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- Spain investigates amusement ride accident after four including children injured
- British fighter jets scrambled as 200 people evacuated in Romania drone incident
- New Portrait Shows Prince William with a Thicker Head of Hair | News UK
- Montenegro advances EU accession as bloc begins drafting treaty
- Leading UK supermarket faces collapse and potential closure of 300 stores | News UK
- Britain’s week of AI cuts, Atlantic nerves and Westminster pressure
- Four men face charges over arson attack on ambulances in London
- US Envoys Witkoff and Kushner to Engage in Iran Talks in Pakistan
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Spain investigates amusement ride accident after four including children injured
6:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Spain investigates amusement ride accident after four including children injured
Four people, including two children, were injured after the Steel Max ride fell off its cable in Seville, Spain. The incident occurred during its operation at 8.20pm, and the area was secured with the help of Civil Protection workers.
Four people, including two children, were injured after the Steel Max ride fell off its cable in Seville, according to a spokesman for the emergency response coordination centre. Local police have initiated an inspection of documentation, with the National Police taking charge of the investigation.
The Steel Max attraction in Seville has been cordoned off by firefighters following the incident where four individuals were injured, including two children. Local police have initiated an inspection of documentation, and the National Police are now overseeing the investigation into the accident.
Fairground ride smashes to the ground after cable snaps in Spain | News World
Four people, including two children, were injured after a fairground ride fell off its cable in Spain.
Amusement parkgoers were enjoying a day out at an annual fair in Seville yesterday when the hair-raising incident happened.
Onlookers could be overheard screaming and shouting out: ‘My God’ as the drama unfolded on the slingshot ride called Steel Max, in an area of attractions dubbed ‘Calle del Infierno’ which in English translates as ‘Street of Hell.’
The two youngsters were inside the capsule that hit a side post at speed after the cable broke before it ended up suspended several feet in the air.
The moment the cable snapped and before the thrill-seekers were helped out of the sling basket (Picture: Solarpix)
A spokesman for an emergency response coordination centre said in the aftermath of the incident: ‘Firefighters have cordoned off the Steel Max attraction after an accident that occurred during its operation at 8.20pm.
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‘Four people were slightly injured and treated on site although the two on the ride were later taken to a medical center.
‘The area was secured after the rescue with the help of Civil Protection workers.
The moment before the cable snaps on the ride (Picture: Solarpix.com)
‘Local police immediately carried out an inspection of documentation and National Police are taking charge of the investigation.’
The extreme amusement ride on which the drama occurred propels a two-person capsule over 300 feet into the air at speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h) using a spring-propulsion system or elastic cables.
Riders experience intense acceleration, forces up to 5Gs, temporary weightlessness, and a dramatic, high-speed vertical ascent followed by bouncing.
It was not immediately clear who the other two casualties were apart from the children in the capsule.
The Seville Feria is a week-long spring festival featuring a massive fairground with over 1,000 casetas or tents where locals drink and dance.
It originated in 1847 as an agricultural and livestock fair.
Two matadors have been injured so far in bullfights, which have taken place as part of the festival.
One was leading bullfighter Jose Antonio Morante Camacho, who was gored in the rectum.
He was left lying in the dirt, clutching his behind after a 1,128 lbs (512kg) bull named Clandestino rammed into his private parts.
He underwent hours of painstaking surgery after Monday’s dramatic incident, saying afterwards that ‘the truth is, I’m in a lot of pain,’ adding that he was currently being fed through a catheter.
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British fighter jets scrambled as 200 people evacuated in Romania drone incident
5:00 pm
British fighter jets scrambled as 200 people evacuated in Romania drone incident
Drone Incident
Two British fighter jets were scrambled following a drone crash in Romania, leading to the evacuation of 200 people.
Two British fighter jets were scrambled following a drone crash in Romania, leading to the evacuation of 200 people.
