Your helper

Friday, February 20, 2026

Prince Andrew’s Ancestor Was Arrested, Deposed And Executed For Treason: The Shocking Story Of King Charles I

Royal scandals may dominate modern headlines. But nearly 400 years ago, a far more explosive royal crisis shook Britain to its core. A reigning king was arrested. Tried. Convicted of treason. And publicly executed by his own subjects. That monarch was Charles I of England, a direct ancestor of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (earlier known as Great Britain’s Prince Andrew, or His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, a title bestowed upon him by his mother then Queen Elizabeth II upon his marriage in 1986). The parallels are historical, not equivalent. But the story of Charles I is the ultimate reminder that even royalty, at its most powerful, is not immune to political reckoning. <h2>The King Who Believed He Answered Only To God</h2> When Charles I took the throne in 1625, he believed deeply in the doctrine of Divine Right, that kings derived authority from God, not Parliament. That belief would cost him everything. He dissolved Parliament repeatedly. He imposed taxes without its consent. He enforced controversial religious reforms that alarmed Protestant England. What began as political tension soon escalated into open warfare. In 1642, the country fractured into two armed camps in the English Civil War. Picture this scenario: On one side: Royalists loyal to the king. On the other: Parliamentarians led militarily by figures such as Oliver Cromwell. This was no palace intrigue. It was civil war. <h2>The Unthinkable: A Reigning Monarch Arrested</h2> By 1646, Charles had lost the first phase of the war and surrendered. But he continued secret negotiations, hoping to divide his enemies and regain power. Instead, events spiralled. In December 1648, Charles I was forcibly taken into custody by Parliament’s New Model Army. A reigning English king had been arrested by his own subjects, an unprecedented rupture in centuries of monarchy. But what followed was even more astonishing. <h2>Tried For Treason Against His Own People</h2> In January 1649, a specially convened High Court charged Charles I with high treason, not against the crown, but against the people of England. The accusation rewrote political theory in real time. Charles refused to recognise the court’s authority. No king, he insisted, could be judged by earthly institutions. But Parliament had already crossed the Rubicon. The verdict was inevitable. He was sentenced to death. <h2>The Execution That Changed Britain</h2> On 30 January 1649, outside the Banqueting House at Whitehall, Charles I was beheaded before a stunned crowd. England abolished the monarchy. The country became the Commonwealth of England. Cromwell would rule as Lord Protector. For the first and only time in British history, a reigning monarch had been arrested, tried, deposed and executed by his own government. It was an event so seismic that it permanently altered the structure of British governance. <h2>The Bloodline Survives, But The Rules Change</h2> The monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles’s son, Charles II of England. But it returned weaker. Over the next decades, especially after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Parliament emerged supreme. The idea that a monarch could rule without restraint had been buried alongside Charles I. Fast forward centuries. The House of Stuart gave way to Hanover, then Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and finally Windsor. Through that lineage, Charles I remains a direct ancestor of modern British royals, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, roughly 11 generations removed. But the monarchy they inhabit today exists within strict constitutional limits born from Charles I’s downfall.  <h2>A Crown Redefined By Crisis</h2> Charles I lost his throne because he refused limits on royal authority. Modern royals operate within a system designed precisely to prevent such absolute power from ever returning. That is the enduring legacy of 1649. The British crown survived the execution of a king, but it survived by transforming itself. From divine right to parliamentary sovereignty. From unchecked authority to ceremonial leadership. History does not repeat itself neatly. But it leaves fingerprints. And one of those fingerprints belongs to a king who learned, too late, that even royalty can be called to account. <h2>Back To The Present</h2> Police are reported to have arrived at Royal Lodge to continue searching the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was released after 11 hours in custody on Thursday, 19 February 2026, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  Although Andrew was stripped of several royal titles last October (including his title as prince) he remains eighth in line to the throne. Removing him from the line of succession would require an Act of Parliament and the consent of all Commonwealth realms that recognise King Charles III as head of state, as any change would affect their succession laws as well, say reports.  Andrew also technically remains a Counsellor of State, authorised to stand in for the monarch if required, though in practice, only working royals undertake such duties, and he stepped back from public life in 2019 after backlash over his interview with BBC Newsnight concerning his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/prince-andrew-arrest-ancestor-was-arrested-shocking-story-of-king-charles-i-1828059

