A protester named Joe, who came to the UK from Malaysia as a child, criticized Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s proposed immigration changes. Joe said these changes would harm many young migrants by putting their status and futures in uncertainty. Mahmood described critics as “white liberals” who misunderstand her position, while Joe rejected that label and highlighted the impact of the reforms on migrant families.
Key Facts
Joe migrated from Malaysia to the UK at age four.
He protested Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reform plan.
Mahmood’s plan includes ending permanent protection for refugees and reviewing asylum status every 30 months.
Refugees would need to afford living expenses before bringing family members and must wait 20 years for permanent settlement.
The time for overseas workers to gain permanent settlement would increase from five to ten years.
Joe said these changes could keep 90,000 young people in poverty and cause family separations.
Mahmood called critics “white liberals,” implying racial and political bias, which Joe disputed.
The protest took place at a live event in London and involved a youth-led climate campaign group.
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Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Pakistani military strikes hit a university and nearby areas in Kunar province, killing at least seven people and injuring over 80. Pakistan denied hitting the university but confirmed ongoing border clashes despite a formal ceasefire, raising concern over increasing tensions after recent peace talks in China.
Key Facts
Mortars and missiles struck Asadabad city and nearby districts in Kunar province on Monday.
At least seven people died and more than 80 were wounded in the attacks.
Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University was heavily damaged, with students and professors among the injured.
The Taliban called the strikes war crimes targeting civilians and schools.
Pakistan denied attacking the university and said its strikes are precise and based on intelligence.
Both Afghan and Pakistani officials admit to cross-border firing despite a ceasefire agreement.
Recent peace talks in Urumqi, China involved all three countries but ended without a formal deal.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban of sheltering the Pakistan Taliban group, which Afghanistan denies.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) starting May 1. The UAE said this decision is part of its long-term economic plan and growing focus on domestic energy production.
Key Facts
The UAE will officially leave OPEC on May 1, 2026.
The announcement was made through the UAE’s state news agency, WAM.
The UAE’s decision is linked to its strategic and economic goals.
The country is investing more in its own energy production.
The UAE wants to play a responsible and reliable role in global energy markets.
Recently, the UAE has had disagreements with Saudi Arabia over economic issues and the war in Yemen.
OPEC is an organization of major oil-producing countries that work together to manage oil production and prices.
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A memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, was targeted in a suspected arson attack early Monday morning. Police say the fire did not damage the wall, and counter-terrorism officers are investigating but do not currently treat it as terrorism.
Key Facts
The fire happened around 12:15 a.m. on Monday at a memorial wall in Limes Avenue, Golders Green.
The memorial wall displays photos of protesters killed during protests against the Iranian government.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation but are keeping an open mind about the motive.
No arrests have been made so far related to this attack.
There have been other recent attacks in Golders Green, including attacks on Jewish sites and a Persian-language media group.
A group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Jewish sites in north London.
Since March 23, police arrested 26 people connected to these attacks, with some charged for arson offenses.
Police have increased patrols in the area, including armed officers and specially trained teams to prevent crime.
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Militant groups linked to al-Qaida and separatists launched the largest coordinated attack in Mali in more than ten years. This event marks a serious increase in violence in a region already known for frequent extremist attacks.
Key Facts
The attack involved both jihadist militants connected to al-Qaida and separatist forces.
It is the biggest coordinated attack in Mali in over a decade.
Mali is considered one of the deadliest areas in the world for extremist violence.
The Prime Minister of Mali advised people not to panic after the attack.
This escalation highlights growing instability in the region.
The violence complicates efforts to improve security in Mali and neighboring countries.
Al-Qaida-linked groups have been active in the region for many years.
Separatists in Mali have been involved in ongoing conflicts related to ethnic and political issues.
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The UK's former prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, said he made a serious error in recommending Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US because Mandelson did not fully disclose his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Despite some concerns raised during security checks, Lord Mandelson was approved for the role but was later dismissed after new information about his relationship with Epstein became public.
Key Facts
Morgan McSweeney resigned in February over recommending Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US.
Mandelson's appointment was meant to help secure a US trade deal due to his EU trade experience.
New information showed Mandelson had a closer connection to Jeffrey Epstein than he admitted.
The Foreign Office granted Mandelson security clearance despite warnings from vetting officials.
The prime minister and Downing Street staff said they were unaware Foreign Office ignored vetting concerns until recently.
Mandelson was removed from his ambassador role in September 2025 after the revelations.
A due diligence check flagged Mandelson's link to Epstein as a reputational risk before his appointment.
Officials felt pressured to complete Mandelson’s vetting quickly before President Trump’s inauguration.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the United States for a four-day state visit. The trip marks the 250th anniversary of the US declaring independence from Britain. During the visit, there were noted disagreements between President Trump and the British government about the war in Iran.
