Starmer fights for his job by nationalising British Steel as gilts wobble and London sanctions Russia over child deportations
Starmer used a leadership-defence speech to announce legislation this week giving the government full ownership of British Steel's Scunthorpe site after talks with Jingye failed; the NAO warns outlays could exceed £1.5 billion by 2028. Gilts weakened — the 10-year yield rose 8bp to 4.52% and sterling fell 0.6% — as a Labour leadership challenge built. The UK joined the EU and Canada in coordinated sanctions on 85 Russian individuals and entities over deportations of Ukrainian children, and Ivan Jennings, 46, pleaded guilty at Leicester to encouraging terrorism.
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Starmer moves to fully nationalise British Steel after Jingye sale fails, citing national-security need for virgin steel
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced legislation to be tabled this week giving the government full ownership of British Steel's Scunthorpe plant after talks with Chinese owner Jingye failed to produce an acceptable commercial sale, 13 months after the state seized operational control to keep its blast furnaces — the United Kingdom's last virgin-steel capacity — from being shut down. The move, framed as protecting 2,700 direct jobs and the rail, construction and automotive supply chain, is subject to a public-interest test covering national security, critical national infrastructure and the economy. Support is set to reach £615 million ($836 million) by June, with government spending running at about £1 million a day; the National Audit Office has warned outlays could exceed £1.5 billion by 2028.
UK government bonds weaken as Starmer fights for premiership
UK government bonds weakened on Monday as political uncertainty mounted over Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. The yield on the 10-year gilt rose 8 basis points to 4.52%, while the pound fell 0.6% against the dollar. The sell-off comes amid reports of a potential leadership challenge within the Labour Party.
UK, EU, Canada Impose Coordinated Sanctions on Russian Networks Over Deportation and Militarization of Ukrainian Children
The UK, EU, and Canada on May 11 imposed coordinated sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities involved in the systematic deportation, forced assimilation, and militarization of Ukrainian children. The UK sanctioned 85 individuals and organizations, including the Warrior Centre and 49 employees of the Social Design Agency, while the EU sanctioned 16 individuals and seven entities, and Canada sanctioned 23 individuals and five entities. The measures were announced at a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels.
UK rightwing extremist pleads guilty to terrorism offences for inciting migrant killings
Ivan Jennings, 46, from Stafford, pleaded guilty to encouraging terrorism between 15 August and 14 November 2024 at Leicester Crown Court on Monday. The prosecutor said Jennings had called for “killing migrants when they arrive on their boats” and discussed molotov cocktails. He had previously admitted dissemination of a terrorism publication related to Anders Breivik's manifesto.
All Events
Every other event tracked in United Kingdom, with a one-line preview.
gb30E.On to Acquire Ovo Energy in Deal Worth Up to £600 Million
E.On has announced plans to acquire Ovo Energy for up to £600 million, pending regulatory approval. The merger would create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers with approximately 9.6 million customers, vying with Octopus for the top spot. Consumer groups urge Ovo customers not to panic, assuring that existing tariffs and service will be honored. The deal reflects consolidation in the UK energy market, aiming to bring stability and investment capacity while potentially reducing consumer choice. E.On's COO Marc Spieker cited the UK as a key growth market for energy flexibility and electrification, while Ovo founder Stephen Fitzpatrick described the deal as the right step for customers and the zero-carbon transition. The Unison union expressed concerns about potential job impacts.
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E.On to Acquire Ovo Energy in Deal Worth Up to £600 Million
E.On has announced plans to acquire Ovo Energy for up to £600 million, pending regulatory approval. The merger would create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers with approximately 9.6 million customers, vying with Octopus for the top spot. Consumer groups urge Ovo customers not to panic, assuring that existing tariffs and service will be honored. The deal reflects consolidation in the UK energy market, aiming to bring stability and investment capacity while potentially reducing consumer choice. E.On's COO Marc Spieker cited the UK as a key growth market for energy flexibility and electrification, while Ovo founder Stephen Fitzpatrick described the deal as the right step for customers and the zero-carbon transition. The Unison union expressed concerns about potential job impacts.
