Exclusive-Ukraine images indicate Russia used missile at heart of nuclear pact collapse

 Images of debris from Russian strikes on Ukraine strongly indicate that Moscow has used a cruise missile whose development led Donald Trump to quit a landmark nuclear pact in his first term, two experts said, confirming earlier Reuters reporting.

The specialists based their analysis on images of fragments of the nuclear-capable missile provided to Reuters by three Ukrainian law enforcement sources, the first visual evidence published to date corroborating Russia's use of the weapon.

Its deployment dozens of times in Ukraine is a striking example of how the nuclear arms control edifice emerging from the Cold War has crumbled in recent years. This month saw the expiry of New START, the nuclear treaty that imposed limits on U.S. and Russian strategic weapons.

Russia's development of the 9M729 prompted Trump to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, then a cornerstone of nuclear arms control, in 2019, saying the ground-launched missile could fly far beyond the permitted limit of 500 km (310 miles).

The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office told Reuters in a written statement in November that one of the 9M729 missiles fired by Russia on October 5 last year flew more than 1,200 km.

FRAGMENTS FOUND AT SITES ACROSS WESTERN UKRAINE

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and sources told Reuters in October that Russia had fired the 9M729 at Ukraine twice in 2022 and 23 times between August and October last year, the first known combat uses of the missile anywhere.

Russia fired at least four more of the missiles at Ukraine on February 17, one of the law enforcement sources said, the first time those cases have been reported. There have been other uses since October too, the source added.

"The images really do appear to show the 9M729. In addition to the markings, the debris are similar to other cruise missiles that are related to the 9M729," said Jeffrey Lewis, Distinguished Scholar of Global Security at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Analysts at Janes, a UK-based defence intelligence company, told Reuters there was a high likelihood the debris shown in the 10 images had come from the ground-launched 9M729 missile.

The law enforcement sources said the images show fragments recovered in Zhytomyr, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia regions, all in western Ukraine.

Reuters could not verify where and when the photographs of the fragments were taken.

One piece bears the serial number 0274, while others bear the marking 9M729. In another case, a Reuters reporter saw a fragment stamped 9M729, but was asked by a Ukrainian law enforcement official not to photograph it for publication.

Russia's Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

CONCERNS IN EUROPE GROW

Russia has acknowledged the existence of the missile, but denied it was in breach of the 1987 treaty and that it could fly as far as the distance permitted.

One of the 9M729 missiles fired by Russia on October 5 struck a home in Lapaiivka village near Lviv, resulting in the death of five civilians, the Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office said in its statement - over 1,200 km from the point from which it was fired.

The use of the missiles is being investigated in eight different regions, it added.

The INF specifically outlawed ground-launched missiles with a range of over 500 km because their launchers are easier to conceal, making them a greater potential threat than missile-carrying warplanes or warships that militaries track.

Since November 2024, Russia has also twice attacked Ukraine with the Oreshnik, a new intermediate-range ground-launched ballistic missile that would also have been banned under the INF.

Both the 9M729 and the Oreshnik can carry a nuclear or conventional warhead and their range puts European capitals within reach.

The 9M729 has a range of 2,500 km, according to the Missile Threat website produced at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Several NATO countries in Europe are now trying to buy or develop their own long-range, deep-strike weapons to narrow the gap in their deterrence capabilities with Russia.

Some European governments worry that the U.S. is no longer committed to protecting Europe. Washington has told Europeans they must take over primary responsibility for the conventional defence of the continent.

Russia said last August it would no longer place any limits on where it deploys intermediate-range missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.

WHY DID RUSSIA FIRE IT AT UKRAINE?

Russia has launched many thousands of drones and missiles at Ukraine since its full-scale invasion began four years ago. Most recently it has targeted power and heating infrastructure during Ukraine's coldest winter of the war.

It was not clear why Russia has been using the 9M729 missile.

Lewis, the missile analyst, said it was surprising Russia was willing to lose sensitive information by using the nuclear-capable missile in Ukraine, which allows military experts to study its combat performance and pore over missile fragments.

"Russia may have a relatively small stockpile of sophisticated cruise missiles and so it's willing to dip into its longer-range stockpile," he said.

Russia’s air defences could shoot down Britain’s nuclear missiles

 Moscow could soon have strong enough air defences to intercept Britain’s Trident nuclear missiles.

A new report warned that improvements to the Russian capital’s surface-to-air systems could render the nuclear deterrent ineffective in the event of a major war.

Sidharth Kaushal, a missile expert who authored the Royal United Services Institute report, said the ability to strike Moscow “underpins the credibility of Europe’s independent nuclear deterrents”.

The think tank suggests that the UK and France could no longer be sure of the effect of launching their nuclear deterrents in the event of a conflict in the next decade.

The report also said that Britain and Europe will have to build hypersonic missiles to defeat Russia’s improving air defences and maintain the effectiveness of the nuclear deterrent.

“It is not certain that they [Russia] will intercept every submarine-launched ballistic missile but potentially also not a certainty that the required number will get through,” Mr Kaushal said.

