BBC News Briefing

19 February, 2026

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck

Alex Binley

Hello. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released from police custody following his arrest. It comes after police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In Ukraine, Elon Musk's decision to deny Russian forces access to Starlink internet services is helping soldiers defend their homeland. And finally, take a look at a fossil that appears to be grinning.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Andrew pictured leaving police station following arrest

A photo shows a man with grey hair wearing a light coloured jacket. He is in the back of a car which is being driven by a man wearing a black coat and a shirt, and is trying to lie down.

The former prince was photographed reclined in the back of a vehicle leaving a police station on Thursday evening. Credit: Reuters

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The detention of the former prince is a "catch your breath moment", writes royal correspondent Sean Coughlan. He adds that the statement released by King Charles offers "no hiding place or protection" for his brother. You can read it here. "It is highly unlikely that the police arrested Andrew... on the basis of just a couple of emails" that were among the millions of Epstein files released, writes UK correspondent Daniel Sandford, who adds that "detectives may have seen more of what lies under the surface". Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing arising from his relationship with Epstein and has not responded to specific BBC questions about the files released in January.

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NEWS FROM THE UK

Iran: The British government has not given permission for the US to use UK military bases to support potential US strikes on Iran, the BBC understands.

Army: The family of an 18-year-old soldier who died days after escorting the late Queen's coffin said his regiment needed to take "better care" of soldiers.

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AT THE SCENE

Kyiv, Ukraine

Musk cuts Starlink access for Russian forces, giving Ukraine an edge

Two men in camouflage military fatigues stand in a muddy field. One is holding a large, dark red box and the the end of a piece of grey wire. The other is holding a large grey cross-like implement.

The Starlink system has become a vital tool to give troops in Ukraine internet access. Credit: Reuters

Evidence is mounting that tech billionaire Elon Musk's decision to deny Russian forces access to his Starlink satellite-based internet service, a block which began on 1 February, has blunted Moscow's advance, caused confusion among Russian soldiers and handed an advantage to Ukraine's defenders.

The head and shoulders of Paul Adams can be seen. He is outdoors and stood in front of a wall. He has short grey hair and is wearing a khaki-coloured shirt.

Paul Adams, diplomatic correspondent

Former Ukrainian intelligence officer Ivan Stupak says the military probably has a couple of months to exploit the situation. "The Russian armoured forces on the ground are partly blind and partly deaf," he says. "Maybe they will be so frustrated and demoralised that even a small counter-offensive could be on the same scale as 2022." A repeat of the lightning successes of the summer and autumn of 2022, when Ukrainian forces re-retook territory, seems unlikely at this point.

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But Stupak says any territorial gains will strengthen the Ukrainian leader's position at the negotiating table. "We could repulse Russian forces, regain our territory and then we could start this negotiation, but with new cards," he says.

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