The one-off Test against Zimbabwe, despite its one-sided nature, serves as a significant gesture of goodwill and a re-establishment of cricketing ties after 22 years.
Day: 23 May 2025
Good morning – let’s grab a coffee and catch up on what’s making headlines in the UK and beyond today.
There’s some relief on the way for households as energy bills are set to fall for the first time in a year. Ofgem has confirmed a 7% cut to the energy price cap from July, which means the average household in England, Scotland and Wales will see their annual bill drop by around £129.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signed a significant agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. As part of the deal, the UK will lease back the vital military base on Diego Garcia for £101 million a year, securing its use for an initial 99-year period.
In England, public sector workers are seeing a boost in their pay packets. Teachers and doctors will receive a 4% pay rise following recommendations from official pay review bodies. While education unions have largely welcomed the decision, they’ve warned that schools could face budget shortfalls without additional funding. Meanwhile, health unions have criticised a smaller 3.6% increase for NHS staff such as nurses and midwives.
On the global stage, tensions are rising after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a scathing attack on Keir Starmer and the leaders of France and Canada. Netanyahu accused them of siding with Hamas, following recent international criticism of Israel’s military actions. The comments came after two people were shot dead at the Israeli embassy in Washington, which has further strained diplomatic relations.
In the United States, the Trump administration has taken dramatic action against Harvard University, revoking its ability to enrol international students. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Harvard had failed to comply with immigration laws, while the university has called the move “unlawful” and a direct threat to academic freedom.
And finally, a suspect has been charged with the murder of two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. US prosecutors are treating the shooting as a hate crime and an act of terror, and have confirmed it’s a death penalty-eligible case. More charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a fierce attack on Sir Keir Starmer, along with the leaders of France and Canada, accusing them of effectively siding with Hamas by criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza.
On January 23, 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act, enabling government seizure of private property for public use, with fair compensation stipulated in specific circumstances.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signed a major agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategic military base on Diego Garcia for £101 million a year.
Doctors and teachers in England have been given a 4% pay rise after the government accepted recommendations from public sector pay review bodies.
A 135m long cargo ship crashed into Johan Helber’s garden in Trondheim, Norway, narrowly missing his home while he slept.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that aid trucks entering Gaza have not reached civilians, raising concerns of potential chaos as residents await supplies.
Positive Reception: Netflix’s new series “Bet,” based on the manga “Kakegurui,” has garnered over 3.7 million views since its release on May 15, quickly entering the platform’s top 10 list.
A new study has identified biological markers in blood and urine that can indicate the intake of ultra-processed foods, which constitute nearly 60% of the American diet.
The ongoing conflict in Thailand’s deep south since 2004 has resulted in over 23,000 violent incidents and more than 7,000 deaths, primarily affecting the Muslim Malay majority in Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala provinces.
Morales recounts Diddy’s control over Cassie’s appearance, requiring photos to be reported back to him.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has expressed reservations about his team’s prospects of emulating last year’s emotional Monaco Grand Prix victory, attributing their struggles to a specific low-speed corner weakness in the SF-25.
Cliff Notes – Kid Cudi testifies about ‘WTF’ car fire, break-in and ‘super villain’ meeting Diddy trial day nine – as it happened: Kid Cudi…
Expanded Gameplay Mechanics: Monster Train 2 introduces room-level upgrades and a dual-clan system, enhancing strategic depth and encouraging diverse troop placements across the train’s three floors.
Irish rap group Kneecap performed a surprise show in London despite member Liam O’Hanna facing a charge related to a flag supporting Hezbollah.
Olly Murs left the stage after five songs during his concert in Glasgow, citing ill health and a loss of voice as the reason for his early exit.