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What happened today in the UK?

Grab yourself a coffee and let us break down the news in the UK this morning – it’s time for your daily dip into the headlines. From Westminster to the weather (yes, it’s raining again!) to sports and entertainment, regardless of whether you’re commuting or couch-bound – here are the stories you need to know.

  • Today's Main news story
VE Day 80 Britain remembers a heroic generation 

VE Day 80: Britain remembers a heroic generation 

CliffNotes

  • What is VE Day 80? Victory in Europe (VE) marked the end of World War Two in Europe on May 8, 1945
  • On Monday, thousands packed the mall in London to pay tribute to the fast-fading generation
  • Celebrations and commemorations will continue all week

VE Day 80: Victory in Europe: Britain remembers a heroic generation 

What Happened

The mall was packed yesterday, with flags waving and celebrations in full swing as Britons marked the 80th anniversary of VE day – the end of WW2 in Europe. 

Monday’s events saw veterans on the viewing platform at the top of the Mall sitting alongside the Royal Family and the prime minister, watching the military parade and marching bands. 

This world is politically fragile and democracy is in need of defending and the veterans who we will be celebrating all week actually done that – they fought the Nazis and their ideologies and won. 

What Comes Next 

Tributes will be paid all week to a generation that is fast fading. Perhaps the greater significance of this week’s celebrations of heroism will be that it could be one of the last major public moments to recognise the WW2 veterans with many of those remaining in their late 90s or older. 

Voices From The Crowd 

Joyce Wilding, 100, spoke of the celebrations in London on VE Day in 1945: 

“We went to Piccadilly where there was a stream of people singing and dancing, there were soldiers up lampposts, it was extraordinary.

“We were outside Buckingham Palace and you could hardly move there were so many people cheering and singing.”

Reaction From The Media

Much of the media reacts with a celebratory tone, honouring the heroics of the WW2 generation. The newspapers offer full front-page reactions to yesterday’s events with images of the royal family leading a lot of the tabloid coverage

  • The Daily Mirror says the country “united” for its heroes, eighty years after they defeated the Nazis.
  • The Daily Mail and the Daily Express say ‘thank you’ to the veterans.
  • Metro, The Sun, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Star are among the papers to react to the royals in attendance. Many of the papers feature an image of the royals in their coverage of VE Day celebrations.

  • Today's Political Summary

Film tariffs to be part of UK-US trade deal 

Cliff Notes

  • Film tariffs to be part of UK-US trade deal
  • Trump announces 100% tariffs on foreign films
  • Little information given causing panic in entertainment industry

Film tariffs to be part of UK-US trade deal As President Trump causes more chaos

What Happened

Donald Trump has announced he will hit foreign-made movies with 100% tariffs sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Trump says the US film industry is dying as filmmakers have been leaving Hollywood for cheaper destinations such as Canada and the UK. 

It’s unclear how Trump will define what a ‘foreign movie’ is – is it who finances it or who writes it? Is it the location where it’s filmed? There’s no clarity on whether the tariff would apply to American production companies producing films abroad or whether it would apply to movies made for streaming sites. 

What Comes Next

The UK government said the current trade negotiations between London and Washington were ongoing and it was taking a “calm and steady approach” to the talks in hopes that it can “ease pressure on UK businesses.” 

The UK film sector employs more than 195,000 people and is worth £1.36 billion, warning that freelancers could risk losing work if US productions were pulled

Much of the details of the new tariff, announced overnight, have yet to be confirmed. 

Voices From The Crowd 

Shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew said Labour must “get a grip” to secure a trade deal with the US and “protect the UK film industry, otherwise we risk seeing long-term damage to a sector that is a global success”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday, Tim Richards, CEO and founder of Vue Entertainment, said: “The devil will be in the details and we need to parcel through exactly what [Trump] means.

Reaction From The Media

The reaction to the film tariffs is as expected – fear. There has been no clarity as to how the film tariffs would be applied, who they will affect and whether it will actually benefit Hollywood. The UK media threats over how it will impact the UK film industry.

  • The Guardian, The Standard, ITV and Sky News are among the media leading with the reactions from UK unions who say the film tariffs could have a devastating effect on UK film jobs.
  • Beyond the UK, there’s reaction from the New Zealand and Australian film industries – which would also be impacted. Reuters says NZ and Australia have pledged to support their industries,
  • American reaction: The Hollywood Reporter questions what Trump is really up to, Bloomberg reports shares in companies like Netflix and Disney dropped after the announcement whilst the LA Times says the announcement has caused chaos and confusion amongst Hollywood executives.

  • UK Sport

Two die in British Supersport Championship race 

Cliff Notes

  • Two die in British Supersport Championship race 
  • Owen Jenner, 21 and Shane Richardson, 29, died on Monday
  • Investigations have begun into the crash

Two die in British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park

What Happened

Two young riders, Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, were killed in a “major chain reaction” incident on the first lap of the British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park on Monday. 

The series director Stuart Higgs later called the incident “severe and catastrophic”. This was a huge failing by the motorsport industry.

Richardson, from New Zealand, was racing for the Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki team, while Jenner, from the UK, raced for Rapid Honda. Another rider, Tom Tunstall, 47, is in the Royal Stoke University Hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries, while five other riders suffered minor injuries.

Where Is It 

The Oulton Park race marked the start of the 2025 British Superbikes season with a further seven rounds set to take place across the UK before three ‘showdown’ events. 

The Supersport Championship is a support class to the main British Superbike series.

What Comes Next 

MSVR and the Motorcycle Racing Control Board added they are “investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary”.

A Cheshire Police statement read: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon.

“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.”

Team Green Racing, said: “We are devastated to hear of the sad passing of Owen Jenner. Truly one of the great characters of the paddock and an incredibly talented racer.”

Reaction From The Media

In the UK coverage of the crash, you’ll see loaded language such as ‘horrific’ and ‘catastrophic’ to garner emotion from its readers.

  • GB News calls it a ‘horrific pileup’ with Jenner dying from a ‘catastrophic’ head injury after being treated trackside.
  • The Daily Mirror says the ‘catastrophic’ pile-up saw another rider, Tom Tunstall, transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries. Five other riders were treated at the track for minor injuries, while three more escaped unharmed, the paper adds.
  • The Daily Mail reports that the crash was broadcast on live TV.

‘Brexit to blame’ - UK-France sign migrant deal | Friday’s newspapers 

Most of Friday’s front pages lead with the new migrant agreement between France and the UK. The deal will see a “one in, one out” process. Many of the right-leaning papers pick up on French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments that Brexit was in part to blame for Britain’s spiralling illegal immigration crisis.

The papers feature images of Starmer and Macron, and images of yesterday’s illegal boat crossings.

A few

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NHS considering weight loss jabs over the counter 

The NHS is considering making available weight loss jabs over the counter. The new scheme is part of Britain’s plan to tackle obesity.

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Zhao Xintong becomes first player from China to win snooker world championship as he beats Mark Williams 18-12

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What happened today in the UK?

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