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Britain Politics
From left, Commander Clair Haynes, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan meet police officers to discuss operational planning, in London, Friday, May 15, 2026. (Peter Nicholls/Pool
Britain Politics
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet with police officers to discuss operational planning ahead of this weekend's protests in London, Friday, May 15, 2026. (Peter Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain Politics
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Commander Clair Haynes meet with police officers to discuss operational planning ahead of this weekend's protests in London, Friday, May 15, 2026. (Peter Nicholls/Pool
Britain Politics
Journalists wait opposite 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, May 15, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain Politics
Journalists wait opposite 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, May 15, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's pound, stocks and bonds fall on political uncertainty, global inflation angst
British government bonds, stocks and sterling fell on Friday, as domestic political uncertainty clashed with global worries about an inflationary shock, leaving UK assets in the mire.
Britain Politics
Britain's newly appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, May 15, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain Politics
Britain's newly appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, May 15, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Chartbook 449: Voldemort on Threadneedle street. The Bank of England and the "haunted house" of English politics.
Imagine the scene: In some Harry Potter version of 21st-century London, a group of deathless UK Treasury officials gathered from across the last century huddle over warm pints and glasses of Chardonnay. Around the table there are officials from the 1920s, the 1930s, the 1970s, 2022 and today. Inevitably, in May 2026, the subject of conversation is the disintegration of the current Labour government. Despite its huge majority in parliament, it has been reduced to tatters by catastrophic local election result. These exposed the fact that rather than having a government with a clear popular majority, the UK is like most other modern societies divided into 5 segments each of which commands between 26 and 16 percent of the vote. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the leadership at Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street - where the Prime Minister and the Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) work - seem paralyzed. They are caught between mounting discontent over unfairness and the cost of living, and tough fiscal strictures that push them into making unpopular spending decisions. In the London pub, the Treasury officials from across the ages, can barely hide their satisfaction at the latest display of democratic politics caught in the vice-grip of financial logic. “Remember the mur d’argent and the banker’s ramp?” “Just like yesterday!” There are smirks around the table. Then the representative of 2026 pipes up: “One thing you have to say about the current lot (referring to the latest hapless Labour government), you don’t have to teach them about the bond market!” There is a murmur of ascent from the Treasury Mandarins. The trauma of the fiscal crisis of September-October 2022 sits deep. Back then, in the final stages of Tory decay, a ‘mini budget’ that challenged fiscal orthodoxy led to a brief but fierce panic in one of the oldest government bond markets in the world (aka gilt market). Now all you have to do is to mention the “bond market” to hush debate. [ Paul Mason@paulmasonnews In the name of public service, and as ex-economics editor of BBC Newsnight, I offer to do a zoom call, tonight, with any Labour MP who wants to understand why bond markets do not "fall into line" with governments. 1/ 3:57 PM · May 12, 2026 · 466K Views 224 Replies · 674 Reposts · 3.93K Likes ](https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2054229532404519082?s=20) “And the funny thing is”, the young man in the huddle continues, “they don’t even want to talk about … ”. There is a sudden hush. Significant looks are exchanged around the table. About? One of the senior figures puts down his glass with a decisive “clink”. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has entered their thoughts. Meanwhile, a few miles away in a grubby pub in Bloomsbury, two conspirators from the camp of Critical Macrofinance huddle over cans of low-alcohol IPA. They look at each other and blurt out loud: “The Bank!” “Everyone in the bloody Labour party is talking about the bond market. But why aren’t they even mentioning … the Bank of England!?” “Why is no one talking about Voldemort?” In Paul Mason’s blogpost, after much chest-thumping about basic fiscal logic, the basic point about the Bank of England is buried in the fine print at #3 in his list of suggestions as to what a radical Labour government might actually be able to do! [ Conflict & Democracy Down with the bond market! Down with gravity! It may seem unfair to focus on Labour MP Paula Barker for her off-the-cuff assertion that the bond market would have to “fall in line” with Andy Burnham, should he replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. But Burnham himself told the New Statesman that Labour had to “get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets… Read more 2 days ago · 100 likes · 3 comments · Paul Mason ](https://htsf.substack.com/p/down-with-the-bond-market-down-with?