Keir Starmer has declined a request from Donald Trump to deploy Royal Navy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, favouring diplomacy and sanctions while coordinating with allies. Tehran claims it will decide access to the shipping lane; London urges de-escalation and protection of commercial traffic.
The PM has declined a request from President Trump to send Royal Navy ships to a contested strait as part of a joint effort to reopen a vital shipping lane. No 10 says diplomacy should lead. Several European capitals are also reluctant to commit naval assets amid concerns over escalation and trade risk.
Meningitis has led to two deaths, linked to a social event in Canterbury, with 11 others seriously ill. UKHSA has alerted about 30,000 students and staff to watch for symptoms. Those affected include a University of Kent student and a sixth-former.
Ministers are considering deploying minesweeping drones to keep a key oil route open, wary that sending Royal Navy warships at Washington’s request could escalate tensions. The drones would clear suspected mines to protect tankers and maintain energy flows while limiting the UK’s footprint.
Paula Hudgell says plans for a national Child Cruelty Register include a loophole that would exclude people convicted of ABH or GBH. She urges ministers to add violent offenders, rejecting claims this would overburden police and arguing public protection must come first.
India says talks with Tehran secured safe passage for two gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, showing diplomacy as the best path to ease shipping risks. The US urged China, the UK and France to provide naval support, while Tehran dismissed claims it was seeking a truce.
Jeremy Clarkson jokes he should become Iran’s Supreme Leader, saying the country needs a universally loved figure and he’s “the man in the driver’s seat”. The tongue‑in‑cheek pitch riffs on his motoring image and prompts debate over celebrities wading into politics.
A report says NHS hospitals routinely sedate and restrain people with dementia due to bed pressures, fostering a “containment culture” that sidelines therapy and reduces chances of returning home. Experts call for urgent reform, improved staffing and stronger oversight.
The PM will unveil help with energy bills, starting with support for households using heating oil, and a wider scheme to follow. The UK is preparing to deploy drones and uncrewed boats to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Disrupted routes are pushing up prices of fresh produce.
An ex-US security adviser says Trump recognises he’s in trouble over Iran policy, having failed to set clear aims. Tehran denies a reported US plea for talks, while the oil crisis worsens, intensifying pressure on Washington.