London desk

Filed from the London desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Politics · 15 October 2026

Burnham Rules Out Green Coalition After Party Passes ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Motion

Reginald Penny, London desk

Andy Burnham rejected any coalition with the Green Party after its members approved a motion describing Zionism as racism, a stance the Prime Minister also dismissed as wrong during PMQs.

Business · 14 October 2026

IMF’s Triple Surprise Applause for UK Borrowing Cuts

Iris Quay, London desk

In the past 24 hours, three top IMF officials publicly praised the UK’s plan to reduce its annual borrowing, a surprise endorsement that left markets unfazed.

Politics · 14 October 2026

Budget 'beerlaterals': Boris's Excuses and Labour's Dilemma - A Double-Act of Brexit & Corruption

Reginald Penny, London desk

Embroiled in a Brexit standoff, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn join forces to entertain the British public with an impromptu sketch on corruption and Brexit. Will they create a new style…

World · 14 October 2026

Missing Fishing Crew: Scotland's Salmon Gone AWOL

Reginald Penny, London desk

A fishing vessel off the Outer Hebrides failed to return as scheduled; rescuers have recovered one body while two crew members remain missing.

Finance · 14 October 2026

Bank of England and IMF warn the City could become a cyber‑crime theme park

Iris Quay, London desk

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that rising cyber‑attacks threaten trust in the UK financial system during a panel on online fraud.

Finance · 14 October 2026

UK 10‑Year Yield Slumps, IMF Raises Cyber‑Alarm, City Residents Celebrate With Tea

Iris Quay, London desk

The UK 10‑year Treasury yield fell this morning, pleasing Treasury Minister John Healey and the IMF, which simultaneously warned that cyber‑attack risks are rising.

Finance · 14 October 2026

IMF Warns ‘Resilience Under Strain’ – Will Australia’s PM Trade a Latte for Tough Choices?

Noor Hale, World desk

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook, released on Tuesday, says global economic resilience is “under strain” and calls for urgent policy choices. The article pokes fun at whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese�…

Finance · 13 October 2026

Broadcom CEO Calls AI Investors ‘Casino Gamblers’, Chip Stocks Slide

Iris Quay, London desk

Broadcom’s chief compared AI investors to casino gamblers, prompting semiconductor shares to drop on Tuesday, with Asian markets sliding and Samsung tumbling after rival CXMT announced progress.

Business · 13 October 2026

IMF upgrades UK growth outlook as Burnham’s maiden budget flags 2027 energy price rise

Iris Quay, London desk

The IMF has nudged the UK’s growth forecast higher just as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares his inaugural budget, which already signals higher household energy bills and rates in 2027. Markets react with cautious…