In today’s newsletter: At a summit in London on Monday, the prime minister tried to stir investment in Britain – here’s how it went

• Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First Edition

Good morning, and a warm welcome back to myself: thanks to Nimo and Heather Stewart for bringing you First Edition while I was away.

The dread words were repeated in a number of news stories yesterday: “The summit was livestreamed on LinkedIn.” The event in question was Labour’s inaugural UK business summit, designed to encourage investment in the UK from international firms, but mainly getting headlines for chancellor Rachel Reeves’ hint that she is planning to raise employer national insurance contributions at the budget.

Middle East | More than 20 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Christian town in northern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to fire rockets at Tel Aviv, as Israel’s multifront war continues to escalate. Meanwhile on Monday, the UK, Italy France and Germany released a joint statement condemning Israel for repeatedly attacking UN peacekeepers.

Russia | The UK government believes that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, personally authorised the Salisbury novichok poisonings, which could have killed thousands of people, an inquiry has been told.

UK news | The father of the 10-year-old schoolgirl Sara Sharif killed her before fleeing to Pakistan and calling police to say he “beat her up too much”, a court has heard. Sara’s body was discovered at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on 10 August last year alongside a handwritten note from her father.

Politics | The Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch has been criticised for a campaign pamphlet that said autistic people received “better treatment” and “economic privileges and protections”.

Conkers | The World Conker Championships is investigating cheating allegations after the men’s winner was found to have a steel chestnut in his pocket. David Jakins, who has competed since 1977 and is also head judge or “King Conker”, was found to have a metal replica in his pocket when he was searched after his victory.