UK - Britain risks losing its leadership role in NATO unless it increases its nuclear weapons stockpile, according to a report backed by a former adviser to George W Bush. Franklin Miller, who advised the former US president on nuclear issues, has joined calls for the UK to strengthen its nuclear deterrent amid the rising threat posed by Russia and China. A report published by the Policy Exchange think tank argues Britain has a capable nuclear weapons system in Trident. However, experts fear it may not be enough to maintain “credibility” within NATO. The paper argues that the US’s leadership of NATO is “increasingly being questioned”, with Mr Miller warning the “lamentable… unsteadiness in America’s commitment to NATO” should prompt Britain to assume a greater leadership role. The paper said the UK must invest more in updating its nuclear deterrent and be prepared to lead NATO’s response should the US refuse to act.

MIDDLE EAST - Trump administration officials are encouraging the United Arab Emirates to get more heavily involved in the Iran war and seize one of Tehran’s Gulf islands, The Telegraph understands. Some in Donald Trump’s circle have suggested the UAE should take Lavan Island, which was reportedly bombed in secret military strikes by the Emiratis in early April, a former senior Trump security official told The Telegraph. “Go take ’em!” the official said. “It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US.” The encouragement comes amid disclosures about the UAE’s increasing engagement in the 11-week conflict and its growing ties with Israel. The Emirates have borne the brunt of Tehran’s retaliation since Israel and America began striking Iran in late February.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - A new Ebola outbreak has killed 65 people and infected at least 246 others in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Africa’s top public health body. The outbreak of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever is in eastern Ituri province, a volatile and remote region more than 620 miles from the nation’s capital of Kinshasa, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The Congolese government has yet to formally declare an outbreak but a press conference is expected within hours. The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids, such as vomit, blood, or semen, and through broken skin, causing severe bleeding and organ failure.

USA - The largest children’s hospital in the US has been ordered to create the world’s first designated “detransition clinic”. Texas Children’s Hospital will offer free services to reverse the effects of gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth to settle a years-long investigation by the state. Under the terms of the agreement announced on Friday, the hospital will fire five doctors who performed the procedures and pay $10 million (£8 million) for allegedly billing the state’s Medicaid program for gender-transition procedures prohibited by Texas law. The settlement marks a significant milestone for opponents of transgender treatment for children. Despite ongoing lawsuits, the administration is pursuing efforts to restrict federal funding to hospitals that provide gender-transitioning treatments to children. In some cases, health providers – fearful of losing their funding – have cut back on such services.

USA - The event, led by evangelical faith leaders and Trump Administration officials, will celebrate 250 years of American independence. US President Donald Trump is hosting an all-day prayer festival this Sunday at the National Mall in Washington to reflect the country’s Christian values and spark “a movement of renewal” in the United States. The nine-hour event is part of the administration's efforts to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's founding. It will be hosted by mostly evangelical Protestant leaders and senior members of the Trump administration. The massive National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving is considered an unprecedented event in American religious history by scholars. In an online seminar last week, Rev Paula White-Cain, a senior faith advisor to the White House, explained that the event is “really truly rededicating the country to God.”

USA - Iran has a history of targeting ATGs, making it the prime suspect in these breaches, but sources warned CNN that the hackers left little evidence to allow definitive identification. Several systems monitoring fuel levels in storage tanks in the US have been breached by suspected Iranian hackers, CNN reported, citing multiple sources. The automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems were online and not password-protected, and hackers were able to change the display readings on the tanks, although they were unable to change the fuel levels within, and no physical damage or harm has been reported. However, a hacker with access to an ATG could potentially stop the detection of a gas leak, CNN wrote, citing private experts and US officials. Iranian hacking groups have interfered with multiple US infrastructure systems online, which interact with oil and gas sites and water systems. Many infrastructure operators have not properly secured their systems, CNN wrote.

CHINA - For President Xi, Taiwan is the one issue that could lead to trouble between the US and China if it isn't handled "correctly." While meeting with Trump in Beijing, Xi Jinping warned the US leader that the US and China could “come into conflict” if the Taiwan issue isn't handled correctly, Chinese state media have reported. For the Chinese leader, Taiwan was described as the most important issue in US-China relations, and he appears adamant that it be handled correctly to avoid problems... His sharp tone contrasts with Trump's, who has already praised Xi, saying, "It's an honor to be your friend." This shows just how far apart the leaders remain on difficult issues, including the war in Iran, trade disputes, and Taiwan, and suggests that Trump's three-day visit to China is likely to be longer on pageantry and symbolism than major bilateral breakthroughs.

CHINA - George Orwell’s “Big Brother” is alive and well in Communist China, and Fox News host Bret Baier’s crew got an up-close experience with it on Wednesday during President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. “Big Brother is watching. There are literally cameras everywhere… I can count at least 20 on this corner. In fact, in Beijing, they’ve added 1,500 cameras just this year alone. They see everything,” Baier said during a segment about China’s surveillance system. “There’s nobody jaywalking here, because they could get a ticket right away,” he continued. “In fact, our driver parked illegally for two minutes, and he got a message on his phone that he got a ticket for about $40 US, because they saw it,” the Fox News anchor recounted. Baier concluded, “Now, there are real questions what the CCP’s goal is about citizen tracking and social scoring. They say it’s to make everybody feel safe. These cameras are watching every minute. They’re everywhere.”

CHINA - In early May, thousands of angry Chinese workers lined the streets of the southern city of Yulin. Demonstrators blocked the roads, climbed onto rooftops and draped banners which read “Give me back my hard-earned money”. They were protesting about unpaid wages, offering a rare glimpse into unrest in a country where all forms of protest are strictly prohibited and those who speak out are swiftly, and often violently, punished. The demonstration, which lasted at least four days, and came barely two weeks before Donald Trump’s visit, is one of a growing number erupting across China as citizens grow exasperated with the country’s sluggish economy, strangled wages and corrupt practices. Xi Jinping came to power offering a “Chinese Dream” of growth, and this year he told the country in a New Year’s address that its strength had “reached new heights” as part of his vision of “national rejuvenation”. But economic headwinds and a pursuit of military and technological supremacy over the US has led to growing dissent sweeping through China’s vast workforce.

CHINA - Xi Jinping might like to think he holds all the cards during Donald Trump’s three-day state visit to China. In truth, the opposite is the case. The Beijing autocrat finds himself in arguably his weakest position in years as he struggles to deal with the combined impact of a faltering economy and diminished global standing. The most conspicuous example of China’s vulnerability is evident from the Iran conflict. It has increased the pressure on the Chinese economy at a time when it is already suffering the effects of declining growth.