In today’s newsletter: With attendance and engagement declining and growing pressure on pastoral care, helping young people rediscover their love for learning requires a new lesson plan

Good morning. I’m back, but don’t get too excited. I’ll just be making guest appearances here and there.

Now, onto children, who – if the steady stream of warnings is anything to go by – are in serious trouble. There’s the pull of addictive screens, a sharp dropin children reading for pleasure, a global decline in academic performance, and a notable rise in youthmental health struggles. Together, these trends point to a wider crisis in learning.

Ukraine | Donald Trump has announced an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, apparently without consulting Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said the deal to stop long-range attacks was “news to me”.

Middle East | A projectile hit a passenger terminal at the airport in Riyadh on Sunday, the day after a deadly missile attack on the facility carried out by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebel group killed 13 people.

UK politics | Andy Burnham is facing questions over plans to speed up sweeping changes to Britain’s electoral system amid speculation that some of his closest advisers are pressing for an early general election.

Djibouti | At least 139 people, including 15 children, have died after a boat carrying 305 migrants capsized off the coast of Djibouti, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

Brexit | Andy Burnham has said it is clear Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum, after seeking answers on the Kremlin’s involvement in the 2016 vote when he entered Downing Street.

Tuesday | MPs on the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee will question AI bosses on regulation, security breaches and safety concerns.

Thursday | The SNPs annual party conference kicks off in Aberdeen.

Friday | Teddy Young, the Royal Navy sailor accused of spying for Russia, is due to appear at the Old Bailey in London.

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