Evacuation Scale
Two British fighter jets were deployed, leading to the evacuation of 200 individuals following a drone incident in Romania during Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Two British fighter jets were deployed, leading to the evacuation of 200 individuals following a drone incident in Romania during Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Military Response
“Two British fighter jets were scrambled to ensure the safety of our airspace following the drone incident in Romania,” stated a Ministry of Defence spokesperson.
“Two British fighter jets were scrambled to ensure the safety of our airspace following the drone incident in Romania,” stated a Ministry of Defence spokesperson.
Key developments
Two British fighter jets were scrambled on Saturday following the crash of a drone in Romania, which coincided with a series of Russian strikes on Ukraine.
Approximately 200 people were evacuated from the vicinity of the drone crash, highlighting concerns over security in the region amid increased military activity.
Drone crashes in Romania as Russia strikes neighbouring Ukraine
Two British fighter jets were scrambled and 200 people were evacuated on Saturday after a drone crashed in Romania during a barrage of Russian strikes on its neighbour Ukraine.
New Portrait Shows Prince William with a Thicker Head of Hair | News UK
3:00 pm
Get you up to speed: New Portrait Shows Prince William with a Thicker Head of Hair | News UK
ARTISTIC COMMISSION
Oluwole Omofemi has created a new portrait of HRH The Prince of Wales for the June issue of Tatler, showcasing him with a fuller head of hair.
Oluwole Omofemi has created a new portrait of HRH The Prince of Wales for the June issue of Tatler, showcasing him with a fuller head of hair.
CULTURAL COMMISSION
Oluwole Omofemi’s latest portrait of The Prince of Wales will feature on the cover of Tatler’s June edition, emphasising a vibrant connection to the Commonwealth.
Oluwole Omofemi’s latest portrait of The Prince of Wales will feature on the cover of Tatler’s June edition, emphasising a vibrant connection to the Commonwealth.
MEDIA RELEASE
Oluwole Omofemi’s portrait of the Prince of Wales will feature on the June cover of Tatler magazine, accessible from 7th May.
Oluwole Omofemi’s portrait of the Prince of Wales will feature on the June cover of Tatler magazine, accessible from 7th May.
What we know so far
The Prince of Wales features on the cover of Tatler magazine’s June issue, presented in a flattering new portrait by Nigerian artist Oluwole Omofemi. This latest depiction showcases William with a fuller head of hair, adorned in a navy suit and blue tie, set against a bright yellow background.
The portrait is part of Tatler’s annual Commonwealth portrait series, mirroring Omofemi’s previous work for the magazine, which portrayed the late Queen Elizabeth II. That painting gave the Queen a youthful appearance, reminiscent of her coronation in 1953. The Prince’s new image is described as “a prince for our times,” capturing him with a cheerful expression.
Unlike his usual portrayal with a bushy hairstyle in the 1990s, this interpretation highlights a more flattering version of William, who has not publicly addressed his hair loss since it began in his early 20s. Male pattern baldness affects a significant portion of men by the age of 50, but Omofemi’s artwork adheres to the tradition of artists enhancing the looks of their subjects, a practice seen across history.
This new cover follows last year’s edition, which featured portraits of the King and Queen, marking their 20th wedding anniversary.
Read in full
Prince William depicted with fuller head of hair in flattering new portrait | News UK
The Prince of Wales has been given a flattering new look in a portrait for the cover of Tatler magazine.
William will front the magazine’s June issue with a fuller head of hair in a new portrait by Nigerian artist Oluwole Omofemi.
The painting, commissioned for the publication’s annual Commonwealth portrait series, shows the heir apparent wearing a navy suit with a blue tie.
It is set against a bright yellow background, similar to the one that surrounded Omofemi’s portrait of Elizabeth II four years ago.
That picture gave the late Queen a youthful look, resembling her image following her coronation in 1953 with dark hair and smooth skin.
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The latest picture of William shows him beaming and is captioned ‘a prince for our times’.
