Israel launches military operation in Gaza to pressure Hamas to release hostages May 17, 2025 The Israeli government said it has launched a new military operation in the Gaza Strip to increase the pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Defence minister Israel Katz said Operation Gideon Chariots is under way and is being led with “great force” by Israel’s army. The announcement comes after days of intensive strikes [...]
UK condemns Russian drone strike that left nine dead in Ukraine May 17, 2025 The UK has condemned a Russian drone attack that killed nine people in Ukraine early on Saturday. The attack, which struck a passenger bus in Ukraine’s north-eastern Sumy region, came just hours after the first face-to-face talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was “appalled” by the [...]
Moody’s cuts America’s pristine credit rating, citing rising debt May 17, 2025 Moody’s downgraded the US sovereign credit rating on Friday due to concerns about the nation’s growing $36 trillion debt pile, in a move that could complicate President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut taxes and send ripples through global markets. Moody’s first gave the United States its pristine “Aaa” rating in 1919 and is the last [...]
Three Iranian men charged with spying offences under National Security Act May 17, 2025 Three Iranian nationals living in London have been charged under the National Security Act with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service, after an investigation led by counter-terrorism officers, the Metropolitan Police said. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John’s Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, [...]
Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned against slashing cash ISA allowance May 17, 2025 Finance chiefs have urged Rachel Reeves not to reform cash ISAs amid reports the Chancellor plans to slash the tax-free savings allowance. The Treasury is reportedly considering lowering the annual cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £4,000, to encourage more people to put their money into investments, with Reeves looking for new sources of investment [...]
Cable fault causes London Underground disruption and fire May 12, 2025 A cable fault has caused travel disruption and a fire in London. The Elizabeth, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern lines were all disrupted on Monday afternoon after a fault on the National Grid’s transmission network. The malfunction also caused a blaze at an electrical substation in the Cunningham Place and Aberdeen Place area in Maida Vale, [...]
India and Pakistan ceasefire shaken by clashes in disputed Kashmir May 11, 2025 A ceasefire to end the conflict between India and Pakistan was shaken by overnight fighting in the disputed Kashmir region. People on both sides of the line of control, which divides the territory, reported heavy exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops, though the fighting subsided by Sunday morning. The two countries agreed to [...]
Government wants to ‘go further’ with US trading relationship May 11, 2025 The government wants “to go further in terms of the trading relationship with the US”, the Home Secretary has said, as an American economist warned the deal struck with Donald Trump this week “isn’t worth the paper it’s written on”. Joseph Stiglitz told Sky News that had the UK worked with the EU on a [...]
US and China resume tariff talks after Trump hails ‘great progress’ May 11, 2025 The US and China have resumed crucial tariff talks that have put the global economy on edge, with each side appearing to have diverging views of where the negotiations presently stand. President Donald Trump wrote on social media that “great progress” is being made and even suggested a “total reset” is a possibility as the [...]
Investors pin hopes on Burberry’s recovery amid China and US trade upheaval May 11, 2025 Investors are hoping Burberry can restore confidence in its turnaround efforts, as the brand weathers major trade disruption in China and the US and an under-pressure luxury market.