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) Back in Bloomsbury they shake their heads and ask: “Didn’t we learn anything from the Eurozone crisis?” Meanwhile, as if summoned to the conversation by some higher force, the “pink pages” announce: “The days of ultra-cheap government borrowing have come to an end” and Martin “Whizzard” Wolf publishes the graph of the season Look at the UK in 2026, perilously positioned on the upper edge of the pack. No wonder no one in London needs any lessons about the “bond market”. But, look again. Imagine how they feel in Rome. What is London’s nightmare in 2026? The nightmare is that you end up like Italy in the early 2010s during the Eurozone crisis. Once comfortably situated in the middle of the pack, watching with horror as your ten-year yields explode to 7 percent and “spreads” become a national nightmare. One of the largest economies in Europe, a founding member of the euro, stigmatized. But the message of the Italian experience is ambiguous. After all, the stigma didn’t last. In 2026, Italy borrows at rates lower not only than the UK but the US. The US, which, as everyone knows, enjoys the “exorbitant privilege” of being the issuer of reserve, safe asets. What kind of magic is this? How did Italy, in the space of fifteen years, go from being good, to bad and back again? Which brings us back to our dissident friends in their Bloombury boozer and their memories of the Eurozone crisis. Italy never was Britain - with its ongoing fiscal deficits. Without interest payments, on primary balance, from 2000 to 2020 Italy ran a tight fiscal ship. Even in 2008 it barely went into deficit and when it was being put on the rack in the early 20210s its primary surplus matched that of austere Germany. So, what happened? How did it end up stigmatized? Of course Italian politics didn’t help. Berlusconi was at the helm and he had legal issues. But amongst friends in the Bloomsbury pub, Berlusconi is a sideshow, the name we whisper to each other is “Trichet”. From 2004 to 2011 the ECB was headed by Jean-Claude Trichet, ex of the French Treasury, more German than the Germans. After 2009 as the news of the Greek fiscal disaster broke, the European bond markets wento into panic mode and Trichet began a brutal game of cat and mouse. Between 2009 and 2011, Trichet intervened in the bond market to help, only when he thought he had compliance with austerity. When he thought they were uncooperative, he withdrew. In the summer of 2011, he even made direct suggestions to his Italian counterparts in Rome, as to how Italy should be governed. It was this cat and mouse game that drove the bond markets crazy and exposed Italy to a violent squeeze. When Mario Draghi took over the ECB at the end of 2011 and declared “whatever it takes”, the pressure on Italy, gradually eased. It is that starring role that has made Draghi into the towering figure in European politics that he remains today. So now you see why voices in London hush when it comes to the Bank of England. “The bond market” isn’t an irresistible objective force like the weather or an avalanche. It can appear like that. But that depends on the way it is being handled, or not handled by the central bank. Which is why the silence about the Bank of England in London right now is so significant. If you think this all sounds a bit fishy, coming from a left-liberal Keynesian like myself, well, let me introduce you to Robin Brooks, who, to put it mildly, plays on a different quidditch team to me. Here, from the position of a fiscal hawk is Robin’s celebratory account of the Bank of England’s role since 2022; In October 2022, at the height of the bond market blow-up in the UK, something incredible happened. Governor Andrew Bailey told British pension funds the Bank of England would end its support program for the country’s fragile gilt market, drawing a line under how much help the central bank was willing to give to exposed pension funds and - implicitly - the government. By the end of that week, Kwasi Kwarteng - the finance minister - had resigned. Prime Minister Liz Truss would soon follow. This episode is so incredible because it contrasts with what happened in the Euro zone earlier that year. Bond markets in Spain and Italy were under pressure amid high inflation and rising interest rates. In the middle of this, Mario Draghi - Italy’s Prime Minister - resigned, compounding pressure on bond markets of high-debt countries on the Euro periphery. Unlike the Bank of England, the ECB caved. It bought Italian and Spanish government bonds in an effort to cap yields and introduced a new tool that signaled to markets it might do such caps more frequently going forward. Faced with pressure on bond markets, the ECB capitulated to political pressure from high-debt countries like Italy and Spain. The Bank of England stood its ground and toppled the Truss government. This kind of thing has long-lasting consequences. It means markets price a higher probability of yield caps in the Euro zone, which keeps Italian and Spanish yields artificially low, while markets feel free to push up UK yields without fear of central bank intervention. As I flagged in yesterday’s post, this means you really can’t compare UK yields to those of other high-debt countries. The UK looks worse, but only because its central bank isn’t interfering with markets. There’s more to this than just that 2022 episode. The Bank of England has also been much more aggressive in its quantitative tightening (QT) than other central banks. If one motivation for quantitative easing (QE) is to lower bond yields - especially longer-dated ones - then it stands to reason QT pushes yields up. The left chart above shows a four-quarter moving average of UK government debt issuance (black line) in percent of GDP and which sectors absorb this issuance, including the Bank of England (blue bars). The right chart above compares the Bank of England’s accumulation or run-off of government bonds (blue line) with that of other central banks, where this blue line is the same as the blue bars in the left chart. The Bank of England was quicker and more aggressive than other central banks in downsizing its bond holdings, so UK yields will have risen more than elsewhere also for this reason, not just because of Governor Andrew Bailey’s remarks in October 2022. Back in October 2025, after a conversation in New York with friends in British politics, my sense of dysphoria was such that I raised the issue of the Bank of England openly in the FT Since 2008, the