Large crowds of people have been queuing outside Swatch stores worldwide, with some shops having to close over safety considerations.

Police had to be called to deal with large gathering of shoppers outside some stores in the UK, France and Switzerland as people gathered to buy the new pocket watch made in collaboration with Audemars Piguet.

Swatch’s new Royal Pop sells for £335 but has already been put on resale by some buyers online for up to £16,000.

A man told the BBC he managed to buy a watch for £335 and resell it for “just over £1,000”.

All eyes will be on Andy Burnham at Leeds summit backed by Rachel Reeves

Four giant innovation and regeneration zones across the North West are part of a new blueprint by the North’s political leaders to unlock a “new era of prosperity” through investment and jobs.

At the Great North Investment Summit in Leeds today, Northern mayors will unveil a major pipeline of opportunities from across the region – all with the backing of Chancellor Rachel Reeves – in the hope of attracting investment from major businesses.

The prospectus going before business leaders features nine major projects across the North, including the proposed £5 billion redevelopment of a 40-acre site around Liverpool Central, giant science and innovation campus MIX Manchester, the ambitious Atom Valley proposals, and Origin Cheshire and Warrington.

Ahead of the summit, Ms Reeves said the pipeline of projects “shows the huge opportunity across the North – from thriving cities to world-leading industries that can bring in investment and support the jobs of the future”.

Organisers say the investment summit marks a decisive shift in how the North presents itself to the world, as a united force working collectively with Government to unlock national renewal and long-term growth.

They hope that delivering the investment priorities could deliver tens of thousands of new jobs across the North of England, “unlocking a new era of prosperity”.

But coverage of the event is likely to be dominated by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s bid to run for Parliament after signalling his intention to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Burnham – who is expected to challenge Keir Starmer as Labour party leader and Prime Minister – is listed online as being due to attend in Leeds but has already cancelled several public engagements in recent days.

The prospectus for investors has been developed in collaboration with the Office for Investment and includes projects Northern leaders say are worth more than £14bn, from Greater Manchester and Cheshire all the way to Hull and the North East.

Manchester: Atom Valley and MIX Manchester

Mostly spanning the boroughs of Rochdale, Oldham, and Bury, Atom Valley is a sweeping regeneration and economic growth project aiming to create a dynamic, interconnected “manufacturing mega-cluster.”

It’s been heavily backed by Mr Burnham, who wants to establish the region as a world-class hub for advanced materials, sustainable manufacturing and industrial digitalisation.

The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre in Rochdale recently broke ground and it’s hoped the scheme in total could deliver 20,000 new jobs and 7,000 new homes through public-private partnership.

The prospectus says the scheme is looking for investors to buy ‘serviced land parcels for development’ as well as ‘buildings delivered by developers on a speculative or build-to-suit basis’.

Formerly known as Airport City Manchester, MIX Manchester is a sweeping 60-acre development next to Manchester Airport targeting sectors such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, R&D, and clean technology.

Backed by a joint venture partnership including Manchester City Council, Manchester Airports Group, Beijing Construction Engineering Group, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, it’s described as one of the largest planned science and innovation campuses in the UK.

Aiming to become the UK’s first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus, MIX Manchester is slated to deliver two million square feet of high-quality commercial space and generate up to 8,000 new, highly skilled jobs.

The prospectus says officials behind the scheme are looking for occupiers to take up spaces at the site and that ‘retail and hospitality opportunities can also be discussed with project sponsors’.

Liverpool ‘ready to deliver’ growth

The Liverpool schemes are part of an overarching £11 billion investment pipeline aimed at reshaping the city’s urban core and northern waterfront.

Liverpool Central will form the gateway to the wider Knowledge Quarter, a 450‑acre innovation district focused on health, science and education.

And a new Mayoral Development Corporation will co-ordinate the regeneration of the city’s North Docks, covering 174 hectares of mostly brownfield land stretching from the commercial business district through Liverpool Waters and Pumpfields up to Everton FC’s new stadium.

