Labour suffered substantial losses across England, Wales, and Scotland, prompting calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation as Reform UK and the Green Party made significant gains, reshaping Britain's political landscape into a more fragmented, multi-party system.

• Starmer’s Party Suffers Stark Losses in U.K. Local Elections — New York Times World -
• Takeaways From the 2026 U.K. Local Elections — New York Times World -
• Labour suffers historic defeat in Wales as Reform surges in English council elections and Greens make gains – as it happened — The Guardian -

• John Swinney urges Starmer to show Scotland ‘greater respect’ after SNP victory — The Guardian -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Nigel Farage hails ‘historic shift in politics’ after Reform UK election gains — The Guardian -
• Keir Starmer under pressure to agree exit plan after election mauling — The Guardian -
• Labour loses control of Birmingham city council after 14 years of leadership — The Guardian -
• 2026 elections mapped: how Labour lost ground in different directions — The Guardian -
• Cracks showing for Labour close to backyards of Starmer’s top team — The Guardian -
• In one borough on London’s outer reaches, Conservatives stave off Reform U.K. — New York Times World -
• 2026 election results: latest from local, Scottish and Welsh votes — The Guardian -
• Plaid Cymru wins Welsh Senedd elections, ending 100 years of Labour control — The Guardian -
• Reform UK gains at Labour’s expense in local elections – podcast — The Guardian -
• How Labour’s ‘terrible’ night unfolded as Reform surges and Greens and Lib Dems hail wins — The Guardian -
• Reform and Greens surge in local elections: what next for Labour? – The Latest — The Guardian -
• The Green Party gained ground in some of Labour’s London strongholds. — New York Times World -
• Man tells court he was threatened into setting fire to car linked to Starmer — The Guardian -
• Lib Dems can counter extremes of Reform and Greens, Davey says — The Guardian -
• Britain Has Entered a New Era of Multiparty Politics. It’s Messy. — New York Times World -
• SNP, Scotland’s Pro-Independence Party, Benefits From Labour’s Struggles With Voters — New York Times World -
• If Starmer is badly weakened, who could challenge him for Britain’s top job? — New York Times World -
• Even in Labour-Loyal Wales, Voters Are Looking to Other Parties — New York Times World -
• Nigel Farage dodges questions on £5m gift from crypto billionaire — The Guardian -
• What’s at Stake in the UK’s Local Elections — New York Times World -
• Farage Celebrates Reform UK’s Strong Performance in Local Elections — New York Times World -
• Labour’s better than expected thrashing may allow Starmer to cling on in No 10 — The Guardian -
• Starmer Faces a Major Test in a Set of UK Elections: What to Know — New York Times World -
• Pink hair and red herrings: viral quiz invites you to guess politicians’ stripes from their photos — The Guardian -
• Early England election results make it clear: we are in an era of five-party politics — The Guardian -
• Starmer vows to fight on as PM despite heavy local election losses for Labour — The Guardian -
• Keir Starmer’s leadership on line after Labour’s disastrous election night — The Guardian -
• Labour losses pile up in England local elections as Reform UK makes gains — The Guardian -

Tensions escalated between the US and Iran with exchanges of fire in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a fragile ceasefire and causing oil prices to rise while major corporations reported billions in war-related costs.

• Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Fires on Tankers as Tehran Accuses Washington of ‘Reckless’ Attacks — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Virginia Democrats file motion asking for stay in map ruling as Trump touts ‘huge win’ for Republicans – live — The Guardian -