E.On has announced plans to acquire Ovo Energy for up to £600 million, pending regulatory approval. The merger would create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers with approximately 9.6 million customers, vying with Octopus for the top spot. Consumer groups urge Ovo customers not to panic, assuring that existing tariffs and service will be honored. The deal reflects consolidation in the UK energy market, aiming to bring stability and investment capacity while potentially reducing consumer choice. E.On's COO Marc Spieker cited the UK as a key growth market for energy flexibility and electrification, while Ovo founder Stephen Fitzpatrick described the deal as the right step for customers and the zero-carbon transition. The Unison union expressed concerns about potential job impacts.
gb25Palestine Action activists remanded to prison after criminal damage convictions
Four Palestine Action activists—Leona Kamio, Samuel Corner, Fatema Rajwani, and Charlotte Head—were convicted of criminal damage for a raid on an Elbit Systems plant near Bristol in August 2024, causing £1 million damage; one activist was also convicted of grievous bodily harm for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer. Following their convictions, they were immediately remanded to prison pending sentencing on 12 June, despite having been on bail since February after 18 months in pre-trial detention. The judge cited substantial grounds to believe they would reoffend, as their closing speeches indicated they still felt morally justified. Their lawyers and families condemned the decision, noting the defendants had not breached bail conditions. Two co-defendants, Jordan Devlin and Zoe Rogers, were acquitted of criminal damage. The trial was marked by restrictions on discussing the Gaza conflict and a contempt of court case against defense counsel Rajiv Menon KC for his closing speech in the first trial.
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Palestine Action activists remanded to prison after criminal damage convictions
Four Palestine Action activists—Leona Kamio, Samuel Corner, Fatema Rajwani, and Charlotte Head—were convicted of criminal damage for a raid on an Elbit Systems plant near Bristol in August 2024, causing £1 million damage; one activist was also convicted of grievous bodily harm for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer. Following their convictions, they were immediately remanded to prison pending sentencing on 12 June, despite having been on bail since February after 18 months in pre-trial detention. The judge cited substantial grounds to believe they would reoffend, as their closing speeches indicated they still felt morally justified. Their lawyers and families condemned the decision, noting the defendants had not breached bail conditions. Two co-defendants, Jordan Devlin and Zoe Rogers, were acquitted of criminal damage. The trial was marked by restrictions on discussing the Gaza conflict and a contempt of court case against defense counsel Rajiv Menon KC for his closing speech in the first trial.
Four Palestine Action activists—Leona Kamio, Samuel Corner, Fatema Rajwani, and Charlotte Head—were convicted of criminal damage for a raid on an Elbit Systems plant near Bristol in August 2024, causing £1 million damage; one activist was also convicted of grievous bodily harm for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer. Following their convictions, they were immediately remanded to prison pending sentencing on 12 June, despite having been on bail since February after 18 months in pre-trial detention. The judge cited substantial grounds to believe they would reoffend, as their closing speeches indicated they still felt morally justified. Their lawyers and families condemned the decision, noting the defendants had not breached bail conditions. Two co-defendants, Jordan Devlin and Zoe Rogers, were acquitted of criminal damage. The trial was marked by restrictions on discussing the Gaza conflict and a contempt of court case against defense counsel Rajiv Menon KC for his closing speech in the first trial.
gb23UK jury fails to convict pro-Palestine activist Majid Freeman on Hamas support charges, retrial set for 2027
A Birmingham jury was unable to reach a verdict on charges against Palestinian activist Majid Freeman (also known as Majid Novsarka) for allegedly supporting Hamas and encouraging terrorism through social media posts on X and Instagram in 2023 and 2024. The court ordered a retrial set for September 2027. Freeman's defense argued his posts focused on Palestinian resistance and raising awareness of the Gaza genocide.
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UK jury fails to convict pro-Palestine activist Majid Freeman on Hamas support charges, retrial set for 2027
A Birmingham jury was unable to reach a verdict on charges against Palestinian activist Majid Freeman (also known as Majid Novsarka) for allegedly supporting Hamas and encouraging terrorism through social media posts on X and Instagram in 2023 and 2024. The court ordered a retrial set for September 2027. Freeman's defense argued his posts focused on Palestinian resistance and raising awareness of the Gaza genocide.
A Birmingham jury was unable to reach a verdict on charges against Palestinian activist Majid Freeman (also known as Majid Novsarka) for allegedly supporting Hamas and encouraging terrorism through social media posts on X and Instagram in 2023 and 2024. The court ordered a retrial set for September 2027. Freeman's defense argued his posts focused on Palestinian resistance and raising awareness of the Gaza genocide.
gb18Former Caribbean leader says slavery reparations must be top issue at Commonwealth summit
Ralph Gonsalves, former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, stated that reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade must be a central topic at the next Commonwealth heads of government meeting. He cited growing momentum from Caribbean and African nations, following the UK's abstention from a UN resolution on chattel slavery. The issue was a major point of contention at the previous summit in 2024.
