Capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom
Several companies have moved robotaxi plans forward. Uber and Wayve have opened an interest list for a London rollout that will begin with human safety supervisors and match riders on Uber X at no extra cost. Tesla has applied to run up to 5,000 robotaxis in the Las Vegas area and is expanding driverless coverage in Texas. Waymo has paused services in several US cities while it fixes software that mis-handles flooded roads.
May price data show a UK-wide dip in annual growth with May price at £298,806, while buyers face higher mortgage costs and cautious demand. Analysts say activity remains steady but uneven as inflation and rates influence decisions. Buyers and sellers adjust, with first-time purchases affected by deposits and cost of debt.
The government is moving to expand online safety rules, with ministers preparing a framework that could bar under-16s from certain social media platforms. Officials say secondary legislation will be used to implement any ban, aiming to move faster while consultative processes continue.
Weather forecasts show a shift from unsettled conditions to a warmer spell. Met Office data indicates temperatures could rise into the high 20s and potentially reach 30C in southern England, with heatwave criteria possibly re-appearing. The change follows a period of record May heat and is driven by shifts in the jet stream and building high pressure.
Illinois-based Ingredion will pay up to 615p per Tate & Lyle share, valuing the London-listed group at £2.7bn (£3.7bn including debts). The deal follows a year of weak demand and rising costs for Tate & Lyle, and includes plans to review operations with potential job cuts as the combined group aims for about $130m in annual cost savings by 2030.
The UK government is pressing ahead with online-safety plans for under-16s, amid US objections. The US embassy in London has urged targeted measures over broad bans, warning of compliance burdens for American firms. Ministers say a ban remains under consideration and that a decision will be announced soon.
The Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi has appeared in Manhattan federal court facing eight counts including conspiracy to provide material support to Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran's IRGC. He pleads not guilty, saying he is in a war situation and that children and women are being killed by rockets. He is held in federal custody amid ongoing investigations into suspected attacks in Europe and North America.
Britain has introduced new powers to target state-backed proxies and those who fund or support them. The measures aim to disrupt Iran, Russia and China-linked networks following a wave of antisemitic attacks; officials say designated groups face jail terms and new offences to curb covert state activity.
Military attacks have caused casualties and damage in Chuhuiv and Kharkiv, with new assessments on fatalities and injuries. Zelenskiy has spoken with Western envoys about pressing for a settlement and is preparing for the G7 summit. Western leaders reiterate support.
Multiple retailers are pursuing aggressive restructurings as closures and rent cuts are demanded to stabilise finances. TG Jones, formerly WH Smith, could shutter up to 150 stores; Poundstretcher is considering administration without a plan; Carter’s is closing 150 locations as profits slip. These moves reflect a tougher high-street environment.
Record‑level and near‑record May temperatures have been reported across multiple regions this week — parts of England and Russia have hit unusually high temps while the eastern US has recorded low‑90s — even as eastern Australia is facing a major rain band. Forecasts show brief, intense heat will give way to fronts or rain in most places; Australia is also seeing El Niño odds rise for winter.
A UK court has found a Border Force officer and a Hong Kong trade official guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service by spying on Hong Kong pro‑democracy figures and others in Britain. The nine‑week trial, which has marked a rare conviction for Chinese espionage on British soil, will lead to sentencing for the two men in due course.
Gilt yields have surged on leadership speculation and fiscal uncertainty as Keir Starmer contemplates his position amid mounting calls for him to go. Markets are pricing higher long-term borrowing costs, with 30-year yields near multi-decade highs and the pound softening.
A collage of spring recipes from Guardian and sister outlets highlights miso, herbs, greens, and flexible methods. From a speedy cauliflower‑based risotto to slow‑cooker dips and a lamb shoulder with peas, the stories center on accessible, fresh ingredients and time‑saving techniques for weeknights and gatherings.
Airlines face higher jet fuel costs amid the Iran war, with easyJet warning summer bookings are behind last year while Ryanair and Heathrow report mixed demand. Airlines hedge fuel and adjust fares, while passengers shift to later bookings and longer rail trips.
Prince Harry has written in the New Statesman about rising antisemitism in Britain, saying it is deeply troubling and that legitimate protest over Middle East events must not translate into hostility toward Jewish communities. The piece follows a surge in antisemitic incidents in London and growing concerns amid pro-Palestinian protests. The coverage spans reactions from police, faith leaders and Jewish communal bodies as Britain grapples with safety and free expression.
Swatch and Audemars Piguet have launched the Royal Pop pocket watches to mixed reception. Crowds have formed at stores worldwide, with safety concerns prompting closures in several cities. Early resale prices spike, while Swatch says the collection will remain available for months and is not limited.
U.S. prosecutors have unsealed a complaint charging Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al‑Saadi with organising or supporting nearly 18–20 attacks across Europe, Canada and the United States tied to Iran‑backed Kataib Hezbollah and the IRGC. He has been transferred into U.S. custody, has appeared in Manhattan federal court and is being detained pending trial.
A video shows individuals making antisemitic threats on Whitechapel Road, Tower Hamlets, near a mosque. Met officers have attended and are pursuing inquiries. The incident follows a spike in antisemitic activity and the Met has deployed additional officers to protect Jewish communities.
