Honestly, if you woke up in London or Leeds today, January 17, 2026, and thought it was just another damp Saturday, you'd be kinda right—but also totally wrong. England is currently a weird mix of high-stakes political drama, a massive shake-up in the Premier League, and a surprisingly heated row over a "mega embassy" that’s got people taking to the streets.
It's one of those days where the headlines feel like they're competing for who can be more "main character." From the shockwaves of Robert Jenrick’s defection to Reform UK to the literal temperature in the streets, here is the ground-level view of what is happening today in england.
The Battle of the "Mega Embassy" Near Tower Bridge
Saturday morning kicked off with a fairly loud roar near the financial district. Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition, was spotted out in the cold today joining hundreds of protesters. They aren't happy. Basically, there’s this plan for a massive Chinese embassy on the old Royal Mint site. It’s supposed to be the biggest in Europe.
The government has until Tuesday to pull the trigger on this, and honestly, the tension is thick. Protesters are worried about espionage and surveillance, while Keir Starmer is trying to walk that impossible tightrope between "national security" and "we need to talk to China so they don't crush our trade." It’s a classic British political mess, played out against the backdrop of Tower Bridge.
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Manchester United Finds Its Soul (Finally)
If you’re a football fan, the only thing that actually matters today is Michael Carrick’s debut. Manchester United just took down Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford. It was electric. Carrick made five changes to the lineup, and it paid off. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu scored in the second half, sending the Stretford End into a frenzy.
It’s a dream start for Carrick. Especially since it’s the anniversary of Denis Law’s passing. The atmosphere in M16 was described as "frenetic," which is probably an understatement. Elsewhere, things were a bit more muted. Liverpool drew 1-1 with Burnley at Anfield—a result that probably has Jurgen Klopp's successor (whoever is in the hot seat this week) pulling their hair out.
Premier League Results from Today (Saturday, Jan 17, 2026):
- Manchester United 2 - 0 Manchester City (The Carrick era begins)
- Chelsea 2 - 0 Brentford (Comfortable at the Bridge)
- Liverpool 1 - 1 Burnley (A frustrating one for the Reds)
- Tottenham 1 - 2 West Ham (West Ham takes the London derby)
- Sunderland 2 - 1 Crystal Palace (Solid home win)
Politics: The Reform UK Surge is Real
You’ve probably seen the news about Robert Jenrick. The man actually did it—he defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. This has sent the Conservative party into a tailspin. Badenoch basically fired him from the frontbench for "plotting," and now the rank-and-file are divided. Some Reform members are cheering, while others are worried their party is just becoming "Tory Part II."
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Reform is currently leading in some national opinion polls, which is wild to think about. Nigel Farage is out there today saying the country is getting "gloomier and poorer," and honestly, with the way the economy feels for most people right now, that message is landing.
The Weird "Jab-uary" Trend in Supermarkets
Walk into a Tesco or Sainsbury’s today and you’ll see something new. They’re calling it "Jab-uary." Supermarkets are literally stocking specific food ranges designed for people on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy. It’s a bit surreal. Apparently, since so many people are on these medications now, the stores are pivoting to high-protein, small-portion meals. It’s lifestyle change in real-time.
Weather and Daily Life
It’s cloudy. Shocking, I know. In London, it’s about 43°F (6°C) right now, but it feels colder because the humidity is sitting at 98%. It’s that damp, "gets into your bones" kind of cold. There’s a light snowfall expected in some parts of the country, though most of it is turning to sleet before it even hits the ground.
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Interestingly, there’s a major row at London City Hall about the response to homelessness. Despite the freezing temps this week, some warming centers didn't open because the "Tier Three" threshold wasn't met. It’s a reminder that beneath the football scores and political bickering, there are some pretty harsh realities for people on the street today.
What you should actually do with this information:
- Check your travel routes: If you're heading through the Tarentaise region or near any of the major stadiums, traffic is a nightmare.
- Watch the Tuesday deadline: The Chinese embassy decision will tell us a lot about where the UK stands with global superpowers.
- Mind the "Jab-uary" aisles: If you're shopping for dinner, the landscape of the supermarket has literally changed this month; look for the "GLP-1 friendly" labels if that's your thing.
- Stay updated on X: Or maybe don't? The government is currently debating whether to stop using the platform altogether due to safety concerns.
England today is a place that’s trying to figure out its identity—somewhere between a football win and a political defection. It’s messy, it’s cold, and it’s definitely not boring.