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Trump Invites China, Russia To Join ‘Board of Peace,’ Pledges $10 Billion For Global Initiative

Washington: As US President Donald Trump held an inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, he expressed his desire to have China and Russia on the board.  Interacting with the reporters, Trump said, "A lot of countries are going through the process of getting on the board... I would love to have China and Russia on the board; they have been invited."  Both Russia and China have received the invitation from Trump, but have not announced any decision about joining the board.  During his address at the Board of Peace meeting, Trump flaunted his "good relations" with Chinese President XI Jinping"  I have a very good relationship with President Xi. I'm going to China in April. That's going to be a wild one. Last time I went to China, President Xi treated me so well," he said." He gave me a display. I never saw so many soldiers all the same height, exactly the same height. I said, if they put their helmets down, you could have played pool on the top of their heads. And it was pretty amazing," he added.  Trump also said that the newly formed "Board of Peace" would "almost be looking over" the United Nations to ensure it functions effectively.  "The Board of Peace is going to be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly," Trump said during the meeting, adding that the US would help improve the UN's facilities and financial stability.  "We're going to make sure its facilities are good. They need help, and they need help money-wise. We're going to help them money-wise, and we're going to make sure the United Nations is viable," he stated.  During the meeting, Trump announced that the United States would contribute USD 10 billion to the Board of Peace to support its mission of resolving global conflicts and said the board would initially focus on reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.  The Board of Peace, according to Trump, is aimed at strengthening international conflict resolution mechanisms and enhancing cooperation to address global crises.  Delegations from more than 40 countries participated in the meeting, but key United Nations Security Council members, including France, Britain, Russia, and China, did not join. While the European Union has opted not to take a seat on the board, as reported by Al Jazeera.  India has also been invited to the board but has not announced its decision.  President Trump first proposed the Board of Peace in September as part of a second phase of the US-brokered 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan.  The Board will oversee a "founding Executive Board", which comprises Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as reported by CNN.  (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-invites-china-russia-to-join-board-of-peace-pledges-10-billion-for-global-initiative-1827916

India Joins Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Meet In Washington As Observer

India on Thursday (February 19) attended the first meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Gaza in Washington, D.C., taking part in the discussions as an “observer” nation.  As per the official attendee list released by the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, India was represented at the high-level gathering by Namgya Khampa, Chargé d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC.  New Delhi has not yet formally signed on to the Board of Peace, an initiative spearheaded by Trump to supervise Gaza’s reconstruction and future governance framework.   <h2>India Maintains Cautious Distance </h2> Despite receiving an invitation earlier, India has so far refrained from confirming full membership of the Board. The country also did not participate in the organisation’s launch event held in Davos in January.   On February 12, the Ministry of External Affairs indicated that the proposal was still under review, signalling a measured and cautious approach from New Delhi regarding the initiative.  <h2>Nearly 50 Nations Take Part </h2> The Washington meeting saw participation from officials representing close to 50 countries. Of these, 27 nations including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are already members of the Board.  Other participants, among them India and the European Union, attended in observer capacity.  Trump had first introduced the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, asserting that "everyone wants to be a part" of the proposed body.  <h2>Board Positioned as Potential UN Alternative </h2> The Board of Peace is widely viewed as a possible competitor to the United Nations. Trump has previously suggested the new body “might” replace the UN, while also criticising the global organisation for falling short of expectations.  Originally conceived to monitor the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and support Gaza’s rebuilding, the Board’s proposed scope has since expanded significantly.  <h2>Funding Commitments Announced </h2> During the Washington meeting, Trump highlighted that member countries have together pledged $7 billion toward a Gaza reconstruction fund intended to support rebuilding efforts once Hamas disarms an outcome that remains uncertain amid continuing tensions.  The US president also stated that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the initiative, though details regarding the funding source or potential congressional approval were not provided. 

