Thursday briefing: ​Why does Donald Trump have it in for the UK?

• US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield introduced a resolution on April 1 demanding safe access for aid in Sudan, where 8.2 million face famine amid civil war. • Russia and China vetoed the measure, citing 'US imperialism,' blocking $2.5 billion in emergency funding pledges. • The impasse exacerbates the crisis, with 500,000 displaced last week alone, drawing condemnation from humanitarian groups like MSF.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced 5,000 additional US troops to Poland on April 2, responding to Russian incursions 20 km into Ukraine near Lviv. • Deployment includes Abrams tanks and HIMARS systems, totaling 15,000 US forces in Eastern Europe. • Move signals NATO resolve as Ukraine reports 300 civilian deaths last week from shelling.

• On April 1, 2026, US Navy destroyers and Chinese warships faced off near the Spratly Islands, leading to a diplomatic breakthrough announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. • The agreement includes mutual de-escalation zones and joint patrols starting next month, with China committing to halt artificial island expansions for 60 days. • This averts potential conflict amid rising US-China tensions over Taiwan, boosting Asian markets by 2.5% overnight.

• Treasury Department imposed sanctions on April 1 against firms linked to hacks on Australian and Japanese defense networks, stealing terabytes of data. • Targets include Huawei subsidiary and two state-backed hackers, freezing $1.2 billion in US assets. • Action escalates tech war, with FBI reporting 40% rise in state-sponsored attacks on US firms.

• Following April 1 shelling that killed 12 Indian soldiers and 8 Pakistani troops, US-mediated talks led to a 72-hour ceasefire along the Line of Control. • Details include troop pullbacks by 2 km and no-fly zone for drones, verified by US satellites. • The de-escalation prevents nuclear escalation fears, with markets in Mumbai and Karachi rising 1.8%.

Exclusive: Ryan Bridge is co-founder of Raise the Colours, which has been criticised for anti-immigrant rhetoricThe leader of a flag campaign group has been arrested on suspicion of causing religiously and racially aggravated harassment.Ryan Bridge is the co-founder of Raise the Colours, which has put up hundreds of union and Saint George flags across England and attracted criticism for spreading anti-immigrant rhetoric. He was arrested on Tuesday and released on police bail the following day. Continue reading...

Ballroom is likely to get blessing from the National Capital Planning Commission, which is chaired by ex-Trump lawyerSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump’s White House ballroom project is likely ‌to get a blessing from Washington planning authorities on Thursday, two days after a judge ruled work cannot proceed without Congress’s approval.The National Capital Planning Commission, which ​is chaired by one of Trump’s former lawyers, will deliberate and ​then vote on the “East Wing Modernization Project” on Thursday, ⁠according to a meeting agenda. Continue reading...

The coalition of organizations says Trump’s executive order restricting who can receive mail ballots is unconstitutional Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA coalition of civil rights groups sued the Trump administration on Thursday, saying that a new executive order to limit mail-in voting is unconstitutional.The order, which Trump signed on Tuesday, instructs the federal government to come up with a list of eligible citizens who can vote in each state. It also instructs the US Postal Service to only transmit mail-in ballots to people on that list. Continue reading...

Fertiliser created from waste produced in block of toilets used by 700 revellers at Boomtown festival last yearScientists are aiming to grow 4,500 trees at a national park with the help of fertiliser made from urine collected from festivalgoers.The fertiliser was created by Bristol-based startup NPK Recovery, which connected their unit to a block of toilets used by 700 revellers at Boomtown festival in Hampshire in July last year. Continue reading...

Sale of Providence House believed to be the most expensive on record in LondonUK politics live – latest updatesNick Candy, the honorary treasurer of Reform UK and a major donor, has sold his mansion in the Chelsea district of London for a reported £275m.The property developer declined to comment on the transaction, which was first reported by Bloomberg, but it is believed to be the most expensive on record in London and one of the biggest in the world. Continue reading...

Christina Marie Plante was reported missing in May of 1994 from Star Valley when she was just 13 years oldSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA woman in Arizona who went missing 32 years ago, when she was just 13 years old, has been found alive, authorities said this week.Christina Marie Plante was reported missing in May of 1994 from Star Valley, Arizona, after she “vanished without a trace from her community”, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Gila county sheriff’s office. Continue reading...

Anger in France after US president puts on French accent and mocks Macron during private lunch in WashingtonEurope live – latest updatesEmmanuel Macron has said Donald Trump’s comments about his marriage were “neither elegant nor up to standard” after the US president put on an accent and mocked his French counterpart and his wife during a private lunch in Washington.Arriving in South Korea on Thursday, Macron made clear his displeasure at Trump’s comments, which appeared briefly in a video on the White House YouTube channel before being removed. Continue reading...