UK has slid into a deep economic and political predicament. Growth has stagnated to a degree far worse even than in the 1970s. The Tory leadership’s wager on the Brexit referendum spectacularly backfired, leaving the UK isolated from Europe and at the mercy of its special relationship with the US, many of whose political class regard the UK as a basket case. After years of austerity, the Labour party lurched to the left and then back to the centre. The Tory party has been eclipsed by the populist nationalism of Reform. Any British government should be worrying first and foremost about how to restart growth. Instead, Keir Starmer is beset by shades of the gilt market panic triggered by the Liz Truss government in 2022. The debt level is higher than in recent years, but there is no cause for panic. UK debt is at far from critical levels and of long duration. Whether you want to “take back control” or launch progressive economic policy, a democracy dogged by fear of bond market vigilantes is unhealthy. In a country that is a monetary sovereign, this climate points to one thing: a disconnect between the government and the central bank. Since 1997, the independence of the Bank of England has become a sacred cow. But independence is what you make of it. And in the wake of the gilt market crisis of September 2022, relations between the Bank of England and the UK government need a reset. In normal times, there is no doubt that an inflation-targeting independent central bank can serve a country well. But since 2008, the UK and other advanced economies have not had the luxury of such simple problems. To their credit, central bankers around the world have not stood on orthodoxy. After 2008, the US Federal Reserve rescued the global banking system and, through quantitative easing, it stabilised the Treasury market in the face of huge deficits. In Europe, things were trickier. Both the Bank of England under Mervyn King and Jean-Claude Trichet’s European Central Bank played cat and mouse with national governments. This was a high stakes wager that between 2010 and 2012 escalated bond market tension and triggered a disastrous turn to austerity. Shaken by the impact of those shocks, their successors, Mark Carney and Mario Draghi adopted a more protective stance (assuming you were not the government of Greece). Recall that Draghi’s legendary slogan, “Whatever it takes”, was uttered to face down the City of London’s bond vigilantes. In 2015, Draghi launched QE — financial repression by another name. In 2016, Carney used the authority of the Bank of England to stabilise markets following the vote for Brexit, an exemplary demonstration of how central banks can underpin democratic choice, even when those choices are wrong headed. All these were independent central bankers steeped in the best practice of the 1990s, who recognised that historic crises demanded radical action. It was the price surge of 2021-2023 that poisoned the atmosphere. Though the shock came mainly from the supply side, central banks ended up in the dock. Nowhere more so than in the UK. The Bank of England reacted with aggressive normalisation. Faced with a cost of living crisis, the governor called for workers to accept real wage cuts. In early 2022, as gas prices were at record levels and Russia’s army was poised to invade Ukraine, the Bank adopted a stringent programme of quantitative tightening, elevating interest rates. When the Truss government got itself in trouble, the Bank took almost a week to come to the rescue. Rather than enacting a charade of normality, it is time to recognise that in 2025 the UK faces a period of historic transition. To meet this challenge, what is needed is a new concordat with the Bank. This should not ignore inflationary pressures or the long-run trajectory of debt, but should affirm the priority of reviving investment-led growth. One could follow Donald Trump in demanding interest rate cuts. The Bank could shadow the ECB in its commitment to capping Eurozone yields. But the top priority should be to lay the ghost of September 2022. The Bank’s slowing of QT last month was a concession. An immediate and complete end would send the right signal. Such a concordat will not by itself restore sanity to politics, solve the housing problem or rebuild the NHS. But it would help to lift the fear of bond market crisis, which is paralysing the effort by democratic politicians to answer the fundamental questions facing the nation. Now, that call for a new concordat between government and Bank of Englands seems more urgent than ever. The problem is that in October 2025, Starmer still had some authority. Today the government is in tatters. And when you are the “under the harrow” - to echo a phrase of Montagu Norman’s from the 1920s - it is the worst possible time to consider institutional change. To make general arguments at a time of crisis can only seem like special pleading rather than a general argument for long-term change. The same, unfortunately, is also true for the other basic institutional reform that Britain urgently needs i.e. the abolition of the out-dated first past the post electoral system and its replacement by a moderated form of proportional representation. And thirdly - whilst we are saying the quiet parts out loud - Britain needs to reopen the question of EU membership. What the local election results of 2026 show is that this remains a key issue. And what they also show is that there is a clear majority that would favor a return. Until these basic features of Britain’s political economy are addressed the country will carry on its politics as though in a haunted house, governed by governments that lack actual majorities, conjuring up false constraints whilst ignoring the real ones. This one is for DG and MI. I love writing the newsletter. If you enjoy it too and fancy buying me a coffee once a month, you know what to do. Click below! Subscribe
Opinion | Keir Starmer and the End of Britain’s Old Certainties
The decade since Brexit has been one long, painful process of trying — and failing — to make sense of this new reality.
