London: UK Weekend News Briefing May 2025 – It’s been a tumultuous week, India and Pakistan are on the brink of war, Netanyahu has launched an operation to create concentration camps in Gaza and President Trump has distanced himself from Netanyahu. It seems global conflicts may distract us from critical events at home. Your UK Weekend News Briefing May 2025 – We’ve got you covered for the weekend of MAY 9th –11th Anyway, it’s 5pm…
Pope Leo, elected less than 24 hours prior, led his first holy mass in the Sistine Chapel, emphasising the Church’s role in guiding “the dark nights of this world.”
Pair guilty of felling world-famous Sycamore Gap tree Two men from Cumbria have been found guilty of illegally cutting down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, a cherished landmark near Hadrian’s Wall. The iconic tree, which stood for centuries and featured in countless photographs, was reduced to a stump in a matter of minutes. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damage in relation to the felling, which…
PM hands US ‘veto’ on China deals The Daily Telegraph says it has learnt that under the terms of the deal, the US can “object to Chinese firms investing in the UK.” The paper says the Tory party says this amounts to a “veto” – something the government’s spokesperson has dismissed as “categorically untrue.” The newly elected Pope Leo XIV from Chicago makes the front page as does King Charles who was in attendance at yesterday’s…
PM hails ‘historic’ deal with US The Times says the historic deal means the prime minister can “boast of jobs saved” whilst President Donald Trump gets “better terms for beef and ethanol.” The newly elected Pope Leo XIV takes a prominent position on the front splash – the paper notes he is the first North American pope in history.
UK agrees deal with Don: Future’s Orange The Daily Star has a typical humorous take on the news saying the “future is orange” alongside an image of Donald Trump’s orange face. It also highlights an old tweet from David Lammy who warned a trade deal with Trump means US corporations get to “privatise and dismantle the NHS.” Princess Kate’s VE Day tribute and the newly elected Pope Leo make the front page.
‘Evil will not prevail’: first US pope vows to build bridges The Guardian says Robert Prevost, the first US cleric to lead the Roman Catholic church, has said “evil will not prevail” as he addressed a crowd of 100,000 pilgrims and tourists in his first speech as Pope Leo XIV from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. UK-US trade deal and a possible Labour rebellion also finds space on the front splash!
267th pontiff chosen in just 25 hours: Holy smoke … That was quick! Metro says the Chicago-born prelate was chosen after four rounds of voting on the second day of a conclave comprising a record 133 cardinals that was expected by some Vatican watchers to last days. King Charles is pictured on the front page of the paper meeting with WW2 veterans!
The Irish News says Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost will forever now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
India’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended for one week due to escalating tensions with Pakistan, following security concerns after a drone incident at the Rawalpindi Stadium.
Many of the UK newspaper front pages leave space to report on the announcement that US-born Robert Prevost has been elected as the next pope following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
The UK-US deal leads most of the newspapers this morning – the reaction is mixed with some praising the move and others disappointed that the flat 10 per cent levy remains.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will “defend ourselves alone” against the Houthis after Donald Trump struck a surprise deal with the Iran-backed group.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, condemned US intelligence gathering on Greenland, asserting that “you cannot spy against an ally.”
The prime minister is facing a rebellion from his MPs over planned cuts to welfare that some have warned are “impossible to support” without a “change of direction.”
US-born Robert Prevost, who holds citizenship in both the US and Peru, has been chosen to be the next Pope – following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
Kaja Sokola, a key witness, recounted her experiences of being sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein at age 16, describing it as the most “horrifying” experience of her life.
Leaders from both countries praised the move as a positive step, but many analysts say it doesn’t significantly change the overall trade relationship.
Survivors Sharon Miller and Wayne Birkett express deep emotional trauma from the Nottingham attacks, with Miller wishing she had died instead of the two victims, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber.
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards commenced with a vibrant 14-minute medley featuring country music legends, including Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Clint Black, celebrating six decades of country classics.
Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the US, holds dual citizenship with Peru, where he served as a missionary for decades.
Baroness Harriet Harman urges Red Wall MPs to advocate for the repeal of the two-child benefit cap instead of focusing on the winter fuel payment issue.
India’s high commissioner stated that India will respond to any escalation from Pakistan “proportionally and in exactly the same light,” following recent missile strikes on alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan after an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
King Charles III emphasised unity and commitment to peace in his speech during the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations, echoing sentiments from King George VI’s historic address.
Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old cardinal from Chicago, has been elected as the first American Pope, taking the name Leo XIV.
