There are a lot of events this week, from the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show to one of the most iconic pop culture events globally – Comic Con. The Emirates are hosting a watch-along as Arsenal women face Barcelona in the final of the Women’s Champions League in Lisbon – tickets are cheap and you get to hang out with other Gunners!
Browsing: UK featured
Lucy Connolly’s appeal against a 31-month prison sentence for inciting racial hatred through an inflammatory social media post was denied, with the court finding no basis for reducing her sentence.
An illegal immigrant who was involved in smuggling more than 3,000 others into Europe has been sentenced to 25 years in jail.
A roundup of the news dominating the UK every day.
Tuesday’s newspaper front pages cover the landmark EU deal that, according to the prime minister, puts the UK back on the global stage. The paper’s political leanings are as clear as ever in this morning’s headlines with the left-leaning press celebrating the UK rebuilding its relations with the EU – and highlighting the economic benefits that will come with it. The right-leaning press sees it as a betrayal of Brexit – even though many of the papers have acknowledged that Brexit in its current form does not work.
Good morning! Grab a coffee and let’s dive into today’s headlines.
In a significant development, the UK, France, and Canada have jointly warned Israel of “concrete actions” if it continues its military operations in Gaza and restricts humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has secured a landmark “Brexit reset” deal with the EU, aiming to revitalise UK-EU relations. The agreement includes easing trade barriers, reintroducing the UK into the Erasmus programme, and establishing a new defence partnership. While the deal promises economic benefits, it has faced criticism over concessions like extended EU fishing access to UK waters.
On the trade front, the UK is actively pursuing a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, comprising six Gulf nations. Recent discussions between UK officials and Gulf leaders indicate progress towards strengthening economic ties in the region.
Internationally, tensions remain high as global leaders respond to the escalating situation in Gaza, with calls for ceasefires and increased humanitarian assistance.
Donald Trump has said Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” start negotiating towards a ceasefire and an end to the war – after a two-hour phone call with Putin.
The UK and European Union have announced a comprehensive agreement aimed at resetting relations post-Brexit. Key elements include a commitment to work towards a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, and aligning UK rules with EU standards on plant and animal health.
The UK, France, and Canada have warned Israel they may take “concrete actions” if it continues to escalate military operations in Gaza. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Mark Carney, issued a joint statement urging Israel to halt its offensive and allow immediate humanitarian aid into the territory.
David Chester, 57, died while attempting to assist firefighters during a blaze at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire.
The £9bn GDP boost from the UK-EU trade agreement announced by Sir Keir Starmer translates to only 0.2% of GDP by 2040, far less than the estimated 4% negative impact of Brexit.
The UK and EU have reached a new trade deal after extensive negotiations, with key provisions including improved travel for British passport holders and the reinstatement of pet passports for easier pet travel.
The UK government has summoned Iran’s ambassador following charges against three Iranian nationals for alleged spying activities aimed at journalists from Iran International in London.
Gary Lineker will leave the BBC after this season’s Match Of The Day, confirming he will not present World Cup coverage following controversial social media posts.
Good morning! Grab a coffee and let’s dive into the headlines dominating the UK news today. It’s busy on the politics front with Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosting a pivotal summit with EU leaders in London, aiming to reset post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, charities are increasing pressure on the government to abolish the two-child benefit cap, highlighting its impact on child poverty.
In international news, former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, sparking global concern and an outpouring of well wishes. An attempted terrorist attack on a Palm Springs fertility clinic is also featured heavily in the news as the suspect has been named as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.
And in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, resulting in significant casualties amid ongoing ceasefire talks. It comes as Israel agreed to allow a limited amount of food into Gaza to prevent a “starvation crisis” amidst a blockade lasting nearly three months.
On a lighter note, Crystal Palace fans are still celebrating their historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City and Chelsea WFC beat Manchester United to win the Women’s FA Cup – completing the domestic treble.
A coalition of leading UK charities, including Save the Children and the Child Poverty Action Group, is intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit cap.
Sir Elton John expressed feelings of betrayal and anger towards the UK Government for resisting amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill that would enhance copyright protections against AI usage.
Fire, reform, and falling inflation — Britain’s week in focus As we head into a warm and lively May weekend, this past week has seen…
A large fire at Bicester Motion, a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, resulted in the tragic deaths of two firefighters and a civilian.
Friday’s newspaper front pages cover the fallout from Albania’s rejection of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s migrant deal. On his first official visit to Albania, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK is in talks with other countries to establish overseas “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers.
Several newspaper front pages feature an image of the man arrested in connection with the arson attacks in North London linked to PM Keir Starmer.
A 21-year-old Ukrainian national from Sydenham, southeast London is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Friday’s headlines are dominated by the debate around legalising assisted dying in England and Wales (Scotland has its own separate bill). Politicians, health experts and scholars are offering their opinions ahead of Friday’s debate.
The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then there have been dozens of amendments added by both sides. A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.
UK businesses are calling on the government to reset relations with the EU ahead of a summit hosted in London next week. More than 400 UK firms have urged the government to take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.
On the international front, there’s widespread coverage of the humanitarian crisis facing Gaza as Israel continues to block aid (including food) and continues to heavily bomb the strip. Donald Trump is concluding his tour of the Middle East where he has signed huge investment deals.
At least 80 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza as violence intensified and ceasefire talks stalled. Some local sources put the toll at over 120. The renewed assault follows Donald Trump’s regional tour, where he proposed turning Gaza into a “freedom zone” managed by the US — a revival of an earlier controversial plan that implied permanent displacement of Gaza’s population.
The UK’s leading business lobbying group, the CBI, is calling for a major reset in relations with the EU, saying the current post-Brexit setup is “no longer fit for purpose”. Ahead of a UK-EU summit on 19 May, the group has urged both sides to rebuild trust and take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.
MPs are set to debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill again on Friday, following major amendments and months of committee scrutiny. The bill, first passed in November by 330 votes to 275, would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek assisted dying.
Chef Steven Smith suggests implementing deposits instead of minimum spends in restaurants to combat no-shows, which have greater financial repercussions.