Wednesday briefing: How Britain and Ireland came to a diplomatic deadlock over Rwanda

In today’s newsletter: It is the most fractious time in British-Irish relations since Brexit, as Ireland claims the Rwanda policy is pushing migrants to its borders – and increasing political pressure about immigration

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Good morning.

Dealing with the problems that have emerged from the government’s Rwanda scheme has turned into a game of whack-a-mole for the prime minister. Parliamentary deadlock for months on end, internal rebellions, growing condemnation from lawyers and human rights organisations of a scheme that has been described as “performative cruelty”. And now it threatens the harmony between the UK and its nearest neighbour.

UK news | A 36-year-old man has been arrested following what police described as a “horrific” sword attack in east London that left a 14-year-old boy dead. Four others were injured in the incident, including two police officers who were seriously wounded.

Donald Trump | The former US president was fined $9,000 for violating a gag order designed to protect participants in his current criminal trial from his abuse. A New York judge imposed the maximum financial penalty allowed under state law.

Local government | A £760m equal pay liability bill at Birmingham city council, which led it to effectively declare bankruptcy, could be hugely overstated, critics have said. There is growing unease that large budget cuts, asset sales and a 10% council tax increase have been made before the council has fully got to grips with the state of its finances.

US news | Hundreds of New York City police officers in riot gear entered Columbia University on Tuesday evening to clear an academic building taken over by pro-Palestinian students the day before, as tensions surrounding the students’ campus encampment for Gaza have roiled the New York school for two weeks.

Israel-Gaza war | Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to proceed with an offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, even if renewed efforts at internationally brokered talks with Hamas result in the release of hostages and a ceasefire.