8 migrants perish in the Channel, French police say – POLITICO

Six families, supported by the Independent Schools Council, have filed a High Court judicial review claim against the government's plan to impose VAT on private schools, arguing it is discriminatory and could force them into the state sector where their needs cannot be met. The families are seeking a declaration of incompatibility under the Human Rights Act, claiming the tax harms children with special educational needs, disabilities, those in single-sex schools, minority faith backgrounds, and...

Tory frontbencher Dame Priti Patel has called for the UK to officially designate China a national security threat, citing concerns over Chinese incursions and potential risks to Britain. She supports including China in the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and restricting TikTok, following other countries' lead in safeguarding against Chinese influence. Other influential Tories like Suella Braverman and Tom Tugendhat have also urged for China to be included in the scheme's enhanced tier, emphasizing the importance...

The son of Aung San Suu Kyi, Kim Aris, is pleading for his mother's release from prison due to her deteriorating health in Myanmar's harsh prisons. Three former UK foreign secretaries have also called for her release, stating she is being held on false charges and should be allowed to lead the country democratically. Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate and leader of Myanmar's democratic movement, has been in solitary confinement since a coup in early...

A team from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria visited former prisons, including Sednaya and Branch 235, uncovering damaged evidence. Urgent recommendations call for a specialized unit to protect mass grave sites and documents, while independent experts emphasize the need for justice, reconciliation, and Syrian-led reconstruction, free from foreign interference. The experts also call for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from Syria to facilitate effective rehabilitation and a credible transition process....

An anonymous official revealed that Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico opposes sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry and Ukraine's NATO membership. Fico accused Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of offering him €500 million in Russian assets in exchange for support, which Zelenskyy clarified as a gas supply negotiation. The Ukrainian official stated that Fico prioritizes national security earnings over security concerns, rejecting alternative gas sources and NATO support. Full Article

Pensioners are experiencing long delays of over 100 days to receive their winter fuel payment due to Labour reforms causing a strain on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Changes announced by Rachel Reeves have led to a backlog of 91,075 outstanding claims, with only those on pension credit now eligible for the benefit, resulting in a surge of 150,000 claims in 16 weeks. Despite efforts to speed up processing by hiring 500 staff,...