News 07/08/25

Donald Trump says he’s willing to meet Vladimir Putin, even if the Russian president refuses to sit down with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

When asked by a reporter if a meeting between the two leaders was a condition, Trump replied, “No, he doesn’t. No.” A Kremlin aide has since claimed talks between Moscow and Washington could take place in the coming days.

The same official said the US floated the idea of a three-way meeting, though it hasn’t been formally discussed.

OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5, the latest version of its popular ChatGPT chatbot.

The launch has been eagerly awaited in Silicon Valley, following the huge success of GPT-3, which helped kick-start the AI revolution in 2022.

OpenAI boss Sam Altman says the new model takes things to the next level. He compared the evolution to chatting with a high school student in GPT-3, a university student in GPT-4, and now, with GPT-5, a PhD-level expert in any subject — instantly and on demand.

Labour’s Rushanara Ali has stepped down as homelessness minister amid mounting scrutiny over a property she owns in East London.

In a resignation letter to the Prime Minister, Ali said staying in post would distract from the government’s wider work. Reports surfaced this week alleging she evicted tenants before re-listing the flat with a rent hike of £700.

A spokesperson said the tenants had completed their fixed term and chose not to renew when offered the chance.

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The UK is set to swelter as the remnants of Tropical Storm Dexter bring a burst of heat. Forecasters say southern areas could hit 28 degrees by Sunday, with highs of 30 on Monday and possibly 34 on Tuesday. The Met Office says muggy nights are also expected, particularly in the South. If the high temperatures persist, the heatwave could spread further across the country into next week.

Police have launched an appeal after half a million pounds’ worth of jewellery was stolen from a home in southeast London.

The burglary happened on Bickley Road in Bromley on the 30th of December last year.

Three men were caught on CCTV entering the property through a forced bathroom window around 5.40pm.

They remained inside for nearly 45 minutes — leaving just after 6.25 — while the owners were home.

Detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward.

A man who stalked actress Anna Friel over nearly three years is due to be sentenced next month.

Phil Appleton, aged 71, admitted stalking under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act.

Reading Crown Court heard he sent repeated messages, turned up at Friel’s home several times, and left unwanted gifts between January 2022 and December last year.

Appleton, who describes himself as an actor and retired pilot, was due to be sentenced this week, but the judge has adjourned the case to the 18th of September for a full pre-sentence report.

Britain’s homelessness minister is under scrutiny after reports she increased the rent on a property she owns by £700 a month — just weeks after ending a tenancy.

According to the i newspaper, tenants in Rushanara Ali’s East London property were given four months’ notice last November that their lease wouldn’t be renewed. The same house was reportedly relisted shortly afterwards at the significantly higher price. Ali, who serves as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, says she complied with all legal requirements.

A spokesperson added that she takes her responsibilities seriously.

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4 percent — the fifth reduction in the past year — in response to continued concerns over rising food costs.

The decision follows a split vote from the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, which required a second round to break the deadlock. This latest cut brings the base rate to its lowest level since 2023. For homeowners on a variable mortgage of around £140,000, that could mean savings of roughly £30 a month. Governor Andrew Bailey said the Bank remains cautious about future changes.

He warned that while rates are likely to keep falling, any further cuts will need to be made “gradually and carefully.”

The charity Sentebale is calling on the Charity Commission to confirm it did not investigate racism or misogyny claims made against Prince Harry.

A source close to the Duke of Sussex said the latest reports are simply “rehashing unsubstantiated allegations,” calling them “pitiful.” Sentebale says it’s asked the commission to clarify the findings publicly.

In its report, the commission found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, or misogynoir at the charity.

Multiple people have been detained for the first time under the UK’s new migrant returns deal with France.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, confirmed the move, saying those held had entered the UK illegally and would now be sent back across the Channel.

In a statement, he said: “We have detained the first illegal migrants under our new deal before returning them to France.”

He added: “If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back. When I say I will stop at nothing to secure our borders, I mean it.”

Israel is expected to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for a takeover of Gaza when its security cabinet meets later today.

The full cabinet is set to convene at 6pm local time, that’s 4pm here in the UK.

Israeli media reports suggest the operation could last up to five months, with the main aim of dismantling Hamas and increasing pressure to release the remaining hostages.

While some ministers have raised concerns, it’s thought Netanyahu is likely to win enough backing to push the plan through.

Donald Trump could meet Vladimir Putin as early as next week to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, according to a White House official.

The talks would depend on the Russian president first agreeing to meet with Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NBC News has reported.

It comes just days before a White House deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal or face tough new economic sanctions — which could also affect countries buying Russian oil.

When asked at a news conference whether the talks would go ahead, President Trump said, “There’s a very good prospect that they will.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has given China two weeks to explain why parts of its plans for a new mega-embassy in London have been redacted.

It’s understood the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to Chinese officials requesting further details, with a deadline of 20 August.

The proposed embassy site, close to London’s financial district, has raised concerns over potential espionage risks.

Local residents have also voiced fears about security and the likelihood of large-scale protests.

A final decision on the planning application is expected by 9 September.

A council tax hardship fund in Slough has seen a low take-up, with just 26 payments awarded since the start of the financial year.

Slough Borough Council’s corporate improvement scrutiny committee heard that only around 5% of eligible residents have applied for support so far.

Council Tax Support is designed to help low-income households by covering part of their bill, depending on individual circumstances.

The council’s director of revenue and welfare services, Andy Jeffs, said he doesn’t want any of the fund left unspent if people are struggling financially.

UK interest rates are expected to be cut today, bringing the cost of borrowing down to its lowest level in more than two years.

Financial markets are predicting the Bank of England will lower the base rate from 4.25% to 4% — the fifth cut since last August, and the lowest level since March 2023.

While a rate cut could ease monthly mortgage payments for some homeowners, it also means lower returns for savers.

The Bank will also release its latest economic forecasts, with growth flatlining in April and May. That slowdown could open up a significant spending gap — one the government may try to close with tax rises in the Autumn Budget.

Nearly one in five doctors in the UK is considering quitting, while one in eight is thinking about moving abroad to work, according to new figures.

The research, commissioned by the General Medical Council, warns that poor staff retention could seriously undermine government plans to bring down hospital waiting times.

The prime minister has pledged that by July 2029, 92% of patients needing routine treatment — such as hip or knee replacements — will be seen within 18 weeks.

But the GMC’s latest report says unless more is done to keep doctors in the NHS, those targets could be at risk.

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