China has vowed for decades to bring Taiwan under its control, but under President Xi Jinping, pressure on the self-governing island has intensified dramatically. With the US committed to defending Taiwan, there are fears that the world could be edging closer to a conflict between two nuclear superpowers.

ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward examines why Taiwan matters so much to Beijing, how China could attempt to take the island, and what the consequences could mean for the global economy and international security.

This explainer explores the history behind China’s claim to Taiwan, the rise of Taiwanese identity, and the growing military, economic and political pressure being exerted by Beijing. It also looks at the possible scenarios experts believe are most likely — from a Chinese naval blockade and cyber attacks to the prospect of a full-scale invasion.

With Taiwan producing many of the world’s most advanced semiconductors, any conflict in the region could have global consequences far beyond Asia. The video also examines the role of the United States, President Donald Trump’s position on Taiwan, and whether America would intervene in a war with China.

As tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait, this is what you need to know about one of the most consequential geopolitical disputes in the world today.

Contributor:

Ben Bland - Director, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House

Labour and the Conservatives have dominated British politics for more than 100 years. But local and devolved elections being held across the UK could be about to change that forever, and potentially mark the end for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

ITV News' election expert Professor Jane Green has been given access to YouGov polling data that suggests that we might be at a tipping point, where challenger parties like Reform UK, the Lib Dems, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, and the SNP could be set for some of their best results ever.

In this video, we’ll look at what this data reveals, how Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Green Party could potentially unseat Labour and the Conservatives, and how this all means the future of British politics could be set to change indefinitely.

The King and Queen will meet with US President Donald Trump in person five times over four days as they try to patch up the strained relations between the US and UK amid the conflict in Iran.

And everyone involved in the visit admits it is the most risky diplomatic trip of King Charles’ reign so far.

Trump has said Starmer is "no Winston Churchill", he picked on his voice, shared social media posts mocking his British counterpart and called Royal Navy warships "toys" compared to American ones.

But the prime minister put his faith in the so-called 'soft-power' of the monarchy, which he said, "is often able to reach through the decades on a situation like this".

Only stills photographers have been invited into the Oval Office when the King meets the President, which limits the chance of Donald Trump saying something awkward in front of TV cameras.

But no one can ever be confident that Trump will stick to his script at a state dinner in Washington.

What the King and Queen will not be able to do on the trip is see those Epstein survivors who have written to the palace asking for a meeting.

There is currently a criminal investigation in the UK into the King's younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, for the offence of misconduct in public office.

Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but he was stripped of his prince title, his dukedom and his home in Windsor.

Other police assessments are going on into claims of trafficking young women into the UK for sex.

The former Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but he was stripped of his prince title, his dukedom and his home in Windsor over what the palace called his "errors of judgement".

A Buckingham Palace source said: "We fully understand and appreciate the survivors' position, but can only reiterate that our position is clear that anything that could potentially impact on ongoing police inquiries and assessments and any potential criminal investigation that could result from that would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice." However small the risk, it is one palace officials are not prepared to take.

However small the risk, it is one palace officials are not prepared to take.