Good morning. You'd be forgiven for missing it, because the government certainly hoped you would. Earlier this month, the UK quietly scrapped its "one in, one out" asylum deal with France - a partnership that was supposed to eliminate small boat crossings by deterring asylum seekers from making the treacherous journey across the world's busiest shipping channel.

The deal lasted just 423 days. In that time, it was beset with problems, had a negligible impact, and now joins a long list of policies that have tried and failed to address highly visible, often tragic small boat crossings. This morning, the Home Office announced it would be doubling the number of riot police along the French coast in lieu of the deal - because nothing says "we've solved migration" like more riot police.

In other news, the head of MI5 has warned that extremists holding anti-immigration opinions are becoming increasingly likely to consider carrying out terrorist attacks against immigration centres and asylum hotels. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has denied that a Reform UK government would authorise lethal force against small boat crossings in the Channel - a sentence that exists now.

Elsewhere, Andy Burnham will host Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street on Wednesday as the UK seeks to further underline its support for the Ukrainian president, in contrast to his difficulties with Donald Trump. And in US politics, Kimberly Guilfoyle is stepping down as US ambassador to Greece after weeks of reports that she sought payment from a Trump donor in exchange for access to administration officials.

Finally, the Vatican said late on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer. Leo, 71, underwent an operation and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, with tests confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Continue reading...