It's May 2024 already! The sun is out at last.

As if you didn’t know already... the Northern Lights were visible from the UK on Friday night due to an unusually severe solar storm. If you don’t have an Instagram account or any friends pumping their solar snaps through your feed, here are some of the best snaps.

As Eurovision melodies fade and political drama takes centre stage with MPs switching teams, it’s a tale of shifting tides and unexpected moves. But fear not, we’re here to guide you through the twists and turns of the week.

MARKETS

Data: Google Finance

PROJECT WATCH

🚄 The UK Government is expected to allocate over £1bn for the construction of a 4.5-mile HS2 tunnel to Euston station, defying earlier private sector funding promises by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. More here

🏭 Sizewell C receives a nuclear site license, the first project to do so since 2012, signalling the start of construction for the new power station in Suffolk to bolster the UK's clean energy supply. More here

🌿 Another hurdle for Hinkley Point C as environmental impact planning inquiry is set for nuclear power station to examine proposed changes to environmental mitigation measures. More here

🛠️ Network Rail's Eastern Region introduces the Eastern Routes Partnership (ERP) to streamline infrastructure projects in the next five years, expecting around £3.5 billion of investment. More here

🏗️ Balfour Beatty to expand Rolls-Royce's Derby campus for submarine contracts, involving a significant overhaul and construction of new facilities over the next eight years, echoing the UK’s commitment to strengthening its naval capabilities. More here

🏢 Skanska tops the April contracts league with a new £250m deal for a 20-storey building in London and a £158m data centre fit-out. More here

ECONOMY

UK Interest Rates: A Glimpse of Sunshine?

As we teeter on the edge of May, with the spectre of June's potential interest rate cut looming like a bank holiday when it inevitably rains, it feels a smidge too early to break out the economic suncream.

The Bank of England, that venerable institution which seems to move with the speed and agility of a double-decker bus in Central London traffic, has hinted that summer might come early for borrowers this year.

But let's not pop the corks just yet; Governor Andrew Bailey has been about as committal as a Love Island contestant in week one, stating that a rate cut is "not a fait accompli" (not a done deal).

Rishi Sunak: The Economic Slow Dance to Recovery

While the nation has gracefully pirouetted out of a recession, much like a contestant hopeful of avoiding the wooden spoon in "Strictly Come Economics."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, channelling his inner economic ballroom dancer, asserted that while the UK has begun to move to a better rhythm, with a sprightly 0.6% growth between January and March (the fastest in two years), the choreography of recovery still requires a bit of footwork before everyone can feel the beat. 

So it appears our fiscal fate teeters between a downpour of doubt and the occasional glimmer of growth. It's like planning a picnic - optimism, armed with an umbrella.

And let’s not forget, despite such optimism going into the weekend the country has inevitably been left licking its Eurovision wounds.. surely that other European tournament in the summer will be a different story?

ACROSS THE POND

Brain Worms and Presidential Aspirations

Robert F Kennedy Jr, shocked the public with a bizarre medical revelation: a worm had taken up residence in his brain, causing cognitive issues. Initially mistaken for a tumour, this parasitic interlude was disclosed during his 2012 divorce proceedings.

In the run-up to the 2024 US Election, where Kennedy Jr is lagging behind political heavyweights with a mere 10% in the national polls, this revelation might have voters questioning if they're electing a politician or a medical marvel. Despite the candidature tussle with Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Kennedy's campaign remains confident, shrugging off concerns about his fitness for the presidency with a quip about the 'competition'.

TECH

Boston Dynamics' hydraulic Atlas has taken a bow, allowing its electric evolution to take centre stage. It can stand up from flat-out with a twist that might make a pretzel jealous. This model is wired for work, poised to pivot from rescue missions to robust industrial tasks.

Does the Liberty home blood-test device hold the potential for revolutionising the NHS with at-home care? Crafted for the comfort of home use, this nifty gadget, is like the Swiss Army knife in the world of cancer screening. Patients can now prick, ping, and post their blood test results faster than you can say "National Health Service efficiency".

You might want to sit down for this – it appears that the future of farming has arrived, and it's driverless. You heard that right, tractors are now steering themselves. Will Mumford, an arable farmer whose roots in farming delve five generations deep, has bravely ventured into the world of autonomous agriculture.

UK driverless tech darling Wayve cruises to a cool billion in government funding, draping the Union Jack proudly over the shoulders of AI. The company is developing cars to not only drive themselves, but through the development of their AI capabilities, to continually reinforce learnings of their roads and surroundings.

POLITICS

Natalie Elphicke switches from Conservative to Labour, igniting a storm in UK politics with her unexpected cross-party move. Her defection comes amid controversies over housing and border security, adding to Conservative woes as they face mounting crises and internal discord.

The Tories reel from Elphicke's exit, struggling with a diminished team and ongoing policy challenges. As she takes on a new role in housing policy, the political landscape watches closely, anticipating further dramatic shifts as the next general election approaches.

WORLD

Kim Jong Un's catchy propaganda hit makes unexpected waves on TikTok, with Gen Z grooving to its synth-pop vibes, blissfully unaware of its lyrics praising anti-US sentiments. Dubbed "Friendly Father," the track is the latest in North Korea's 50-year history of propaganda pop, offering simple, catchy melodies designed to embed state ideology. Maybe another £1m UK drone contract will ensue.

Experts decode the song's deeper messaging, hinting at Kim's evolving image, while TikTokkers globally enjoy its catchy beat, making light of its political undertones.

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