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-joins-trump-s-board-of-peace-meet-in-washington-as-observer-1827914

India Participates As Observer At US Board Of Peace Gathering

New York/Washington, Feb 19 (PTI) India on Thursday attended the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Gaza as an “observer” country. According to a list of attendees at the meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, India was represented by Chargé d'affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC Namgya Khampa. India has not joined the Board of Peace, which has been set up by Trump for the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip. Trump announced that the US will commit USD 10 billion to the Board, whose members include 27 nations such as Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the numerous global leaders that the US President had invited to join the board that was announced under the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. India was among the countries not present at a January 22 ceremony in Davos where Trump unveiled the Board of Peace that seeks to work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and possibly resolve other global conflicts. The Board of Peace is perceived as a rival to the UN. Trump has previously said that the Board of Peace “might” replace the UN, which he said has never lived up to its potential.  (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-participates-as-observer-at-us-board-of-peace-gathering-1827910

Seal Meaningful Deal Or Face Consequences: Trump Warns Iran, Sets Deadline

Donald Trump on Thursday called on Iran to reach what he described as a “meaningful deal” with Washington, cautioning that failure to do so would result in “bad things” for the Middle Eastern nation. “It's proven to be over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen,” Trump said while addressing the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace”, a body formed by him to secure stability in Gaza and beyond. He added that negotiations must move forward within the next 10 days or the United States “may have to take it a step further”. Without specifying what action that might entail, he said, “You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.” <h2>Nuclear Issue Central To Warning</h2> Trump reiterated that peace in the Middle East would not be possible if Iran possessed nuclear weapons. “They can't have nuclear weapons. They can't have peace in the Middle East if they have nuclear weapons. They have been told that very strongly,” he said. <h2>US Military Build-Up In Region</h2> The remarks come amid an expanded US military presence in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has moved advanced F-35 and F-22 fighter jets to the region. The US has also deployed major naval assets. While the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was already operating near Iran’s coast, a second carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, has been dispatched to the area. Separately, Axios reported that a war between the US and Iran could be “imminent” and may last “for weeks”, citing US officials and advisers who suggested military action could begin sooner rather than later. <h2>Talks In Geneva, Mediation By Oman</h2> The heightened rhetoric comes even as the two countries held a second round of talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman. The US is seeking to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb, an objective Tehran denies pursuing, while Iran is pressing for relief from US sanctions. <h2>Warning From Israel</h2> Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a warning to Tehran. “If the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will receive a response they cannot even imagine,” the Israeli Prime Minister said.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/seal-meaningful-deal-or-face-consequences-trump-warns-iran-sets-deadline-1827905

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Indian Sikh Called Dog, Nose Broken In Racial Attack At Australian Gym

Months after anti-immigration protests in Australia, attacks targeting members of the Indian community are continuing. In a recent incident in Geelong, near Melbourne, a 22-year-old Sikh nurse was allegedly assaulted in what is being described as a racial attack. The incident took place on the night of February 17 at a gym in the suburb of Corio. The victim, Harmanpreet Singh, said he was training at the gym around 11 pm when three men approached him and began verbally abusing him. He said he had no indication that the situation would escalate. When he later stepped outside, he saw the same three men waiting for him. <h2>What The Victim Alleged</h2> Harmanpreet said the men called him a “dog” and told him to “go back to where you came from.” Shortly afterwards, one of the men allegedly headbutted him, striking his nose and causing heavy bleeding. Speaking to Australian media outlet 9News, he said the attacker came very close to his face before suddenly pulling back and smashing his head into his nose. The three men then fled the scene. Local residents helped take the injured nurse to the hospital. While speaking to the media, Harmanpreet said he remains shaken by the assault and the racial abuse. “No one wants to hear that, especially when you are just minding your own business,” he said. <h2>Family In Shock</h2> According to reports, this was not the first time Harmanpreet had experienced racial abuse in Australia. However, he said the latest incident has had a deep psychological impact on him. His sister, Khushi Kaur, said the entire family is devastated and struggling to process what happened. Harmanpreet said he tries to stay strong and ignore such remarks, but admitted the attack has left him hurt and uncertain. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to go back to that gym. I won’t feel safe after this,” he said.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/indian-sikh-called-dog-nose-broken-in-racial-attack-at-australian-gym-1827784

