Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amidst a review of UK support for Kyiv. The meeting follows a turbulent period for Zelensky, marked by a critical US audit of aid and questions regarding Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russian forces.
New Home Office data reveals UK net migration decreased to 171,000 in the year to March 2026, nearly half the previous year's figure and the lowest level since 2012. Asylum claims, however, remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Iran has asserted expanded military oversight over 22,000 sq km of the Strait of Hormuz, including Omani and Emirati territorial waters, demanding coordination for all transit. The UAE has dismissed these claims as baseless, as the US and its Gulf allies reject Iran's attempts to control the vital shipping lane.
Donald Trump stated he will speak directly with Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te concerning a potential $14 billion arms package, departing from established US diplomatic protocol with China since 1979. Beijing has firmly opposed such direct engagement and US arms sales to Taiwan, considering the island its sovereign territory. Trump's prior direct engagement with Taiwan in 2016 also drew strong condemnation from China.
