Browsing: What Happened Today in the UK

Friday’s news briefing – William’s brutal year, BoE cuts interest rates, 3 arrested over Liam Payne’s death 

News Briefing

Prince William has opened up about the difficult year he and his family have faced following his wife’s cancer battle. Shortly before Kate’s cancer was announced, William’s father was also diagnosed with cancer. The prince has described the year as ‘brutal.’

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.75%. It’s the second cut in the base rate this year – it came down from 5.25% to 5% in August. The Bank’s base rate heavily influences the cost of borrowing, including mortgages – a lower rate is supposed to encourage consumer spending. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says it is “likely that interest rates will continue to fall gradually from here” – but adds inflation needs to stay close to the 2% target.

Three people have been arrested in the death of former One Direction pop star Liam Payne. They have been arrested on drug charges and “the abandonment of a person followed by death”. Payne fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina last month, his body was recently flown home.

Thursday’s news briefing – Trump wins the White House, Last night’s Champions League results

News Briefing

Much of the UK news is dominated by reactions, analysis and opinion pieces on the results of the US presidential election.
One of the most popular discussion points looks at what will happen to the global markets if Trump goes through with his tariff plans.

The latest from the Champions League find space on the news sites – and on social media – as sports fans react to Arsenal 1-0 loss to Inter Milan.

Wednesday’s news briefing – Donald Trump wins the US election

News Briefing

Donald Trump’s election victory leads the UK news cycle this morning, with media sites dominated by the constant updates as they roll in. The UK newspapers went to print long before election results were coming in, meaning most newspapers are already out of date.
On X – there are reactions from UK users to the news of Trump’s reelection, with #RejoinTheEU one of the biggest trending stories this morning. Users are highlighting Britain should now look at a closer relationship with Europe as the UK-US relations appear to weaken.

Tuesday’s news briefing – US election 2024, Uni tuition fees, Badenoch appoints shadow cabinet

News Briefing

Keir Starmer has announced that university tuition fees are set to rise by 3.1% in 2024/25. The news has been met with both backlash and praise – some noting Starmer initially promised to scrap tuition fees altogether, whilst others celebrate England’s cash-strapped universities getting a boost of cash.
Kemi Badenoch has started to appoint her shadow cabinet after being elected the new Conservative Party leader. Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, Chris Philp and Priti Patel have found seats at the table.
Elsewhere, like much of the world, all eyes are across the pond today as the 2024 US presidential election gets underway. Americans head to the polls to elect either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump to office.

Monday’s news briefing – US election in final stretch, Spain’s PM and King pelted with mud, Royals secret millions 

News Briefing

US election is in the final stretch, Spain’s PM and King pelted with mud in Valencia and exposed the Royals secret millions.

It is a busy Monday morning, election fever has gripped the world and the world is bracing themselves for Kim Jong Trump, will he win or will it be Kamala Harris. It is ironic that the key battles grounds will be about border control and immigration, whilst both of these candidates are children of immigrants.

A few front pages feature images of the Spanish King and Queen who were hit with mud during a visit to flood-hit Valencia. Many locals are angry with the country’s response to the severe flooding as the death toll continues to climb.

A little closer to home, several newspapers lead on domestic politics with the newly appointed Kemi Badenoch and Chancellor Rachel Reeves finding coverage.