The findings are based on a missile intercept rate of roughly 90 per cent, as achieved by Israel and the US in 2024 during two long-range barrages of around 200 ballistic missiles each.

If Russia can replicate that level of success, then the British and French strike capabilities might not be able to deliver the desired effect.

The report highlights two Russian systems, the ground-based A-235 anti-ballistic missile system, designed to deflect nuclear strikes, and the S-500, which is believed to be capable of intercepting intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.

The S-500 Prometheus can reportedly hit targets more than 300 miles away.

Nuclear warheads require a precise, synchronised implosion to initiate the chain reaction leading to a major explosion.

Missile interceptors slamming into nuclear warheads would be unlikely to trigger such a detonation, but would cause debris to fall from the sky.

“In the coming decade, an increasingly robust ballistic missile-defence system around Moscow may emerge, in the form of the A-235 and the S-500, which may form a layered defence,” Mr Kaushal wrote.

Britain and France can only deliver strategic nuclear strikes via their fleets of submarines.

They also possess a significantly smaller number of warheads than the United States, which allies are no longer sure would come to Europe’s aid in the event of a war with Russia.

The UK currently maintains a stockpile of approximately 225 nuclear warheads. Around 120 are considered operational, with approximately 40 deployed at sea at any given time aboard one of the four Vanguard-class Royal Navy submarines.

Russia has the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, with 5,459 nuclear warheads, 4,300 of which are operational.

Rachel Reeves has come under pressure to spend more on defence sooner. Military chiefs have warned about the renewed threat from Moscow, while the Armed Forces are suffering from a string of issues, including staff shortages.

Sharon Graham, the boss of Labour’s biggest union donor, has urged Sir Keir Starmer “to do what he said he would do” after the Prime Minister promised last year to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027.

Ms Graham, the general secretary of Unite, has told Sir Keir that he must sack the Chancellor if she continues to block a rise in defence spending.

Ms Graham accused Ms Reeves of compromising the UK’s national security and putting “thousands” of British jobs at risk by delaying a rise in military investment.

Ms Reeves is blocking a rise in defence spending this year despite mounting pressure from military chiefs to invest in a rapid rearming of the country.

She has been urged to boost the Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s day-to-day spending budget amid fears of a £28bn hole in the department’s finances.

But the Chancellor ruled out an immediate increase in defence funds last week, saying the MoD would have to wait for “future spending reviews” before pouring billions more into Britain’s military.

The professional head of the Armed Forces and head of the RAF have both spoken out about defence funding in recent weeks, arguing that ministers should press ahead with their long-delayed defence investment plan, which is expected this spring.

European defence spending has been highlighted by Donald Trump since his return to the White House a year ago, with renewed demands for more military spending from allies.

European leaders have talked about the need for the Continent to step up and ensure its own security, given fears that the US could scale back assistance to Europe.

Compared to Europe’s nuclear superpowers, the United States has enough warheads in its arsenal to overwhelm Russia’s air defenses, no matter how developed they are in the coming years.

Dr Kaushal said: “The US absolutely could do it, overwhelmingly, irrespective of how well or otherwise the Russian missile defences develop.

The Russian plan, according to the analyst, would be to survive the initial American strikes to launch their own retaliation. 

“There’s no theoretically or practically viable Russian system that could keep Moscow or any other part of Russia safe from the US arsenal, if they decided to throw their weight at it indefinitely,” Dr Kaushal added. 

Earlier this month, Sir Keir told Nato countries at a security summit in Munich that he wanted to accelerate the rearmament of Europe, arguing: “To meet the wider threat, it’s clear that we are going to have to spend more, faster.”

Britain lags behind China and Russia in developing hypersonic missiles.

The weapons fly at speeds exceeding 5,000 mph, making them difficult to intercept. Russia has reportedly already used them to bomb Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, the UK announced it will develop new long-range precision and hypersonic weapons to destroy enemy warships, in partnership with France and Italy.

Called Stratus, the missile will have two variants: a hypersonic one and a stealth variant, which will not travel faster than the speed of sound. They will be fitted to the Navy’s new Type 26 frigates.

However, development of these missiles will likely take years, with Britain not expected to see such weapons available until the 2030s. 

Last year, Sir Keir Starmer announced Britain would buy at least 12 new F-35A stealth jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The jets are among the most sophisticated in the world, with defence sources saying they have the ability to slip past most modern air defence networks undetected.

Unlike Trident missiles launched from a British submarine, the warheads dropped from the F-35s would likely be American-built B61 “gravity bombs”.

They would effectively be dropped from the stealth jets and glide to their targets, meaning the jets would need to fly deep within Russian territory to target Moscow.

The use of the American-made weapons would likely require prior approval from Washington, as well as from a security council within Nato, since they are not sovereign to the UK.  

It is unclear when any new defence spending increase could be announced. Ms Reeves delivers her Spring Statement on March 3.