If successful, officials say, the project will create some 20,000 homes and unlock “high‑density, mixed‑use development” and help position Liverpool as a global leader in health, life sciences, and digital technology.

According to the prospectus, local leaders are looking for “institutional capital, development partners and occupiers for residential‑led mixed‑use development” including the eight-acre waterfront Kings scheme.

Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram said his area was “ready to deliver” economic growth, adding: “We’ve got the talent, the opportunity and the ambition to build an economy that’s greener, fairer and works for everyone.

“Together with partners across the Great North, we’re telling investors this is a place of real scale and opportunity. From Liverpool Central and the Knowledge Quarter to our waterfront, we’ve got projects that will create jobs, new homes and drive innovation.

“Give us the powers and investment, and we’ll turn potential into progress for every community.”

Chancellor vows to work with mayors

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The North of England has waited for far too long for a government that matches warm words with concerted ambition. This pipeline shows the huge opportunity across the North – from thriving cities to world-leading industries that can bring in investment and support the jobs of the future.

“Stronger growth in the North means stronger growth for the country. That is why we are working with mayors and local leaders to unlock investment, create jobs and put more power into the hands of local communities.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, who leads the Great North partnership of mayors and political leaders, said their aim was “that by working together, the North of England could become greater than the sum of its parts”.

She said: “Today we are turning that ambition into action – taking steps to unlock prosperity across the North with billions of investment and the potential to create thousands of high-skilled, well-paid jobs for our communities.

“We are presenting investors with a pipeline of opportunities that is internationally significant in scale, rooted in our proud industrial identity of making things and taking them across the world. Mayors are putting our money where our mouth is, to unlock the full potential of the North which has been untapped for too long.”

KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait International Airport is continuing a gradual return to operations more than three weeks after reopening its airspace in late April, following a nearly two-month closure triggered by regional security tensions and drone strikes that damaged parts of the facility.

The airport reopened April 23, 2026, with commercial passenger flights resuming April 26 from Terminals 4 and 5, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and multiple aviation sources. The closure began February 28 amid escalating Middle East conflicts, affecting more than 200,000 passengers and disrupting regional connectivity.

Kuwait Airways initiated phased services from Terminal 4 on May 9, initially serving select destinations and expanding to roughly 29 routes by mid-May. Jazeera Airways resumed full operations from its dedicated Terminal 5 on May 3, serving 27 destinations after temporarily relocating to hubs in Saudi Arabia and Egypt during the shutdown.

The airport has not yet returned to pre-crisis capacity. Officials describe the current phase as a controlled ramp-up that prioritizes safety over speed, emphasizing rigorous protocols before expanding operations further. Daily flight volumes remain well below normal levels, though exact figures have not been confirmed by the civil aviation authority.

The closure began after multiple drone strikes hit Kuwait International Airport on March 27, 2026, causing significant damage to radar systems and other critical infrastructure. Terminal 1 was evacuated and has remained closed for repairs with no official reopening timeline announced. Technical teams have completed essential repairs on runways, fuel systems and security infrastructure, though full restoration depends on ongoing assessments.

Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, personally oversaw readiness reviews and commended staff for restoring operations under challenging conditions. Civil aviation officials emphasized that safety remains the absolute priority as the airport continues its phased recovery.

Travelers currently face restrictions and operational challenges. Many passengers report delays and cancellations as airlines work through compressed schedules that strain crew rotations and ground handling. Foreign carriers are operating cautiously, with some routes rerouted or scaled back during the recovery period. Passengers are advised to check flight status frequently and arrive early at the airport.

The economic impact of the closure has been significant. Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways reported revenue losses during the suspension, with stranded passengers and disrupted supply chains affecting regional connectivity. Businesses reliant on air cargo and tourism also suffered during the shutdown, particularly during the peak spring travel period.