Frequently pictured with a bushy cut in the 1990s, the prince has never spoken about his hair loss, which began in his early 20s, the Telegraph reported.
Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition that affects up to 50 per cent of men by the time they are aged 50.
In his latest portrait, Omofemi has followed a long tradition of artists making their subjects look more flattering than they may appear in real life.
One of the most famous example’s of this was the 1939 portrait of Anne of Cleves by Hans Holbein the Younger.
It secured her a betrothal to Henry VIII, who promptly called off their short relationship after branding her, his fourth suitor, a ‘Flanders mare’, believing her to resemble a horse.
Henry VIII’s daughter, Elizabeth I, was also touched up in her famous Armada portrait, in which she is depicted with bright red hair and an unblemished white face, despite having by then long suffered from small pox.
Last year’s Tatler June edition was fronted with a portrait of the King and Queen, drawn by Philip Butah, for their 20th wedding anniversary.
Montenegro advances EU accession as bloc begins drafting treaty
1:00 pm
Montenegro advances EU accession as bloc begins drafting treaty
EU Accession Progress
Montenegro’s EU accession process advanced as member states agreed to establish an “ad hoc working party” to draft an accession treaty for the country.
Montenegro’s EU accession process advanced as member states agreed to establish an “ad hoc working party” to draft an accession treaty for the country.
EU Milestone
Montenegro’s EU accession process has reached a significant stage with the establishment of an “ad hoc working party,” marking a crucial step towards drafting an accession treaty.
Montenegro’s EU accession process has reached a significant stage with the establishment of an “ad hoc working party,” marking a crucial step towards drafting an accession treaty.
Official Response
“Montenegro has a historic opportunity to bring its European Union accession process to a close,” said Riccardo Serri, deputy head of the EU’s Delegation to Montenegro.
“Montenegro has a historic opportunity to bring its European Union accession process to a close,” said Riccardo Serri, deputy head of the EU’s Delegation to Montenegro.
Key developments
Montenegro has made significant strides in its EU accession process, as EU member states agreed to create an “ad hoc working party” to draft an accession treaty, marking a pivotal moment.
During a Joint Consultative Committee meeting, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević stated that finalising the draft of the accession pact signals the concluding phase of Montenegro’s long quest for EU membership, targeted for 2028.
Montenegro inches closer towards EU membership
Montenegro this week made further progress in its EU accession process, as the bloc’s current members agreed to start work on an accession treaty for the small Balkan nation.
On Wednesday, ambassadors from all EU member states said they had decided to set up an “ad hoc working party” to draft an accession pact, described as a “key milestone” and “a big step towards accession to the European Union” by European Council President António Costa.
At a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) held on Friday in Montenegro’s capital city Podgorica, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević said that alongside the closing of the negotiation chapters, the drafting of an accession pact heralds the “final lap of a fourteen-year marathon on the path towards the EU”. She added that the move marks the final phase of the negotiation process, with EU membership slated for 2028.
The JCC, established between the EU and Montenegrin civil society, is a platform that provides a civil society perspective within the EU’s institutional framework in relation to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the two parties.
Gorčević also highlighted the important role civil society plays in Montenegro’s accession process through its participation in working groups.
Speaking at the same event, the deputy head of the EU’s Delegation to Montenegro Riccardo Serri said “Montenegro has a historic opportunity to bring its European Union accession process to a close.”
“But there is no time to lose – progress depends on the implementation of concrete reforms in the coming months,” Serri added, noting that this process must be driven by institutions in collaboration with civil society.
Montenegro, alongside Albania, has been a frontrunner candidate to join the bloc since Croatia’s accession in 2013. It currently has a distinctive relationship with the European Union, as while its not part of the Eurozone, Montenegro has unilaterally adopted the Euro as its currency.
Accession talks have now been ongoing for around 14 years, though several key obstacles remained, which Montenegro is now trying to address.