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Former Caribbean leader says slavery reparations must be top issue at Commonwealth summit
Ralph Gonsalves, former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, stated that reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade must be a central topic at the next Commonwealth heads of government meeting. He cited growing momentum from Caribbean and African nations, following the UK's abstention from a UN resolution on chattel slavery. The issue was a major point of contention at the previous summit in 2024.
Ralph Gonsalves, former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, stated that reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade must be a central topic at the next Commonwealth heads of government meeting. He cited growing momentum from Caribbean and African nations, following the UK's abstention from a UN resolution on chattel slavery. The issue was a major point of contention at the previous summit in 2024.
gb15Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo integration onto UK P-8A Poseidon to begin flight trials in Q3 2026
BAE Systems announced that flight trials for integrating the Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo onto UK Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon MRA1 aircraft will start in Q3 2026 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The UK Ministry of Defence issued a £24 million contract notice for the demonstration and manufacture phase, covering work from 2027 to 2032. This integration provides an interim sovereign anti-submarine warfare capability for the UK until the improved Sting Ray Mod 2 enters service in the early 2030s.
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Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo integration onto UK P-8A Poseidon to begin flight trials in Q3 2026
BAE Systems announced that flight trials for integrating the Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo onto UK Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon MRA1 aircraft will start in Q3 2026 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The UK Ministry of Defence issued a £24 million contract notice for the demonstration and manufacture phase, covering work from 2027 to 2032. This integration provides an interim sovereign anti-submarine warfare capability for the UK until the improved Sting Ray Mod 2 enters service in the early 2030s.
BAE Systems announced that flight trials for integrating the Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo onto UK Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon MRA1 aircraft will start in Q3 2026 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The UK Ministry of Defence issued a £24 million contract notice for the demonstration and manufacture phase, covering work from 2027 to 2032. This integration provides an interim sovereign anti-submarine warfare capability for the UK until the improved Sting Ray Mod 2 enters service in the early 2030s.
gb13TikTok launches ad-free subscription in UK for £3.99 per month
TikTok is introducing a £3.99 monthly subscription for UK users aged 18 and over who want an ad-free experience. Users must choose by 11 November whether to pay or continue with personalised ads. The move follows similar subscription models by Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, and reflects a broader industry shift toward 'consent or pay' models under UK data protection law.
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TikTok launches ad-free subscription in UK for £3.99 per month
TikTok is introducing a £3.99 monthly subscription for UK users aged 18 and over who want an ad-free experience. Users must choose by 11 November whether to pay or continue with personalised ads. The move follows similar subscription models by Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, and reflects a broader industry shift toward 'consent or pay' models under UK data protection law.
TikTok is introducing a £3.99 monthly subscription for UK users aged 18 and over who want an ad-free experience. Users must choose by 11 November whether to pay or continue with personalised ads. The move follows similar subscription models by Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, and reflects a broader industry shift toward 'consent or pay' models under UK data protection law.
gb10Large fire at recycling centre near Carryduff, Northern Ireland
A significant fire broke out at the Irish Waste recycling centre near Carryduff, Northern Ireland, on the evening of Sunday, 30 March 2025. Approximately 80 firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to contain the blaze, which was confined to a single building. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed, and the public was asked to avoid the area. No injuries were reported. The fire caused disruption and raised safety concerns, with operations continuing into the following day.
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Large fire at recycling centre near Carryduff, Northern Ireland
A significant fire broke out at the Irish Waste recycling centre near Carryduff, Northern Ireland, on the evening of Sunday, 30 March 2025. Approximately 80 firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to contain the blaze, which was confined to a single building. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed, and the public was asked to avoid the area. No injuries were reported. The fire caused disruption and raised safety concerns, with operations continuing into the following day.
A significant fire broke out at the Irish Waste recycling centre near Carryduff, Northern Ireland, on the evening of Sunday, 30 March 2025. Approximately 80 firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to contain the blaze, which was confined to a single building. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed, and the public was asked to avoid the area. No injuries were reported. The fire caused disruption and raised safety concerns, with operations continuing into the following day.