Enhanced security measures remain in place at both active terminals, including stricter inspections and coordination with the Ministry of Interior. Check-in processes have been streamlined for security reasons, contributing to longer processing times for passengers. Travel experts recommend verifying terminal assignments, as most international flights currently use Terminal 4 or Terminal 5.

Kuwait Airways added routes incrementally in recent weeks, including new services to Cairo. Jazeera Airways is focused on restoring its low-cost network, with passenger numbers rising steadily as confidence returns. However, the airport remains far from its pre-February operational levels, and full recovery is expected to take additional months depending on regional stability.

International carriers have begun restarting limited services, though many long-haul routes remain curtailed. The airline industry is watching closely to see whether the phased approach will continue or accelerate as infrastructure assessments improve and regional tensions ease.

The long-term modernization project continues unaffected despite the disruption. Kuwait’s ambitious new Terminal 2, designed by Foster + Partners and built by Limak İnşaat, remains on track for a late 2026 opening. The facility will dramatically boost capacity to 27 million passengers annually once operational, transforming Kuwait into a more competitive regional hub.

Looking ahead, airport authorities aim for progressive expansion in the coming weeks and months. Officials hope to increase daily flight numbers and operating hours as confidence in infrastructure stability grows. Full normalization could take additional months, depending on completion of remaining repairs and sustained calm in the region.

The episode underscores the vulnerability of Gulf aviation to geopolitical events. Kuwait’s quick response in repairing damage and implementing a structured reopening has drawn praise from regional partners, even as travelers express frustration over lingering limitations. Qatar and Bahrain offered support during the recovery period.

As the summer travel season approaches, demand for flights through Kuwait is expected to surge. Authorities and airlines have pledged continued coordination to minimize disruptions while maintaining the highest safety standards. The phased recovery represents a cautious but determined return to normalcy after one of the facility’s most serious disruptions in modern history.

Kuwait International Airport’s story in 2026 reflects both resilience and the realities of operating in a volatile neighborhood. From near-total shutdown to a steadily expanding operation, the hub is rebuilding step by step. While not yet fully recovered to pre-crisis levels, clear progress offers hope for a stronger facility in the months ahead.

For travelers planning to use the airport in the coming weeks, the advice remains clear: verify all flight details directly with airlines, allow extra time for security procedures, and remain flexible as schedules continue to evolve. Many passengers are grateful to have direct flights again, while others continue to voice disappointment over limited destinations.

Aviation industry analysts view the current situation as a positive but incomplete step. Kuwait’s quick decision to resume limited operations shows resilience, though full recovery will depend on completing repairs to Terminal 1 and restoring confidence among international carriers. The DGCA continues working closely with airlines and international partners to expand the flight schedule safely.

The skies above Kuwait are once again seeing increasing activity, symbolizing a cautious but determined return to connectivity after a difficult two-month period. Officials and airlines alike are committed to restoring full service as safely and quickly as conditions allow.

It has appointed Growth Society to supports its next phase of e-commerce growth

Iconic jean maker Hiut Demin Co is embarking on a new growth strategy after its founders sold the business last year.

The Cardigan based venture, which was established by husband and wife team David and Clare Hieatt, was acquired by German family-owned investment group EAAVL.

The new owners have now appointed Leeds-based Growth Society to support its next phase of ecommerce growth, bringing together senior strategic and channel expertise to scale the brand.

Johann von Loeper has been appointed chief executive of Hiut Denim to lead the business forward.

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Growth Society is supporting Hiut Denim on building a structured, commercially aligned growth model spanning acquisition, measurement and forecasting, growing the brand’s existing loyal customer base.

The engagement is led by a curated team of senior specialists with experience across premium e-commerce and fashion.

Strategist Matt Roffe brings 17 years’ experience across e-commerce and premium consumer brands, including the retail and fashion portfolio at THG Ingenuity.