Key Facts
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the US for a four-day state visit.
This visit is the first by a British monarch to the US in 20 years.
The visit coincides with the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.
President Donald Trump welcomed the royal couple.
President Trump has differences with the British government over the Iran war.
King Charles planned meetings with President Trump and to address the US Congress.
The visit is seen as important for UK-US relations.
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Violence has increased in Colombia’s southwest region with several attacks on civilians and military sites just before the presidential election in May. Rebel groups have used explosives and drones, leading to at least 21 deaths in one recent explosion.
Key Facts
There have been 26 attacks by rebel groups since last Friday in southwestern Colombia.
The attacks involved explosives and drones targeting civilians and military bases.
One explosion on a highway between Cali and Popayan killed 21 people.
These attacks have raised concerns about security ahead of Colombia’s May presidential vote.
Crime is expected to be a main issue for voters in the upcoming election.
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The United Arab Emirates announced it is leaving OPEC and OPEC+, two groups of oil-producing countries. This decision comes amid ongoing conflicts in the region, including attacks near key shipping routes and tensions involving Iran, which have disrupted global energy supplies.
Key Facts
The UAE officially quit OPEC and OPEC+ on Tuesday.
OPEC Gulf countries face challenges shipping oil through the Strait of Hormuz due to threats and attacks linked to Iran.
About 20% of the world’s crude oil and gas travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump accused OPEC of causing high oil prices and criticized how U.S. military support is linked to these prices.
The UAE criticized Arab and Gulf states for not providing enough protection against Iranian attacks during the regional conflict.
Anwar Gargash, a top adviser to the UAE president, said Gulf Cooperation Council countries offered logistical but weak political and military support.
The UAE’s departure signals frustration with the response from other Arab and Gulf nations.
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An expert from the International Crisis Group says Iran believes it can survive a double blockade by the US better than the US can handle the pressure Iran faces. This view changes how Iran and the US act in their ongoing conflict and negotiations.
Key Facts
Iran feels it can endure economic and military blockades longer than the US.
The US and Iran are involved in a conflict that includes economic sanctions and military pressure.
Iran’s belief in its endurance affects its strategy in talks with the US.
The US faces political and economic challenges at home and abroad related to this conflict.
The expert discussing this is Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group.
The situation involves key locations like the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway.
Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US ends its blockade and the war finishes.
This issue is part of larger tensions involving the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
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Sri Lankan police arrested 22 Buddhist monks at Colombo's main airport after customs found 110 kg of strong cannabis hidden in their luggage. The monks had returned from a four-day trip to Bangkok, and the drugs were worth about 1.1 billion Sri Lankan rupees (£2.5 million).
Key Facts
Twenty-two Buddhist monks were arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka.
Customs officials found 110 kg of high-grade cannabis concealed in the monks' luggage.
The monks had been on a holiday in Bangkok for four days before returning to Sri Lanka.
The cannabis was hidden in false walls inside their bags.
Officials called it the largest cannabis seizure at Sri Lanka’s main international airport.
A 23rd monk, who did not go on the trip, was arrested for allegedly organizing the drug shipment.
The monks' phones showed photos of the group enjoying their holiday in regular clothes.
A similar case happened earlier when a 21-year-old British woman was caught with 46 kg of cannabis at the same airport.
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The British Army will start testing the Ajax armoured vehicles again after stopping last year because some soldiers got sick from noise and vibrations. The Ministry of Defence and General Dynamics will carefully restart trials with new safety measures while working to improve the vehicles.
Key Facts
Testing of Ajax vehicles paused in November after about 30 soldiers reported illness during training.
Illnesses were linked to noise, vibration, cold weather, air quality, and training variation.
All affected soldiers have returned to duty with mostly temporary symptoms.
Defence minister Luke Pollard agreed to restart vehicle acceptance and operation cautiously.
General Dynamics, the maker of Ajax in Wales, supports the cautious resumption and emphasizes soldier safety.
Trials will restart in controlled phases with strict new safety controls.
The Ajax is a fully digitised armoured fighting vehicle meant to improve battlefield awareness.
The Ministry of Defence and General Dynamics aim to fix issues to ensure the vehicle works well for soldiers and meets the current budget.
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Severe weather has caused flooding and strong storms in parts of the Midwest. Additionally, a suspect linked to an attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was charged with trying to kill President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The Midwest is experiencing extreme weather, including flooding and dangerous winds.
Flooding has affected multiple areas in the Midwest region.
Violent storms have hit parts of the Midwest.
A suspect involved in an attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is now charged.
The charge accuses the suspect of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is a high-profile event attended by political figures and journalists.
