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Successive pro-Brexit Tory governments have pledged to crack down on immigration, since Britain voted to leave the EU. Immigration to Britain lept by more than 15% with 1.2 million coming to the country for long-term stays in 2022, according to Office for National Statistics figures released on Thursday. Some 606,000 people were added to Britain's population – a record – despite 557,000 people emigrating from the country in the same time period. In 2021, net migration was 504,000, a figure that has increased by 20% now. The rise in international students following the lifting of the pandemic restrictions primarily fuelled the increasing figures, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Approval of Russia has plunged in neighbouring countries, who are wary of a bullish Moscow which has lost its traditional role as a regional power broker. Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has lost a significant amount of support in countries which were historically part of its sphere of influence. A recent Gallup report shows that in many - but not all - states that were once part of the Soviet Union, approval of the Russian leadership took a hit between 2021 and 2022. This is at odds with what President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to restore "Russian dominance", possibly wanted to obtain. In countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and the Baltic states - traditionally warier of Russia as a problematic and often pushy neighbour - approval of the Kremlin has dropped from levels already below 20% to 0% or near 0%.

Iran has unveiled its latest ballistic missile as tensions with the West continue over its nuclear programme. Authorities showed off the liquid-fuelled Khorramshahr-4 to journalists at an event in Tehran, with the missile on a truck-mounted launcher. Defence Minister Gen. Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said the missile could be prepared for launch in a short period. Iranian officials described the missile as having a 2,000km (1,240-mile) range with a 1,500 kilogram (3,300-pound) warhead. They also released undated video footage that they said showed a successful launch of the missile. Iran nuclear deal is 'dead', claims US President Joe Biden European hostages in Iran used as political 'bargaining chips' Iran nuclear: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi 'to meet Iranian President Raissi on Saturday'

An 11-year-old boy who was shot by an officer after calling police for help has been released from hospital, his family says. Mississippi police arrived at Aderrien Murry's home on Saturday responding to a domestic disturbance call placed by the boy, then shot him in the chest, according to his mother. She said the boy asked her "what did I do?" after being shot. The officer involved has been placed on leave as the shooting is investigated. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is conducting a probe into the incident. The boy is recovering at home after being released from a local hospital, where he was treated for a collapsed lung, fractured ribs and a lacerated liver.

A man has been arrested after a car crashed into the Downing Street gates. The Met Police said he was held on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving, but the incident is not being treated as terror related. One witness said he saw officers pointing Tasers at a man, who was held "face to the floor" as he was detained. No one was injured in the incident. No 10 has confirmed Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time. The area in Whitehall, the main road which runs through the heart of several government offices, was partially evacuated following the incident at 16:20 BST. The road has since reopened to traffic and the police cordon has been removed. At 19:45 BST the car was loaded onto a police recovery vehicle and removed from the scene.

Lawmakers in Washington are preparing to leave town for a holiday weekend, with time running out to reach a deal over raising the debt ceiling. The US Treasury has warned that the country will not have enough money to pay all of its bills as soon as 1 June. Analysts say if the US fails to honour obligations it could have severe economic consequences. Investor worries have increased, despite assurances from negotiators that talks are making progress. Republicans are seeking spending cuts to government programmes, in exchange for raising the $31.4tn (£25tn) cap on government borrowing. President Joe Biden said the two sides had different visions for how to get America's "fiscal house in order", but added that all leaders involved agreed that default was not an option.

By 28 June, any victims of Nazi atrocities in Italy and their relatives must file a compensation claim against Germany -- a deadline which puts an end to a years-long dispute between the two countries. In January this year, 99-year-old Italian Quinto Nuzi filed a claim against Germany for €130,000. The money would be compensation for the suffering Nuzi endured during World War II, when he was arrested by German forces in 1943 and detained for 20 months in a Nazi forced labour camp in Poland His lawsuit came 78 years after the horrors he suffered in the camp - but he told Italian media he had no idea until recently that he might even be entitled to compensation. Now, his lawyers have asked the Italian government to consider postponing a deadline at the end of June which would be the final date any Italians could make a claim against the German state related to World War II. “We need to give the opportunity to all formerly detained troops and civilians to access the fund,” his lawyers said to Italian news media. The looming 28 June deadline will close a years-long dispute between Germany and Italy which Berlin is eager to end - but which many in Italy consider unfair to bring to a close.

Negotiations to prevent the US government from running out of money are headed down to the wire. The Treasury says Congress must agree to raise the debt ceiling by 1 June or the US will run out of cash to pay its bills, resulting in economic disaster. Top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy says his party and the Democrats remain "far apart". One of the big credit ratings firms has said the impasse could prompt it to downgrade the country's rating. So with just over a week left - including a holiday weekend - are investors finally getting nervous? Mark Lindbloom, of California-based Western Asset, which has more than $400bn (£322bn) in assets under management, said concerns were "dominating some conversations" with clients. "There is a lot of fear-mongering going on" by politicians and the media, he said. "That scares people so yes, people are asking about it."

Microsoft announces Windows Copilot AI-powered assistant Windows 11 users will get their first opportunity to use the AI-powered Windows Copilot in June

A recent letter by Donald Trump’s lawyers requesting a meeting with US attorney general Merrick Garland has sparked speculation that a fresh indictment could be looming against the former president. Mr Trump just hours ago “truthed” a letter dated 23 May on his social media platform Truth Social in which his lawyers alleged he “is being treated unfairly” in the investigation related to classified documents found stashed in his properties after his run as president got over.

Pro-Ukraine fighters are believed to have used US-made armoured vehicles in one of the biggest incursions across the Russian border, according to pictures and videos verified by New York Times. At least three US-made MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) were used in the attacks in Russia’s Belgorod oblast, with two of those captured by Russian forces, the report said.

New YorkCNN — Retailers large and small say they’re struggling to contain an escalation in store crimes — petty shoplifting to organized sprees of large-scale theft that clear entire shelves of products. Target last week said it was bracing to lose half a billion dollars this year because of rising theft. Nordstrom, Whole Foods and some other big chains said they were abandoning San Francisco because of changing economic conditions or employee safety. Many other retailers have blamed crime for closing stores. It’s not clear that crime is growing significantly more serious. But as economic fears grow amid inflation and rising borrowing costs, shoplifting often comes with the territory, industry watchers say.