A MoD spokesman said: “Our nuclear deterrent protects us every minute of every day and is the ultimate guarantee of our national security. We keep our nuclear posture under constant review so that we can adapt to the actions of our potential adversaries, including assessment of the defensive measures that they might use.

“This month we announced over £400 million investment in long-range precision weapons, including hypersonic missiles, showing how we’re investing in critical new technology.”

Ferrero Group reports Consolidated Financial Statements for the 2024/2025 Financial Year

 The Ferrero Group, through its holding company Ferrero International S.A., approved the Consolidated Financial Statements for the 2024/2025 financial year, which ended on August 31, 2025[2]. The Group closed the financial year with a consolidated turnover of EUR 19.3 billion, an increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year, demonstrating the success of the long-term strategic vision led by Executive Chairman Giovanni Ferrero and executed by Chief Executive Officer Lapo Civiletti.

Ferrero maintained its global presence, with 36 manufacturing plants, and ended the financial year with a global workforce of 48,697 employees as of August 31, 2025.

Daniel Martinez Carretero, Chief Financial Officer at Ferrero Group, said: "As we mark our 80th anniversary, Ferrero continues to bring joy to people around the world with our much-loved products and brands thanks to the commitment of all our colleagues. Our growth strategy of portfolio innovation and expansion into new categories and markets continues to deliver. The increased capital investment made in 2024/2025 and our recent acquisitions reflect our belief in the future and ability to invest for the long term. We're further building capacity to innovate and serve local markets."

The Group continued to evolve its portfolio through targeted category expansion and strategic brand innovation. Among the key developments in 2024/2025:

Launch of Nutella Plant-based to meet evolving consumer demand.

Expansion of Nutella to new categories with a frozen bakery range, including Nutella Crepes and Nutella Donut.

Extension of three local favorite North American confectionery brands into ice cream bars: Butterfinger®, BabyRuth® and 100 Grand®.

Launch of Tic Tac Two, a new sugar-free, dual-flavor range.

Expansion into high-protein snacking with the acquisition of Power Crunch, a leading U.S. wafer protein bars brand.

To support its portfolio growth and expanded geographic presence, the Group continues to strengthen capabilities in key markets. Highlights include:

In North America, Ferrero announced the scaling up of its Brantford, Ontario facility. This will create 500 jobs and will bring Nutella Biscuits production outside of Europe for the first time. The Group also opened a new Kinder Bueno facility in Bloomington, Illinois, supporting 200 new roles and 169,000 square feet of production capacity.

In Europe, the Group further enhanced its manufacturing capabilities at the Villers-Écalles plant in northern France, the world's largest Nutella production site, to meet future demand.

During 2024/25, the company announced the acquisition of WK Kellogg Co, including the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of WK Kellogg Co's iconic portfolio of breakfast cereals across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean[3]. As part of the acquisition, Ferrero welcomed 3,000 colleagues, bringing the overall Ferrero population today to more than 50,000 employees worldwide.

About Ferrero Group

Ferrero Group is a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, renowned for iconic brands such as Nutella®, Kinder®, Ferrero Rocher®, and Tic Tac®, alongside local favorites.

Founded in 1946 in Alba, Italy, Ferrero marks 80 years as a family-owned group with more than 50,000 employees and operations in over 170 countries. The company combines a strong heritage and commitment to quality with continuous innovation across brands and categories, including ice cream, biscuits and bakery, breakfast cereals, and better-for-you offerings. Guided by a long-term vision, Ferrero focuses on sustainable and responsible growth, strengthening its presence in emerging segments while staying true to its values of excellence and care.

[1] The financial results shared today do not include any figures from WK Kellogg Co. The transaction was closed in September 2025, within the 2025/2026 financial year.

[2] From 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

[3] The financial results shared today do not include any figures from WK Kellogg Co. The transaction was closed in September 2025, within the 2025/2026 financial year.

InfoComm China Unveils State of China's Pro AV Market and Opportunities 2026 Industry White-Paper Report

 With China's Pro AV market projected to reach a staggering US$97.5 billion by 2028, Beijing InfoComm China has announced the release of a 25+page white-paper titled 'A World of Cutting-Edge Pro AV: China's Pro AV Market Overview & Opportunities' to help global professionals navigate this massive expansion. The report serves as an educational guide and resource for Pro AV professionals, system integrators, and technology end-users seeking to better understand how China is shaping the global digital landscape and the opportunities to connect with key players.

China's Pro AV sector is at a pivotal point of transformation, fueled by the convergence of AV, IT, and emerging technologies. This growth engine is underpinned by large-scale digital infrastructure investment, enterprise modernization, and strong demand across education, commercial, and public-sector verticals. Through this white paper, global professionals gain a roadmap to collaborate with innovators driving these advancements.

Further driven by technologies such as AI-enabled automation, real-time collaboration platforms, and interactive display ecosystems are rapidly becoming baseline requirements rather than differentiators. Sustainability is also emerging as a core priority across the Pro AV value chain. Heightened awareness of environmental responsibility, coupled with stricter regulatory requirements and evolving end-user expectations, is accelerating the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices and environmentally responsible product design. These factors and forces acting in unison is the driving force behind Pro AV and IT innovations in China.