Bobby Flay weighs in on food inflation in the restaurant business
Bobby Flay, celebrity chef and restaurateur, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss the recent food price inflation, the margins on expensive restaurants and much more.
Britain Politics
Eva Pavlova, First Lady of the Czech Republic, arrives for a reception for the delegation from the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform, hosted by Victoria Starmer, wife
U.K. and French Unions Join Forces to Protest Long Hours in Entertainment Industry
Britain's Bectu and sister unions in France have launched a joint campaign to highlight “unsustainable” working hours in the film and TV industries.
U.K. and French Entertainment Unions Join Forces to Protest Long Hours
Britain's Bectu and sister unions in France have launched a joint campaign to highlight “unsustainable” working hours in the film and TV industries.
UK health secretary resigns, creating a potential power struggle with PM Keir Starmer
Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first senior minister to quit Starmer ’s Cabinet on Thursday in what is expected to be a precursor to challenging his leadership.
Britain Politics
FILE - Britain's then Heath Secretary Wes Streeting gestures as he speaks during the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)
Pound dips as political crisis engulfs Britain
The pound dropped on Thursday, as a political crisis in the UK escalated with the resignation of health minister Wes Streeting turning up the heat on Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
UK health minister Wes Streeting resigns
British health minister Wes Streeting resigned from government on Thursday, saying he had lost confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership.
UK opens antitrust probe into Microsoft's business software
Britain on Thursday launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft's dominance in business software that could lead to targeted action if the U.S. company is found to have "strategic market status" in the sector.
Britain Politics
Peter Mandelson, the former U.K. ambassador to the United States, walks past the Ministry for Health in London, Thursday, May 14, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
European markets to open higher as politics dominates the news agenda
European stocks are expected to open higher Thursday as investors keep an eye on developments in the U.K. and U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to China.
AI’s rapid growth spurs major legislative action in Colorado
The 2026 legislative session was marked by lawmakers’ push to establish guardrails on artificial intelligence, a technology advancing at breakneck speed. Colorado has remained at the forefront of AI policy, becoming the first state to pursue comprehensive regulation with Senate Bill 205 in 2024. On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen told Colorado Politics […]
BioHarvest Sciences Appoints New Head of Business Development for its CDMO Division
Business development appointment is aligned with securing long-term customers for development and manufacturing partnershipsVancouver, British Columbia and Rehovot, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2026) - BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: BHST) (FSE: 8MV0) ("BioHarvest" or the "Company"), a leader in Botanical Synthesis technology and sustainable plant-based molecule development, today announced the appointment of Nedira Salzman-Frenkel to Vice President of Business Development. Ms....
British scientists among winners of top Spanish award
British chemists David Klenerman and Shankar Balasubramanian joined French biophysicist Pascal Mayer in winning Spain's top science award on Wednesday for DNA sequencing research that helped combat coronavirus.
World-famous Los Angeles Thai restaurant temporarily closed by health department
A Los Angeles Thai restaurant honored in the Michelin Guide and frequented by celebrities temporarily closed its doors after county health inspectors cited it for health code violations. Jitlada, a…
New York’s Most Powerful Entertainment Attorneys 2026
Celebrities, studios and criminal minds alike turn to the Big Apple’s top legal eagles — for profit or proof of innocence.
Britain Politics King's Speech
Britain's King Charles III salutes to members of the Guards marching after the State Opening of Parliament at Buckingham Palace in London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain Politics King's Speech
Britain's King Charles III, center, and Queen Camilla, background right, walk up the stairs at the Norman Porch the State Opening of Parliament, in London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Suzanne
Britain Politics King's Speech
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for State Opening of Parliament, in London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool Photo via AP)
UK health minister Streeting preparing to resign, Times says
Britain's health minister Wes Streeting is preparing to resign and could quit as early as Thursday, the Times reported on Wednesday, adding that he is likely to mount a formal challenge for the party leadership.
Britain Politics King's Speech
The Imperial State Crown arrives at the Sovereign's Entrance for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, in London, Wednesday May 13, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via
APTOPIX Britain Politics King's Speech
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and wife Victoria leave 10 Downing Street to attend the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.(AP
Your Business Has a 'Strait of Hormuz' Problem—You Just Don't Know It Yet
The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis highlights how the lean operations that built your business might be making it dangerously brittle.
