Ties between the US tech giant Palantir and the United Kingdom government are coming under increased scrutiny following the arrest of former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite its public criticism of both Palantir and Mandelson, the UK government has entered into extensive contracts with the US tech giant, signing a defence contract worth 240 million pounds ($323m) in January. The contract was awarded to Palantir directly, while another, worth 330 million pounds ($444m) and involving the UK's Ministry of Health, was awarded in November 2023 following a bidding process. The latter contract's contents, campaigners say, remain heavily redacted . In addition to its role supporting US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, which has resulted in killings and unlawful deportations, Palantir has partnered extensively with the Israeli military and its operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the UK on Tuesday to agree a new defence partnership aimed at tackling cheap attack drones. Downing Street said the deal would bring together Ukrainian expertise and the UK's industrial base to manufacture and supply drones and other capabilities. The two leaders are also expected to discuss further support Ukraine against Russia's full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year. Their meeting comes as the US-Israeli war with Iran enters a third week, during which US President Donald Trump has criticised the UK and other countries over the extent of their response to the conflict. Under the partnership between the UK and Ukraine, closer co-operation in the defence industries will also be sought with third countries as part of efforts to bolster international security.

US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the UK government over its response to the Iran conflict, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the country would not be drawn into the wider war. Trump told reporters on Monday he was not happy with the UK, adding it should be involved enthusiastically in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz - a vital oil shipping channel . He later told a press conference there were some countries that greatly disappointed me before he singled out the UK, which he said had been considered the Rolls-Royce of allies. Trump's remarks came after Sir Keir said the UK was working with allies on a viable, collective plan to reopen the strait. Sir Keir also said the UK already had minehunters in the region but there was no decision yet on what action would be taken.

What are the symptoms of meningitis and is there a vaccine? Two people have died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent. The death of a year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham was confirmed by the local MP on Monday. The second person who died was a student at the University of Kent. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was notified of 13 cases with signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia from Friday to Sunday in the Canterbury area.

Queen Camilla told her friend that Meghan Markle'brainwashed' Prince Harry, new book claims Ground stop issued for all three Washington DC-area airports after'strong chemical smell' detected Uncomfortable truth about what happened to Rob Reiner's forgotten daughter Tracy: As she breaks cover for first time since murders... new details of secret New Mexico life Kylie Jenner's total humiliation in Hollywood: Derogatory rumor leaves her boyfriend's peers'laughing at her' behind her back Ohio mom's agony as National Guard member, 28, named as one of six Americans killed in Iraq crash Dak Prescott's crippling secret fear: Quarterback'preparing for the worst' after fiancée split... as career-ending gossip now seems inevitable Mysterious'Trump' airships appearing in 100-year-old sketchbooks sparks'time traveler' theories Downfall of Trump VP hopeful exiled to construction job: Filthy messages, Oval Office humiliations and the Ice Maiden who'f***ing hates his guts' What convinced Timothy Busfield's wife Melissa Gilbert that he didn't grope children: 'She would dump his a**' Woke Seattle writer claims she's no longer devastated by husband's demand for open marriage after she had threesome with him and his girlfriend Inside the sex guide electrifying conservative women: Good Christian wives purring over'explicit illustrations' that teach them the ultimate taboos Trump hails dramatic bombing raid on'Iran's crown jewel'... but says one area deliberately SPARED: Live updates AMANDA PLATELL: Meghan had the world at her feet. Now I feel reality is finally dawning on her and Harry. Princess Anne's secret phone call to Andrew, how she reacted to his arrest... and surprising offer she made to him: Insiders tell RICHARD KAY her hidden role as the Epstein crisis engulfed the royals - and what she thinks of Kate'I was in love with him': Woman who had years-long romance with Timothee Chalamet says he blindsided her with Kylie Jenner relationship Pieces of raw meat suddenly began falling from the sky over rural Kentucky, baffling witnesses who watched the bizarre shower unfold beneath a clear blue sky. The strange incident occurred on farmland owned by Allen and Rebecca Crouch on March 3, 1876. Witnesses said chunks of meat continued to fall from the sky for several minutes, scattering across an area roughly 100 yards long and 50 yards wide.