The report highlights market data, recent government initiatives, as well as Pro AV trends in China from hybrid meetings to integrated solutions, to digital transformation to intelligent service scenarios. In addition, 14 selected case studies from manufacturers and solution providers are illustrated. These include companies who are "export-ready" and seeking new partners with brand features such as global support, customization, and adherence to international standards. Case studies include real-life implementation projects from InfoComm China 2026 exhibitors: AISPEECH, BOLIN TECHNOLOGY, CREATOR, DSPPA, EZPRO, IDSTE, MVIEWER, MUXWAVE, RELACART, SAMPLEX, SEEMILE, SHURE, TAIDEN, and TRACKSTAR. The case examples cover a multitude of sectors from hotels and restaurants to immersive experiences for cultural events, to education, to commercial sectors such as finance, to government sectors such as houses of parliament and implementations, ranging from AI intelligent audio systems for the classrooms to holographic invisible LED screens applied to bank facades.

In line with InfoComm China's strategic shift toward global integration, the report A World of Cutting-Edge Pro AV: China's Pro AV Market Overview & Opportunities concludes with additional details on how readers can connect with the export-ready companies illustrated in the report at Beijing InfoComm China 2026. The new International Visitor and Invited Guest programs launched for the event this year also includes tools and resources for overseas visiting professionals to navigate their way to China, through the fair, and efficiently network and conduct business deals. The Invited Guest program offers fully hosted flights to InfoComm China, hotel accommodation, and an array of personalized services to help with sourcing and business-match-making for high-volume technology buyers and decision makers.

For 20 years, Beijing InfoComm China has served as the most professional and influential platform for promoting and expanding China's global Professional Audio-Visual (Pro AV) industry. Through decades of bringing together manufacturers, solution providers, IT system integrators, and end users of Pro AV, Beijing InfoComm China has become Asia's premier Hub for Pro AV excellence. Taking place from 15-17 April 2026, at the China National Convention Center (CNCC), the show marks the beginning of a landmark era: the 20th year of the InfoComm China brand, followed by the 20th edition of the tradeshow in 2027. From an exhibition floor hosting over 400 companies and welcoming over 26,000 professional visitors, to a world-class conference lineup of Pro AV industry movers & shakers, to delighting audiences with innovative and immersive themed zones, InfoComm China is where China is shaping the digital forward future.

DPR calls for peace-oriented diplomacy amid global tensions

 House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani said the global dynamics at the start of 2026 demand more effective, peace-oriented diplomacy.

She noted that early 2026 has seen rising tensions in international relations, including armed conflicts and escalating trade wars that disrupt supply chains and slow global economic growth.

“In an interconnected world, no nation can stand alone and be safe. Global stability can only be achieved through cooperation,” Maharani said during a closing plenary session at the parliamentary complex 

She emphasized that no country can progress without international cooperation.

Maharani stressed that today’s international cooperation framework is built on shared norms and commitments, ranging from economic standards measuring competitiveness and sustainability, to social values upholding human dignity, and democratic principles and human rights as a civilized political foundation.

In this context, she said, development should not be measured solely by numerical growth, but by the quality of human life and social justice experienced by the people.

“Because we live in an interdependent world, Indonesia must strengthen national resilience and competitiveness to secure a strong bargaining position in the global order,” she said.

She added that the DPR, through its constitutional functions, has responded to strategic issues, including integrity in national economic management, the need for legal reform, enhanced social protection in healthcare, and the conduct of foreign policy along the principle of free and active politics.

“Today’s global situation is characterized by openness, interconnection, and increasingly intense globalization. Nations no longer stand alone but are linked in networks of economic, social, political, and cultural relations,” she stated.

Indonesia never defaults, Prabowo stresses at US business summit

 President Prabowo Subianto has stated that Indonesia has never failed to pay its debt throughout its history, supported by strong economic fundamentals and a credible fiscal track record.

“We have managed our economy prudently for many years. We have never defaulted, not once in our history. We have never failed to pay our debts,” the President said, as quoted by the Presidential Secretariat 

He made the statement during an Iftar Dinner and Business Summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on Wednesday (February 18).

He added that successive administrations will always honor debts incurred by previous governments, even if they were strong political rivals.

President Prabowo outlined his administration’s commitment to strengthening the national economic foundation through governance reform, improving human resource quality, and firm law enforcement to create a stable and conducive investment climate.

The Head of State acknowledged that Indonesia still faces major challenges, including poverty, hunger, and child malnutrition. However, he emphasized the importance of confronting problems directly and seeking the best solutions.

“I believe problems must be addressed head-on. We must have the courage to acknowledge our weaknesses and do our best to find the best solutions,” he said.

As part of a long-term strategy, he announced the establishment of ten new STEM-based universities to address the shortage of medical personnel and accelerate human capital development.