Britain Politics King's Speech
General view at the Chamber of the House of Lords before the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)
Britain Politics
Britain's Health Secretary Wes Streeting arrives in Downing Street for a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Reality TV politics takes center stage in LA mayor’s race
Media analyst Kaivan Shroff joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay o weigh in on Spencer Pratt’s run for Los Angeles mayor, saying his celebrity profile and wildfire frustration reflect a broader anti-establishment mood in politics. The conversation also touched on how media figures like Don Lemon, Stephen A. Smith and Tucker Carlson are using attention and personal platforms to fuel political speculation.
Draper brings Murray into coaching team
Britain's Jack Draper brings Andy Murray into his coaching team for the grass-court season after parting company with Jamie Delgado.
UK Bond Yields Rise With Starmer’s Future as Prime Minister in Doubt
The yields on British debt pushed higher as the country’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, confronted a rebellion from members of his party.
The Science of Growing Up
Natalie Brito, a professor of psychology, researches how both the families we’re raised in and the societies we live in, shape us.
Britain Politics
TV presenters report from Downing Street in London, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 as Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing the biggest threat yet to his authority after a growing
Britain Politics
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy leaves after a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 as Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is
Britain Politics Starmer
FILE - This photo combination shows, from left, Wes Streeting in Liverpool, Sept. 30, 2025, Angela Rayner in Shoreditch, London, June 5, 2025, Andy Burnham in Liverpool, Sept. 29, 2025,
The Latest: Starmer Fights for Political Survival as Calls for His Resignation Grow in UK
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting for his political survival after a disastrous set of results in local elections for his Labour Party last week. Dozens of Labour lawmakers are calling on Starmer to resign. A resignation announcement could possibly come after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday,
Live: First UK minister resigns amid calls for PM Starmer’s resignation
The British premier is under pressure to quit after his Labour Party suffered election losses.
Britain Politics
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 as Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Britain Politics
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 as Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Sterling drops as markets watch UK politics, PM Starmer's future
Sterling slid against the dollar and the euro on Tuesday as markets kept a close watch on political developments, amid growing concern that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer could step down.
AbCellera Reports Q1 2026 Business Results & Announces Positive Interim Phase 1 Clinical Data for ABCL635
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 11, 2026--AbCellera Reports Q1 2026 Business Results & Announces Positive Interim Phase 1 Clinical Data for ABCL635
It’s Deja Coup All Over Again for Starmer as Political Instability Returns
British politics is back to peak pandemonium after Starmer’s underwhelming speech and so too is the potential damage to debt repayment costs
A Decade After Brexit, British Politics Is Coming Apart
The rise of populism and increasingly radical leftism could be a foretaste of the American political future.
Billy Bob Thornton pushes back on celebrity activism: ‘I don't know anything about politics’
Billy Bob Thornton criticizes celebrity activism at awards shows, saying stars should "get your little award" instead of pushing personal beliefs.
Research reveals how forever chemicals in drinking water could impact your health
New data on forever chemicals in drinking water: Who may be at risk, possible health concerns, and USC research that could change the game. Brittany Hope reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on May 11, 2026.
The Market Expects More British Political Havoc
The prospect of a swing further left is not reassuring gilt investors.
Eli Lilly shoots for health in new Caitlin Clark ad campaign
Flashy three pointers; top athletes playing under the lights; cameras focusing in on our celebrity making a game-winning shot—all elements you’d typically associate with a Big Pharma ad featuring a | Flashy three pointers; top athletes playing under the lights; cameras focusing in on our celebrity making a game-winning shot—all elements you’d typically associate with a Big Pharma ad featuring a major athletic celebrity. Not for Eli Lilly though.
The skincare guru Hollywood stars trust for red-carpet skin
High-tech machines and $900 treatments: How Keren Bartov built a skincare empire and global celebrity following.
The Night When Britain Joined Continental Europe’s Political Culture
Despite Brexit, the UK's political landscape now mimics many EU countries. UK establishment media and politicians have no idea what's next.
Canisius Announces 60th Sports Hall of Fame Class
The Canisius athletic department announced today (May 11) that Mallory Aldred '09 – softball, Billy Baron '14 – men's basketball, Tim Edwards '15 – men's lacrosse, Maria Kotas '14 – women's lacrosse, Connor Panas '15 – baseball, Shawn Parkhurst '13 – men's swimming and diving, Brittané Russell '10 – women's basketball and Allyson Severyn '13 – volleyball, have been selected as the 60th induction class to the Canisius University Sports Hall of Fame.
