UK signals tougher sanctions and trade measures over Gaza and West Bank
The United Kingdom has said it will take a tougher stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, with Foreign Minister Ed Miliband pledging new sanctions and restrictions linked to illegal settlements. He made the announcement at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where he said the government would "match words with action" in response to the situation in the Palestinian territories. Miliband described the Israeli government's actions as "a stain on the conscience of the world" and said the ruling party had reset its approach under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.Miliband said the planned measures would target... [Continue Reading]
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UK warns Iran over hostile activity on British soil at UN meeting
The United Kingdom has warned Iran that it will not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on British soil, in a face-to-face meeting between Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York. The talks took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where the two ministers also discussed the war in the Middle East and the detention of a British couple in Iran. The warning adds to a period of strained relations between London and Tehran, with British officials linking the issue to alleged Iranian involvement in threats and attacks in the UK.According... [Continue Reading]
UK food and drink trade deficit hits largest since 2000 at more than £21bn
Britain's food and drink trade deficit has widened to more than £21bn, reaching its largest level since 2000. The latest figures point to a sharp deterioration in the balance between exports and imports, with industry leaders warning that domestic food production is becoming a national security issue. The data also show that export performance weakened while imports remained elevated, deepening pressure on the sector.According to analysis by the Food & Drink Federation, UK food and drink export volumes fell by 11.7% in the first half of 2026 to 4bn kg. Exports to the European Union fell 0.9% in value terms,... [Continue Reading]
Tommy Robinson reportedly detained by counter-terror police at airport
Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, has reportedly been detained at an airport by counter-terrorism police. The report emerged from a post on his X account, which said he had been detained again. The airport where the detention took place has not been identified.The post said: "Tommy has been detained again, at an airport by Counter Terrorism Police." It also claimed that "they will never stop trying to destroy this man." In a separate earlier post, Robinson said he was willing to fight the "establishment" rather than Russia. No official statement from counter-terrorism police was included in the... [Continue Reading]
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UK reviews Chagos Islands handover deal after Trump criticism
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain will go back to the drawing board on its agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump. Streeting said the government would not, at this stage, make the annual payments tied to the leaseback arrangement for the Diego Garcia military base. The comments came after Trump called the deal "terrible" during his first meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.Streeting said Trump's objections were not new, but that the president's latest remarks made clear his... [Continue Reading]
OECD trims UK growth outlook for 2027 amid Middle East conflict spillovers
The UK economy is now expected to grow slightly less than previously forecast in 2027, according to the OECD, which linked the downgrade to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and higher fuel prices. The Paris-based organisation said the UK will expand by 1.0% in 2027, down from an earlier estimate of 1.1%. It also raised its forecast for UK growth in 2026 to 1.1%, from 0.9%.The OECD said the short-term outlook for 2026 had improved because of solid domestic demand growth. But it warned that the picture for 2027 was weaker, as higher fuel prices were expected to... [Continue Reading]
UK and US test-fire torpedo from uncrewed vessel in AUKUS first
The United Kingdom and the United States have for the first time test-fired a heavyweight torpedo from an uncrewed underwater vessel, in a trial carried out in UK waters last week. The announcement was made by the British government on Monday and described as a major step in autonomous naval technology. Officials said the live firing took place as part of work under AUKUS, the defence partnership linking the UK, the US and Australia.The trial used the British-built 12-metre undersea drone Excalibur, which launched a heavyweight torpedo jointly developed by the US and Australia. The British government said the test... [Continue Reading]


