UK MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, police cadets conducted tests in Bethnal Green shops to assess compliance with sales regulations on knives to minors, revealing alarming results regarding accessibility and enforcement in the ongoing fight against knife crime.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly unconscious amid a severe health crisis. With reports indicating he cannot partake in decision-making, the situation follows the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Further developments are anticipated as this unfolds.

The European Union has proposed the AGILE funding programme to enhance the speed of defence technology deployment. Aimed at startups and SMEs, AGILE seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world military applications, addressing the growing challenges of modern warfare and innovation pace.

EUROPEAN UPDATE

This morning, Europe focuses on enhanced energy cooperation

UK MORNING BRIEFING

An Epstein survivor plans to hold a mock tea party outside the White House this morning during King Charles’s state visit, urging the Monarch to support funding for therapy for victims of sexual abuse.

EU member states’ defence research and development reached €13 billion in 2024, growing by €4 billion in 2025, per European Defence Agency estimates. The AGILE programme allocates €115 million to support rapid innovation, aiming to enhance defence technology deployment within three years.

Operational restrictions have been imposed at four strategic Italian airports—Milan Linate, Bologna, Venice, and Treviso—amid severe fuel shortages. The measures prioritise ambulance and state flights, limiting short-haul aircraft to a supply ceiling of 2,000 litres, risking direct domestic routes without prior refuelling.

Social media accounts supporting Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party have accused Meta of censoring Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the 12 April elections. Fidesz campaign chief Balázs Orbán claimed users faced restrictions on liking posts. However, Meta stated no such limitations exist and called the allegations unfounded.

The Artemis II astronauts have become the farthest humans from Earth, surpassing 248,655 miles. In a poignant tribute, they proposed naming craters on the moon after their ship, Integrity, and Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll. They aim for a historic lunar flyby.

The F-15 pilot rescued after two days on an Iranian mountain had evaded capture and contacted US forces for help.