• Middle East crisis live: US fires on two Iranian-flagged oil tankers it claims tried to violate blockade; US to mediate Israel-Lebanon talks — The Guardian -
• U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes as Tensions in Strait of Hormuz Rise — New York Times World -
• Oil Slick Is Detected Off Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf — New York Times World -
• Vatican stresses need for peace as Rubio meets pope amid strained relations — The Guardian -
• Frustrated by Iran, Trump at last seizes enriched uranium – but from Venezuela — The Guardian -
• Return of Palestine Marathon attracts thousands of runners — BBC World -
• US awaiting response from Iran over proposals for ceasefire deal, says Rubio — The Guardian -
• Iran accuses US of 'reckless military adventure' — BBC World -
• Nato refusing US permission to use bases is ‘a problem’, says Rubio after Meloni meeting – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Iran and U.S. Consider One-Page Plan to End Hostilities, Iranian Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Trump Says Cease-Fire Is Intact After Trade of Attacks in Strait of Hormuz — New York Times World -
• Emirates Doubles Down on U.S. and Israeli Ties Amid Iran War — New York Times World -
• Iran war costs Toyota £3bn as prices of materials soar and sales fall — The Guardian -
• British Airways fares to rise in attempt to offset £1.7bn fuel cost hit — The Guardian -
• First Thing: US-Iran ceasefire at risk after exchange of fire in strait of Hormuz — The Guardian -
• Oil prices rise after US and Iran exchange fire in Hormuz strait — BBC World -
• Oil prices rise after US and Iran exchange fire in Hormuz strait — BBC World -
• The companies making billions from the Iran war — BBC World -
• UK house price growth forecast halved as Iran war fallout hits housing market — The Guardian -
• As Stockpiles Fall, U.S. Sells More Missiles Worth $17 Billion to Gulf Nations — New York Times World -
• Trump says US-Iran ceasefire still in place after exchange of fire in Strait of Hormuz — BBC World -
• Iran War Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Exchange Fire Amid a Declared Truce — New York Times World -
• From oil giants to banks - these companies are making billions from Iran war — BBC World -
• China Sees a ‘Giant With a Limp’ as U.S. Drains Weapons on Iran War — New York Times World -
• UAE says air defences engaging with Iranian attacks – as it happened — The Guardian -
• ‘This is how we cement President Trump’s agenda’: Tennessee Republicans celebrate state’s new congressional maps – as it happened — The Guardian -
• U.S. Awaits Iran’s Response to Latest Peace Proposal to End War — New York Times World -

International health officials raced to track and quarantine passengers affected by hantavirus and norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, with multiple suspected and confirmed cases reported across various nationalities.

• Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 115 on Cruise Ship — New York Times World -
• Worldwide race to trace passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship — BBC World -
• Americans on hantavirus cruise ship reportedly to be quarantined in US — The Guardian -

• Third British national has suspected hantavirus infection, UK government says — BBC World -
• Before Hantavirus Outbreak, the MV Hondius Attracted ‘a Different Type of Traveler’ — New York Times World -
• Health Officials Race to Track Hantavirus Cruise Ship Outbreak but Predict ‘Limited’ Spread — New York Times World -
• Evacuation of hantavirus-stricken cruise ship could face delays due to bad weather — The Guardian -
• Third Briton has suspected hantavirus linked to cruise ship outbreak — The Guardian -
• Third British national has suspected hantavirus infection, UK government says — BBC World -

The Trump administration pursued controversial policy changes regarding hunting restrictions and handgun shipments, while also facing court rulings against humanities grant cuts and accusations of politically motivated FCC investigations.

• Trump administration relaxing hunting restrictions in US parks and refuges — The Guardian -
• Doge slashing of humanities grants in 2025 ruled biased and unconstitutional — The Guardian -
• USPS considers allowing people to ship handguns through the mail — The Guardian -

• Washington shooting suspect seeks to bar DoJ officials from prosecution role — The Guardian -
• ABC lawyers accuse Trump’s FCC of punishing network for political reasons — The Guardian -
• U.S. to Review Mexican Consulates After Right-Wing Claims Against Them — New York Times World -
• White House calls Mark Hamill ‘sick’ for posting AI image of Trump in a grave — The Guardian -
• Steve Hilton: British strategist becomes unlikely frontrunner for California governor — The Guardian -
• White House calls Mark Hamill 'sick' after actor's Trump grave post — BBC World -
• White House calls Mark Hamill 'sick' after actor's Trump grave post — BBC World -
• We sued the Trump administration for these immigration records — The Guardian -
• Trump walks back threat to rip up part of EU trade deal but tells bloc to ratify by 4 July — The Guardian -
• Trump and Lula's private Oval Office meeting signals lingering strain - and effort to avoid tension — BBC World -
• Trump and Lula's private Oval Office meeting signals lingering strain - and effort to avoid tension — BBC World -
• Trump and Lula's private Oval Office meeting signals lingering strain - and effort to avoid tension — BBC World -
• US to revoke passports of parents with child support debt — BBC World -
• Trump ally Roger Stone condemned for providing lobbying services to Myanmar’s military junta — The Guardian -