“We lack 140 thousand doctors and only graduate around 10 thousand doctors per year. That means it would take 14 years to close the gap unless we undertake new efforts, which is why I am establishing ten new STEM universities,” he said.

Indonesia is also building 500 high-quality secondary schools and opening education partnerships with leading institutions from the United Kingdom and the United States.

Mbappé’s father speaks out about Zidane and the French national team

 The future of the French national football team is already being discussed, and Kylian Mbappé’s father is openly backing Zinedine Zidane as a potential successor to Didier Deschamps — while warning that replacing him will not be easy. Although he says recruitment will be handled, he stresses the weight of what Deschamps leaves behind.

Didier Deschamps’ succession at the head of the national team seems almost written in advance. The coach announced long ago that he will step down after the next World Cup, and one name clearly stands above the rest: Zinedine Zidane. Free since the end of his time at Real Madrid, the former French number 10 appears to be the natural favorite.

A Heavy Legacy After Deschamps

Speaking on a television program, Wilfrid Mbappé approved this option while emphasizing the scale of Deschamps’ legacy. He explained that he is not sure whether Zidane is the perfect profile, but said it would be a very good choice and that it will be extremely difficult for anyone to follow Deschamps. He added that while people point out many flaws today, they will highlight his qualities once he is gone, and should not forget his achievements and record.

Mbappé’s father also highlighted the special bond between Zidane and his son, dating back to a trial when he was very young. He described Zidane as a truly wonderful person, saying that when he welcomes you, the connection is immediate and genuine. He noted that meeting someone you admire can sometimes be disappointing, but in Zidane’s case it is exactly the opposite — praise that further strengthens the growing support for him.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea learn fate in FA Cup fifth-round draw

 Newcastle will take on last season’s runners-up Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Wolves v Liverpool is the only other all-Premier League tie, although Brentford could make a third if they get past minnows Macclesfield tonight, with a trip to West Ham awaiting the winner.

Championship play-off chasers Wrexham will host Chelsea, while League One Mansfield host Arsenal.

Fifth-round ties will take place on the weekend of 7 March.

Draw summary

19:55 , Lawrence Ostlere

Manchester City, beaten finalists in the last two seasons and aiming for a fourth successive FA Cup final appearance, face Newcastle at St James' Park in an all-Premier League tie.

Eight-time winners Chelsea, who lost three consecutive FA Cup finals from 2020-22, will play at Wrexham, who reached the last 16 for the first time in 29 years by beating Ipswich.

Liverpool, who have not gone beyond the quarter-finals since they lifted the trophy four years ago, will take on Wolves at Molineux.

Leeds, aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002-03, have been drawn to play at Elland Road against boss Daniel Farke's former club Norwich.

The winners of Port Vale's postponed fourth-round tie at home against Bristol City will face Sunderland, while Fulham take on Southampton at Craven Cottag

Draw summary

19:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

Macclesfield will be rewarded with a fifth-round tie at West Ham if they can produce another huge FA Cup shock by knocking out Brentford on Monday evening.

The National League North side caused one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history in the third round when seeing off holders Crystal Palace and will face another Premier League side if they can defy the odds again.

Arsenal will travel to League One side Mansfield as Mikel Arteta's side bid to keep their quadruple dream alive.

The Gunners, who face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final next month, sit four points clear of City at the top of the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League knockout stage by winning all eight of their league-phase matches.

A tie against the Stags, who reached the fifth round for the first time since 1975 by winning 2-1 at Burnley on Saturday, awaits them in their quest for a first major trophy since winning the FA Cup six years ago.

Snow maps reveal 95% of UK will be buried after five straight days of blizzards

 The UK is bracing for a five-day stretch of snow that could end with 95% of the country blanketed, new weather charts show.

Snow will first land in Scotland, the northeast and parts of Northern Ireland before intensifying rapidly and spreading further south, according to data by WXCharts. In just days, several major cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, will be in the firing line for intense flurries.

The storm is set to bring blizzard-like conditions from February 20 onwards, starting with heavy accumulations at the very top of the Scottish Highlands, including the Isle of Sky and Ullapool, by 3pm.

Newcastle, the North Pennies, and parts of the Lake District, as well as a a huge chunk of Wales and the West Midlands are also among the first areas to be hit.

On February 21, snow will intensify and move further eastwards across Scotland - this time covering Dundee, Aberdeen, and much of the Highlands. Brits further south will meanwhile see lighter accumulations falling over Blackpool, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and parts of Wales.

By 3pm the following day, a massive band of snow will hover over the north, the data suggests. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and the Lake District are among the areas set to turn white.

But the most intense snowfall will come on February 23, by which point the majority of the UK will be covered, WXCharts predicts.

A map shows multiple towns and cities in the firing line - including all of the north, Midlands, Wales, the South West and London.

The snow will then move eastwards across the UK, the data predicts. By 3pm on February 24, intense flurries are seen falling across a huge swathe of England and Scotland.

Heavy snow looks set to remain in a number of major cities, including London - while most of the Scottish Highlands will be blanketed during this time.