The European Union has created so-called “clusters,” which are grouping of certain criteria, from taxation to environmental policy, that Montenegro needs to align with to receive EU membership.
Podgorica has so far concluded negotiations on 14 of the 35 clusters.
On Wednesday, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos confirmed “Montenegro’s place inside the EU is now taking shape”.
“It also offers a chance to draw lessons from past enlargements and include new and stronger safeguards in future accession treaties to prevent backsliding on the rule of law and fundamental values,” said Kos.
Additional sources • AFP
Leading UK supermarket faces collapse and potential closure of 300 stores | News UK
11:00 am
Get you up to speed: Leading UK supermarket faces collapse and potential closure of 300 stores | News UK
MERGER THREAT
Southern Co-op faces potential insolvency unless it merges with the Co-operative Group, following three years of significant operating losses exceeding £23 million.
Southern Co-op faces potential insolvency unless it merges with the Co-operative Group, following three years of significant operating losses exceeding £23 million.
MERGER DECISION
Southern Co-op chair Janat Paraskeva and CEO Ben Stimson warned that without a merger, the group could face insolvency, jeopardising jobs and local stores.
Southern Co-op chair Janat Paraskeva and CEO Ben Stimson warned that without a merger, the group could face insolvency, jeopardising jobs and local stores.
URGENT MERGER DISCUSSIONS
Southern Co-op members will vote next month on a proposed merger with Co-operative Group to avoid potential insolvency and job losses.
Southern Co-op members will vote next month on a proposed merger with Co-operative Group to avoid potential insolvency and job losses.
What we know so far
A major UK supermarket chain, Southern Co-op, is facing potential insolvency unless it merges with its national counterpart, the Co-operative Group, following three years of significant losses.
Southern Co-op’s leadership revealed in a letter to members that the brand posted operating losses exceeding £23 million for 2025. Chair Janat Paraskeva and CEO Ben Stimson cautioned that without the merger, the group would likely “enter insolvency through administration,” endangering jobs and impacting suppliers.
Members will convene at a special meeting next month to vote on the proposed merger. Store manager Charlotte de Costa emphasised the urgency of the matter, stating that stores would “cease trading” if the merger is not approved. She noted, “It’s as cut throat as it reads,” urging support for the proposal to protect jobs and local stores.
The Southern Co-op currently operates over 300 locations across southern England, including food stores and funeral parlours, and maintains some branding similarities with the Co-operative Group. However, it remains a separate entity.
The impending decision will determine the future of the group amidst difficult trading conditions that have prompted reliance on support from banks and suppliers to sustain operations.
Read in full
Major UK supermarket on brink of collapse and at risk of closing 300 stores | News UK
A major UK supermarket may undergo a merger to save it from collapse following three years of losses.
Bosses at Southern Co-op have warned the chain faces insolvency unless it merges with the national Co-operative Group amid ‘difficult’ trading in the last few years.
The brand currently operates more than 300 food stores, funeral parlours and Starbucks Coffee branches across southern England.
While it shares some branding and products with its national counterpart, Southern Co-op remains a separate business.
The group posted operating losses of more than £23 million for 2025.
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In a letter to members, chair Janat Paraskeva and CEO Ben Stimson said without the proposed merger, the group would likely ‘enter insolvency through administration’.
This would in turn ‘put jobs at risk, lead to the loss of stores and negatively impact our suppliers, they said.
Their letter read: ‘Southern Co-op has made losses for the past three years. Over the last year, trading has become more difficult and we have relied on ongoing support from our banks and suppliers to continue operating.
‘That support cannot now be increased within the time available.
‘To continue trading without a merger, we would need a significant level of financial support and we have not received any offers of funding at that level.’
It continued: ‘This is not a position we ever wanted to be in. Like you, we believe strongly in the value of an independent co-operative, and we have explored every realistic option to protect that.
‘It is not an easy decision, but it is the one that protects more jobs, more services, and more value for members than any other option available to us today.’
