Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper joined other officials at a NATO summit in Sweden. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also attended the foreign ministers meeting. Officials expressed confusion over the recent US decision to send 5,000 troops to Poland after earlier plans to reduce forces in Europe.
In UK politics, Andy Burnham is scheduled to launch his campaign as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield by-election. He seeks to return to Parliament after nine years. The Green Party has reopened its candidate selection process after its initial nominee withdrew within hours, citing personal and family reasons.
Burnham is expected to speak publicly around 10:45 a.m. and has already been seen canvassing locally. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged support for the campaign, describing it as a contest between Labour and Reform. UK government borrowing reached a high level for April, with a reported deficit of £24.3 billion.
