Browsing: Keir Starmer

US tariffs – UK-US trade deal – Birmingham bin strikes

News Briefing

It’s another wet and windy start in the capital, with grey skies hanging over the city and suits marching off to work. I’m sure most are looking ahead to the long weekend. But until then, there’s still a lot happening across the country and around the world that you need to know!

The headlines are packed with various domestic and international stories, with no one story really dominating that much – although we expect that’ll change later today when the US stock markets open.

For now, the Birmingham bin strikes, a potential UK-US deal and a splash of budget talks and celebrity gossip lead the headlines.

The sports headlines look at how agonisingly close Aston Villa came to overturning their second-leg goal deficit. Other headlines look ahead to tonight’s Real Madrid vs Arsenal second leg – the North London club go into the clash ahead thanks to a 3-0 win in the first leg.

Birmingham bin strike deal rejected – Backlash from China amid British Steel crisis – Katy Perry goes to space

Birmingham news

It’s a wet and windy morning here in the capital, but lots is happening in the news – grab yourself a coffee and let’s dive into the headlines.


The ongoing Birmingham bin strike is a popular story in the country this morning as unions overwhelmingly rejected a deal to end the strike. Several newspapers suggest the strike could spread outside the city – and there are reports on the growing concerns over a potential health crisis as residents report streets being overrun by large rats and trash.


There is backlash from China amid the British Steel crisis – after the government dramatically took over control of the Scunthorpe plant over the weekend – as Beijing warns the UK to avoid politicising the situation. There are concerns from the top that the Chinese owners are intentionally trying to sabotage the UK steel industry to force the country to become more reliant on cheap Chinese steel.


On the international front, there are reports on the all-female Blue Origin team that took a trip to space. Katy Perry and Gayle King were amongst the crew.


The business publications continue their heavy coverage of the US tariffs saga amid an investigation into the semiconductor and pharmaceutical trade – which could lead to their tariff exemptions ending. In recent news, JD Vance has said there is a good chance the UK will secure a trade deal with the US.


In sports news, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is in hospital with pneumonia, he is set to miss more matches. Several publications look ahead to tonight’s Champions League match involving the English club Aston Villa. The Birmingham club need to overturn a 2 goal deficit.