UK flight disruption continues:
Flights are gradually resuming after a major air-traffic-control failure caused widespread cancellations. More than 1,000 flights were initially cancelled, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
NATS chief summoned:
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has called NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe to explain the failure. Airlines are demanding improvements, while Ryanair has again called for his resignation.
Miliband defends policy:
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says the sanctions are designed to deter settlement expansion and uphold international law, while maintaining that UK-Israel security cooperation will continue.
UK–China relations:
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed closer cooperation in technology, education, healthcare and finance, while also addressing security and human-rights concerns.
Pressure over UK growth:
Debate continues over how Britain can improve weak productivity and growth, with innovation, AI, quantum technology and increased research investment highlighted as potential solutions.
Ukraine air-defence support:
The UK is committing £100 million toward strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, including Patriots, drones and ammunition.
Social-policy debate:
A new policy report calls for major reforms including a wealth tax, universal free personal social care and public ownership of energy networks.
Reform UK–France migrant deal:
A proposed migrant-return arrangement involving Reform UK and France’s National Rally is facing criticism in France over sovereignty and political implications.
US–Iran conflict escalates:
Iran has launched ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan and attacked vessels around the Strait of Hormuz, following US strikes on Iranian oil tankers.
Oil approaches $100:
Brent crude has risen toward/above $100 a barrel as fears grow that the Middle East conflict could disrupt global energy supplies.
Ships attacked
in Gulf:
Several merchant vessels were reportedly damaged by fires in the northern Gulf and Gulf of Oman amid escalating military activity.
Saudi Arabia targeted:
Iran-aligned Houthi forces have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes affecting civilian and energy infrastructure.
Deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine:
Russian drones killed people at a Ukraine–Moldova border crossing, while Kyiv also suffered another major overnight aerial attack.
Moldova warns of wider threat:
President Maia Sandu says Russia’s military actions appear to be moving westward after attacks near the Moldovan border.
Ukraine seeks more Patriots:
Kyiv is arranging access to roughly 1,000 Patriot missiles through European and allied support as it prepares for intensified Russian attacks.
Germany says airport attack was foiled:
Chancellor Friedrich Merz says a planned drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport was narrowly prevented and alleges it had been prepared in Russia.
Moscow denies involvement.
Taiwan tensions:
The US representative in Taiwan warned that a conflict across the Taiwan Strait could have catastrophic global economic consequences and urged continued diplomacy.
US midterm campaign heats up:
Donald Trump is putting himself at the centre of the Republican campaign ahead of November’s US midterm elections, despite concerns about his approval ratings and economic pressures.
Big picture:
The biggest stories today are the escalating US–Iran conflict and its effect on oil prices, the UK’s new sanctions against Israeli settlements, major UK aviation disruption, and renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine.
