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Police arrest King Charles’ brother Andrew over misconduct relating to Epstein

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Police arrest King Charles’ brother Andrew over misconduct relating to Epstein

Mountbatten-Windsor, celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday, was arrested and questioned by detectives from Thames Valley Police

International News via Reuters:

King Charles’ younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was on Thursday arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor, celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday, was arrested and questioned by detectives from Thames Valley Police, which this month said it was looking into allegations that he had passed documents to the late convicted sex offender while working as a trade envoy.

“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Thames Valley’s Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement.

“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

The former prince, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, who is in police custody, has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship.

But he has not responded to requests for comment since the latest mass release of documents by the U.S. government. Mountbatten-Windsor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

He becomes the first senior royal to have been arrested in this manner, and presents his elder brother with the biggest scandal of his reign.

“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” King Charles said in a statement, adding the authorities had the royals’ “full and wholehearted support and cooperation”.

“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

UNMARKED POLICE CARS

British media published pictures of six unmarked police cars and around eight plain-clothed officers who arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in eastern England where Mountbatten-Windsor now lives.

Thames Valley Police said officers were also searching a property in Berkshire, where the royal used to live on the king’s Windsor estate until he was forced out amid anger at the Epstein revelations.

While being arrested means that police have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed and that the royal is suspected of involvement in an offence, it does not imply guilt.

A conviction for misconduct in a public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and must be dealt with in a Crown Court, which only deals with the most serious criminal offences.

In 2022, the former prince settled a civil lawsuit brought in the United States by the late Virginia Giuffre who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. The police investigation is not related to this or any other allegation of sexual impropriety.

The former prince was forced to quit all official royal duties in 2019 over his ties with Epstein and was then stripped by his older brother of his titles and honours last October amid further revelations about their relationship.

EPSTEIN FILES TRIGGERED FRESH COMPLAINT TO POLICE

Mountbatten-Windsor had been reported to police by the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic following the release of more than 3 million pages of documents relating to Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.

Those files suggested Mountbatten-Windsor had in 2010 forwarded to Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore and other places he had visited on official trips.

Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have previously said that they were in discussions about the case. Police said allegations of misconduct in public office, which is a ‘Common Law’ offence and so is not covered by written statute legislation, involved “particular complexities”.

Were Mountbatten-Windsor to ultimately face criminal charges, he would join a very small group of senior British royals who have formally been accused of offences.

His elder sister Princess Anne was fined for speeding in 2001, and the following year became the first royal to be convicted of a criminal offence in 350 years when she appeared in court to plead guilty to failing to stop one of her dogs, named Dotty, biting two children.

King Charles I was tried for treason in 1649 towards the end of the English Civil War, found guilty and beheaded.

The misconduct investigation is not the only accusation against Mountbatten-Windsor into which police are looking.

Republic has also reported him over allegations he was involved in the trafficking of a woman to Britain for sex in 2010. Thames Valley Police said the force was assessing allegations that a woman had been taken to an address in Windsor, where the former prince lived until recently.

Buckingham Palace has previously said it was ready to support any police investigation, saying the king had expressed “profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct”.

“Their majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,” the palace said.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also called for a police investigation into the extent of Epstein trafficking women without proper checks by the authorities through London’s Stansted Airport, saying this had been overlooked by previous inquiries into Mountbatten-Windsor.

Essex police said on Wednesday it was looking into the issue.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Michael Holden; Editing by Kate Holton and Janet Lawrence

Exclusive-ECB President Lagarde tells colleagues she is still focused on her post

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Exclusive-ECB President Lagarde tells colleagues she is still focused on her post

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Lagarde planned to leave her job early, ahead of next year’s French presidential election, to give outgoing leader Emmanuel Macron a say in picking her successor

International News via Reuters:

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has told colleagues she remains focussed on her job and she would tell them first if she was about to step down, four sources told Reuters, in a private message the recipients took to mean she was not about to resign.

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Lagarde planned to leave her job early, ahead of next year’s French presidential election, to give outgoing leader Emmanuel Macron a say in picking her successor.

Lagarde messaged fellow policymakers later that day to reassure them that she was still concentrating on her ECB role and that they would hear it from her, rather than the press, if she wanted to step down, the sources said.

