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"We needed to unblock the aid from the US. For us, the exchange of intelligence is very important."

Seemingly by accident, Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was also invited to the chat, which discussed planned strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen aimed at unblocking trade routes on the Suez Canal.

It has set out "a major planning overhaul… unblocking barriers to building, and setting out targets for councils to ramp up housebuilding, so new homes are built where they are most needed."

Rescuers are now searching for survivors in the ruins, such as in the capital Mamoudzou, while trying to unblock roads and clear rubble and downed trees.

Streamlining local government will be presented as a way to enable the creation of more powerful local mayors, regarded by Labour as a means to unblock infrastructure and attract greater investment.