British police are conducting searches at two properties linked to former UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that its Central Specialist Crime team is examining addresses in Camden, London, and Wiltshire in relation to a 72-year-old man. Mandelson, who owns homes in both areas, has not been arrested or charged.

The investigation follows the release of documents suggesting Mandelson passed sensitive government information to Epstein about fifteen years ago. Earlier, Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed Mandelson after emails revealed he maintained contact with Epstein following the latter’s 2008 conviction. Newly released US Department of Justice emails appear to show Mandelson shared potentially market-moving information while serving as business secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The scandal has intensified political pressure on Starmer, whose judgement is being questioned by both opponents and members of his own party. The prime minister has apologised for appointing Mandelson and pledged full cooperation with police inquiries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the United States wants the ongoing war with Russia to end by mid-June. He stated that both Ukraine and Russia have been invited to the United States next week for discussions aimed at achieving that goal. According to Zelensky, the US has proposed that negotiating teams from both countries meet in the US, possibly in Miami, and Ukraine has confirmed its participation.

No immediate comments were available from Washington or Moscow regarding the proposal. The report noted that US President Donald Trump has long been pressing for an end to the conflict since taking office. Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages during the harsh winter.

Zelensky also mentioned that a possible trilateral meeting among leaders was discussed for the first time, though he cautioned that preparatory steps are needed before such a meeting. He added that the US aims to complete everything by June, influenced by its internal affairs, but did not provide further details.

Russia has launched large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages across multiple regions. The strikes have left millions of people without electricity in freezing temperatures, creating severe hardship. According to Ukraine’s grid operator Ukrenergo, the latest assault targeted key power facilities, resulting in blackouts in most areas. Restoration work will begin once security conditions allow.

The attacks come as Ukraine and Russia recently held two rounds of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi since January. During those meetings, both sides agreed to a prisoner exchange, but no progress was made on territorial issues. Meanwhile, in Moscow, a senior military intelligence general was shot on Friday, and Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the incident. Kyiv has not commented on the accusation.

The renewed strikes on Ukraine’s energy network highlight the continuing volatility of the conflict and the humanitarian strain on civilians enduring winter without power.

Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange following two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi mediated by the United States. It marked the first such exchange in four months, with each side releasing 157 detainees. The discussions in the United Arab Emirates capital involved delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, focusing on territorial concessions and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, no progress was reported from the talks.

Amid the negotiations, Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, and the prolonged war continued to cause heavy losses. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Starlink terminals used by Russia for drone strikes inside Ukraine had been disabled. On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the war, with many others officially listed as missing.

The exchange and talks highlight ongoing international efforts to ease tensions, though the lack of progress suggests that a lasting resolution remains distant.

British scientists from the British Antarctic Survey have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to identify and track icebergs as they drift and fragment in the ocean. The announcement, reported from Paris by AFP on Thursday, marks the first use of AI for this purpose. The technology aims to help scientists understand climate change and improve future predictions by monitoring icebergs from their formation to their eventual melting.

According to the researchers, the AI system captures the unique shape of an iceberg the moment it detaches from a glacier or ice shelf. When the iceberg later breaks apart, the system can match the smaller fragments back to the original structure, creating a complete “family tree” of icebergs. This allows scientists to analyze the origins, movements, and climate impacts of entire iceberg systems rather than just a few individual ones.

Researchers noted that the technology could also enhance maritime safety in polar regions. They cautioned, however, that while iceberg calving is a natural process, the rate of ice loss in Antarctica is increasing alarmingly due to climate change.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that around 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the war with Russia. He revealed the figure during an interview with France 2 television on February 4, 2026. According to Turkey’s state media TRT World, Zelensky said the casualties include both professional soldiers and conscripts, and many people remain officially listed as missing.

A report by the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that by spring 2026, total military casualties, including the dead, wounded, and missing from both sides, could reach about two million. CSIS estimated Russia’s military losses at around 1.2 million and Ukraine’s at between 500,000 and 600,000, with roughly 325,000 Russian soldiers killed over nearly four years of conflict.

The United Nations reported that civilian casualties in Ukraine reached their highest level in 2025 since 2022, with at least 2,500 civilians killed and more than 12,000 injured that year. The UN warned that the actual figures may be higher.

Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure across five regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday. He said the assault, which occurred on Monday, was the largest of its kind against Ukraine’s power system in nearly four years of war. According to Zelensky, Russia fired more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles and deployed 450 drones to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting only 38 missiles, meaning many struck their intended targets.

The attacks caused significant damage to power plants and infrastructure in Kyiv and other areas. Private energy company DTEK described the assault as the most powerful strike of the year. The offensive came as temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, worsening civilian hardship. Zelensky accused Russia of choosing terror over diplomacy and urged allies to apply maximum pressure on Moscow.

The scale of the strikes and the severe winter conditions suggest prolonged disruptions to Ukraine’s energy supply and increased humanitarian strain.

Former British minister Lord Peter Mandelson has resigned from the ruling Labour Party following renewed controversy over his alleged links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision came after the US Department of Justice released millions of new documents related to Epstein, which reportedly included Mandelson’s name. He stated that he did not want to place the party in an embarrassing position and announced his resignation soon after the files were made public last Friday.

