The UK government has announced an expansion of its immigration pathway for people from Hong Kong, opening the door to thousands more migrants. Under the new rules, adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders and their families will be able to apply to move to the UK independently.

The decision comes against the backdrop of continued restrictions on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and follows the sentencing of British citizen and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison under Beijing’s National Security Law.

Under the expanded scheme, adult children of BN(O) status holders who were under the age of 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China will now qualify to apply on their own, without relying on their parents’ applications. Their spouses and children will also be eligible, with the government estimating that around 26,000 people could relocate to the UK over the next five years.

A statement published on the UK government’s website on Monday said the move reflects Britain’s long-standing commitment to the people of Hong Kong, particularly as conditions in the territory continue to worsen.

Officials pointed to Jimmy Lai’s sentencing as a clear sign of increasing repression. “The Prime Minister raised Mr Lai’s case directly with President Xi during his visit, opening up discussion of the UK’s most acute concerns directly with the Chinese government, at the highest levels. Now that the sentencing has happened, the government will rapidly engage further on Mr Lai’s case,” the statement said.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reaffirmed the UK’s position, saying: “This country will always honour its historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong. We are proud to have already provided a safe haven to almost 170,000 Hong Kongers since 2021.

“In the face of the continued deterioration of rights and freedoms, we are now expanding eligibility so more families can build new lives here. While we must restore order and control to our borders, the British people will always welcome those in genuine need of sanctuary.”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also stressed the government’s ongoing support: “Though Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms continue to erode, this government’s support for its people remains steadfast, and that’s why we are ensuring that young people who missed out on resettlement protection because of their age will now be covered.”

Since the BN(O) visa route was introduced, more than 230,000 visas have been issued, with nearly 170,000 people already settling in the UK. Officials said the latest expansion addresses gaps in the system that previously resulted in “unfair outcomes within families, with some children able to resettle and others not.”

The announcement is part of wider reforms to the UK’s asylum and immigration system, aimed at creating additional humanitarian pathways for those escaping conflict and persecution. These capped routes are intended to provide safe, legal alternatives to dangerous small boat crossings and will be rolled out once border controls are strengthened.

The government also highlighted related initiatives, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme for another year, offering protection to 310,000 Ukrainians and their families, and the resettlement of more than 37,000 Afghans since 2021 over 12,000 of whom assisted British forces during operations in Afghanistan.

Japan’s ruling conservative coalition has significantly tightened its hold on power following a sweeping victory in Sunday’s general election, widely seen as a strong early endorsement of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s leadership.

By early Monday, Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had secured 316 seats in the 465-member lower house, well above the 261 required for an outright majority and the party’s strongest performance since its formation in 1955. Together with coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, which won 36 seats, the government now commands a two-thirds supermajority, giving Takaichi the ability to override the upper chamber and fast-track her legislative agenda.

Celebrations broke out at LDP headquarters as a smiling Takaichi marked each victory on a results board while party officials applauded. The 64-year-old, who became Japan’s first female prime minister last autumn and quickly called a snap election, had pledged to step down if her coalition failed to win a simple majority—despite voting taking place amid freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall across much of the country.

While the decisive win strengthens her political mandate, challenges loom. Concerns persist over Takaichi’s handling of Japan’s fragile public finances and her approach to strained relations with China, particularly over Taiwan. During the campaign, she promised a 21tn yen (£99bn) stimulus package to ease cost-of-living pressures and later proposed suspending the 8% consumption tax on food for two years, a move that would cut annual revenue by about 5tn yen.

The ambitious spending plans unsettled markets and fuelled currency volatility, prompting debate over fiscal discipline in a country whose debt exceeds twice its GDP. Addressing supporters as exit polls pointed to victory, Takaichi said: “We have consistently stressed the importance of responsible and proactive fiscal policy. We will prioritise the sustainability of fiscal policy. We will ensure necessary investments. Public and private sectors must invest. We will build a strong and resilient economy.”

Her assertive foreign policy stance has also drawn attention. After high-profile meetings with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, Takaichi sparked tensions with Beijing by suggesting Japan could become militarily involved if China attempted to invade Taiwan. China responded by discouraging tourism and study in Japan, disrupting exchanges and ending long-standing “panda diplomacy”. Despite this, her refusal to back down appears to have resonated with voters.

Trump congratulated her victory online, wishing her “great success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda”. Analysts say her supermajority gives her breathing room until the next upper house elections in 2028, though markets could react sharply if she proceeds with tax cuts.

