The East India Company, once the foundation of British colonial rule in India, has permanently closed after declaring bankruptcy. The company, which had been revived in London as a luxury goods brand, failed to overcome financial difficulties and ceased operations. Reports indicate that in October 2025, a liquidator was appointed, and the company owed more than £600,000 to its parent entity registered in the British Virgin Islands, along with significant tax and employee liabilities. Its Mayfair store and website have since been closed.

The company, originally founded in 1600 under a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I, had dominated trade across India and Asia before being dissolved by the British Parliament in 1874. Indian entrepreneur Sanjiv Mehta had purchased the rights to the company’s name in 2010, relaunching it as a retailer of premium tea, chocolate, and spices. The revival had drawn global attention as a symbolic reversal of colonial history.

The closure marks the end of a modern chapter for a name long associated with both global trade innovation and colonial exploitation.

Russia has returned the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, according to a Moscow official cited on Thursday. In exchange, Ukraine handed over the remains of 35 Russian soldiers. The exchange reportedly took place near Kyiv, as confirmed by Russian mediator Vladimir Medinsky in a social media post.

The report, carried by AFP from Moscow, marks another instance of body repatriation between the two sides amid the ongoing conflict. Such exchanges are typically coordinated through intermediaries to ensure the return of fallen soldiers to their respective countries.

No further details were provided about the process or the conditions under which the exchange occurred.

Russia carried out overnight attacks on multiple Ukrainian cities, injuring at least 23 people including a child. The strikes occurred ahead of a scheduled meeting in Geneva between Ukraine and the United States to discuss ending the ongoing war. Kyiv’s military administration chief Tymur Tkachenkо reported that drones and ballistic missiles were used in the assault, urging residents to remain in shelters until air raid alerts were lifted.

Police in Kyiv said the attacks caused fires in non-residential buildings, shattered windows in a multi-story apartment, and set a two-story house ablaze. No deaths were reported. In the northeastern city of Kharkiv and a nearby village, 14 people were injured, while seven others were hurt in Zaporizhzhia where 19 apartment buildings, four houses, and other structures were damaged. Two more people were injured in Kryvyi Rih.

The assault comes as the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion four years ago, continues to devastate Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions. Washington has reiterated its desire for an end to the conflict.

Cambridge University has invested over £140 million from its £4.2 billion endowment fund into a portfolio that includes companies accused of involvement in Israeli human rights violations in Gaza. The revelation came after analysis of recent filings submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, reported by Middle East Eye. The investment was made by Cambridge University Investment Management in the ‘iShares ESG Select Screened S&P 500’ fund during the last quarter of the previous year.

Through this fund, the university indirectly holds shares in Palantir Technologies, Caterpillar, and GE Aerospace—companies accused of aiding Israeli military operations and forced evictions in Palestinian territories. Cambridge reportedly owns about £800,000 in Palantir shares and £900,000 in GE Aerospace shares, linking it to suppliers of Israeli defense technology and aircraft engines. The disclosure follows earlier criticism of the university’s lack of transparency and its delayed decisions on divesting from arms manufacturers.

The report noted growing ethical and legal pressure on Cambridge, especially as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has already divested from Caterpillar over similar human rights concerns.

The United Kingdom has begun enforcing new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) rules for travelers from 85 countries, effective from February 25, 2026. The system applies to visitors who previously could travel visa-free, including those from the United States, Australia, and several other nations. The UK government stated that the ETA will enhance the efficiency and security of its immigration process. Travelers must apply online or through a mobile app, providing passport details, contact information, and a photo. The ETA costs £16 and remains valid for two years or until the passport expires.

The new system allows multiple entries for short-term visits such as tourism, business, or short courses, but it does not guarantee entry, as travelers must still pass immigration checks. British and Irish citizens, as well as those with permanent residency or certain exemptions, do not require an ETA. Dual citizens, however, face complications if they lack a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement, which could prevent re-entry into the UK.

The UK Home Office emphasized that airlines and transport operators will verify ETA status before boarding, and applications should be submitted at least three working days in advance.

Ukraine announced that its chief negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday. The meeting is being held ahead of a possible trilateral discussion involving Russia in early March. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he will also meet Witkoff and Jared Kushner to prepare for the upcoming talks, which are expected to focus on key issues related to the ongoing conflict.

An adviser to Umerov confirmed that the Geneva meeting follows earlier discussions this month among Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials. The initiative is part of the latest diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump, though no significant progress has yet been achieved in ending Russia’s four-year aggression against Ukraine.

Zelensky stated that the agenda will include prisoner exchanges and a prosperity package aimed at Ukraine’s reconstruction. Witkoff confirmed earlier in the week that the dialogue seeks pathways toward a potential peace agreement.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year, with the conflict causing massive destruction and loss of life but little territorial change. Recent data indicate Moscow’s military advances have slowed significantly, averaging about 70 meters per day near Pokrovsk and 23 meters near Kupiansk. In 2025, Russia captured roughly 1,865 square miles, only 0.8 percent of Ukraine’s total territory.

Observers argue that Russian claims of Ukraine’s imminent defeat do not align with the situation on the ground. Ukraine has reorganized its strategy and achieved limited counter-successes, reclaiming about 40 square miles in Zaporizhzhia and retaking the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv region. However, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with over one million people suffering from power, heat, and water shortages amid subzero temperatures following Russian missile and drone strikes.

Despite continued Western support, Ukraine faces air defense shortages, making it difficult to repel Russian attacks. Analysts describe the war as largely stalemated, with Russia’s ambitions in Donetsk uncertain and Ukrainians showing no sign of surrender.

London police have arrested former British ambassador Peter Mandelson, 72, on suspicion of misconduct during his tenure in the UK cabinet. The arrest followed revelations of his connection with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson, who had served as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, was dismissed by the British prime minister after those links became public. He was later released on bail while the investigation continues.