Amid efforts to establish a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, Taiwan approved a major US arms purchase, China's former defense ministers received suspended death sentences for corruption, and convictions were secured in the assassination of Haiti's president, alongside Chinese spying in the UK.

• Four south Florida men convicted in Haitian president’s assassination — The Guardian -
• Four Men Found Guilty of Haiti President’s Assassination — New York Times World -
• Trump says Russia and Ukraine to observe three-day ceasefire — BBC World -

• Trump announces Russia-Ukraine three-day ceasefire from 9 May — The Guardian -
• Greece examines mystery naval drone found in Ionian Sea — BBC World -
• Two Men Are Convicted of Spying for China in Britain — New York Times World -
• Many Russians in No Mood for Celebration on Kremlin’s Biggest Day of the Year — New York Times World -
• Taiwan Breaks Political Deadlock to Approve $25 Billion U.S. Arms Purchase — New York Times World -
• Hong Kong dissident Nathan Law on China spies in UK: ‘We’re not surprised’ — The Guardian -
• China Hands Suspended Death Sentences to 2 Former Defense Ministers — New York Times World -

Controversy surrounds the return of IS-linked women to Australia, with two charged with crimes against humanity and one denied bail, while political figures faced scrutiny over expenses and resignations and the Archibald prize was awarded.

• Return of IS-linked families sparks debate in terror-traumatised Australia — BBC World -
• Woman who returned from Syria refused bail – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Rebel Wilson accused of 'complete revision of history' as defamation case closes — BBC World -

• Rebel Wilson accused of 'complete revision of history' as defamation case closes — BBC World -
• Australian woman accused of joining Islamic State in Syria refused bail — The Guardian -
• Rebel Wilson is a ‘fantastical liar’ who ‘made up terrible allegations against multiple people’, court told — The Guardian -
• One Nation candidate David Farley sought involvement with independent ‘Voices’ movement — The Guardian -
• Two Islamic-State linked Australian women charged with crimes against humanity — BBC World -
• Two Islamic-State linked Australian women charged with crimes against humanity — BBC World -
• Water flows to parched NSW wetlands could be turned back on within weeks as drought fears loom — The Guardian -
• Communications minister Anika Wells repays $10,000 in incorrect travel expenses — The Guardian -
• Julie Bishop resigns as Australian National University chancellor — The Guardian -
• Archibald prize 2026: Richard Lewer’s portrait of artist Iluwanti Ken wins $100,000 — The Guardian -

General Motors faced a significant settlement for selling driver data, major cyberattacks disrupted US education systems, and the Pentagon released previously secret UFO files, highlighting ongoing debates about privacy, digital security, and government disclosure.

• General Motors to pay $12.75m settlement for selling drivers’ location and data — The Guardian -
• Hovering objects and flashing lights: what we learned from UFO documents released by the Pentagon — BBC World -
• U.F.O. Files Released by U.S. Shed Light on What the Government Knows — New York Times World -

• Pentagon releases first batch of previously secret files documenting reports of UFOs — The Guardian -
• Cyber-attack on system widely used in US education disrupts final exams — The Guardian -
• International cyber attack disrupts swathe of universities and schools — BBC World -
• ‘Being human helps’: despite rise of AI is there still hope for Europe’s translators? — The Guardian -
• A Project in Europe Tested Whether Students Could Live Without Smartphones — New York Times World -

A Florida surgeon faced charges over a fatal medical error, a Georgia mayor fired the entire police department, California launched a program providing free diapers to newborns, and research linked economic inequality to increased temperature-related deaths in Europe.

