Ukraine says it has reached a “common understanding” with the US on a new peace plan to end the war with Russia. The plan is based on a 28-point proposal that both sides discussed during talks in Geneva. US President Donald Trump said the plan has been “fine-tuned” and will now be presented to Russia. His envoy Steve Witkoff will meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week. President Zelensky said he is ready to meet Trump soon to resolve “sensitive points”. Russia says it has not received the new draft yet. Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine as talks move forward. (PC: BBC)

Britain's Business Secretary Peter Kyle has expressed concern over wealthy individuals, including Indian-origin billionaire Lakshmi N Mittal, leaving the UK due to Labour government's tax increases. Mittal's tax residency has shifted to Switzerland, with plans to relocate to Dubai amid growing tax burdens. Kyle acknowledged that Labour's taxation regime, particularly the closure of the non-dom tax loophole effective April 2025, is driving the exodus. Around half of wealthy UK non-dom residents have decided to leave since Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrapped the policy. The primary concern is inheritance tax, levied at 40 percent in the UK but absent in Dubai and Switzerland. Mittal, worth 15.4 billion pounds, joins other entrepreneurs like Herman Narula exiting Britain. (PC: NDTV) 

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly admitted that Islamabad's attempts to rebuild relations with Afghanistan's Taliban regime have completely failed. Speaking on Geo News, Asif revealed he personally welcomed the Taliban after their 2021 Kabul takeover and traveled to Afghanistan multiple times, but achieved no success. Pakistan expected the Taliban to remain dependent, but the situation reversed entirely. Asif stated Pakistan has "completely lost hope" and sees "no scope for positive change" from Kabul. He criticized the Taliban as a "ragtag group" lacking discipline, traditions, and proper conduct, contrasting them with Pakistan's military. Asif also questioned which Islamic law permits living in a neighbor's home for decades before violence. (PC: X)

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready to move ahead with a US-backed plan to end the war with Russia. He said Kyiv will discuss the most sensitive issues directly with US President Donald Trump and wants Europe involved in the talks. Ukraine supports the main idea of the plan but key points, including territorial demands, remain unresolved. US, Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Geneva and Abu Dhabi as talks gained pace. The push for peace comes as Russian missiles and drones hit Kyiv, killing seven people. Ukraine says any deal must protect its security and sovereignty. (PC: X)

Ukraine has called for President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet US President Donald Trump in the US this month. Ukraine’s security chief said both sides now share a “common understanding” on key parts of a possible peace deal discussed in Geneva. The White House has not confirmed any meeting. The US will also hold talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, heavy overnight strikes hit Kyiv and Russian regions, killing several people. Ukraine said Russia launched missiles and drones, while Russia claimed it shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones. Peace efforts continue, but major differences remain between Ukraine and Russia. (PC: X)

US and Russian officials are meeting in Abu Dhabi today to discuss a new plan to end the war in Ukraine. The talks come hours after Russian missiles and drones hit Kyiv, killing six people and causing heavy damage. Ukraine also struck Russia’s border regions, where three people died. A US-backed peace plan has faced criticism, but President Zelensky now says it includes “many right elements” after fresh talks. European nations are also pushing their own proposal. The UK and France will host a virtual meeting of the “coalition of the willing” to discuss Ukraine’s security. (PC: BBC)

Russia And Ukraine carried out deadly overnight drone strikes against each other, killing at least five people. Kyiv officials said a “massive” Russian attack hit two residential buildings, killing two people and injuring six. Fires broke out in high-rise apartments in the Dniprovskyi And Pechersk districts, forcing evacuations. Ukraine’s energy facilities were also targeted. In Russia’s Rostov region, officials said three people died after a Ukrainian strike, with 10 others injured. More attacks were reported in Krasnodar. The strikes came as the US, Ukraine And European allies discussed changes to a proposed peace plan. Moscow called the new ideas “unconstructive”. (PC: Reuters)

The UK will enforce mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from February 25, 2026, for visitors from 85 countries previously exempt from visa requirements. This digital permit, costing £16, allows stays up to six months for tourism or family visits. Launched in October 2023, over 13.3 million ETAs have been issued during the voluntary phase. From February 2026, travelers from the EU, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others must obtain an ETA before boarding transport to the UK. British and Irish citizens are exempt. Applications through the UK ETA app or government website require passport details and photos, with most approvals granted within minutes. Valid for two years, the ETA aims to modernize immigration, enhance security, and create a contactless border system. (PC: Yahoo & NDTV)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said progress was made in peace talks with the US in Geneva but warned that Russia’s demand for recognition of occupied regions remains the main obstacle. The talks ended without a clear plan on how to bridge the gap between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelensky said Ukraine cannot give away land taken by force. US officials said more discussions will follow, and a meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump is expected. European leaders urged caution, saying peace will take time. Russia did not join the talks and said it received no details of the meeting. (PC: BBC)

Australian far-right Senator Pauline Hanson wore a burqa in Parliament on Monday, sparking accusations of racism after being denied permission to introduce a bill banning the garment in public. This marked her second such stunt since 2017. Chaos erupted as proceedings were suspended when Hanson refused to remove the covering. Muslim senators Mehreen Faruqi and Fatima Payman condemned the act as "blatant racism" and "disgraceful." Hanson defended her actions on Facebook, calling the burqa "oppressive" and stating, "If they don't want me wearing it, ban the burqa." The Queensland senator's One Nation party holds four Senate seats following gains in May's election amid rising far-right support.