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions made Sunday’s poll—Japan’s first mid-winter election in 35 years—a test of endurance, disrupting transport nationwide. Still, voter turnout rose to an estimated 55.6%, with more than 27 million people voting early, according to NHK.

Takaichi’s growing popularity, especially among younger voters, has revitalised the LDP after years of setbacks under her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, whose tenure was marred by scandal and rising living costs. As in past elections, a divided and lacklustre opposition also played a role in the ruling party’s commanding victory.

Former United States President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday at the US National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, describing her as a “very respected” Christian leader.

During his remarks, Trump noted that the First Lady of Nigeria also serves as a Christian pastor at the country’s largest church and commended her reputation and influence.

“We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. Very respected woman,” Trump said.

“First Lady, please. Where are you? Thank you very much. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much. Very respected person, too. Thank you.”

Tinubu’s attendance at the high-profile event is seen as part of Nigeria’s use of soft power on the international stage. This comes months after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians, a decision that sharply strained relations between Abuja and Washington.

After the redesignation, Trump also warned of possible military action in Africa’s most populous nation, citing concerns over religious freedom. The Nigerian government strongly dismissed the allegations, maintaining that insecurity in the country stems from terrorism, banditry, and organised criminal networks rather than religious persecution.

In response to the CPC designation, Nigerian officials stepped up diplomatic engagements with the United States, seeking to challenge genocide claims and reassure Washington of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting citizens of all faiths.

These efforts culminated in a significant security development on Christmas Day, when the federal government confirmed US airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State.

The strikes represented the first publicly acknowledged US military action on Nigerian soil. The government said the operation targeted terrorist enclaves and recorded no civilian casualties.

Beyond security collaboration, Nigeria has also intensified efforts to manage its image in Washington.

In December, the federal government, through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, hired DCI Group, a Washington-based consulting and lobbying firm, under an initial six-month contract worth $4.5 million, with monthly payments of $750,000, according to filings with the US Department of Justice.

The documents indicate that a similar sum would be due if the contract is renewed for another six months.

Under the agreement, DCI Group is mandated to brief US government officials on Nigeria’s actions to protect both Christians and Muslims, counter genocide allegations, and sustain US support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations across West Africa.

Russia and Ukraine have carried out an uncommon exchange of prisoners of war and civilians following two days of US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, even as the talks concluded without a major diplomatic breakthrough.

In the swap, 157 Ukrainians, including seven civilians, were returned home, alongside 157 Russian soldiers. It marked the first such exchange between the two sides in four months.

Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States participated in the discussions held in the United Arab Emirates’ capital. Despite intensive engagement, progress proved limited, with negotiations reportedly stalled over territorial demands on Ukraine and the issue of security guarantees to prevent renewed Russian aggression if a peace deal is reached.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficulty of the talks, saying he was seeking quicker outcomes.

Prisoner Exchange After Long Pause

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelensky said the exchange followed a lengthy break since the last swap in October.

“We are returning our people home – 157 Ukrainians. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Service. And civilians are also returning with the defenders,” he wrote on social media.

Ukrainian officials said 139 of those freed had been held in Russian captivity since 2022. Zelensky reiterated his commitment to securing the release of all Ukrainians still detained by Russia.

Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that Kyiv had returned 157 Russian prisoners of war. It also said three Russian civilians described as being “illegally held” were handed back. The civilians were residents of the western Kursk region, parts of which Ukraine occupied during its 2024–25 incursion.

Talks Continue, But Key Obstacles Remain

The Abu Dhabi meetings — the second round of talks in recent weeks — are part of US President Donald Trump’s push to bring the four-year war to an end. Negotiations have been led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Describing the discussions, Witkoff said they had been “detailed and productive”, while stressing that “significant work remains.”

Territory remains the most contentious issue, with Russia insisting that Ukraine hand over the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region still outside Moscow’s control. Ukraine, meanwhile, is pressing for strong security guarantees from the US and European allies to deter future attacks.

No formal details from the talks have been released.

Fighting Continues Despite Diplomacy

The negotiations took place as Russia resumed intense attacks on Ukraine, ending a brief pause that Trump had requested during a spell of extreme winter weather.

Russian strikes have heavily targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands without electricity, heating and water in sub-zero conditions — underscoring the urgency, yet fragility, of ongoing diplomatic efforts.