Members have been invited to a special meeting next month to vote on the group’s future.
Among those supporting the move is Charlotte de Costa, a store manager from Portsmouth, who warned that stores would ‘cease trading’ if the merger did not go ahead.
She wrote: ‘It’s as cut throat as it reads. If we merge, it gives us the best chance to stay trading, protect jobs and gives us a better chance of remaining as your local stores.
‘Voting against, we will cease trade. There is no other options. These have all been explored. We cannot remain independent.’
Britain’s week of AI cuts, Atlantic nerves and Westminster pressure
9:37 am
There’s a familiar pattern to weeks like this. The big stories start in boardrooms, foreign ministries and courtrooms — and then, a few days later, they turn up in ordinary life: jobs, bills, public trust and the sense that politics is never quite finished with us.
This time it showed up in three places at once. Big Tech is spending heavily on artificial intelligence while cutting staff. Downing Street is defending UK sovereignty over the Falklands after reports of a possible US review. One of the many ways Trump plan’s on attacking the UK, anything to do with with Nationalism or sovereignty plays into the hands of Nigel Farage, coincidently timed a week before the local elections.
The fallout between US and UK relations is becoming toxic. Closer to home in Westminster, the assisted dying bill is running out of time before the King’s Speech on 13 May.
The weather, at least, is making a better effort. London and Cardiff are heading into a warmer spell, Edinburgh looks cooler but brighter, and Belfast stays fairly settled before showers creep in on Sunday. It is the sort of late-April week where the coat may stay by the door, even if the politics remains heavy.
AI CUTS
Meta, Microsoft and professional services firms are cutting roles while protecting margins and funding AI investment.
Meta, Microsoft and professional services firms are cutting roles while protecting margins and funding AI investment.
FALKLANDS ROW
Downing Street says Falkland sovereignty rests with the UK after reports of a possible US review.
Downing Street says Falkland sovereignty rests with the UK after reports of a possible US review.
GENE THERAPY
A rare childhood deafness treatment has been approved in the US, with Regeneron saying it will provide it for free.
A rare childhood deafness treatment has been approved in the US, with Regeneron saying it will provide it for free.
This week’s news headlines
AI spending rises as jobs are cut
INEVITABLE: Meta plans to cut 10 per cent of its workforce next month while increasing spending on artificial intelligence. Microsoft is also offering voluntary redundancy to about 7 per cent of its US workforce. The biggest threat to the UK; the American tech giants will consume the most electricity to do all this, whilst leaving less and less for us.
Big Four partners feel the squeeze
SQUARE MILE PANIC: KPMG and EY in the UK have demoted some equity partners and offered salaried partner roles instead. The move comes as consultancy demand slows and firms try to protect profit shares for top performers.
Falklands sovereignty back in focus
TOXIC MASCULINITY: Downing Street said Falkland sovereignty rests with the UK after Reuters reported that the US could review its stance on Britain’s claim to the islands. The reported proposal formed part of a Pentagon memo about punishing Nato allies over Iran. A toxic attack by the Trump administration, as payback for not supporting the Israeli/US attacks on Iran.
Assisted dying bill runs out of road
RUNNING OUT OF TIME: The final Lords debate on the assisted dying bill is under way, with Lord Falconer saying there is no prospect of it passing before the King’s Speech on 13 May. The bill has been delayed by more than 1,200 amendments.
Retail sales rise as motorists stock up
INFLATION BOOST: UK retail sales rose 0.7 per cent in March, beating forecasts of 0.1 per cent. The rise was linked to motorists stocking up on fuel after petrol prices climbed during the Iran war. A by product of inflation, since we have to spend more to buy the same products, revenue inferably goes up.
The PM is being attacked; left, right and centre!
Keir Starmer’s week remains dominated by pressure rather than momentum. The Falklands row gives Downing Street a sovereignty issue it cannot leave vague, while the Mandelson vetting fallout continues to shadow the government’s handling of appointments.