UK PM Starmer battles for political survival in pivotal speech as gilt yields rise
Starmer is expected to say that key issues of growth, defense, the U.K.'s relationship with Europe and energy must be urgently addressed.
Starmer, fighting for his political life, pledges to bring Britain closer to Europe
The prime minister plans to use a speech on Monday to argue that he will “face up to the big challenges” and restore “hope” to the country.
Science Reveals the Ideal Age Gap for a Couple That Actually Lasts
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UK's Starmer launches political fightback, putting Europe ties at heart of reset
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin a political fightback on Monday in a speech that says rebuilding relations with the rest of Europe will be his government's defining mission, as he moves to quell growing calls to quit.
Is e.l.f. (ELF) Turning Viral Brand Buzz Into a Durable Entertainment-Driven Growth Story?
In recent days, e.l.f. Cosmetics joined the International Dance League as a founding partner and official livestream presenting partner, while continuing to see strong demand for its viral Halo Glow range, including celebrity-endorsed products that are selling quickly online. Taken together, these moves deepen e.l.f.’s presence where its core audience spends time, on social platforms and emerging entertainment channels, potentially reinforcing its brand strength and product visibility. Next,...
UK politics descends into chaos: Is there a lesson for Democrats?
Two years after the British Labour Party’s “landslide” win, a crushing defeat threatens its future
Sales Are Up. Celebrities Are In. Is Gap Officially Back?
Richard Dickson has drawn inspiration from the clothing retailer’s early days as he tries to regain its cultural cachet.
Celebrity chef reveals No. 1 mistake sabotaging your weight loss: 'Fuzzy math'
Rocco DiSpirito reveals the No. 1 mistake people make with healthy eating and weight loss, saying there is no one fix or cure that works for everyone.
Local elections reveal the deep fracturing of UK politics and put the writing on the wall for Keir Starmer
Another British prime minister is in deep trouble – but simply replacing him won’t fix what is ailing the United Kingdom.
Gabi Brito helps lead Santa Monica to CIF-SS Division 1 swim title
Gabi Brito wins the 100-yard butterfly and 50-yard freestyle titles to lead Santa Monica to victory at the Southern Section Division 1 finals.
Is it Brittany Russell's turn?
“I'm just glad I don't have to answer that question anymore.
Celebrities donate art for Cliftonville mental health event
Actor Nick Frost and musicians James Bay and David Gray donate art to the Cliftonville event.
Colorado needs a sane, viable opposition party
If you are upset with the increasing regulatory burden in Colorado, the exodus of too many large employers, accelerating property taxes, the condition of the roads, and all of the funding for transit schemes with low demand, of course, you can lay the blame on Democrats who control all levers of state government. The same […]
The Chaotic New Era of British Politics
Keir Starmer’s unpopularity has led Labour to a humiliating defeat in local elections. Now, with five major parties competing for votes, the far right could be well positioned for a general-election victory.
Yedsit Hazlewood, Brittany Russell Capture Laurel Park Spring Meet Titles
Yedsit Hazlewood notched another achievement in his young career, winning the Laurel Park Spring Meet riding title by two wins over fellow apprentice Jose Vargas. Hazlewood, who also won two races at Laurel Park on Friday, finished with 17 wins during the spring meet. Sheldon Russell and Forest ...
Undefeated Local Favorite Taj Mahal Targets Preakness
Taj Mahal, running for trainer Brittany Russell, enters the Preakness Stakes off the back of an authoritative 8 1/4-length romp in the April 18 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. The son of Nyquist earned an automatic berth to the Preakness with that victory and remains a perfect three-for-three ...
Britain Has Entered a New Era of Multiparty Politics. It’s Messy.
A voting system created when two parties dominated is being tested by the rise of newer competitors.
U.K. election results mark "historic shift in British politics," Trump ally Farage says as big parties reel
Nigel Farage: Reform election gains show historic shift in British politics
Labour and the Conservatives suffer losses at the expense of Reform across England.
Patrick Mahomes' Wife, Brittany, Lands Prestigious Award
Patrick Mahomes has a bunch of awards nine years into his NFL career. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has three Super Bowl trophies, two league MVP trophies, an NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, six Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro selections. His wife, Brittany, is now adding ...
Apple Faces £3 Billion UK Trial Over iCloud Lock-In Claims
Apple was not able to narrow the scope of a UK lawsuit accusing it of locking 40 million UK consumers into iCloud, to the detriment of third-party cloud storage providers. British consumer group Which? first filed the lawsuit in late 2024, and is asking for £3 billion for UK Apple customers. Apple wanted to exclude non-paying iCloud users from the lawsuit, but the tribunal denied Apple's request in a 2 to 1 majority.