Recipients of the message said this likely meant that Lagarde did not want to leave the ECB immediately although the message did not firmly close the door to such a step.

An ECB spokesperson declined to comment.

Reporting by Francesco Canepa and Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Toby Chopra

UK condemns 10-year sentence for British couple in Iran

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UK condemns 10-year sentence for British couple in Iran

Craig and Lindsay Foreman had been charged with espionage after Iran accused them of gathering information in several parts of the country

International News via Reuters:

British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Thursday condemned as “totally unjustifiable” the 10-year sentence given to a British couple in Iran for spying, saying the government would continue to press for their release.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman had been charged with espionage after Iran accused them of gathering information in several parts of the country. 

“We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family,” Cooper said in a statement.

The Foremans were arrested on January 3 of last year while travelling through Iran on a global motorcycle journey. Iranian state media announced their detention the following month over espionage charges and they have now been held for more than 13 months.

TRIAL WITHOUT DEFENCE

Joe Bennett, Lindsay’s son, said in a separate statement the couple had appeared at a three-hour trial on October 27, in which they were not allowed to present a defence. 

“We have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage,” he said, adding that the family was deeply concerned about the couple’s welfare and the lack of transparency in the judicial process.

Bennett called on the British government to “act decisively and use every available avenue” to secure their release.

The Iranian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sentencing.

According to a family statement, the couple have been held for extended periods without being able to communicate. They have had limited or delayed access to legal representation, periods of solitary confinement and delays in receiving funds for basic necessities. They also reported disrupted or cancelled consular visits.

Cooper, whose office did not comment on the disruption, said they would continue to provide consular assistance.

Lindsay Foreman has been held in the women’s section of Tehran’s Evin Prison, while her husband Craig has been held in its political wing.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have in recent years detained foreign and dual nationals, typically on espionage or national security charges.

Human rights organisations say the authorities use such arrests as leverage in disputes with other countries, a practice they describe as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated detentions. Tehran has rejected those accusations and said the cases involved legitimate security concerns.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kate Holton and Andrei Khalip

British Gas owner Centrica cuts energy trading arm outlook, pauses buyback

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British Gas owner Centrica cuts energy trading arm outlook, pauses buyback

Unfavourable weather and tough market conditions have weighed on Centrica’s margins over the past year, and the company has been selling non-core assets to focus on liquefied natural gas-related infrastructure

International News via Reuters:

British Gas owner Centrica warned on Thursday that 2026 profit at its energy trading arm would miss its forecasts and paused its share buyback programme after reporting a 39% drop in annual profit, sending shares 8% lower.   

Unfavourable weather and tough market conditions have weighed on Centrica’s margins over the past year, and the company has been selling non-core assets to focus on liquefied natural gas-related infrastructure.

The company expects 2026 core profit at its Optimisation energy trading unit of about 250 million pounds ($337.4 million), below its earlier estimate of 300 million to 400 million pounds.

Centrica aims to keep operating costs flat through 2030, delivering 500 million pounds in underlying cost savings that will offset inflation and fund business growth. The transformation programme, however, will cost about 600 million pounds to execute, it said.

Analysts at JPMorgan said the outlook cut and the transformation costs could lead to near-term estimate downgrades and drive weakness in its shares. 

Centrica’s shares were headed for their biggest daily drop since July 2024.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

Centrica reported adjusted core profit of 1.42 billion pounds for 2025, ahead of market expectations. 

The company is targeting core profit of 1.7 billion pounds by the end of 2028, growing to 2 billion pounds in 2030, supported by its transformation programme and expected nuclear life extensions that are yet to be approved.

“With major projects like Sizewell C, Grain LNG and our Meter Asset Provider laying the groundwork for more stable and predictable earnings, our long-term opportunities have never been better,” CEO Chris O’Shea said in a statement.

“Pausing the buyback enables us to prioritise investment.”  

Centrica’s Rough gas storage facility is expected to break even in 2026 after the company paused operations last year due to an uneconomic seasonal gas price spread.

It is awaiting a British government consultation outcome on gas storage that could change the business model for facilities like Rough.  