The immediate political problem is trust. Morgan McSweeney has denied bullying civil servants over Peter Mandelson’s appointment, ahead of an appearance before the foreign affairs committee. That keeps the story alive rather than settled.
The government also faces a difficult parliamentary endgame. The assisted dying bill is set to fall before prorogation, while the King’s Speech on 13 May will reset the legislative agenda.
Hormuz tension exposes cracks in Western alignment
The Strait of Hormuz has moved from background risk to active pressure point, but the story now runs deeper than shipping disruption alone.
Iranian forces have seized container ships while the US has instructed its navy to target boats laying mines, signalling a more aggressive posture in securing the route. At the same time, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks, though both sides continue to accuse each other of violations.
Markets have responded quickly. Oil prices have climbed above $105 a barrel, and traders are already adjusting supply routes as Middle Eastern flows become less predictable.
But the more revealing shift sits alongside the military activity. Questions over US commitment to NATO have surfaced, with European leaders openly asking whether Washington would remain fully aligned in the event of a wider conflict. Reports of a Pentagon memo exploring ways to pressure allies — including raising issues around Falklands sovereignty — add to that uncertainty.
That combination matters. It is not just the disruption itself, but the erosion of assumption. For years, markets and governments operated on the basis that Western alignment was stable. This week suggests that alignment is still intact, but no longer unquestioned.
That uncertainty feeds directly into behaviour. In the UK, retail sales rose as motorists moved early to fill up on fuel, reacting to price pressure linked to the Iran conflict. It is a reminder that global risk does not need to escalate fully to have an effect — it only needs to become unpredictable.
Cheer up, the sun’s out
London looks bright and mild, with sunshine on Friday, a warmer Saturday around 22C, then cloudier conditions on Sunday. Cardiff follows a similar pattern, reaching about 22C on Saturday before cloud and a few showers arrive early next week.
Edinburgh is cooler but mostly settled, with a brighter Friday and temperatures moving between 12C and 16C through the weekend. Belfast has hazy sunshine on Friday and Saturday, then a cloudier Sunday with showers possible.
What to watch
- The assisted dying bill is running out of parliamentary time before prorogation and the King’s Speech on 13 May.
- Morgan McSweeney is due before the foreign affairs committee next week over the Mandelson appointment fallout.
- Big Tech earnings from Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft will test whether AI spending still justifies high valuations.
Espresso shot
This week’s story is not one headline — it’s the collision of three different pressures that don’t usually move in the same direction, more power and control for American Tech companies, diminished consumerism, and being enslaved to Capitalism.
The signal from companies this week is not subtle. When profits tighten, the first instinct is to protect those already at the top.
That logic is already playing out across sectors. In professional services, fewer equity partners mean a larger share for those who remain. In tech, the same pattern appears in a different form: Meta is cutting around 10 per cent of its workforce while sharply increasing spending on artificial intelligence.
The assumption behind both moves is that technology will eventually offset the loss of labour. But even within the sector, there is scepticism about how quickly that payoff arrives. Cutting headcount now protects margins; the gains from AI are still being priced in.
Consumer behaviour is reacting just as directly. UK retail sales rose not because confidence improved, but because motorists moved early, stocking up on fuel as prices climbed. That is demand driven by anticipation rather than growth — and it rarely lasts.
Overlay that with geopolitics, and the uncertainty deepens. Questions over NATO commitment and reported pressure on allies do not change policy overnight, but they introduce doubt where there was previously assumption.
Together, None of these pressures are toxic and lead to the questioning the veracity of the US-Uk relationship, We live on Trump’s terms, but can we break away? This week’s clearest thread is not ideological, it is pressure.
Good news
The best story of the week is medical rather than political. The first gene therapy to cure a rare form of childhood deafness has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Regeneron says it will make the treatment available for free.
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