Going beyond the ordinary news headlines
Good morning! Grab your coffee and let’s take a brisk scroll through today’s headlines…
In politics, Sir Keir Starmer has bowed to pressure and announced a U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts. The scheme, which had been scaled back to save £1.4 billion, left over 10 million pensioners without support. Starmer now says more pensioners will qualify again, with changes expected in the autumn Budget – though the exact numbers and timing are still under wraps. It comes after Labour lost big to Reform UK during recent local elections.
Meanwhile, a government-commissioned review has suggested that prisoners should serve only a third of their sentences in custody, rather than the current half. There are proposals to chemically castrate sex offenders in order to release them earlier in a bid to free up spaces in prisons.
In economic news, the UK government’s borrowing reached £20.2 billion in April, surpassing expectations and placing additional pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
After lots of glorious sunshine, the UK is set to experience a shift in weather just in time for the bank holiday weekend. The Met Office forecasts unsettled conditions, with many areas expecting rain or showers and more unpredictable weather patterns continuing into the half-term week.
Elsewhere, the UK government has been temporarily blocked from finalising a landmark deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a late-night injunction granted by the High Court.
In sport, underdogs are stealing the spotlight. Crystal Palace shocked football fans by beating Manchester City 1–0 to lift the FA Cup – their first major trophy. Not to be outdone, Spurs ended their 17-year silverware drought with a scrappy 1–0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final, with Brennan Johnson the unlikely hero.
On the international front, there has been a shooting in the US with two Israeli embassy staffers shot dead near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
The WHO has said Gaza’s health service is ‘stretched beyond breaking point’ and Donald Trump held a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – in which the US president ambushed his counterpart with unfounded claims of genocide against white South Africans.
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts, following weeks of political pressure.
More than 10 million pensioners lost the payment — worth up to £300 — after Labour made it means-tested last year to save £1.4bn. The changes meant only those receiving pension credit or other income-related benefits remained eligible.
Sir Keir now says the eligibility threshold will be changed, so that “more pensioners” qualify again.
Starmer told MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions that:
“We will only make decisions we can afford.”
He confirmed changes would be made in the autumn Budget.
The exact number of pensioners affected and when the new rules will apply is still unclear.
Labour faced backlash from unions, pensioner charities, and its own MPs — some of whom blamed the cuts for the party’s local election losses.
Former PM Gordon Brown, who introduced the original scheme, said Starmer was “right” to reconsider.
Opposition leaders reacted quickly:
Designing a new eligibility system is expected to be politically tricky and expensive.
The current income threshold for pension credit is £11,800 (individuals) or £18,023 (couples). Options being discussed include:
The Resolution Foundation warned that even a modest expansion could cost £2.5bn – more than the original savings.
Age UK welcomed the change but said the new system must support those on “low and modest incomes.”
Downing Street has not confirmed whether the changes will take effect this winter, stating:
“We obviously want to deliver this as quickly as possible… but we will only make decisions when we can say where the money is coming from.”
Two Israeli embassy staffers, a young couple on the verge of getting engaged, were shot dead in Washington, DC on Wednesday night.
The attack took place outside the Capital Jewish Museum, around a mile from the White House.
The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, opened fire on a group of four people, killing the couple. He was quickly detained by security inside the museum, and reportedly chanted “Free Palestine” after his arrest.
Police described it as a targeted act of violence, and the FBI is now leading the investigation. The suspect had no prior contact with law enforcement.
Tributes have poured in:
The male victim had recently bought an engagement ring, intending to propose in Jerusalem next week.
The killings are expected to intensify the political debate in both the US and Israel:
Investigators are continuing to question the suspect. The motive is still under review, though officials have labelled it a hate-driven, antisemitic attack.
Community members have since gathered at the scene in solidarity, vowing not to be silenced by hate.
Tottenham Hotspur have finally ended their 17-year trophy drought by beating Manchester United 1–0 in the Europa League final.
The only goal came in the first half, with Brennan Johnson getting the final touch (just about) in a scrappy build-up.
The win hands head coach Ange Postecoglou his first major trophy in England, fulfilling his promise to deliver silverware in his second season at Spurs. It was his 100th game in charge.
As a bonus, Spurs also secured Champions League qualification and a £100 million windfall.
Manchester United had their chances but lacked sharpness. Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw came close, but Spurs’ defence and keeper Guglielmo Vicario held firm.
United boss Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure after a dismal season, their worst since 1973–74, and faces big questions ahead of their final Premier League game.
Postecoglou said before the match he would “never be a clown,” and he’s delivered joy to Spurs fans after years of frustration.
Despite the win, there’s still speculation about his future at the club. If he does leave, he’ll go as a hero, joining club legends like Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw in winning a European trophy.
For Spurs, the focus now turns to Postecoglou’s future and building on this success in the Champions League next season.
United, on the other hand, are facing a bleak summer. They will miss out on European football next season for only the second time since 1990. Instead, they’ll be back in the Carabao Cup in August.
Fans and pundits are calling for big changes at Old Trafford, after another year of poor decisions, missed chances, and declining standards.
Dominating the front pages is the news that two homes connected to the prime minister in North London were set on fire yesterday – as was a car on the street of one of the houses on fire.
For a second day, there’s a lot of coverage of yesterday’s announcement from the prime minister regarding a planned crackdown on legal migration to the United Kingdom.
Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year trophy drought by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, marking their first European trophy in 41 years.
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