($1 = 0.7409 pounds)

Reporting by Ankita Bora and Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Jan Harvey

Dollar stays clear of lows, Fed divided over rates outlook

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Dollar stays clear of lows, Fed divided over rates outlook

Investors were also nervous about a reported buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East and a potential U.S.-Iran conflict, which lifted oil prices and safe-haven assets

International News via Reuters:

The dollar dipped on Thursday, but held above its recent lows after minutes from the Federal Reserve showed policymakers did not seem to be in a rush to cut interest rates and that several were open to hikes if inflation proved sticky.

Investors were also nervous about a reported buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East and a potential U.S.-Iran conflict, which lifted oil prices and safe-haven assets.

The euro, meanwhile, held steady around $1.18, having fallen sharply the day before, following a report that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde planned to leave before her term ends in October next year.

Fed minutes released on Wednesday showed policymakers divided over where to take U.S. rates and suggested that the next chairman, due to start in May, will have a hard time pushing through rate cuts.

Several policymakers are expecting productivity gains to dampen inflation, the minutes said, but “most participants” cautioned progress may be slow and uneven. Several even indicated hikes are possible if inflation stays above target.

“This suggests there isn’t a great deal of urgency to cut rates again, at least not until after current chair (Jerome) Powell’s term ends in May,” said Peter Dragicevich, Asia-Pacific currency strategist at Corpay.

Data on Wednesday showed U.S. factory production increased by the most in 11 months in January and rises in capex and housing starts. Markets are looking ahead to global purchasing managers’ index figures and U.S. gross domestic product data, due on Friday.

EURO STABILISES AFTER LAGARDE CHATTER

The euro edged higher against most other currencies, having stabilised after the selloff triggered by speculation of Lagarde’s early departure from the ECB that would give outgoing French leader Emmanuel Macron a say in picking her successor, according to the Financial Times.

Her term is due to end in October 2027 and potential successors are not expected to transform monetary policy, yet the speculation has arisen just as a change of guard materialises at the Fed.

    “Given the number of countries at the table and the various deputies at the ECB, it may be the case that a change to the Fed is more important than a change to the ECB in terms of the direction that policy will take subsequent to that change,” said Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie Group.

“And she could be easily equally replaced by a dove as by a hawk. It’s not clear what, because there weren’t any front-runners effectively out there. I think that’s why the market is not putting that much into this headline,” he said.

The yen, meanwhile, took a knock overnight, weakening for a second day, as the Trump administration announced projects valued at $36 billion as the first investments under Japan’s promised $550 billion U.S. investment pledge.

It was last a touch weaker at 154.96 to the dollar, having lost 1.5% in value so far this week.

“Direct Japanese investment into the U.S. will be a key watch factor this year, and one which adds to the very mixed picture on USD/JPY,” said Chris Turner, global head of research at ING.

“The question for FX markets this year is whether this investment proves a supportive dollar flow or something like Japan’s FX reserves are used to guarantee new dollar loans and avoid pressure on the yen. The latter seems to be the preferred outcome for Tokyo.”

The Aussie dollar held at $0.7050 after employment data showed the jobless rate stayed at multi-month lows of 4.1%, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.3% to $0.5982, having posted its steepest percentage drop since last April, after the central bank took a more cautious line about future interest rate hikes than many had expected.

Holidays for Hong Kong, China and Taiwan lightened Asia trade and the yuan was steady at 6.9 to the dollar in offshore trade in European hours.

Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook in Singapore and Dhara Ranasinghe in London; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Shri Navaratnam and Anil D’Silva

Trump administration expands ICE authority to detain refugees

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Trump administration expands ICE authority to detain refugees

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said refugees must return to government custody for “inspection and examination” a year after their admission into the United States

International News via Reuters:

The Trump administration has given immigration officers broader powers to detain legal refugees awaiting a green card to ensure they are “re-vetted,” an apparent expansion of the president’s wide-ranging crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, according to a government memo.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in a memo dated February 18 and submitted in a federal court filing, said refugees must return to government custody for “inspection and examination” a year after their admission into the United States.

“This detain-and-inspect requirement ensures that refugees are re-vetted after one year, aligns post-admission vetting with that applied to other applicants for admission, and promotes public safety,” the department said in the memo.

Under U.S. law , refugees must apply for lawful permanent resident status one year after their arrival in the country. The new memo authorizes immigration authorities to detain individuals for the duration of the re-inspection process.

