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"Former Prince Andrew arrested."

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By Jayakumar Madala February 19, 2026

In the news today: U.K. police arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following the release of millions of pages of Epstein documents; Iran and the U.S. lean into gunboat diplomacy as nuclear talks hang in the balance; and governors arrive in Washington while Trump’s moves complicate the annual gathering. Also, AP photographers capture striking images using robotic and remote cameras at the Olympics. Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) WORLD NEWS Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, said it was “assessing” reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein. Read more.

What to know: The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor turned 66 on Thursday. “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,’’ the statement said. Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Last fall, King Charles III stripped him of his royal titles, including the right to be called a prince, as he tried to insulate the monarchy from the continuing revelations about his younger brother’s relationship with Epstein.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Read the police statement in full Former Prince Andrew, in photos WATCH: Key details of the arrest WORLD NEWS Iran and the US lean into gunboat diplomacy as nuclear talks hang in balance Tehran holding drills with Moscow and Washington bringing another aircraft carrier closer to the Mideast underscore the tensions between the nations. Read more.

Why this matters:  The movements of additional American warships and airplanes don't guarantee a U.S. strike on Iran — but give President Donald Trump the ability to carry out one should he choose to do so. He's so far held off on striking Iran after setting red lines over the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran holding mass executions, while reengaging Tehran in nuclear talks earlier disrupted by the Iran-Israel war in June. The drill saw Iranian forces and Russian sailors conduct operations in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported. Iran also issued a rocket-fire warning to pilots in the region, suggesting they planned to launch anti-ship missiles in the exercise.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Rubio plans to update Netanyahu on US-Iran talks in Israel next week, officials say Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting, with some US allies wary of new body WATCH: Russian Navy releases footage of one of its warships docking in an Iranian port ahead joint drills POLITICS Governors arrive in Washington eager to push past Trump’s partisan grip The annual gathering has traditionally been a show of bipartisanship. But President Donald Trump has disrupted norms by not inviting all governors to meetings at the White House. Read more.

Why this matters: The break with tradition reflects Trump’s broader approach to his second term. He has taken a confrontational stance toward some states, withholding federal funds or deploying troops over the objections of local officials. Governors struck an optimistic tone in panels and interviews Wednesday. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, said the conference is “bigger than one dinner at the White House.” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, predicted “this is going to be a very productive three days for the governors.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Gov. Wes Moore on Trump: ‘I pray for him and I just feel bad for him’ Air Force One will be painted red, white and blue as Trump has hinted, US military says Trump heads to Georgia, a target of his election falsehoods, as Republicans look for midterm boost Trump, weeks after backlash over racist post, hosts Black History Month reception US judge sets Friday deadline for Trump administration to restore slavery exhibit in Philadelphia DC mayor declares emergency, asks President Trump for help on sewage spill on the Potomac NIH’s Bhattacharya will also run the CDC while Trump administration looks for a permanent director Fed minutes: Lower inflation needed before many officials will support rate cuts Tariffs paid by midsized US firms tripled last year, new analysis from JPMorganChase Institute shows As political pressure prompts exodus of Minnesota prosecutors, some defendants catch a break A judge weighs extending protections for refugees in Minnesota facing arrest and deportation Lawmaker says the US deported a sick baby, while authorities say the child was medically cleared Democrats recruit popular content creators in new strategy to win back Latino voters Mamdani reboots homeless encampment sweeps in New York City US Southern Command chief meets Venezuela’s president weeks after Maduro’s capture Public health and green groups sue EPA over repeal of rule supporting climate protections Children of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson honor his legacy as memorial services set for next week U2’s new music honors Renee Good ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ South Korea: Former president receives life sentence for imposing martial law Social media trial: Mark Zuckerberg quizzed on kids’ Instagram use Unstable conditions: Snow drought helped set stage for deadly California avalanche Chocolate controversy: Grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups inventor accuses Hershey of cutting corners Hawaii: Residents sick of early crowing and aggressive pecking could be allowed to kill wild chickens Today in History: In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs order authorizing Japanese-American internment WATCH Ramadan: Muslims around the world celebrate What is ‘skimo’?: Brand new Olympic sport, ski mountaineering, will debut A CHANGE OF PACE Switzerland’s Alina Muller scores her side’s opening goal during a preliminary round match of women’s ice hockey between Finland and Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, Pool) AP photographers use robotic and remote cameras to deliver striking photos of Olympics In the weeks leading up to the Milan Cortina Olympics, a three-person robotics team spent countless hours installing and testing systems in remote venues, positioning cameras in places once out of reach. At the hockey venue, photographers crawled into the goal to position and test a remote camera.

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