The American Express Times
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Rising bills and unemployment deepen UK crisis
Petrol prices in the UK have hit their highest level since the Iran war began, averaging 158.5 pence per litre amid rising global tensions. The government is prioritizing efforts to ease the affordability crisis and accelerate a shift to clean energy to prevent future price shocks.
★ Featured Stories
Greg Hyman, co-creator of Tickle Me Elmo, dies at 78
Greg Hyman, co-creator of the 1996 hit toy Tickle Me Elmo and pioneer in interactive children’s toys, died at age 78 in Boca Raton, Florida.…
Freeman homers twice as Dodgers top Padres 5-4
Freddie Freeman hit two home runs despite battling flu-like symptoms to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres.…
Neon Sfynx Releases First Protest Single 'HUH?'
Bahraini-Egyptian musician Neon Sfynx released his first protest single, "HUH?", which critiques global media biases and was inspired by the Israel-Gaza conflict escalation in 2023.…
Tarakeeb: Bahrain’s Homegrown Sustainable Fashion Brand
Bahrain-based sustainable fashion label Tarakeeb, founded by Kanika Subberwal, is launching its new Amira collection featuring eco-friendly fabrics and locally crafted pieces aimed at younger…
★ All Stories
Brexiteers warn Labour over EU realignment and Brexit principles
Leading Brexit supporters, including prominent Conservative figures, gathered in London to warn against Labour’s moves toward renewed EU cooperation that they see as undermining the…
Government advisers warn climate change threatens British way of life
The independent Climate Change Committee has warned that climate change threatens the British way of life through extreme heat, flooding, and drought, urging the government…
Rachel Reeves's Pension Tax Changes Could Hurt Many Retirees
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s plan to freeze the personal income tax allowance until 2031 means that rising state pensions could push millions of retirees into paying…
Cider Maker Blames Reeves as Hospitality Crisis Hits Sales
C&C Group missed its profit and revenue targets for the financial year ending February 2026, citing challenges in the UK hospitality sector and the impact…
Transport Savings and Rising Boot Sales Help Dr Martens’ Figures
Dr Martens reported a pre-tax profit of £32.7 million for the fiscal year, driven by a 19% increase in shoe sales and significant cost savings.…
Alcaraz Withdraws from Wimbledon with Wrist Injury
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from this year’s Wimbledon Championships due to a persistent wrist injury that has also kept him out of the French Open.…
Jayden Nikorima Pumps Up for Rugby League Vegas Showcase
Bradford Bulls have been chosen to participate in the National Rugby League's 2027 showcase event in Las Vegas, with star player Jayden Nikorima expressing excitement…
Newcastle Acquires Part of Historic Leazes Terrace Building
Newcastle United has purchased a majority stake in the historic Leazes Terrace building next to St James’ Park as part of its evaluation of future…
Majority support ban on political donations, poll finds
A poll conducted by Survation for Labour donor Dale Vince shows that 71% of Britons support banning political donations through an immediate referendum. This widespread…
Starmer faces backlash over plan to switch off terrestrial TV
The Labour government plans to end free-to-air terrestrial television by 2034, encouraging viewers to switch to internet-based TV services. This proposal faces strong criticism from…
Cancer Centre Appoints National Expert for Older People’s Care
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Professor Martin Vernon to lead its Senior Adult Oncology Service, which specializes in cancer care for older patients…
Union Warns Children in Mental Health Crisis Facing Barbaric A&E Waits
Children experiencing mental health crises are facing waits of up to three days in NHS emergency departments before receiving specialist care, with over 800 spending…
Mango billionaire’s son, 45, arrested over cliff fall death
Jonathan Andic, son of Mango founder Isak Andic, was arrested in northern Spain in connection with his father’s fatal fall from a cliff last December.…
Artificial Lawn Blaze Nearly Costs Couple Their Lives
A fire sparked by embers from a fire bin ignited the artificial lawn at Shaun Whyatt and Jenn Barnet’s home, causing extensive damage and endangering…
Grooming gangs inquiry must bring meaningful change for survivors
Baroness Longfield, chair of the public inquiry into grooming gangs in England, emphasized the inquiry’s commitment to delivering concrete outcomes for survivors and preventing future…
Grenfell fire: Police to seek charges against 57 people and 20 organisations