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Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited China to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They talked about energy security amid global tensions and pressure on energy markets caused by the conflict between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
Penny Wong is Australia’s Foreign Minister.
Wong visited China to discuss energy security issues.
She met with Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister.
The talks happened during rising global tensions.
Energy markets are affected by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
The focus was on how countries can secure their energy supplies.
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Mauritania has increased efforts to deport migrants, leading many to hide in the capital, Nouakchott, out of fear of arrest and forced return to their home countries. Rights groups have raised concerns about the legality of these actions under international refugee laws. Migrants report being detained without notice, asked to pay bribes, or even beaten, while some locals express worry over the loss of migrant workers.
Key Facts
Migrants in Nouakchott, Mauritania, are hiding after a surge in government deportations.
Police have been detaining people they suspect are undocumented migrants, sometimes in public places or at their homes.
Deportations often happen suddenly, with some migrants unable to take their belongings.
Some detainees report having to pay bribes or experiencing mistreatment while in custody.
Human Rights Watch says Mauritania expelled about 28,000 people in the first half of 2025, based on government data.
Rights groups and a UN panel question whether these deportations follow international refugee protection laws.
Some locals and business owners are unhappy with the crackdown, saying migrants provide needed labor.
Authorities claim they are targeting only undocumented migrants, but obtaining legal papers has become more difficult.
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The Israeli army has carried out ground operations since March 2026 in southern Lebanon near the border, destroying houses, roads, and trees while trying to create a security buffer zone. Despite a ceasefire, many civilian homes in villages like Naqoura and Bint Jbeil have been demolished, affecting residents who had already fled the area.
Key Facts
Israeli bulldozers demolished homes in southern Lebanese villages near the border, including Naqoura.
The operations aim to create a "Yellow Line" buffer zone to block Hezbollah fighters from getting close to Israel.
The Israeli army says it targets Hezbollah military sites, some of which they say are inside civilian areas.
Many homes destroyed were already empty due to residents fleeing the conflict.
Videos show buildings being demolished even near the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters.
The destruction includes villages like Bint Jbeil, Ainata, Jubbayn, and Rabb el-Thalathine.
Residents like Bernard Farhat lost family homes that took years to build.
The conflict involves ongoing tensions and clashes between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
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Dr. Ittai Gradel, an antiquities dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of items from the British Museum, has died at age 61. He alerted the museum and police after buying stolen artefacts online and was honored by the museum shortly before his death from cancer. A police investigation into the thefts is still ongoing.
Key Facts
Dr. Ittai Gradel exposed thefts of around 2,000 items, including classical gems and ancient gold jewelry, from the British Museum.
He bought dozens of stolen artefacts on eBay over several years and reported them to the museum and police.
The British Museum initially ignored Gradel’s warnings and wrongly told him all items were accounted for.
A senior curator, Peter Higgs, was suspected of stealing but denies wrongdoing and was later fired.
The museum’s director resigned after the theft scandal became public, admitting the museum’s poor response.
Gradel returned more than 360 items he had bought online back to the museum.
He received a rare medal from the British Museum days before dying of renal cancer.
The museum plans to digitize its collection to help prevent future thefts.
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After a ceasefire, daily life in Tehran, Iran, has mostly returned to normal. Iranian society is going through significant changes, a process that started months ago and has grown stronger during the recent conflict and peace talks stall.
Key Facts
The ceasefire in the region has brought calm to life in Tehran.
Peace talks between Washington and Tehran are not making progress.
Society in Iran is changing deeply and quickly.
These social changes began several months before the ceasefire.
The ongoing conflict influenced the speed and nature of these changes.
The report includes rare footage filmed by a correspondent in Tehran.
The situation reflects broader issues like women’s rights and social freedoms.
President Donald Trump said he is no longer sending envoys to Pakistan for Iran negotiations.
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Germany has increased its ammunition production and now makes more than the United States, according to Rheinmetall, a major German defense company. European countries are boosting their military supplies as they reduce dependence on the U.S., following warnings from President Donald Trump about NATO spending and shifting U.S. focus to other global areas.
Key Facts
German company Rheinmetall quadrupled its yearly production of medium-caliber ammunition.
Germany increased artillery shell output from 70,000 to 1.1 million rounds annually.
Europe aims to rebuild military stockpiles after President Trump urged NATO members to spend more on defense.
The U.S. is focusing more on the Indo-Pacific region and less on European military support.
European countries have been sending ammunition and military equipment to Ukraine in recent years.
Germany plans to have the strongest conventional army in Europe by 2039.
German political leaders are pushing for increased defense spending and less reliance on the U.S.
Ammunition demand is high due to ongoing conflicts like the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
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