• Florida surgeon ‘devastated’ over death of patient after removing liver instead of spleen — The Guardian -
• Small Georgia town left in limbo after mayor fires entire police department — The Guardian -
• California becomes first state to provide a month of free diapers to all newborns — The Guardian -

• Greenpeace Suffers Another Blow in Court Fight With Energy Transfer — New York Times World -
• Great Western Railway to be nationalised in December — The Guardian -
• Sexual harassment more than twice as prevalent at England’s top universities, analysis finds — The Guardian -
• Palestine Action activist says he ‘did the right thing’ over protest at arms firm site — The Guardian -
• New Orleans child molester questioned on unsolved killings takes the fifth 700 times — The Guardian -
• Inequality causing 100,000 extra deaths a year from heat and cold in Europe — The Guardian -

Denmark moved to form a new right-leaning government after its elections, a mysterious American made an unusual proposal in Greenland, South Africa's president faced calls for resignation after a court ruling, and Pakistan's peacemaking efforts strained ties with the UAE.

• After Frederiksen Falls Short in Denmark, Right-Leaning Politician Is Asked to Form Government — New York Times World -
• Mysterious American Man Makes Mysterious Proposal in Greenland — New York Times World -
• Festus Mogae, Former Botswana President Who Tackled H.I.V., Dies at 86 — New York Times World -

• Court Revives ‘Farmgate’ Case Against South African President — New York Times World -
• There Are Ants in This Canadian Hospital. Again. — New York Times World -
• Greenlandic woman wins case against Danish authorities who removed her two-hour-old child — The Guardian -
• US jet fuel could be used in Europe to ease possible shortages — BBC World -
• South Africa president faces call to resign after court ruling — BBC World -
• South Africa president faces call to resign after court ruling — BBC World -
• U.A.E. Expels Pakistani Workers, as Pakistan’s Peacemaking Creates a Rift — New York Times World -
• Future of UK lies in the EU after Brexit ‘failure’, say European Greens — The Guardian -
• Airline emissions in Europe top pre-Covid levels despite pledge to decarbonise — The Guardian -
• The French Couple That Tried to Burgle 29 Churches in 3 Months — New York Times World -
• U.S. and Zambia Feud: Trump Health Aid Deal Stalls Over Critical Minerals — New York Times World -

Ethiopian quintuplets brought joy after a long struggle with infertility, King Charles featured in a tribute to David Attenborough's 100th birthday, Kim Kardashian's Met Gala breastplate sparked conversation, and World Cup broadcast rights faced uncertainty in China and India.

• Anti-work anthems, Boy George and controversial lyrics: A guide to all 35 Eurovision songs — BBC World -
• Is hojicha the next matcha? The Japanese tea creeping onto menus — BBC World -
• King Charles features in surprise birthday tribute to David Attenborough — The Guardian -

• Xia De-hong, 94, Dies; Persecuted in China, She Starred in Daughter’s Memoir — New York Times World -
• Soft armour, pert nipples: how London design team made Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala breastplate — The Guardian -
• Ethiopian woman's joy at rare quintuplets after 12 years trying for a baby — BBC World -
• Art and Politics — New York Times World -
• World Cup fans in China and India face broadcast uncertainty — BBC World -
• World Cup fans in China and India face broadcast uncertainty — BBC World -
• Story of enslaved boy featured in 1748 Joshua Reynolds portrait emerges in new study — The Guardian -

Indonesia experienced a deadly volcanic eruption that killed several hikers in a restricted zone, a hiker died in a bear attack in Montana's Glacier National Park, and a new NTSB report suggested a struggle in the cockpit of the fatal China Eastern crash.

• Hiker dead of apparent bear attack in Glacier national park in Montana — The Guardian -
• Huge plumes of ash rise as Indonesia's Mount Dukono erupts — BBC World -
• New NTSB Report Into Deadly China Eastern Crash Suggests Struggle in Cockpit — New York Times World -

• 3 Hikers Dead After Volcano Erupts in Indonesia — New York Times World -
• Three dead after volcano erupts on Indonesian island — BBC World -
• Three hikers dead after Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano erupts — The Guardian -