It comes after the Met Office warned the UK would become "dominated" by Atlantic low-pressure systems towards the end of February, which could bring snow to high ground in northern areas and result in a rainy end to the month.

In its long-range forecast from February 15-25, the forecaster says: "The UK is expected to be dominated by Atlantic low-pressure systems, resulting in showers or longer spells of rain.

"Heavy rain is likely, particularly over western hills, with snow possible on high ground in the north. Temperatures will likely be near normal, with strong winds possible at times."

John Healey tells Ukraine’s allies to make 2026 the year this war ends

 Ukraine’s allies should make sure 2026 is the year Russia’s war against Kyiv ends, the Defence Secretary has said.

Speaking after a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels, John Healey said Ukraine’s allies were “more united and more determined than ever”.

He said: “We will step up military assistance to Ukraine. We will step up pressure on Russia.

“And we want to make 2026 the year this war ends, the year we secure peace.”

His comments came at a press conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) which saw allied nations pledge 35 billion US dollars (£25 billion) of military support for Ukraine as the war approaches its fourth anniversary at the end of February.

Praising the “courage and defiance” of the Ukrainian people, Mr Healey added that Russia had been fighting in Ukraine for longer than the Soviet Union fought Germany during the Second World War.

The support announced on Thursday includes more than £500 million from the UK in the form of new air defence systems, regarded as a priority by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The deal will see a further 1,000 lightweight multi-role missiles delivered to Ukraine.

Standing alongside Mr Healey, his German counterpart Boris Pistorius announced Berlin would donate five of its 12 Pac-3 interceptor missiles if other nations agreed to donate 30.

Mr Pistorius said the missiles would contribute to a “city dome project” to improve air defence above Ukraine’s metropolitan areas.

He said: “In 12 days, it will be exactly four years since Russia’s brutal war and unlawful attack on Ukraine began, and one thing is certain – Ukraine can continue to count on our support.”

Mr Healey and Mr Pistorius again co-chaired the UDCG meeting, a role performed by the US before Donald Trump’s return to the White House last year.

Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte urged allies to “step up their support” to Kyiv, saying Ukraine “urgently needs more air defence”.

Thursday’s meeting of the UDCG took place after another barrage of Russian ballistic missiles and drones targeted Ukrainian cities overnight.

Kyiv has accused Russia of seeking to use the cold as a weapon by targeting civilian heat and power infrastructure during a bitterly cold winter.

The conflict is also likely to feature high on the agenda of the Munich Security Conference which kicks off on Friday, with Sir Keir Starmer expected to attend at the head of the UK delegation.

On Thursday, Mr Zelensky thanked both Mr Healey and Sir Keir for their continued support and the “new and timely air defence package”.

He said: “Russian attacks on our people, energy, and other life-sustaining infrastructure continue unabated, and each strike can inflict significant damage. Therefore, such leadership and support are especially vital now, amid the winter cold.”

7 ways to break away from a sedentary lifestyle

 During this chilly time of year, it’s incredibly tempting to rush home and curl up in bed after a long day at work – but keeping your body moving remains essential.

Spending too much time lounging on the sofa means your body isn’t getting the activity that it desperately needs and when activity levels start edging towards sedentary, that’s a clear signal that something needs to change.

Keiren Douglas, personal trainer at Nuffield Health, has highlighted the potential risks a sedentary lifestyle can have on your health and has shared some great tips on how to gently increase your movement throughout the day.

What is a sedentary lifestyle?

“A sedentary lifestyle is when a person spends most of their time lying down or sitting with very little movement in between resting periods,” says Douglas. “This could be at home, at the office or driving all day. This doesn’t apply to someone just having one rest day in the week, but more for someone who has less than 150 minutes of exercise of any kind in a week.”

How does sitting down for long periods of time affect the body?

“In the short term, prolonged periods of sitting can cause muscle stiffness, sore joints and reduced circulation from the lack of movement,” says Douglas. “You would also burn significantly less calories through the day and it is also likely to negatively affect your posture.”

In the long term, these effects accumulate and can lead to weight gain and subsequent health problems.

“You could see those postural issues turn into chronic neck, shoulder or back pain overtime,” says Douglas. “Too much sedentary behaviour can also lead to consistent lower energy levels and higher feelings of stress. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle makes weight management extremely difficult, so you’d be more likely to notice weight gain.

“Furthermore, a lack of activity can negatively impact your day-to-day fitness and in the long term might make tasks like carrying shopping, cleaning or climbing stairs very difficult.”

What are the biggest challenges people face when trying to break out of a sedentary lifestyle?

“People tend to feel overwhelmed at the idea of changing their entire lifestyle and fitness in general,” recognises Douglas. “At this point, many people have low energy, a sore body and perhaps a lack of education on how to exercise properly and how much they should do.”

What are the risks of doing too much too soon?

“Our muscles, ligaments and tendons need time to build up, so if a person goes into exercise too quickly they run the risk of overextending or even injuring themselves,” explains Douglas. “Our body conditions over time slowly, so it’s best to ease into higher levels of movement.”

