Labour leadership challenges loom after an election rout, with Gordon Brown's return adding to the debate on how Labour leadership challenges work amidst Tory election losses and shifting political landscapes in Wales and Scotland toward independence parties, while Greens celebrate urban mayoral successes.

• Labour MP threatens Starmer with leadership challenge after election rout — Financial Times -
• How do Labour leadership challenges work? — Financial Times -
• Gordon Brown returns to Number 10 as global finance envoy — Financial Times -

• Wales and Scotland turn to independence parties — Financial Times -
• Greens score some urban goals but undershoot the wider target — Financial Times -
• Tory election losses cast doubt on Badenoch’s confidence — Financial Times -
• Britain’s elections in maps and charts — Financial Times -

China's record-setting exports and imports underscore its economic power, particularly with auto parts widespread in the U.S., as Trump's tariffs and a potential 'grand bargain' with Xi dominate US-China relations, all while the Iran war impacts global energy markets with its 'mosquito fleet' and causes a Taiwan plastic shortage, prompting US sanctions on Chinese companies and Brazil's IPO market rally.

• China’s Exports and Imports Set Records in April Amid High Energy Costs — The New York Times Business -
• China’s Cars Aren’t in the U.S., but Its Auto Parts Are Everywhere — Wall Street Journal -
• Which Trump Tariffs Are in Place, in the Works or Ruled Illegal — The New York Times Business -

• Taiwan’s Plastic Habit Collides With Shortages Caused by a Faraway War — The New York Times Business -
• The Iranian ‘mosquito fleet’ taking on the mighty US Navy — Financial Times -
• Trump, Xi and the bid for a ‘grand bargain’ between superpowers — Financial Times -
• China’s exports jump 14% ahead of Xi-Trump summit — Financial Times -
• Brazil ends IPO drought as Iran war fuels stock market rally — Financial Times -
• US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies for allegedly helping Iran — Financial Times -

The growing use of A.I. note-takers is causing legal professionals significant concern over issues like attorney-client privilege, while a secret diary becomes a central figure in the high-profile Musk vs. OpenAI feud.

• All Those A.I. Note Takers? They’re Making Lawyers Very Nervous. — The New York Times Business -
• The Secret Diary That Has Spilled Into the Musk vs. OpenAI Feud — Wall Street Journal -

A person was tragically struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines jet on a Denver runway, leading to an aborted takeoff and injuries, while JetBlue sees an opportunity to expand operations following Spirit Airlines' demise.

• Frontier Jet Hits Person on Runway During Takeoff at Denver Airport — The New York Times Business -
• Person Struck and Killed by Plane on Runway in Denver — Wall Street Journal -
• For Struggling JetBlue, Spirit’s Demise May Offer an Opportunity — The New York Times Business -

The New York Stock Exchange plans an exclusive private members' club on Wall Street, WHSmith sees a new owner making a contrarian bet on the UK high street, Goldman Sachs' management committee expands, and a JPMorgan banker's sexual assault suit captivates Wall Street.

• New York Stock Exchange to open private members’ club on Wall Street — Financial Times -
• WHSmith’s new owner makes a contrarian bet on the UK high street — Financial Times -
• Goldman’s big board bet — Financial Times -

• The JPMorgan Banker Behind the Sexual-Assault Suit Captivating Wall Street — Wall Street Journal -

U.S. wildfires surge to a decade high, retirees are warned against solely relying on their homes as a financial safety net, "The View" becomes central to a free speech battle, Mark Consuelos shares his travel escapes, Photo London 2026 highlights capital through artists' eyes, a News Quiz tests knowledge, an inscrutable White House marriage offers insight into Maga world, Modi celebrates an extraordinary comeback, and the age of the middleman as peacemakers is noted.

• How ‘The View’ Landed at the Center of a Free Speech Battle — The New York Times Business -
• Retirees Expect Their Home to Be a Financial Safety Net. They Shouldn’t. — The New York Times Business -
• US wildfires surge to decade high as drought fuels fears of brutal summer — Financial Times -

• News Quiz for May 9, 2026 — Wall Street Journal -
• When Mark Consuelos Wants to Escape New York, He Goes Here — The New York Times Business -
• Photo London 2026 — Financial Times -
• Modi’s extraordinary comeback — Financial Times -
• Inside the White House’s most inscrutable marriage. (No not that one) — Financial Times -
• We are living in the age of the middleman — Financial Times -