Emer Moreau

The UK Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Trainline, Virgin Atlantic Holidays and RED Driving School over alleged drip pricing, in which mandatory fees are excluded from headline prices. The CMA observed Trainline adding fees of up to £2.79 to train fares and £1.50 to coach bookings, while Virgin Atlantic is being examined over resort fees and local taxes on package holidays and RED over booking and digital fees that could exceed £7 per driving lesson. The companies deny wrongdoing, emphasize transparency and say they will cooperate. The CMA can fine firms or order customer compensation, and consumer group Which? urged it to use its enforcement powers.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledges that measures introduced to ease the UK cost-of-living crisis are insufficient and suggests that further incremental support may be announced. He points to potential changes involving rail fares and greater public control of water, energy and housing, while avoiding firm commitments before the 28 October Budget. The government has announced a £250 annual electricity-bill discount for households near upgraded pylons and substations, alongside business-rates relief for pubs, social clubs and live-music venues. Burnham also accepts that higher employer National Insurance contributions have increased pressure on businesses, but Chancellor John Healey’s commitment to fiscal discipline is expected to limit available spending.

A British Airways Airbus A320 flying from Düsseldorf to Heathrow on 6 July issued an urgency call that was upgraded to a mayday after data-system failures triggered stall warnings during the approach. Passenger Edward Killiwick described a violent manoeuvre, a 15-minute holding pattern with little information from the crew and widespread fear among passengers. The aircraft landed safely to find fire trucks and police waiting on the tarmac. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating with assistance from British Airways, while France’s BEA reported that the aircraft had entered alternate law, reducing some automated flight protections.

A passenger on a British Airways flight from Düsseldorf to Heathrow described fearing that the Airbus A320 might crash after a violent manoeuvre, repeated stall warnings and a prolonged holding pattern with little information from the crew. A woman reportedly screamed, “I don’t want to die,” as passengers became increasingly frightened. The flight landed safely amid a fire and police response, while the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates what has been classified as a serious incident. France’s BEA said a data-system failure triggered a stall warning, after which the crew operated the aircraft in alternate law before issuing a mayday call.

Ryanair’s chief executive said an initial investigation suggests a foreign object may have struck an engine before a window failure that left a passenger seriously injured during a flight from Greece to Germany. The Boeing 737 made an emergency landing after the passenger was partially pulled through the damaged window, with other passengers holding him until the aircraft descended. The incident is under investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board, with a draft report expected within a month.

Nearly 1,000 pages of Donald Trump’s 2025 federal financial disclosure reveal millions earned from branded merchandise, a successful Melania Trump documentary, and extensive cryptocurrency and share-trading activity. The report shows notable Nvidia stock purchases conducted by his investment managers, continued income from SAG-AFTRA pensions, and substantial lawsuit settlements from media companies including Meta, Paramount, ABC News, YouTube, and Jack Dorsey. Proceeds from major settlements are directed to the Trump presidential library and the National Mall trust.