Here are seven ways to get out of a rut and break away from a sedentary lifestyle…

1. Go for a five minute walk every day

“Five minutes a day is a great way to start moving,” says Douglas. “It helps set an expectation to exercise and cements a habit into your routine. Also, five minutes doesn’t take very long, so time can no longer be used as an excuse. After a while you can build it up to 10 minutes and gradually add on more and more time to that.”

2. Decide on some movement anchors

“This is when you associate an activity with a type of movement,” explains Douglas. “For example, stretching while you brush your teeth, walking on your lunch break or standing up during a TV ad break.”

3. Be intentional about incidental movement

“Incidental movement includes parking further away from work or carrying the shopping in two trips instead of one or taking stairs rather than the lift to increase your steps,” says Douglas.

4. Stretch every morning

“Do 30 seconds of stretching when you wake up,” recommends Douglas. “Mobilising your hips, neck or shoulders, even for a short period of time, every morning is a great start.”

5. Prepare

“Set yourself up for a good day of movement by putting out some comfy walking shoes or by choosing an audio book to enjoy during your stroll,” advises Douglas. “The less friction you have when you start, the better.”

6. Celebrate the small wins

“Remember that every step counts,” says Douglas. “Acknowledge your efforts every day and remind yourself why you’re doing it.”

7. Consider getting a personal trainer

“I would always recommend a personal trainer to someone who is looking to increase their movement and improve their health,” says Douglas. “We can help you set out small goals and tasks and help you scale those up gently. Most importantly, we can help keep you motivated and cheer you on every step of the way.”

Not Bruno or Casemiro: Ian Wright singles out tremendous Man Utd whiz who really ran the game vs Spurs

 Ian Wright, like every Manchester United supporter, was thoroughly impressed with Kobbie Mainoo’s performance on Saturday afternoon.

The midfielder deservedly retained his spot in the XI for the fourth consecutive game under Michael Carrick; throughout the first half of the campaign when Ruben Amorim was at the reins, he didn’t make a single Premier League start.

Mainoo flourishing in Carrick’s revitalised side

Carrick was keen to correct matters as soon as he got in the dugout, though, and it’s safe to say his trust was instantly paid off by the youngster.

For the wins over the top two in the league, Arsenal and Manchester City, Mainoo covered the most distance of any player on the pitch across both sides, while he also assisted in the 3-2 triumph at the Emirates.

He did the same against Tottenham Hotspur two days ago when he set up Bryan Mbeumo for the opener via a well-worked corner routine from United.

Yet, it wasn’t just his goal contribution that caught viewers’ eyes. As per Fotmob, the Carrington graduate recorded 10 final-third passes, two dribbles, one accurate cross and three touches in Spurs’ box.

In defence, he made two tackles, one clearance, one headed clearance and four recoveries, while winning six ground duels and two aerial duels.

What the pundits had to say about Mainoo vs Spurs

Owen Hargreaves claimed post-match that he had never seen Mainoo play a bad game for United, adding that he plys his trade as if he’s having a kick around with his mates.

Wright proceeded to say of the 20-year-old (via UtdDistrict): “Kobbie Mainoo really ran the game. It’s the kind of performance you’d expect from a Man Utd side that has these players in and around them.

“Michael Carrick’s come in and given them the belief, the formation that they’re comfortable in and, with the quality players they’ve got, you will get the results.”

Tech wives knew 'something terrible' was happening on Epstein's island: 'We need to leave'

 Former wives of tech leaders have told a longtime journalist that they sensed something was off when they visited late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's island.

Technology journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher told a CNN panel on Wednesday that several people have come to her and shared their experiences about interactions with Epstein and concerns about what was happening at the time on Little Saint James, his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"And by the way, other - let me tell you, during that time, a lot of those tech people went, and the only people who ever said things to me were often the wives of those people — now the ex-wives," Swisher said.

"But I had someone say to me, a wife of a very prominent technologist, they had gone to the island. She landed, looked around and said, 'We need to leave here. Something terrible is going on here. Why are we here?' And the husband was like, 'Why? What's wrong?' Like that kind of thing," Swisher said.

Trump expected to approve Starmer’s Chagos deal

 Donald Trump is expected to approve Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal after the Prime Minister offered him extra security guarantees.

The US president is understood to have changed his mind after intense lobbying from British officials and members of the American intelligence community and new pledges to protect the US military base there.

Ministers have said that Britain’s deal to give away the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could only go ahead with Mr Trump’s support, because they are home to Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base.

The deal will entail Britain giving away the islands and leasing back the military base at a cost of around £35bn in cash terms over the next 99 years.

Sir Keir has argued that without a legal agreement to transfer sovereignty from Britain to Mauritius, the operation of the military base was vulnerable to legal challenges.

But critics say that giving away the British Overseas Territory amounts to “surrender”, and argue that the military base will fall under the influence of China, one of Mauritius’s allies.

After taking office last year, Mr Trump was initially persuaded by Labour’s argument in favour of the deal and indicated during Sir Keir’s first visit to Washington that he was likely to approve it.

