The UK and Europe experience record-breaking May heatwaves, prompting concerns over the UK's preparedness for extreme heat, with potential solutions discussed.
A new UK May temperature record of 35.1°C was set at Kew Gardens on Tuesday. Cooler air will bring an end to the heatwave in northern and eastern England by Wednesday, but temperatures will remain high in Wales and southwest England before potentially rising again on Thursday.
The UK recorded its hottest-ever May temperature, reaching 34.8C in Kew Gardens, London. Other areas in the south-east also saw highs in the 30s, with BBC Weather noting potential to exceed temperatures in Lagos, Cairo, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The UK has recorded its hottest-ever May temperature, reaching 33.5C in London on Monday. Heathrow broke the record, while other parts of the UK experienced mid-to-high 20s. BBC Weather noted that UK temperatures could surpass those in Lagos, Cairo, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Europe is facing an early heatwave, with the UK recording its hottest May day in 79 years at 32.3°C. Temperatures are expected to exceed 34°C, breaking historical records. Spain, Portugal, and France are also experiencing extreme heat, with some regions nearing 40°C.
England is set for an unprecedented May heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 35C, potentially breaking records. Overnight temperatures have already hit a new record, and further tropical nights are forecast before a cooling trend.
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland experienced their highest temperatures of 2026 on Sunday, marking the UK's hottest May day in at least 79 years. Heatwave conditions are widespread, with experts linking the extreme heat to the climate crisis.
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland experienced their highest temperatures of 2026 on Sunday, marking the UK's hottest May day in at least 79 years. Heatwave conditions have been officially declared in several areas, with experts linking the extreme heat to the climate crisis.
Heat health alerts are in effect across parts of the UK as temperatures are forecast to reach the high 20s and low 30s, with a potential record-breaking 33C on Bank Holiday Monday. The UKHSA has issued yellow alerts for the Midlands and parts of England, warning of minor impacts on health and social services.
A primary school in China has drawn criticism for distributing a detailed questionnaire to pupils asking about their parents' jobs, including work environment and hours, with the stated aim of fostering gratitude.
Thousands of demonstrators marched across the country to demand “dignity, justice and freedom” for immigrants and workers.
Trump announced he will increase tariffs on EU cars and lorries from 15% to 25% from next week, tearing up part of the Turnberry trade deal agreed at his Scottish golf course last summer. He criticised Brussels for delaying ratification and threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain. The EU parliament's international trade committee chair Bernd Lange responded that this proves how untrustworthy the US now is. The EU had agreed to buy $750bn of US energy and invest $600bn in the US as part of the original deal.
Turkish police arrested at least 570 people in Istanbul during May Day demonstrations on Friday, using tear gas from riot-control vehicles and pepper spray on protesters including Erkan Baş, president of the Turkish Workers' Party. Taksim Square was sealed off overnight, with police blocking workers from accessing the iconic venue. Unions had called for rallies under the slogan "Bread. Peace. Freedom" as inflation runs at around 40%. In Ankara, about 100 coal miners who staged a nine-day hunger strike joined the march.
Turkish police arrested more than 500 people at May Day demonstrations in Istanbul, with many attempting to march to Taksim Square, which has been banned for demonstrations since 2013. The square was sealed off overnight with extensive security. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Mecidiyekoy, where Turkish Workers' Party president Erkan Bas was among those who breached barricades. Celebrations proceeded in permitted areas including Kadikoy, Kartal, Izmir and Diyarbakir.
Turkish police fired tear gas and arrested nearly 400 people during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul on Friday. Rallies took place across the country amid heavy security, with Taksim Square sealed off and unions calling for bread, peace and freedom as inflation remains high.
US stock markets reached new record highs on Friday as Apple rose 3.3% and Estee Lauder climbed 4.2% after both companies reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. The S&P 500 added 0.6% to its all-time high, while the Dow Jones gained 226 points and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.7%. Colgate-Palmolive also beat estimates, though its CEO warned of continued volatile macroeconomic conditions. Easing oil prices helped steady markets amid uncertainty related to the Iran war.
Istanbul police detained approximately 350 people participating in unauthorized May Day protests who attempted to enter Taksim Square, using tear gas to disperse the crowds. For years, authorities have prohibited mass rallies in Taksim Square on May 1, designating alternative areas in two districts for labor union events. Transportation restrictions were imposed in Istanbul, while demonstrations also took place in Ankara and other Turkish cities under heightened security.
Turkish police arrested nearly 400 people in Istanbul on Friday during May Day demonstrations, firing tear gas from riot-control vehicles and sealing off Taksim Square. The protests, held under the slogan "Bread. Peace. Freedom," drew thousands across the country amid inflation officially at 30% but closer to 40% by independent estimates. The president of the Turkish Workers' Party was pepper-sprayed and a union official arrested after denouncing the Taksim lockdown.
The Trump administration faces a deadline today to seek Congressional approval for military action in Iran under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, but does not appear to be pursuing it. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argues the current ceasefire doesn't count toward the 60-day deadline. The administration plans to continue confronting Iran through dueling blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranians proposing to reopen the Strait while negotiating nuclear restrictions later. President Trump insists a nuclear deal must be included.
The author, a UAW member, explains why they will join over 3,000 May Day protests across the US – double last year's count. Workers are calling for a strike against billionaire rule, angry at both Trump and a Democratic establishment that abandoned the working class. Drawing parallels to the 1886 eight-hour day movement and Haymarket Square, the author argues a new oligarchy is waging class war and workers must organize rather than wait for political salvation. The UAW has set contracts to expire on May Day 2028, preparing for a general strike.
France sees 320 May Day rallies across the country as unions CFDT and CGT demand wage increases amid returning inflation. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu visits Haute-Loire to meet bakers and artisans amid debate about allowing certain shops to open on the holiday. International demonstrations occur in Turkey (dozens arrested in Istanbul), Indonesia, and South Korea.
May Day demonstrations are expected across the US on Friday with organizers calling for boycotts of work, school and shopping to protest Trump administration policies. The National Education Association, with 3 million members, is a key organizer alongside 500+ labor unions and student groups. In North Carolina, about 20 school districts will close due to planned staff absences, with educators rallying in Raleigh for increased education funding.
CGIL, CISL and UIL hold joint May Day demonstration in Marghera (Venice) under slogan 'Decent work. Bargaining, new protections and new rights for Italy changing in the AI era'. The three union secretaries—Landini, Fumarola and Bombardieri—share the same stage again after last year's separate events. While CISL and Uil view the government's labor decree positively, CGIL criticizes it. Unions demand urgent action on precarious work, 'pirate contracts' and AI regulation.
On May Day 2026, workers worldwide demonstrate against rising living costs linked to the Middle East conflict. European trade unions, representing 93 organizations across 41 countries, reject bearing the price of Trump's Middle East war. France expects 100,000+ participants in 320 marches, with Paris parade from République to Nation.