Robert Downey Jr. says idea that influencers are 'stars of the future' is 'absolute horses---'
"Nowadays, people can create celebrity without ever doing much besides rolling a phone on themselves," the Marvel star lamented.
The British public need to be better prepared for emergencies
Letter: Jean Coussins says a cross-party Lords committee has been tasked with coming up with a plan to normalise resilience in our everyday lives
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
Britain's JD Sports says Nike's Hill 'doing a great job'
Nike CEO Elliott Hill got a vote of confidence from one of its largest customers, British sportswear retailer JD Sports , whose boss said on Thursday he was "doing a great job".
‘Turn It Off’—Google Starts Scanning Your Gmail As Update Goes Live
"Do not ignore this warning," Shark Tank celebrity tells Gmail users.
Clavicular is charged in connection with alligator shooting
Clavicular faces a misdemeanor charge after a viral video appears to show the manosphere celebrity shooting the body of an alligator from an airboat in the Everglades.
Here's the age when we're most unhappy according to science - Futura-Sciences
Over the course of a lifetime, people move through brighter periods and darker ones. These shifts can happen early in life and return again later on. But when do people truly hit their lowest point? That is the question a British economist set out to answer. His analysis draws on...
Restore Britain: is new far-right party a threat to Farage?
Rupert Lowe’s upstart outfit could cost Reform UK crucial votes or drag it even further to the right
Zack Polanski falsely claimed to be British Red Cross spokesperson, charity says
Green party leader also accused of incorrectly stating he was a full member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy
Irwin considered withdrawing from North West 200
Glenn Irwin says he considered withdrawing from this week's North West 200 because of the teething difficulties he was having with his new V4 Ducati at the British Superbike round at Oulton Park.
‘Starmer’s referendum’: How local elections could expose a fractured UK
Thursday’s polls could deliver a sharp setback for Labour, with Reform UK and the Greens expected to gain, analysts say.
Feathers, corsets and chaos: We asked three generations to judge the Met Gala looks
Celebrities arrived for the 2026 Met Gala, dripping in glitz and glamour and tasked with interpreting this year's theme, "Fashion Is Art." Yahoo convened a panel of multi-generational experts to weigh...
‘The Amazing Race’s Phil Keoghan Breaks Down His Meta ‘Hacks’ Appearance
Plus, he reveals celebrity fans, his thoughts on clowns, and more.
Britney Spears pleads guilty to lesser 'wet reckless' charge in DUI case
Spears pleaded guilty through her lawyer Monday
Britney Spears set to be arraigned on a DUI charge
A representative previously called her actions inexcusable
Princess Eugenie and her husband announce they are expecting their 3rd child
Britain’s Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, announced Monday that they are expecting their third child. Buckingham Palace says Eugenie, the younger daughter of the former Prince...
Want to try swim lessons, Latin food? Visit these new NJ businesses
Handroll House in East Rutherford serves sushi handrolls. Sabores Latinos is in Morristown. The British Swim School is in Cliffside Park.
Starmer says UK opening talks with EU on joining €90bn loan scheme for Ukraine
The prime minister is backing the deal as it would allow British firms to access the contracts funded by the loan
Empowering Veterans: The 2026 Fayetteville Veterans Business Expo aims to close the opportunity gap
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off the success of previous events held by PWC, like the 2024 Industry Day (pictured above). Photo provided by PWC. The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) will host the inaugural 2026 Veterans Business Expo on May 14 at the PWC Main Operations Complex at 955 Old Wilmington Road, seeking to connect former U.S. Military members with vital business opportunities in their community. The event, which will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., is part of a partnership between PWC and the Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University (VBOC) and Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur and Business HUB (FSU HUB).Aaron Harris, PWC’s manager of economic inclusion programs, said the event is designed to connect Veteran-owned businesses with partners and decision-makers who can help move opportunities forward.“This event brings together Veteran entrepreneurs alongside government agencies, public entities, contractors and resource partners in one place, creating a purposeful space to build relationships, exploring procurement and contracting possibilities and strengthening our region’s Veteran-owned business community,” Harris said. The Veterans Business Expo was devised to feature, highlight and facilitate direct connections and commerce. “We want to get our Veterans a platform for their businesses,” said Camille Little, the supplier diversity analyst at PWC. “Here at PWC, we have 20 departments, and we procure… I can’t tell you all the goods and services. This is our first expo. We’re looking for general contractors, electricians, landscapers, janitorial, construction suppliers, architecture, farms and engineering firms.” Little said, much like businesses in every industry, Veterans are often in need of assistance getting their foot in the door.