London police intend to ask the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charging 57 individuals and 20 organisations with offenses including corporate manslaughter related to the…
Jewish man attacked in London in alleged antisemitic hate crime
A 22-year-old Jewish man was attacked by five masked assailants in Golders Green, North London, in an incident being investigated as an antisemitic hate crime.…
Lewis says web fraud crackdown too feeble
Martin Lewis and Which? CEO Anabel Hoult have criticized the UK government's inadequate approach to online fraud, highlighting that major tech platforms earn billions from…
Trio unveiled by BBC as Strictly’s new presenters
The BBC has appointed Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe as the new three-person presenting team for Strictly Come Dancing in 2026, replacing long-time…
Sarah celebrates win with Campaign to Protect Rural England garden
Sarah Eberle won Garden of the Year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for "On the Edge," a garden highlighting neglected rural plants and natural…
Britons suffer as Labour bigwigs eye up power
Britain is grappling with rising household costs, growing unemployment, and criticism of Labour's economic policies, particularly its focus on welfare spending over growth and energy…
Why Men Must Share The Mother Load At Home
Experts are calling for men to take a more active and comprehensive role in managing household responsibilities, which currently fall disproportionately on women despite many…
Frances Millar: The Crisis Facing Britain’s Pubs
Britain’s pub sector is experiencing a sharp decline, with around 200 closures in the first half of 2025 driven by rising costs despite crowded conditions…
Kylie Minogue Opens Up On Private Cancer Battle And IVF Journey
Australian singer Kylie Minogue has shared her personal journey with breast cancer and her struggles with IVF in a new Netflix documentary that spans her…
Study Recommends Up to 10 Hours Exercise Weekly for Optimal Heart Health
A study of over 17,000 adults found that exercising up to 10 hours per week can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk beyond the current 150-minute weekly…
Man wrongly jailed for rape must pay £10k in fees
Andrew Malkinson, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and imprisoned for 17 years, faces charges of up to £10,000 in legal fees related to his…
Farmers diversify income to survive tax reforms and cost rises
Farmers across England are increasingly diversifying their land use into leisure, tourism, and sports facilities to counter rising costs, regulatory pressures, and tax reforms impacting…
Five Crucial Inheritance Tax Errors Families Make
A prolonged freeze on UK inheritance tax thresholds combined with new pension rules are increasing the risk of significant tax liabilities for many families starting…
Earl Spencer Marries TV Star Cat Jarman in Arizona
Earl Spencer married television presenter and archaeologist Cat Jarman in a private ceremony near Sedona, Arizona, where she now holds the title Countess of Spencer.…
Junior School Pupil Recovers as Fourth Confirmed Case in Reading Meningitis Outbreak
A junior student at Westwood Farm Junior School in Reading has been diagnosed with meningitis, marking the fourth confirmed case in a local outbreak linked…
Dawn French on new novel and life reflections
Dawn French is releasing her new novel, *Enough*, which follows a grandmother’s decision to spend her final day surrounded by family, exploring themes of mortality…
New Lord of the Rings 50p coin commemorates film anniversary
The Royal Mint has released a new 50p coin celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, kicking…
Cash ISAs Offer Attractive Fixed Rates Amid Rising Inflation
Banks and building societies have raised interest rates on fixed-rate Cash ISAs, with the average one-year rate increasing to 4.36%, as competition intensifies amid inflation…
Political Panic Spurs Rush for Physical Gold Investment
Sales of physical gold bars and coins to UK financial professionals have increased by 133% amid concerns over inflation, geopolitical tensions, and political uncertainty. This…
Be a legend in your own lodge with Luxury Lodges holiday homes
Luxury Lodges is offering upscale holiday lodges at Seaham Hall in County Durham, providing premium features and access to five-star hotel amenities while avoiding additional…
Standard Chartered Cuts ‘Lower Value Human Capital’ as Banker Ramps Up AI Use
Standard Chartered announced it will cut nearly 8,000 back-office jobs, over 15% of its support workforce, by 2030 as part of a strategic shift toward…
Gold Cup Hero Trawlerman May Miss Title Defence
Trawlerman was withdrawn from the Henry II Stakes at Sandown due to insufficient fitness, casting doubt on his participation in this year’s Ascot Gold Cup.…