Trump's Iran war death toll climbs to 13 after all crew onboard US refueling plane died in crash Alexander brothers' alleged HIGH SCHOOL rape video: Classmates speak out on sickening footage... as creepy unseen photos are exposed Kylie Jenner's total humiliation in Hollywood: Derogatory rumor leaves her boyfriend's peers'laughing at her' behind her back I've spent 25 years treating patients with autism. This is the truth about the condition that many people don't want to hear: DR MAX PEMBERTON'Comatose' Mojtaba Khamenei'is UNAWARE there is a war on and has no idea he is supreme leader', report says - despite regime issuing his'first statement' Iran-linked cyberattack on US is'first drop of blood' as experts reveal alarming new threat to homeland Pete Hegseth melts down over'fake headlines' on Strait of Hormuz chaos as US hits Iran with'heaviest' day of fire yet Formula One set to CANCEL next month's Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races amid war in the Middle East - leaving a month-long gap in the calendar Trump insiders fear Operation Epic Fury is suddenly at risk over a new threat they're struggling to contain: MARK HALPERIN Pete Hegseth challenges Iran's'wounded and disfigured' new Ayatollah to appear on camera I worked with Carolyn Bessette. This is the'messy' truth about what she was REALLY like in secret. After she met JFK Jr she tried to hide it... but we all knew the nighttime gossip The disturbing truth about the link between alcohol and cancer and whether YOU could be at risk... as the Princess of Wales reveals her relationship with drinking has changed since beating the disease NFL fans left divided as team replace historic logo with'boring' new design as part of franchise rebrand Trump slammed after lifting oil sanctions on Russia as gas prices skyrocket: 'It's a betrayal' Friday the 13th linked to biblical end-times prophecy rooted in Jesus' betrayal Friday the 13th and its reputation of bringing bad luck has been tied to an ancient prophecy of global destruction rooted in the betrayal of Jesus Christ. In an oddity of the modern calendar, Friday the 13th has come again, just one month after arriving on February 13, 2026.

British forces based in Iraq shot down two Iranian drones overnight, Defence Secretary John Healey has said. But some drones in the attack hit the coalition base in the Iraqi city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, and injured a number of US troops. There were no British casualties. Brigadier Guy Foden said the base and another in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad were struck a number of times on Wednesday night and British personnel are currently in Erbil helping to defend that base. Since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, US bases in Iraq have been targeted in retaliation.

Don't make us security guards, says teacher stabbed by pupil A teacher who thought she was going to die when she was stabbed by a 13-year-old pupil in the schoolyard has said giving staff handheld scanners will not stop violence in schools. Liz Hopkin, who was attacked at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in 2024, said she felt really worried after the Welsh government announced it would offer school staff more guidance on what to do if they suspected a pupil had brought a weapon into school. It comes as a 15-year-old boy was charged with attempted murder after a teacher was stabbed at a school in the neighbouring county. Hopkin said teachers aren't security, while the Welsh government said the resources were about prevention, building on existing guidance. Hopkin, her colleague Fiona Elias and a pupil were attacked at the school where she worked in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, by a girl who had previously been found with a knife.

Starmer'appeasing' big tech firms, says online safety campaigner A leading campaigner has accused the prime minister of appeasing big tech companies and being late to the party in regulating social media and artificial intelligence. Crossbench peer Baroness Kidron told the BBC Sir Keir Starmer needed to get on with it rather than launching more consultations. She also criticised the PM for citing his own experience as a father of two teenage children on social media, arguing that this did not make him an expert on the subject and that his family were sheltered compared to others. The government rejected the claims, with a spokesperson saying it had already introduced some of the strongest online safety protections in the world. Sir Keir has launched a consultation on banning under-16s from social media and promised to crackdown on the addictive elements of the apps.

Trump rushed into Iran crisis meeting as insider warns'strike within hours' 'Deeply concerned' King Charles backs Andrew investigation after royal's arrest and says the'law must take its course' Model agency boss who'scouted' victims for Epstein was secretly planning to testify against him... only to suddenly change his mind before meeting chillingly similar fate to notorious pedophile The monarchy has survived wars and countless crises... but this is why it may not survive Andrew's arrest - and why the rift at the heart of the family is about to get so much worse: ROBERT JOBSON Widower whose wife set herself on fire after alleged affair with married congressman finally breaks silence to reveal their texts... and heartbreaking video of her death Whereabouts of Andrew's ex-wife and daughters remain unknown as former prince is arrested over public misconduct claims Andrew'pushed through' appointment of Jeffery Epstein's fixer to board of Windsor Castle trust despite opposition Virginia Giuffre's family hail Andrew's arrest and say'he was never a prince' But countless women (and some husbands) are secretly getting it for thrilling sex side effects... risking a truly putrid complication FBI'has names and photos of people who may be masked suspect caught on surveillance video outside Nancy Guthrie's home' How DID Beatrice afford her 20s jet-set lifestyle? US assembles the most aerial firepower since Iraq War as Trump prepares to strike Iran'in just DAYS'... and president is'choosing between two devastating options of attack' The side-effects were unbearable and I swore off the drug forever. This is the simple diet that helped me shed the pounds... and I'm not alone. The Prince and Princess of Wales express support for King Charles' statement after Andrew's arrest Jason Bateman says he quit cocaine and alcohol to ease'tension' in his marriage Humiliating real reason Mia Goth left Shia LaBeouf: What'friends and lovers' are all saying behind his back... after Mardi Gras brawl What happens now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested? I went into early menopause in my 30s.