates robust age verification measures for adult content websites. Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, claimed the law has driven users to sites not following the law and increased "exposure." Critics of the Online Safety Act argue that it can be easily circumvented using a virtual private network (VPN), which masks a user's location.
In Rome, city authorities introduced a two-euro fee for closer access to the Trevi Fountain, Euronews reported. The measure aims to manage crowds and generate revenue for local museums. Timed tickets will regulate entry. Early footage showed smaller crowds, with people posing and taking photos without being pressed by others. City authorities stated the goal is to manage crowds and raise money for maintenance. The measure targets tourists hoping for an unobstructed photo in front of the Baroque landmark made famous by La Dolce Vita.
In Iran, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran days after criticizing the regime, Sky News reported. Mahmoudian co-wrote the script for the Iranian drama "It Was Just An Accident." Representatives of the film said in a statement that Mahmoudian was arrested on Saturday. It is unclear what he is charged with. In the statement, Mahmoudian and 16 others wrote: "The mas..." (the statement was cut off in the source).
Finally, in Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was detained by police in Oslo on Sunday, Euronews reported. He was accused of assaulting a woman, threatening her with a knife, and breaching a restraining order. This occurred just two days before he is scheduled to face trial on multiple rape charges. Høiby, 29, will appear in Oslo district court on Tuesday, facing 38 offences including four alleged rapes and attacks on former partners. Euronews also noted that newly released US documents revealed Høiby's mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, maintained extensive contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment