Counter

Party makes gains in Portsmouth and Richmond upon Thames in local elections but loses a Scottish strongholdElections 2026 – live updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesEd Davey has sought to cast Liberal Democrat wins in England’s local elections as proof his party is best positioned to confront what he described as the “extreme populist change” offered by Reform UK and the Greens.As Labour assessed a disastrous set of results, the Lib Dems could claim they had been able to fend off Reform challenges in areas including Portsmouth, where they made gains to seize the city council, which had been under no overall control. Continue reading...

The 16-page report was led by Trump-ally Sebastian Gorka, and places drug cartels in the Americas at the centre of counter-terrorism effortsThe Trump administration has accused Europe of being an “incubator” for terrorism fuelled by mass migration, in a new counter-terrorism strategy unveiled on Wednesday.The strategy also focuses on rooting out “violent left-wing extremists” including “radically pro-transgender” groups, as Trump’s conservative administration steps up its political attacks on opponents. Continue reading...

• Thailand's foreign minister requested ASEAN-level discussions with his Myanmar counterpart to address escalating conflicts and diplomatic standoffs in the region. • The initiative comes in response to recent attacks and instability in Myanmar, prompting broader calls for coordinated ASEAN intervention. • This move highlights Thailand's leadership role in ASEAN diplomacy, aiming to prevent spillover effects on Southeast Asian security and trade.

In-depth study also reveals patients from black African and Caribbean backgrounds are less likely to receive timely carePeople from black backgrounds in England are twice as likely to experience strokes as their white counterparts, while also being less likely to receive timely care, according to the largest study of its kind.The study, conducted by researchers at King’s College London and presented at the European Stroke Organisation conference, analysed 30 years of stroke incidents from the South London Stroke Register, one of the longest-running population-based stroke registers in the world. Continue reading...

Bloc’s leaders to hold first summit with Armenia on Tuesday at it ramps up efforts to combat Kremlin’s influenceThe EU is sending a team of experts specialised in combating Russian propaganda and interference to Armenia, as it increases its support to the former Soviet republic in a tense political period.In a highly symbolic sequence of events, EU leaders will hold their first summit with Armenia on Tuesday, after a pan-European gathering of about 45 leaders at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan. Continue reading...

Study of 1,300 campaigners finds arrests, fines and jail terms increase determination of activists to take direct actionThe criminalisation of direct action climate protests in the UK is counterproductive and increases the determination of activists to undertake disruptive demonstrations, according to a study of 1,300 campaigners.New findings suggest arrests, fines and lengthy prison sentences given to nonviolent climate protesters who have blocked roads or damaged buildings may actually radicalise them. The repression of protest could even be one driver of recent covert actions such as the cutting of internet cables, they said. Continue reading...

• IBM announced IBM Autonomous Security on April 15, 2026, deploying coordinated AI agents to detect and contain threats at machine speed without human intervention. • The service addresses a critical gap: attackers now achieve full network lateral movement in as little as 27 seconds, compared to an average of 29 minutes in 2024—a 65% speed improvement driving urgent demand for AI-powered defenses. • AI-enabled attacks surged 89% year-over-year in 2025, with a 44% increase in assaults exploiting public-facing applications, prompting major security vendors to adopt autonomous AI defense strategies.

Met police say business in Hendon, north-west London, was targeted on FridayCounter-terrorism police are leading an investigation into an arson attack on a business in Hendon, north-west London, on Friday, the Metropolitan police have said.More details soon … Continue reading...

• IBM launched IBM Autonomous Security on April 17, 2026, a multi-agent AI service automating detection, policy enforcement, and remediation against frontier AI-driven attacks in hybrid environments. • The solution addresses emerging 'agentic attacks' where adversaries use advanced AI models, with nearly 80% of global IT leaders citing AI as a major security risk. • IBM also released an enterprise cybersecurity assessment tool focused on threats from large language models and generative AI.

Met police look into incident near office of Iran International after attempted firebombing of a synagogueCounter terror investigators are examining three separate arson attacks in London against an Iranian dissident and Jewish targets amid fears the Iranian state may be behind them.The latest attack came on Wednesday evening at about 8.30pm against the offices of the parent group of a company that runs Iran International, a Persian news channel which opposes the regime in Tehran. Continue reading...

Exclusive: ministers consider restricting pesticide-based treatments, which can get into waterways and harm wildlifePet owners across the UK could be banned from buying flea treatment for cats and dogs under new government rules.Ministers have begun an eight-week consultation on letting only veterinary practitioners or pharmacists give out the potent, pesticide-based flea treatments, to ensure “correct usage”. At the moment, the flea and tick treatments can be bought from any pet shop. Continue reading...

• FDA approved Haleon's Narcan 4mg nasal spray for non-prescription sale on April 7, 2026, building on 2023 authorization. • Reversal success rate 98% in trials with 150 US overdose simulations; priced at $29.95 for two-pack. • Addresses 110,000 annual US opioid deaths; 'Lifeline for bystanders,' says FDA Commissioner.

Exclusive: Laurence Taylor says separate scheme needed to report concerns over young people’s non-ideological interest in extreme violenceThe scheme meant to identify people before they become terrorists is being “overwhelmed” by a large surge in referrals, Britain’s head of counterterrorism has said.Assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor told the Guardian that more than 10,000 people would be referred to Prevent this year, up more than a third from two years ago. Continue reading...