The government has disclosed a new price range for HS2 at up to £102.7bn (2026 prices) and confirms first services will be delayed to 2036–2039, with full completion possibly by 2043. Top speeds are being reduced and automatic operation may be dropped to cut costs; Lovegrove’s critical report is among the influencing reviews.
Official data show the UK unemployment rate has risen to 5% in the three months to March, with pay growth slowing to 3.4% and a sharp 100,000 fall in payroll employees in April. Vacancies have dropped to a five-year low as firms in retail and hospitality curb hiring amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Iran war and rising energy costs.
The Guardian reports Andy Burnham is publicly positioned to win Makerfield and is exploring a future leadership bid, while the Green Party has limited resources and reopens its candidate selection after Chris Kennedy’s withdrawal. The by-election is set for 18 June, with Labour facing Reform UK in a high-stakes contest.
The Unite the Kingdom rally in London has drawn tens of thousands, but police estimate the turnout was well below the organizers’ claims of millions and far short of last year’s peak. A simultaneous pro-Palestinian Nakba Day march raised concerns of clashes, with police reporting dozens of arrests and a large-scale security operation.
British Land has reported strong annual results with underlying profit at £294 million, driven by demand from AI and technology firms for London office space and robust occupancy at its retail parks. The company maintained its earnings forecast for 2027 amid higher leasing activity and rising rents.
Oil prices have steadied as U.S. and Iran discussions appear to move toward a resolution, with oil benchmarks stabilizing near recent highs. US stock indexes have edged higher amid hopes for progress in Middle East talks while UK equities show mixed signals. The dollar and euro trade within narrow ranges as investors weigh potential risks and policy signals.
Airlines have adjusted summer schedules and are temporarily suspending select routes in August–September because jet fuel costs have surged since the Iran conflict closed key shipping lanes. Carriers including American, easyJet and others have reduced seats, delayed route launches or paused services; travelers are being offered refunds or rebooking and face higher fares and fees.
Record May temperatures are forecast to push past 33C in parts of southern England and the Midlands. Yellow health warnings cover large swaths of England, with red alerts issued for risk to life for the over-75s and those with existing conditions. The Met Office says this could break the May and spring temperature records.
Jet-fuel shortages are disrupting travel systems, with airlines cancelling flights and diverting routes. Passengers are advised to be flexible, rebook when possible, and check policies on refunds, vouchers, and insurance. Regulators warn disruptions could persist as fuel availability tightens.
A heatwave has swept across France, the UK, Spain and Italy, with multiple drownings and heat-related deaths reported as temperatures exceed records for May. Authorities warn of ongoing extreme heat through the week as storms and heat domes are expected to persist.
A persistent heat dome has driven unprecedented May temperatures across western Europe this week, with the UK and France having broken May records (Kew Gardens provisionally 35.1°C). Ambulance services have reported record call volumes, amber heat-health alerts have been issued, thunderstorms and fires have followed the heat, and officials are urging caution around open water.
Amazon’s UK tax contributions have risen by at least 20% to exceed £1 billion for 2025, driven by higher national insurance, corporation tax and business rates. The company employs about 75,000 in the UK and has announced about 16,000 global layoffs while planning a £40 billion UK investment through 2027, including drone delivery trials.
GCHQ chief Anne Keast-Butler has said that Russia’s casualties in Ukraine have reached what Western intelligence calls a near half‑million figure, with Moscow’s losses overwhelming Kyiv’s and the war continuing into its fourth year. She warns Russia is targeting Europe’s critical infrastructure and that cyber and hybrid threats are intensifying.
The British Museum has postponed a lecture on ancient Israel and Judah as part of Jewish Culture Month, citing information that a significant portion of registered attendees planned to disrupt the event. The talk by Dr Paul Collins is rescheduled for a later date and will be livestreamed; the museum emphasizes its commitment to free expression while safeguarding participants.
The Confederation of British Industry has warned that the record tax take from business is not free money and warns against further burdening firms. Rain Newton-Smith says the government cannot tax its way to growth as the Iran war and other shocks weigh on UK prospects. The comments come ahead of the CBI’s annual dinner in London.
The Guardian, Independent and Scotsman report that Castlelake has flagged a potential takeover of easyJet at no less than 403.23p per share, valuing the airline at about £3.06bn, while easyJet calls the approach highly opportunistic and notes ongoing regulatory and execution challenges.
Universal has announced the name for its first European theme park in the UK: Universal United Kingdom Resort. Enabling works are underway at Bedfordshire with full construction expected to start soon. The project is backed by up to £5.3 billion in public and private investment and is slated to open in 2031, creating up to 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent roles.
Walmart is rolling out on-demand Subway delivery from Subway locations inside Walmart stores, targeting 1,400 locations by late July as part of its broader same-day delivery push. Separately, Amazon is expanding UK grocery delivery to include fresh produce in London, and to extend same-day and ultra-fast delivery to other cities.
Palestinian playwrights (from Gaza and in exile) have nine short works staged at Theatre503 in London as Tomorrow Will Be A Palestinian Day. The English-language premiere includes a piece from Walid Daqqa, who died in custody in 2024. The project is co-curated by White Kite Collective, PalArt, and Bet’n Lev Theatre, and features writers from Gaza and the diaspora.