BBC News

Net migration to the UK fell by two-thirds in the year ending June 2025 compared with the previous 12 months, provisional figures indicate.

The difference between the number of people arriving in the country and those leaving was 204,000, down from 649,000, with the fall mainly driven by fewer arrivals for work and study reasons, the Office for National Statistics said.

It comes as Home Office figures show the number of people who claimed asylum in the year to September 2025 reached a record high of 110,051.

The figures also show the number of asylum seekers in hotels as of September rose by 2% compared with the same time last year.

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A limited form of military service will be re-introduced in France in response to growing fears of a confrontation with Russia.

More than 25 years after conscription was phased out, the plan will see young men and women volunteering for a paid 10 months of military training.

The new "national service" will be brought in gradually from next summer, mainly for 18- and 19-year-olds, who will receive at least €800 (£700) a month.

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At least 43 people have died in Indonesia after flooding which has also affected parts of Thailand and Malaysia.

The city of Hat Yai, a business hub bordering Malaysia, recorded its heaviest rainfall in 300 years.

The record floods have prompted authorities to deploy military ships and helicopters to support relief efforts.

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Pope Leo has arrived in Turkey at the start of the first foreign trip of his papacy.

During his visit he will mark an historic Christian anniversary, before heading to Lebanon days after Israeli airstrikes on its capital, Beirut.

Visits to both countries had originally been planned by the late Pope Francis.

Pope Leo said the message of his trip is to show that "all men (and) women can truly be brothers and sisters, in spite of differences, in spite of different religions, in spite of different beliefs".

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At least 55 people have been killed in a huge fire engulfing a high-rise public housing complex in Hong Kong, and hundreds are still unaccounted for.

The fire tore through seven of eight tower blocks in Tai Po district. Fires are under control in four, officials said.

Wang Fuk Court is home to some 4,600 residents, according to the latest figures.

It's unclear how many were inside when the fire broke out.

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UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her Budget after details of her tax and spending plans were released early - watch live at the top of the page.

The Office for Budget Responsibility apologised for the error after publishing Budget measures including a charge on homes more than £2m and changes to ISAs.

 

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The detention of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen living in the UK, at Shanghai airport has fuelled a diplomatic spat between Delhi and Beijing.

The passenger said she was detained by immigration officials while travelling from London to Japan via Shanghai last Friday because her passport lists her birthplace as the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China disputes India's control of the region and considers Arunachal its territory, calling it "South Tibet" - a claim India firmly rejects.

BBC South Asia specialist Anbarasan Ethirajan has been telling the Global News Podcast more about the history of Arunachal Pradesh and why it is such a sensitive issue in the region.

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Two National Guardsmen have been shot a few blocks away from the White House in Washington DC.

Two US National Guard members are in a critical condition after they were shot in Washington DC, the FBI Director Kash Patel has said.

A suspect has been taken into custody after also being shot during the incident. The location of the attack near the White House is said to be secure.

The Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says President Donald Trump has asked him to send 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington DC following the attack.

West Virginia's Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier said both National Guard members had died, before posting that he was hearing "conflicting reports" about their condition.

Clive Myrie presents breaking News at Ten reporting from Sarah Smith and Tom Bateman in Washington.

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The UK's government has just unveiled its budget - how it plans to raise and spend money. From energy bills, to tax and savings, the decisions will affect you and your money. But how?

The BBC's Lucy Woodham runs through everything you need to know.

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