Royals, Landmarks, and Scandal Dominate Headlines

London's Southbank Centre, once derided as Britain's "ugliest building," has been designated a protected historic monument, according to NPR Politics. The announcement, made on February 12, 2026, recognizes the cultural significance of the Brutalist landmark, which is beloved by symphony-goers and skateboarders alike.

The decision to protect the Southbank Centre highlights a shift in perception of the building, which was once heavily criticized. The structure's concrete ramps have become a popular spot for skateboarders.

In other news, Wiltshire Creative is adapting Shirley Jackson's classic horror novel, "The Haunting of Hill House," for the stage, with a U.K. tour set to launch this fall, as reported by Variety. This production follows the 2018 Netflix series, introducing the story to a new generation.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for displaying images of war dead on his helmet, a decision that has sparked controversy and criticism from Ukraine, according to Variety. This incident underscores the ongoing tension between political expression and the Olympics' apolitical stance, amidst the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Hospitality businesses in England are lobbying against a proposed tourist tax, fearing it will negatively impact the industry, according to both NPR Politics and Time. Simultaneously, a task force reforming the U.S. intelligence community is being shut down, and a New York court's prosecutor appointment was overturned by the Justice Department, highlighting ongoing political tensions, as reported by NPR Politics and Time.