According to a document released by the US Department of Justice, Mandelson allegedly shared sensitive government information with Epstein while serving as a minister. The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed over details of Mandelson’s communications with Epstein earlier this month, prompting police to open a formal investigation. Reuters reported that plainclothes officers detained Mandelson at his central London home on Monday morning.

Police emphasized that the arrest indicates suspicion of a possible offense but does not constitute proof of guilt. Mandelson’s lawyers have not issued any comment regarding the case.

The BBC has apologized for broadcasting a racist remark made during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) ceremony without editing it out beforehand. The incident occurred when guest John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, shouted a racist comment while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The ceremony was aired two hours after recording, but the offensive remark remained in the broadcast, prompting criticism and an apology from the broadcaster.

BBC representatives said some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language linked to involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, clarifying that the outburst was unintentional. The network admitted the segment had not been edited before airing and confirmed it would be removed from the BBC iPlayer version. Several Black actors and a production designer expressed anger over the unedited broadcast, leading to the BBC’s public apology.

In a separate statement, BAFTA also acknowledged the harm caused by the incident and issued its own apology, emphasizing its intent to inform audiences about what had happened and to express regret.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to achieve his goal of capturing Ukraine. Speaking in a video address marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s aggression, Zelensky stated that Putin could not break the Ukrainian people or win the war, emphasizing that Ukraine had defended its country.

According to AFP, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness to do everything possible to ensure a strong and lasting peace. He said the country would continue efforts to establish justice and achieve peace.

The remarks came as Ukraine marked four years since the start of Russia’s invasion, underscoring Kyiv’s continued resistance and determination to secure a just and stable peace.

Ukraine’s war, now in its fifth year, has been transformed by the dominance of drones and advanced communication technologies. According to AFP reports from Kyiv, drones now account for about 80 percent of battlefield losses, replacing tanks and heavy artillery as the main instruments of combat. Soldiers describe the front lines as a 20-kilometer-deep “kill zone” under constant aerial surveillance. To maintain supply lines and evacuate the wounded, Ukraine increasingly relies on ground-based robotic vehicles.

Both sides face challenges maintaining uninterrupted drone communication amid electronic jamming. Russia has turned to fiber-optic-controlled drones, while Ukraine uses Starlink satellite terminals for stable connectivity. Elon Musk recently disabled illegal Russian terminals at Ukraine’s request, temporarily disrupting communications. Analysts say this helped Ukraine advance in the Zaporizhzhia region earlier in February.

Engineers are now integrating artificial intelligence into drones to sustain operations when signals fail. Ukrainian firm The Fourth Law claims its AI-guided drones can strike targets autonomously if disconnected. Experts caution that AI currently assists rather than replaces humans, though its role in warfare continues to expand.

A 23-year-old female police officer was killed and at least 25 others were injured in an explosion in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, according to Ukrainian officials who described the incident as a terrorist attack. The blast occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday when police responded to a report of theft and vandalism at a shop. Two explosives hidden in a trash bin detonated—one as the first patrol arrived and another when a second team reached the scene.

The deceased officer was identified as Viktoria Shpylka, who had served since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Eleven of the injured were hospitalized, including six law enforcement officers in critical condition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said one suspect had been detained in connection with the attack.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stated that the attacker was a Ukrainian woman. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that police and security forces arrested a 33-year-old woman from the Rivne region. Authorities are investigating whether others were involved.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already started World War III. In an interview with the BBC, Zelensky said that only intense military and economic pressure can stop Putin. He rejected any notion of Ukraine being on the path to defeat, asserting that the war would end with Ukraine’s victory.

Zelensky emphasized that accepting a ceasefire under Russia’s conditions would mean surrendering strategically important territories that Russia failed to capture despite heavy losses. He argued that Russia seeks to impose a different way of life on the world, replacing the choices people have made for themselves. According to him, the key question now is how far Putin can go and how the world will stop him.

The Ukrainian leader reiterated that Russia must be confronted through sustained military and economic measures, not by conceding territory or making strategic compromises under the guise of peace.

Hundreds of far-right protesters marched through Manchester on Saturday in a demonstration organised by Britain First, a political party calling for the deportation of migrants and Muslims from the United Kingdom. Chanting anti-immigration slogans and insults directed at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the group was met by a much larger counterprotest of antifascist demonstrators carrying antiracist banners and Palestinian flags. Police flanked both groups as tensions escalated when the two marches converged in the city centre.

Several counterprotesters described the event as a reflection of growing racism in the UK. Ruby, a student from South London, said her grandparents from the Windrush generation now feel increasingly unwelcome, while others reported a rise in racial abuse. Members of Jewish Action for Palestine and other groups criticised police for allowing the far-right march to proceed, accusing authorities of protecting extremist groups.

Police said the day required extensive planning due to multiple simultaneous events, including a Ukraine rally and football matches, which stretched local resources and complicated crowd control efforts.

British police continued searching the former Windsor home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Friday, a day after questioning him for 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. The 66-year-old was released under investigation after his arrest, while officers also raided Wood Farm on the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he currently resides. Unmarked police vehicles were seen entering the Royal Lodge grounds throughout the morning.

Thames Valley Police confirmed a full investigation into the alleged misconduct, which carries a potential life sentence if proven. The inquiry follows U.S. government document releases suggesting that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential British government reports with Epstein while serving as a trade representative. The king issued a rare statement emphasizing that “the law must take its course.”

Other UK police forces, including London’s Metropolitan Police, are coordinating related investigations into Epstein’s activities, such as possible human trafficking through British airports. Authorities said no new sexual offence allegations have been made within their jurisdiction.