Founded in 2011, Hiut Denim was born from a mission to bring jean-making back to Cardigan after the Dewhirst factory closed in 2002, ending 40 years of denim manufacturing in the town. The brand quickly established a global reputation for craftsmanship and sustainability, and has become one of the most respected independent denim labels in the world.

EAAVL, a German family investment group, initially became a minority shareholder in Hiut Denim in late 2024 before assuming full ownership of the business. The new owners have committed to maintaining Hiut’s base in Cardigan

Mr von Loepe said: “We’re excited to be partnering with Growth Society as we take Hiut Denim into a new era. What stood out immediately was their ability to combine strategic thinking, a focus on profitability and senior expertise. The model feels neatly aligned to where Hiut is today and where we want to go.”

Will Anderson, founder at Growth Society, said: “I’ve admired Hiut for a long time. It’s an enviable brand with a great product and a genuine purpose behind it. Visiting Johann and the team in Cardigan earlier this month only reinforced that. Our role now is to help align strategy, execution and performance in a way that supports sustainable long-term growth.”

Hiut Denim Co was founded in 2012 by the Hieatts to bring jean-making back to a town that had produced 35,000 pairs a week for 40 years before its factory closed in 2002.

Built on the philosophy of doing one thing well, Hiut makes premium jeans handcrafted by a team of specialist makers with over 10,000 hours of experience) using Japanese selvedge denim sourced from the Kuroki mill.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was met with boos during a University of Arizona commencement speech after discussing artificial intelligence and fears the technology could reshape – or replace – parts of the workforce.

Schmidt, who led Google from 2001 to 2011, addressed graduates on Friday while reflecting on how technology transformed society during his career. The atmosphere shifted, however, when he pivoted to artificial intelligence – a topic that has increasingly fueled concerns about job displacement among younger workers entering the labor market.

“The same tools that connect us also isolate us. The same platforms that gave everyone a voice… degraded the public square,” Schmidt told graduates.

Boos from the crowd intensified after Schmidt compared artificial intelligence to previous technological revolutions.

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Eric Schmidt served as Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“I know what many of you are feeling about that. I can hear you,” Schmidt said, appearing to address the boos. “There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating, that the climate is breaking, that politics are fractured, and that you are inheriting a mess that you did not create.”

Schmidt acknowledged those fears as “rational” but argued graduates should help shape the future of AI rather than reject it.

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“The question is not whether AI will shape the world. It will,” Schmidt said. “The question is whether you will have shaped artificial intelligence.”

The exchange underscored growing anxiety surrounding artificial intelligence as major corporations rapidly deploy AI tools across industries. Companies including IBM and Klarna have publicly discussed using AI to streamline operations and reduce certain staffing needs, particularly in administrative and entry-level roles.

Boos from the crowd intensified after Schmidt compared artificial intelligence to previous technological revolutions. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A recent Pew Research Center survey found many Americans remain more concerned than excited about AI’s expanding role in daily life and the economy.

Schmidt’s appearance also drew criticism from some student activist groups over sexual assault allegations raised in a lawsuit filed last year by former partner Michelle Ritter. Schmidt has denied the allegations, which an attorney previously described as fabricated. Earlier this year, a judge ordered the dispute into arbitration.

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The University of Arizona defended its decision to invite Schmidt as commencement speaker, citing his contributions to technology and scientific research.

“He helped lead Google’s rise into one of the world’s most influential technology companies and continues to advance research and discovery through major philanthropic and scientific initiatives,” university spokesperson Mitch Zak said in a statement.

The University of Arizona defended its decision to invite Schmidt as commencement speaker. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A similar incident occurred earlier this month when real estate executive Gloria Caulfield was met with boos after linking AI to “the next Industrial Revolution” during a commencement address at the University of Central Florida.

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Despite the backlash, Schmidt urged graduates to embrace open debate and innovation, arguing technological change remains inevitable.

“The future is not yet finished,” Schmidt said in his closing remarks. “It is now your turn to shape it.”