However, he reversed his position last month after a public disagreement with Nato allies over his plan to take control of Greenland.

He wrote on his Truth Social platform on Jan 20 that Britain was “planning to give away [...] the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, [...] FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER”.

He added: “The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY.”

The sudden change in his position caused panic in Whitehall, where British officials launched a diplomatic push to convince Mr Trump to resume his support for the deal.

The talks have involved Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser, officials from the Foreign Office, 10 Downing Street, the US department of state, the White House and the American intelligence agencies.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, is understood to have spoken to Pete Hegseth, his opposite number in Washington, in the past few days.

The negotiations concluded on Tuesday evening with a call between Sir Keir and Mr Trump, in which they praised the “strategic importance” of Diego Garcia and agreed to “continue working closely to guarantee the future operation of the base”, according to a Downing Street spokesman.

The Telegraph understands that Mr Trump is expected to give final approval in a second call on Wednesday evening.

Sources stressed that the deal would not be approved until the US president gave his verbal consent.

Mr Trump has a reputation for changing his position or extending negotiations at the final moment. Downing Street sources said the timeline for the call could change.

During the negotiations, the Trump administration has demanded new security guarantees that will protect the base from Chinese interference.

The guarantees are designed to allay concerns from some US officials, including some members of Marco Rubio’s team.

Mr Rubio, the secretary of state, has previously criticised the deal and has commissioned his department’s lawyers to examine the legal case for it presented by the UK.

Further security measures will also give Mr Trump an “off ramp” to change his mind without losing face to China hawks in his administration and on Capitol Hill.

It is unclear whether any additions to the deal will require approval from Mauritius, which signed off the current version of the agreement with the UK after months of negotiations last year.

US officials have recently visited Mauritius and may have used talks with the government there to arrange for further security guarantees.

Doing this one exercise daily will slow down ageing – and most people don't know it

 What if there were a single daily movement that could help you stay strong, flexible, and resilient – inside and out? According to a mobility and stretching coach @stretchy.bendy, the malasana squat with a forward fold and overhead stretch could be it.

‘It helps keep your hips mobile, helps you to touch your toes and to keep and upright posture – all the things that we lose with age,’ she writes on Instagram. ‘I watched my dad lose the ability to tie his own shoe laces but then after I prescribed him this movement, he regained it. It was very inspiring and I wanted to encourage others.’

Don’t just take her word for it. A recent study that reviewed how deep squats (i.e. a malasana pose in yoga, or a yogi squat) contribute beyond athletic performance found that they promote joint stability, mobility, neuromuscular coordination (how well your brain communicates with your muscles to move with precision and balance) and functional movement patterns (natural movements, like squatting, lunging and twisting, that you use in everyday activities to move comfortably).

‘Doing this once a day will make a big difference, and consistency is everything,’ @stretchy.bendy says. ‘If you did it every day for 3-5 minutes your body will feel amazing.

‘If it’s first thing in the morning or before exercise – flow through the movement with 3-5 second holds in each position. If it’s later in the day/post workout/when your body is warm – hold for longer – anywhere from 15 seconds and more.’

Many of her followers claim it has helped. One commented, ‘As a 43-year-old, I can confirm this helps a lot. Do this one every night. It’s the best.’ Another said, ‘This really works. I was 50 when I started, now I feel 30.’

As for those managing knee pain who may not be able to squat so deeply, she advises ‘holding onto a chair for support and pop a rolled towel under your heels to ease pressure. Stick to a pain-free range for now – depth will come as your hips and ankles open up.’

Of course, we’re not suggesting you shouldn’t age – ageing is a privilege. But this simple practice could help you to age well and maintain your quality of life. Here’s how to do it.

Instructions

Open your feet just further than hip distance apart, feet pointing out at a 45-degree angle.

Now squat down nice and low, mobilising those hips, using your elbows to push your knees away for an even deeper stretch.

Now we’re going to stretch our hamstrings and lower back. Place your hands on the floor, feet pointing forwards and straighten those legs, folding forward. This is going to allow you to tie your shoelaces, and touch your toes for the rest of your life.

Now let’s take it even further. Interlace your fingers behind your back and drop them over your head. This is going to undo any rounded posture and help you stand up nice and tall.

These six symptoms could be early indicators of dementia

 New research from University College London suggests that six specific symptoms in middle age could be early indicators of developing dementia later in life.

The study analysed data from 5,811 participants in the UK Whitehall II study over an average of 23 years, during which 586 individuals developed dementia.

Six depressive symptoms were identified as robust midlife indicators, including a loss of confidence, an inability to face problems, not feeling affection for others, nervousness, not being satisfied with tasks and difficulty concentrating.

Individuals reporting a loss of confidence in midlife showed a 51 per cent increased risk of dementia, while those unable to face problems had a 49 per cent increased risk.

Researchers believe this symptom-level approach offers a clearer understanding of who might be more vulnerable to dementia decades before its onset, though experts note more research is needed across diverse demographics.