UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned the attack on a British military base in Cyprus, describing Iran’s recent assaults on Gulf and other nations as reckless and unjustified. In an interview with the BBC, she stated that those countries targeted by Iran were not involved in any attacks against it. Cooper also clarified that the United Kingdom itself was not involved in any strikes on Iran.

Although British aircraft did not participate in the attacks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would allow the United States to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites. When asked about the source of the attack on the Akrotiri base, Cooper said she did not yet have full information but that the ministry would release further details as soon as possible.

The incident follows reports that two drones heading toward the UK base in Cyprus were shot down, amid rising regional tensions involving Iran, Hezbollah, and other actors.

The United Kingdom is preparing to evacuate its citizens from the Middle East, according to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. She stated that around 300,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region. Cooper told Sky News that the government is considering a wide range of options, including working with the travel industry and, if necessary, organizing official evacuation operations.

Cooper added that the British government hopes to see airspace reopen soon. In coordination with the travel sector, rapid deployment teams will be sent to ensure the safe removal of citizens. The statement comes as the UK monitors developments in the region and seeks to maintain readiness for potential emergency responses.

The move reflects growing concern over safety conditions in the Middle East, where recent incidents have heightened security risks for foreign nationals, prompting London to prepare contingency measures for its citizens.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that a suspected drone attack targeted an RAF base in Cyprus on Sunday night. The incident occurred at RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain’s key military installations on the island. Authorities reported no casualties from the attack and stated that security measures at the base remain at the highest level, with personnel responding immediately to the threat.

The attack came amid heightened regional instability following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli airstrike. UK Defence Secretary John Healy said indiscriminate retaliatory attacks by Iran have increased risks for British troops and civilians across the Middle East. The Ministry of Defence emphasized its commitment to protecting its forces and maintaining operational readiness in the region.

The situation underscores growing security concerns for Western military assets in the eastern Mediterranean as tensions escalate between Iran and Western allies.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a high-voltage English Premier League match, extending their lead at the top of the table. Under coach Mikel Arteta, the Gunners maintained strong form as Manchester United also claimed a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Manchester City edged Leeds United 1-0 away, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the decisive goal.

City’s win came just before halftime when Ryan Aït-Nouri’s pass found Semenyo, who finished neatly to beat the goalkeeper. The result marked City’s fourth consecutive league victory, narrowing the gap with leaders Arsenal. After 28 matches, City hold 59 points from 18 wins and five draws, trailing Arsenal by two points.

In other European action, Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Bundesliga thanks to two goals from Harry Kane, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Le Havre 1-0 in Ligue 1.

The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran’s missile systems. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision in a video message on Monday, clarifying that the UK will not take part directly in the war. He said the move follows requests from allied nations in the Gulf region for stronger British involvement in their defense.

Starmer stated that British warplanes are already participating in joint air defense missions and have intercepted several Iranian missile attacks. He emphasized that neutralizing the threat requires destroying the missiles at their source, including Iranian storage sites and launchers. The United States requested access to British bases for what it described as “specific and limited defensive purposes,” and the UK government accepted the request to prevent further Iranian attacks that could endanger civilians and British nationals.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile strikes on energy facilities in Qatar and attacks on oil tankers near Oman.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory urging British citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The advisory, announced through a post on social media platform X, specifies that only emergency travel should be undertaken to these Gulf countries.

The post further instructs British nationals currently residing in those countries to register their presence and seek shelter where possible. The advisory comes amid heightened regional tensions, though the statement itself does not specify the reasons behind the warning or any particular incidents prompting it.

The notice underscores the UK government’s caution toward the security environment in the Gulf region, advising citizens to remain alert and follow official updates from the Foreign Office.

The BBC has reported that the United Kingdom is not participating in the joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel in Iran. In response to the escalating situation in the Middle East, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency meeting of the government’s security-focused COBRA committee on Saturday, which he is expected to chair.

According to the report, London has expressed concern that the attack in Iran could trigger a wider regional conflict. A spokesperson for the British government stated that the UK does not want the conflict to expand into a broader regional war. The spokesperson also emphasized that ensuring the safety of British citizens in the region remains the government’s immediate priority.

The developments come amid heightened tensions following missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel, raising fears of further instability across the Middle East.

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.