US Strike On Iran This Weekend? Trump Yet To Decide As Warships Mass In Middle East

The possibility of a direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran is once again casting a long shadow over the Middle East. Reports from CNN and CBS suggest the US military is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend, but the final decision rests with President Donald Trump, who has yet to authorise action. Behind the scenes, the White House has reportedly been briefed that operational readiness is in place. Yet uncertainty remains. “He is spending a lot of time thinking about this,” a source said, underscoring the weight of the decision before the US President. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/8-skiers-found-dead-near-lake-tahoe-after-california-avalanche-1827768">8 Skiers Found Dead Near Lake Tahoe After California Avalanche</a> <h2>Massive US Military Build-Up Signals Readiness</h2> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> VIDEO | US army footage of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in Middle East. (Source: Third Party) <a href="https://t.co/Nch61zPFKz">pic.twitter.com/Nch61zPFKz</a> — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2019698627514650823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> The scale of the American deployment is significant. According to a US official, Washington currently has 13 warships positioned in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships. Additional forces are on the way. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is moving from the Atlantic towards the region, accompanied by three destroyers. It is rare for two US aircraft carriers, each carrying dozens of warplanes and thousands of personnel, to operate simultaneously in the Middle East. Alongside naval forces, fighter aircraft including F-22 Raptors, F-15s, F-16s and KC-135 refuelling tankers have reportedly been deployed. Flight tracking data has shown aerial refuelling aircraft and E3 Sentry surveillance planes operating near or within the region, a clear sign of sustained operational capability. <h2>Nuclear Deal Stalemate Raises Stakes</h2> At the centre of the escalating tensions lies the long-running nuclear dispute. Washington and Tehran have held intermittent talks in recent months. Discussions in Geneva earlier this week aimed to avert US military intervention, with Iran stating afterwards that both sides had agreed on “guiding principles” for a deal. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that while there had been “a little bit of progress made”, the two sides remain “still very far apart on some issues”. She added that there are “many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” and warned, “Iran would be very wise to make a deal.” Trump, who withdrew from the 2018 nuclear agreement during his first term, has repeatedly indicated he wants a new deal. At times, he has also floated the possibility of regime change, raising questions about how far any military action could extend. <h2>Political Pressure And Strategic Calculations</h2> Several additional factors appear to be shaping Washington’s calculations. Earlier this year, Trump considered strikes following Iran’s crackdown on protesters. At the time, he warned Tehran against killing demonstrators and told Iranians, “Help is on the way.” He later stepped back, citing reported changes in Tehran’s conduct, but has since renewed warnings. Israeli coordination is also believed to be close. Reports indicate that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been working in tandem, applying economic pressure even during diplomatic negotiations. The global oil market adds another layer. With supply currently strong and prices relatively contained, analysts suggest a limited strike might not cause prolonged disruption, though any escalation could still trigger volatility. <h2>What Comes Next?</h2> For now, the region waits. Iran is expected to retaliate in the event of an attack, though some US and Israeli officials reportedly believe Tehran’s response capacity may be weaker than in previous years. Whether diplomacy prevails or military force is authorised may depend on the coming days. One decision from Washington could reshape the geopolitical balance, and potentially redraw the lines of conflict in the Middle East once again.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-attack-weekend-trump-decision-middle-east-military-buildup-1827772