Leading US heart health group recommends prioritizing plant-based protein over meat relative to US governmentThe American Heart Association’s new nutrition guidance, released on Tuesday, emphasized a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, ​fruits and whole grains, prioritizing plant-based protein over meat.It also suggested limiting the ‌use of sugar, salt and ultra-processed foods and replacing full fat dairy with non-fat and low-fat dairy. Continue reading...

Khalid Ahmed, 24, from Ealing in west London, also charged with one count of possession of prohibited ammunitionA 24-year-old man who was stopped at Dover has been charged with 10 counts of possession of a firearm.Khalid Ahmed, from Ealing in west London, who is a dual Dutch and Irish national, is to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday, where he will also face one charge of possession of prohibited ammunition. Continue reading...

• The FDA issued an urgent safety alert on March 20, 2026, warning of counterfeit versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide circulating through unverified online retailers, with 47 adverse events reported including severe infections and allergic reactions. • Counterfeit products lack sterility assurance and may contain contaminated ingredients or incorrect dosing, posing serious health risks to consumers seeking weight loss or diabetes treatment. • The agency recommends patients obtain GLP-1 medications only through licensed pharmacies with valid prescriptions, emphasizing that legitimate suppliers require medical supervision.

• MarqVision's 2026 State of Brand Integrity Report reveals AI-driven counterfeits impose a 10% 'AI tax' on annual revenue for US brands over $10M. • Survey of 96 US companies shows 85% prioritize revenue protection, but only half measure takedown impact effectively. • Counterfeiters exploit viral marketing with AI-generated fakes, eroding trust in fashion, electronics, and consumer goods.

Joe Kent, who left Trump administration over Iran war, tells Megyn Kelly ‘facts are on my side’ amid FBI investigationSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe counter-terrorism official who resigned from Donald Trump’s administration over the US and Israel’s war against Iran has said he is bracing for political retribution – but would do it all again anyway.Asked by conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly if he was concerned about a pre-existing FBI search investigating him for leaking classified information, Kent said he was ambivalent. Continue reading...

• Joe Kent, Trump's former head of counterterrorism, resigned and urged President Trump to reverse course on his Iran policy in a resignation letter. • The departure signals deepening divisions within the Trump administration over military strikes and Iran strategy, with Kent joining other vocal critics. • Kent's resignation reflects broader fragmentation within Trump's base and among senior officials over foreign policy direction, particularly regarding Middle East engagement.

• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reported to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that January 2026 monthly border encounters declined 83.8% compared to January 2025, and 79% compared to 2024. • Gabbard credited President Trump's strict enforcement of U.S. border policies and aggressive efforts targeting transnational criminal organizations for the reduction in illegal immigration. • The data reflects the administration's prioritization of border security and fentanyl precursor interdiction as part of the National Security Strategy.

VAT tax on fuels will reportedly drop from 21% to 10%, as Ursula von der Leyen suggests EU may move to help states with rising energy costsSpain is set to put forward a number of emergency tax cuts this morning to counter the economic impact of the Iran war.The measures – set to be presented at a press conference 11am local time – are expected to include lowering VAT tax on fuels to 10% from 21%, according to early media reports, alongside other changes, including to the hydrocarbon and electricity duties, intended to help with growing energy prices. Continue reading...

The reported inquiry predates Joe Kent’s departure on Tuesday from his post as director of the national counter-terrorism centerThe resignation of Joe Kent, a senior counter-terrorism official who spoke out against the US war in Iran, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday with a report that he is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged leak of classified information.The inquiry predates Kent’s departure on Tuesday from his post as director of the national counterterrorism center, where he had overseen the analysis of terrorist threats, according to Semafor and CBS News. The FBI declined to comment on the existence of any such investigation. Continue reading...

Attempt to ‘decapitate’ state may harden resistance instead of destabilising regime Middle East crisis – live updatesFighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah in southern LebanonIsrael’s decision to authorise its military to kill any senior Iranian official on its assassination list has raised significant new questions about its so-called decapitation strategy – and what it is intended to achieve.Privately, Israeli officials have briefed their US counterparts that in the event of an uprising, Iran’s opposition would be “slaughtered” . Continue reading...

Joe Kent resigned as national counter-terrorism center director, saying Iran posed no imminent threat to the USSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxJoe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center and a far-right political figure and supporter of Donald Trump, resigned from his position on Tuesday in protest of the war in Iran.“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote in a resignation letter posted to X. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” Continue reading...

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather on one side of Thames as those backing US-Israel war on Iran meet on the otherTwelve people were arrested as hundreds joined a pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day demonstration on one side of the Thames, while hundreds more gathered on the opposite bank to back Israeli and American attacks on Iran.At least 1,000 police officers were drafted in to keep the two rival protests apart. Lambeth Bridge, the nearest river crossing to each rally, remained closed on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading...

Daimler Truck announced plans on March 13, 2026, to increase US content in its Mexico-assembled trucks to mitigate tariff burdens from the Trump administration's new probes. CFO Eva Scherer stated in an interview that the company is 'constantly looking at how we keep strengthening our US content.' This move addresses rising trade barriers amid oil-driven inflation. Analysts expect similar supply chain shifts across the auto sector as tariffs loom.