According to reports, the newly released documents claim that Epstein paid Mandelson a total of 75,000 US dollars in three installments during 2003 and 2004. Mandelson had previously been removed from his position as British ambassador to the United States last year over similar allegations. In a letter to the Labour Party’s general secretary, he expressed regret that his name had again been linked to the scandal.

Mandelson denied the allegations, saying he had no record or memory of any financial dealings with Epstein nearly 20 years ago and called for an investigation into the matter.

At least 12 people were killed when a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine’s central-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday. The bus was traveling near the city of Ternivka, about 65 kilometers from the front line. Energy company DTEK confirmed that all victims were returning from work at one of its mines. Photos released by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service showed shattered windows and a damaged windshield.

Regional military administrator Oleksandr Hancha reported on Telegram that the drone hit a company shuttle bus in the Pavlohrad district, injuring at least seven others. The AFP news agency said it could not independently verify the circumstances of the attack. Hancha also reported that a separate overnight drone strike in the city of Dnipro killed a man and a woman.

The attacks occurred as the deadline expired for a unilateral reduction in Russian strikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt winter assaults on Kyiv and other cities, though the terms remained unclear and the Kremlin did not confirm any weather-related ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country's negotiators are ready to discuss Moscow’s proposal to end the war with the United States. In a Saturday evening address, he stated that Kyiv is waiting for Washington’s response regarding the next meeting. His remarks suggested that the second round of talks among US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials, scheduled for Sunday in Abu Dhabi, might be postponed.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is prepared to work in any format to stop the Russia-Ukraine war and is ready for next week’s meetings. His comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff described his meeting in Florida with Russian Ambassador Kirill Dmitriev as “productive and constructive.” The first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators under US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan were held in Abu Dhabi last week, with both sides agreeing to resume discussions on Sunday.

Washington claims both sides are close to a deal, but Kyiv maintains that no consensus has been reached on key territorial issues in any postwar settlement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas at the request of US President Donald Trump. The Kremlin announced on Friday that the pause will remain in effect until Sunday. According to reports from Kyiv, Trump made the personal appeal due to fears of a humanitarian crisis caused by an intense cold wave. The Kremlin said the request was part of US efforts to advance mediation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Continuous Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left many parts of Kyiv without heating. Weather forecasts predict temperatures could drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days, worsening the crisis. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump asked Putin to suspend attacks until February 1 to create a favorable environment for peace talks, though neither Moscow nor Washington specified when the request was made.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s announcement, saying Ukraine would refrain from retaliatory strikes if Russia halts attacks on its energy facilities. He added that the countdown for the one-week pause had already begun and that the next steps depend on Ukraine’s partners, particularly the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a plan to intensify attacks against Russian forces, aiming to ensure that Russian losses each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. In a January 26 address to military personnel, Zelensky said Ukrainian units must reach a level of destruction where Russia’s monthly casualties surpass its troop replacements, targeting around 50,000 Russian losses per month. He cited video analyses indicating that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October.

Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that more than 33,000 Russian soldiers were killed in December. Ukrainian authorities claim that since the war began, about 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed or injured, while Ukraine has suffered 600,000 casualties, including 140,000 deaths. The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar Russian losses but noted that Al Jazeera could not independently verify any figures.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize new territories despite heavy losses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong interest in strengthening relations with China, disregarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that such engagement could be “very dangerous” for Britain. During his visit to China, the first by a British leader in eight years, Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, emphasizing mutual cooperation and progress. The two countries signed several agreements, including visa-free travel for short-term British visitors, trade expansion, and collaboration against human trafficking.

The visit comes amid growing uncertainty over U.S. policies, prompting several Western leaders, including those from France, Canada, and Finland, to engage with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to “win-win cooperation” with all nations. Starmer noted that sanctions imposed on British lawmakers in 2021 had been lifted, signaling a reset in bilateral relations.

According to Downing Street, British companies secured export deals worth £2.2 billion, with an additional £2.3 billion in market opportunities expected over the next five years, alongside significant new investments.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new military strategy aimed at inflicting heavier losses on Russian forces as the war enters its fourth year. In a January 26 address to military personnel, he said Ukrainian units must ensure that Russian casualties each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. Zelensky mentioned a target of around 50,000 Russian losses per month, calling it the optimal level to weaken the invading forces.

Citing video analyses, Zelensky claimed that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October. Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, separately stated that more than 33,000 Russian troops were confirmed killed in December. Ukraine estimates that since the war began, 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed or disabled, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar figures. Al Jazeera noted that none of these casualty numbers could be independently verified.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize additional territory despite heavy losses.

US President Donald Trump has warned that strengthening relations or signing agreements with China would be 'very dangerous' for the United Kingdom. His remarks came in response to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ongoing four-day visit to China. Trump made the comments on Thursday during the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, when asked whether Britain was expanding its business relations with China.

Trump did not elaborate on his concerns about the UK-China relationship but also cautioned Canada, saying that any deal with China would be even more dangerous for that country. Earlier in the week, he had threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada if it proceeded with an economic agreement with China.

During his visit, Prime Minister Starmer said the UK aims to take bilateral relations with China to an unprecedented level. On the first day of his trip, he held an 80-minute meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of improving ties with the world’s second-largest economy.