London desk

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

Business · 24 October 2026

Healey Pledges Hundreds of Millions for a ‘Distinctively British’ AI to Boost National Security

Iris Quay, London desk

Chancellor John Healey announced that the upcoming budget will allocate hundreds of millions of pounds to develop a uniquely British artificial‑intelligence programme aimed at strengthening the UK’s security and pr…

Business · 24 October 2026

Britain’s State Pension: A Modestly Middle‑Of‑The‑Road Retirement Stroll

Iris Quay, London desk

The UK’s state pension sits roughly in the middle of global rankings – better than a handful of Eastern European systems but trailing the generous payouts of many Nordic and Pacific nations.

World · 24 October 2026

Storm Boelo Blows In: 80 mph gusts hit UK north, Kerry gets orange rain warning

Reginald Penny, London desk

Storm Boelo will batter the north of the UK with up to 80 mph gusts this weekend and has already triggered a Status Orange rain warning for Kerry, Ireland, from 7 am to 2 pm. Forecasters urge the public to brac…

Business · 24 October 2026

City Turns Water Bill Review into ‘Value for Money’ Spectacle

Iris Quay, London desk

The UK government is stepping in to shape the next water bill review, telling utility bosses to focus on value for customers. Angela Eagle’s directive has turned the City’s gaze onto every litre of tap water.

Finance · 24 October 2026

Volvo’s Shares Dive to Record Lows as 2,500 Jobs Cut

Iris Quay, London desk

Volvo Cars announced a further 2,500 job cuts as a sales slump pushes its share price to a new record low.

Entertainment · 24 October 2026

Orlando Bloom Joins ‘The Gentlemen’ Season 3 – No Meghan Markle, Just a Host of New Faces

Tom Wick, London desk

Netflix’s ‘The Gentlemen’ begins season 3 filming in the UK and Morocco, adding Orlando Bloom, Robert Carlyle and Elijah Wood to the cast. The only notable absence is Meghan Markle.

Health · 23 October 2026

Weight‑Loss Injections Could Thin Beer Sales, Heineken Warns as MPs Urge NHS to Boost Jabs

Celia Marsh, London desk

Heineken says the rise of drugs like Wegovy may cut UK pub drinkers’ thirst, while MPs argue the NHS should speed up the rollout of Mounjaro, noting the current target of treating just 6% of eligible patients by 2028 i…

Entertainment · 23 October 2026

Prince William Swaps Polo Whip for Graham Norton's Red Sofa to Praise Nolan

Reginald Penny, London desk

Prince William made a surprise appearance on The Graham Norton Show, admitting he’s a big fan of Christopher Nolan’s films and the game‑show The Traitors, while marking his Earthshot Prize involvement.

Business · 23 October 2026

Lights Stay On This Winter, Engineers Still Worried About Supply

Iris Quay, London desk

The National Energy System Operator says lights will remain on throughout the winter, despite engineers expressing concerns about the grid’s ability to maintain adequate supply.