
09/07/2025
TODAY UNITED KINGDOM NEWS:
Here's a rundown of the latest news in the United Kingdom as of Tuesday, July 8, 2025:
**1. French President Macron's State Visit:**
* **Emmanuel Macron is currently on a three-day state visit to the UK**, at the invitation of King Charles III. This is the first state visit by an EU head of state since Brexit, symbolizing a desire to reset relations between the two nations.
* **Pomp and Ceremony:** Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were greeted by Prince William and Catherine (wearing Dior) at RAF Northolt, before being met by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor. They were treated to a lavish banquet at Windsor Castle, attended by 160 guests, including celebrities like Mick Jagger and Elton John.
* **"Save Europe" Call:** Macron has stated that France and Britain will "save Europe" and discussed issues like supporting Ukraine, addressing irregular migration across the English Channel, and facing complex threats together.
* **Bayeux Tapestry Return:** The Bayeux Tapestry is set to return to England for the first time in over 900 years as part of a deal related to the state visit.
**2. Domestic Politics and Social Issues:**
* **Welfare Reforms and Labour U-turn:** The Labour government is still grappling with the fallout from its recent welfare reform bill. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was forced to scrap key planks of the bill due to a rebellion within his own party, leading to concerns about a potential £4.5 billion black hole and questions about the Chancellor Rachel Reeves' position after she was seen crying during a parliamentary session.
* **Post Office Inquiry:** The Post Office Inquiry continues to reveal shocking details, with reports that the Horizon scandal may have driven 13 people to su***de. There's also continued public and political pressure for Fujitsu, the IT company responsible for the faulty system, to be held accountable.
* **Gregg Wallace "Sacked" from MasterChef:** Celebrity chef Gregg Wallace has reportedly been "sacked" from his role as a MasterChef presenter amid numerous allegations, with a misconduct review underway.
* **Arson Attack by Russian Intelligence:** A UK court has convicted three men over an arson attack on a London warehouse that authorities say was organized by Russian intelligence, targeting Ukraine-bound equipment and causing significant damages.
* **Assisted Dying and Abortion Legislation:** British lawmakers have backed legislation that would legalize assisted dying for adults with six months or less to live. There is also movement towards decriminalizing abortion in England and Wales.
* **Antisemitism Concerns:** Reports highlight a steep rise in antisemitism in the UK, with a record 3,528 incidents in 2024, and concerns that hate speech, such as controversial chants at Glastonbury, is being ignored.
**3. Other Major News:**
* **Heatwave:** An amber heat health alert remains in force across parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to reach 30°C.
* **Wimbledon:** The Wimbledon tennis tournament is underway, with the latest news on matches and player performances.
* **Royal Navy F-35B in India:** Repair work is underway on a Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India on June 14.
* **Drug Bust:** British authorities seized 2.4 metric tons of co***ne, valued at over $130 million, from a ship at London Gateway port, one of the UK's largest drug busts on record.
* **Former PM Rishi Sunak joins Goldman Sachs:** Following his electoral loss, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on a senior adviser role at Goldman Sachs.
For the most up-to-date and in-depth information, please refer to reputable UK news sources such as BBC News, The Guardian, The Independent, Sky News, and ITV News.