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Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded the oil tanker Smyrtos in a six-hour operation on Sunday. An Indian national was arrested on suspicion of sanctions offences. The vessel, which has been exporting Russian oil since March 2025, will be held off England's south coast for environmental monitoring.
The UK Court of Appeal upheld the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, overturning a High Court ruling. The ruling means over 3,000 people arrested under the Terrorism Act since proscription, including more than 700 charged, could now face prosecution.
UK fraud cases surged to 4.1 million in 2025, with nearly £1.3bn stolen, according to a UK Finance report. Investment scam losses rose 40% year-on-year to a record £221.5m, while purchase scams using stolen card details also hit new records. Criminals are increasingly using AI to mimic voices and target victims.
This commentary argues that Brexit has changed British society less than both Leavers and Remainers anticipated, and that public opinion is shifting toward a return to the EU. It contends that the sour mood about Brexit stems from a broad consensus that it is not working, and that immigration trends have been shaped more by UK government decisions than by Brexit itself.
Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died in 2022 from an online challenge, praised the UK government's planned social media ban for under-16s as 'fantastic'. Louise Gibson, mother of 11-year-old Noah who died in 2021 after a TikTok challenge, also welcomed the ban, saying it would have saved her son. The ban, announced by PM Keir Starmer, targets platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, with implementation by early 2027.
The UK Court of Appeal will review the 21-year minimum sentence for Vickrum Digwa, who murdered 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP referred the case, saying she hoped it would bring justice to Nowak's family. Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years.
A study by British Future and the British Muslim Trust found that 17% of Britons strongly agree that Muslim population growth threatens UK culture. However, 73% of Muslims view the UK positively, and 52% of Britons consider Muslims as British as white non-Muslims. The director warned that doubts about belonging among young Muslims could harm social cohesion.
This commentary argues that despite the overall economic damage from Brexit, certain sectors and professionals have benefited, including customs agents, the novel foods industry, and AI adoption. It contends that post-Brexit regulatory freedoms have enabled faster innovation in the UK, though these gains may be threatened by future EU alignment deals.
Martin Sandbu argues that the UK's departure from the EU is temporary and that economic and political pressures will eventually drive Britain back into the bloc. He contends that the costs of Brexit are becoming increasingly apparent, making rejoining inevitable over the long term.
Dan Jarvis, appointed after John Healey resigned over insufficient funding, said he is 'absolutely determined' to provide the Armed Forces with needed resources. He will revisit the defence investment plan and may seek more funding from the Treasury, potentially cancelling projects Healey was unwilling to cut.