The new policy is a shift from the earlier 2010 memorandum, which stated that failure to obtain lawful permanent resident status was not a “basis” for removal from the country and not a “proper basis” for detention.

The DHS did not respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.

The decision has prompted criticism from refugee advocacy groups.

AfghanEvac’s president Shawn VanDiver called the directive “a reckless reversal of long-standing policy” and said it “breaks faith with people the United States lawfully admitted and promised protection.”

HIAS, formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, said the “move will cause grave harm to thousands of people who were welcomed to the United States after fleeing violence and persecution.”

Under President Donald Trump, the number of people in ICE detention reached about 68,000 this month, up about 75% from when he took office last year.

Trump’s hardline immigration agenda was a potent campaign issue that helped him win the 2024 election.

A U.S. judge in January temporarily blocked a recently announced Trump administration policy targeting the roughly 5,600 lawful refugees in Minnesota who are awaiting green cards.

In a written ruling, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim in Minneapolis said federal agents likely violated multiple federal statutes by arresting some of these refugees to subject them to additional vetting.

Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington, Devika Nair, Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; editing by Lincoln Feast.

Britain issues removal orders to four who landed on Chagos atoll

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Britain issues removal orders to four who landed on Chagos atoll

The four landed on Monday on Ile du Coin, part of the Peros Banhos atoll, with more expected to join them in what would be a permanent settlement

International News via Reuters:

British authorities on Wednesday issued removal orders against four Chagossians who landed this week on a remote atoll in the Chagos Archipelago in a move they hoped would complicate British plans to transfer the territory to Mauritius.

The four landed on Monday on Ile du Coin, part of the Peros Banhos atoll, with more expected to join them in what would be a permanent settlement.

A spokesperson at the British Foreign Office called their arrival an “illegal, unsafe stunt” that would not help the UK government’s joint work with Mauritius to resume a programme of heritage visits to the Chagos Archipelago.

Under a 2025 agreement, Britain will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the strategically important U.S.-UK air base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease.

British lawmaker and Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage said the four were British passport holders seeking to “reclaim their birthright” and said he was exploring legal avenues to support them. 

“They were this morning served an eviction notice on behalf of the British government, and told that unless they comply, they could face up to three years in prison,” he told a press conference in London.

The removal orders seen by Reuters, addressed to them individually, were issued by a British Indian Ocean Territory immigration official. It said that they are unlawfully present in the territory and will be removed.

It warned that breaching the order by returning would be a criminal offence punishable with up to three years’ imprisonment, or a fine of 3,000 pounds sterling ($4,060), or both.

Up to 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed from the archipelago in the 1960s and 1970s and resettled mainly in Mauritius and Britain. 

The deal has been criticised by some Chagossians who accuse Mauritius of decades of neglect, an allegation Mauritius denies.

Reporting by Vincent Mumo Nzilani in Nairobi and Muvija M in London, editing by Andrei Khalip

Dive into the world of sea turtles

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Dive into the world of sea turtles

Saturday sessions at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute feature storytelling and film on marine life

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) invites families to dive into the
magical world of sea turtles during this month’s Kids Hour, taking place this Saturday,
February 21st, with sessions at 11am and 2pm. Designed especially for young learners ages
3 and up, Kids Hours are dynamic, interactive, and welcoming educational experiences that
spark curiosity about the ocean.


This month’s featured storybook, Nature Stories: Little Turtle, follows a young green sea
turtle on its journey from sandy nest to open ocean. Through colourful and engaging
illustrations, children will discover the remarkable life cycle of green sea turtles and the
many challenges they face on their way to adulthood.


Families will also enjoy the short film Tracking Green Turtles in the Great Barrier Reef, where
wildlife explorer Jack ventures into one of the world’s most iconic marine environments.
Through hands on conservation work and close encounters with endangered and unusual
creatures, the film highlights the vital importance of protecting our oceans and the species
that depend on them.


Admission is free for BUEI members and $5 per child for non-members. Adults
accompanying participating children attend free of charge. Each Kids Hour includes BUEI’s
popular I Spy Challenge, plus complimentary access to BUEI’s Ocean Discovery Centre, where
families can continue exploring the wonders of the ocean together.


Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Allshores, Kids Hour continues as a beloved nine part
monthly series running from January through September, with each session showcasing a
unique and fascinating marine theme.


Space is limited, and advanced registration is strongly encouraged. Visit BUEI.org/kidshour/
to register or learn more. For inquiries, contact giftshop@buei.bm or call 294 0204

Bermuda Tonight – 18 February 2026

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Bermuda Tonight – 18 February 2026

What’s On: Our guide to island events

Kendal Trott
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What’s On: Our guide to island events

Through the weekend there are plenty of events taking place across the island. 

From live entertainment and community gatherings to unique experiences for all ages, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved. 

If you’re looking to make plans, we’ve got you covered. 

Kendal Trott tells us what’s happening in the days ahead.


Eight skiers confirmed dead in California avalanche, one still missing

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Eight skiers confirmed dead in California avalanche, one still missing

Rescuers reached six survivors, including one man and five women, late on Tuesday amid an intense winter storm that has dropped several feet of fresh snow on the high Sierra in recent days

International News via Reuters:

Eight skiers died in an avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains while one remains missing, authorities said on Wednesday, making the incident one of the deadliest single avalanches in U.S. history.

Rescuers reached six survivors, including one man and five women, late on Tuesday amid an intense winter storm that has dropped several feet of fresh snow on the high Sierra in recent days.

The avalanche swept the Castle Peak area of Truckee, California, about 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, engulfing a group of backcountry skiers.

One of the rescued skiers is still being treated in a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The survivors had taken refuge in a makeshift shelter, constructed partly from tarpaulin sheets, and communicated with rescuers via radio beacon and text messaging.

About 50 skilled rescuers were dispatched from the south and north and faced “extreme” conditions, Moon said, including blinding snow and gale-force winds. A team was able to use a snowcat vehicle to get within two miles of the survivors and then ski to the accident site.

One of the deceased skiers was married to a member of the area’s search-and-rescue team, authorities said.

The group of skiers was finishing a three-day excursion with Blackbird Mountain Guides. The tour group included four guides and 11 clients, who stayed at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts located near Donner Summit just northwest of Truckee, at about 7,500 feet elevation (2,300 meters).

In a typical winter, the mountain receives more than 400 inches of snow, making it one of the snowiest places in the western hemisphere.

Blackbird was founded in 2020 and operates in California, Washington state and British Columbia as well as numerous popular skiing spots abroad, according to its website. The company provides guided ski trips, alpine climbing trips and avalanche education.

The Sierra Avalanche Center’s avalanche warning, which it issued on Tuesday, remained in effect on Wednesday morning. “HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday,” the agency said.

Avalanches have claimed an average of 27 lives each winter in the United States over the past decade, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, which had tallied six U.S. avalanche fatalities so far this season.

Reporting by Rich McKay; Additional reporting by Brad Brooks, Steve Gorman and Devika Nair; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Nick Zieminski

Nestle weighs reducing exposure to ice cream business, Bloomberg News reports

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Nestle weighs reducing exposure to ice cream business, Bloomberg News reports

The Switzerland-based food and drink maker may also consider selling some of its remaining fully-owned ice cream operations to the Froneri venture, the report added, citing people with knowledge of the matter

International News via Reuters:

Nestle is weighing a smaller presence in the ice cream business and has been reviewing options, including a possible reduction of its stake in Froneri, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The Switzerland-based food and drink maker may also consider selling some of its remaining fully-owned ice cream operations to the Froneri venture, the report added, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Nestle declined to comment, while Froneri did not immediately respond to Reuters’ queries.

Froneri, a joint venture between PAI Partners and Nestle, secured investment from Goldman Sachs and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in October, valuing it at 15 billion euros ($17.69 billion).

PAI could opt to increase its stake in Froneri if Nestle decides to cut its shareholding, or the Swiss group could sell part of its stake to another investor like ADIA, Bloomberg said.

Deliberations are ongoing and there’s no certainty a deal will eventually materialize, the report added.

Froneri, the maker of ice cream brands such as Haagen-Dazs and Rowntree’s, competes with the newly listed Magnum Ice Cream Company, which became a standalone business after its long-awaited split last year from Unilever.

($1 = 0.8481 euros)

Reporting by Mihika Sharma in Bengaluru and Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Alan Barona and Jonathan Ananda

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