News 05/11/26

Five flights heading to European destinations have reported bomb alerts, causing diversions and air force escorts.

An Aer Lingus flight travelling from Dublin to Rome was diverted to Normandy after declaring an in-flight emergency. The French prime minister’s office confirmed the plane landed safely at the Evreux military airbase, with all one hundred and fifty-one passengers and six crew members safe as military bomb defusal teams examine the aircraft.

Poundland owner Gordon Brothers has hired London lobbyists Hanbury Strategy as it faces mounting political pressure over the retailer’s future.

The move comes as urgent talks continue to avert a collapse that puts ten thousand five hundred jobs at risk. MPs on the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade committee have summoned Gordon Brothers’ European chief Mark Newton-Jones to explain why a solvent takeover offer from Martin Property Group was turned down.

The UK has agreed to engage in structured, time-bound, inclusive, and good-faith talks addressing the historical harms of the transatlantic slave trade, Commonwealth leaders have announced.

A joint statement following the summit in Antigua and Barbuda declared that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation towards forging a common future. The move follows statements from Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirming Britain is open to issuing a formal apology, while firmly ruling out financial reparations.

More than sixteen hundred items containing asbestos have now been identified across the parliamentary estate, marking an increase of five hundred since 2021.

Known materials in the Palace of Westminster include insulation, roofing, floor tiles, and ropes. The discovery comes as MPs face pressure to sign off on a major refurbishment of Parliament, which could take sixty-one years and cost up to forty billion pounds. The Public Accounts Committee warned each year of delay costs taxpayers four hundred and twenty million pounds.

The UK could rejoin the European Union without being forced to adopt the euro, according to Brussels’ former chief Brexit negotiator.

Michel Barnier said it is perfectly possible to negotiate a new relationship without taking part in the single currency. However, Mr Barnier warned that membership of the single market, customs union, and freedom of movement remain non-negotiable, stating there can be no cherry-picking or single market à la carte.

Policymakers at the Bank of England are expected to raise interest rates on Thursday in what would be the first rate increase in over three years.

Most analysts predict a rise from three-point-seven-five per cent to four per cent. The move, driven by rising inflation from petrol and diesel costs, will increase borrowing costs for individuals and businesses while boosting returns for savers.

The pound has reached its highest overall level against a basket of major world currencies since the Brexit referendum over a decade ago.

Sterling has risen notably against both the euro and the dollar in recent weeks ahead of an expected interest rate hike. Bank of England figures show the index reached eighty-six-point-four, matching its highest point since June 2016, with official confirmation expected on Thursday.

Slough Borough Council failed in its statutory duty to produce timely and accurate accounts, according to a public interest report by external auditors Grant Thornton.

The report into financial reporting arrangements between 2018 and 2025 highlighted insufficient political oversight and weak financial controls. Council leader Wal Chahal noted the report covers a historical period, adding that following the 2021 Section 114 notice, the findings contain nothing new.