“When Veterans are starting up, they have to know what resources are [available],” Little noted. “They have this ample amount of resources, but they need to know how to get started.” Identifying those resources and connecting Veteran business owners with opportunities and business development programs are made possible by the partnership between PWC and VBOC, Little said. The partnership has allowed the expo to flourish, she added.“There are opportunities, there are consultant workshops and different things that we partner with them for all the time,” Little said. “It’s about easing that transition because starting a business is hard. Having the dedication to continue after that first year is even harder right now.” That is why, Little said, the partnership with resources from Fayetteville State University brings decision makers to the table. “If you are a Veteran business owner, you may not know how to do business with PWC or the City of Fayetteville or FSU, or partners,” Little said. “‘Where do I get started?’ ‘How do I get contracts?’ Bringing people to an understanding and then having an opportunity like this, where you’re talking to that person who’s making the decision… that is our goal.”Those meetings between Veteran-owned businesses and other decision-makers will present a chance to showcase products and services directly to organizations seeking qualified vendors and capable partners, Harris said. Agencies and contractors, he added, can meet and engage businesses ready to support upcoming needs. Little said PWC and all of its departments, as well as the City of Fayetteville, and FSU will be on hand. Additionally, there will be procurement officers from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. “Resource partners who support small business development will also be on hand, helping make introductions and reinforcing pathways that support growth for Veteran entrepreneurs,” Harris said.For Veteran entrepreneurs, Little said she recommends two things: an answer to “why?” and a business plan.“I would ask them, what problem are they solving with their business?” she noted. “Then I would also tell them to start making a business plan. I run into a lot of firms, and it’s like, ‘What is your plan?’ So just knowing where you want to go with your business is important.”Little said it is important to differentiate between a business that helps transition servicemembers away from the U.S. Military versus a business that Veterans consider the next chapter of their lives.“How much dedication are you going to give to this business to make it successful?” Little noted. “So I would always start with what’s your business plan.”For Harris, the event will be able to cover the needs of all types of Veteran-owned businesses.“Another important lesson is the need to meet businesses where they are,” he said. “Veteran-owned businesses are at different stages of development, so offering multiple entry points, networking, education and referrals has proven essential.”Registration information can be found at: www.eventbrite. com/e/2026-veterans-business-expo-connecting-heroes-to-opportunity-tickets-1984308563329?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
How Perimenopause Became America's New Health Scare
If you’re a woman who speaks English, it sometimes feels like you can’t spend time on the internet without being bombarded with all the ways in which your body or your mind could be just a little broken. A few years ago, Instagram was full of women talking about attention deficit disorder, and lo and behold: From 2020 to 2022, the percentage of women (between the ages of 23 and 49) newly diagnosed with it nearly doubled. Not long ago, premenstrual syndrome was all the rage, with the algorithm pushing videos that explained why it’s okay to fly off the handle once a month. These days, the word perimenopause is everywhere. Perhaps you’ve seen the headlines. “Perimenopause is having a millennial moment. Here are 7 ways to cope,” says The Washington Post. Or perhaps you’ve seen Apple TV’s glossy drama Your Friends & Neighbors, which is back for its second season; the female protagonist Mel is explicitly perimenopausal, and in the first season, she keyed a car for no apparent reason. She’s played by Amanda Peet, who talks about being perimenopausal in real life (“God knows I’ve wanted to key a lot of cars in the last three years,” she’s said.) In fact, it sometimes feels like every celebrity interview with a forty- or fiftysomething woman requires her to open up about what’s going on with her hormones. Drew Barrymore joked on CBS Mornings that when she found out how long perimenopause can last, she thought she’d “never make it 10 years like this.” Katherine Heigl told Business Insider that “whoever designed it so that women would be going through perimenopause while raising teenagers should be sent a strongly worded letter.” At the same time, influencers who talk about perimenopause seem to have cropped up out of nowhere with something to sell you, causing people online to wonder where this all came from. It’s trickled down from Instagram to tchotchke shops, which sell fridge magnets that say “Perimenopause Is Hot.” You can buy a T-shirt that proclaims “Perimenopause Made Me Do It!” My mom, who is 48, started uncontrollably shaking her leg at night a few years ago. “It’s perimenopause,” she told me when I complained about how annoying it was. But what exactly is perimenopause—and why are we all talking about it all of a sudden?
It's Your Business | Couple turns historic Fisher building into antique shop, vacation rental
The shop’s name is inspired by the old poem “The Owl and the Pussy-cat” by Edward Lear, which was published in 1871 according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Months after the FDA's label change for Tylenol, what's changed?
In September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced it was issuing a safety change for the medicine...