London desk

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

Sports · 6 days ago

Madushanka’s five‑wicket spell turns Lahore into a wicket‑factory, dashing England’s tri‑series dreams

Iris Quay, London desk

Dilshan Madushanka’s career‑best five‑for helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in Lahore, knocking England out of the ODI tri‑series final.

Finance · 6 days ago

London’s Treasury Sinks into Debt: 5‑Year Gilt Becomes the City’s Most Expensive Tea

Iris Quay, London desk

Britain has issued a 5‑year gilt at the highest yield since 2008, shop‑price inflation is at its strongest level since 2024, HSBC’s shares fell 6% this morning and the FTSE 100 dropped 108 points.

Finance · 27 October 2026

Riches Reap Double Dividend from Climate Catastrophes

Iris Quay, London desk

Oxfam’s new report finds that the world’s wealthiest 1 % earn a ‘double dividend’ from climate change – profiting from both the emissions that drive the crisis and the recovery funds that follow, widening ine…

Finance · 27 October 2026

Healey’s Breakfast Boost: Marmalade and Gherkin Tariffs Axed

Iris Quay, London desk

Chancellor Healey announced a pre‑Budget ‘everyday fixes’ package that will remove tariffs on marmalade, gherkins and a handful of other staples, giving households a modest breathing‑space boost. While the move t…

Finance · 27 October 2026

Chinese Shares Plunge as AI Race Drains Trillions

Iris Quay, London desk

Rising anxiety over the U.S.‑China AI rivalry has wiped trillions of dollars from Chinese stock markets, sparking a sharp sell‑off and prompting investors to stare nervously at the next line of code.

World · 27 October 2026

Lula clinches fourth term as Bolsonaro launches ‘I‑won’t‑recognise‑it‑anyway’ campaign

Tom Wick, London desk

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a fourth presidential term after a dramatic comeback, while right‑wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro publicly refused to acknowledge the result, echoing his incarcerated father�…

Business · 27 October 2026

Brexit Deal Falls Short, Politicians Joke About Euro‑Rent in London

Iris Quay, London desk

Andy Burnham says the Brexit deal hasn’t delivered for the public and has weakened the economy. The prime minister adds no big pre‑election changes are on the table, prompting tongue‑in‑cheek talk about London…

Politics · 26 October 2026

Burnham Opens Door to EU Free‑Movement Talk, Calls for ‘Honest Discussion’

Reginald Penny, London desk

Mayor Andy Burnham says the UK should start an honest discussion – even a possible referendum – on whether to readopt the EU’s free‑movement rules.

Finance · 26 October 2026

VW to Build $4bn Audi SUV Factory in Georgia as It Cuts Jobs at Home

Iris Quay, London desk

Volkswagen is investing $4 billion (£3 billion) to build an Audi SUV factory in Georgia, creating 4,500 jobs, even as it cuts positions in Germany amid tariffs, Chinese competition and the shift to electric vehicles…