UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he will not step down despite early local election results showing significant losses for the ruling Labour Party. Preliminary counts indicate Labour is losing multiple council seats across the country, marking a major setback for the party. Starmer accepted responsibility for the disappointing outcome but stated that resigning would only create instability.

He described the results as very difficult and said they could not be taken lightly. Starmer added that the government would review the results carefully. Referring to Labour’s landslide victory in the July 2024 general election, he reminded that the party had been given a five-year mandate to transform the country.

Starmer said he would outline the next steps for the Labour Party in the coming days, signaling a focus on internal assessment and future strategy.

Preliminary results from the United Kingdom’s local elections indicate severe setbacks for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. Early counts show that many Labour candidates have been rejected by voters across England, with the party reportedly losing around 250 council seats. In contrast, Nigel Farage’s right-wing populist Reform UK Party has gained more than 300 seats out of roughly 5,000 contested positions nationwide.

Opinion polls in recent months had predicted a difficult outcome for Labour, reflecting declining public support for Starmer, described as one of the least popular British leaders in modern history. If the polling trends hold, Labour could lose up to 2,000 local council seats in England and risk its long-held dominance in Wales, where it has won every general election since 1922.

The preliminary results also show gains for the left-leaning Green Party and centrist Liberal Democrats, which have secured 26 and 35 council seats respectively. These developments have increased pressure on Starmer and further weakened the political influence of the Conservatives.

Thousands of North Korean soldiers have reportedly fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, according to a BBC investigative report published on May 8, 2026. The report states that around 2,300 North Korean troops were killed while fighting for Russia. South Korean authorities said that after Russia’s sudden incursion into Ukraine’s Kursk region in August 2024, at least 11,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to assist in reclaiming parts of the area.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly paid tribute to the soldiers who died in the conflict. The report suggests that in exchange for sending troops, Pyongyang received food, financial, and technological support from Moscow. In October 2025, Kim Jong Un reportedly ordered the construction of a museum in Pyongyang’s Hwasong district to honor the fallen soldiers.

The findings highlight the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, as reported by the BBC.

Energy company Shell announced a significant profit increase of $1.3 billion in the first quarter of the year, despite global market instability caused by the Iran war. The British energy giant’s financial report showed total earnings of $6.9 billion for the quarter, about one-quarter higher than the same period last year. Refining operations alone contributed nearly $2 billion, driven by high prices of petrol and jet fuel.

The report noted that Shell’s total oil and gas production slightly declined compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to disruptions in Qatar linked to Middle East conflict. Shell CEO Wael Sawan stated that the company achieved strong results despite unprecedented volatility in global energy markets. Analysts said major energy firms’ trading divisions benefited from sharp oil price fluctuations.

Meanwhile, the Energy Poverty Eradication Alliance urged governments to impose a windfall tax on oil companies to offset rising household energy costs caused by the Iran war. The group argued that higher fuel prices have increased pressure on ordinary consumers.

Voting is underway in the United Kingdom’s local elections on Thursday, with polling stations opening at 7 a.m. The elections cover local councils in England and the semi-autonomous legislatures of Scotland and Wales. Analysts suggest the results could intensify pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party, which may face significant setbacks.

The elections are being viewed as a referendum on Starmer’s turbulent tenure as prime minister. Observers believe that poor results could accelerate his departure and signal a major shift in the country’s political landscape. The vote comes at a time when the Labour Party’s leadership is under scrutiny amid growing political uncertainty.

The outcome of these elections is expected to shape the near-term direction of British politics, potentially influencing both party leadership and policy priorities depending on the scale of Labour’s performance.

Local government elections are being held across the United Kingdom on Thursday, viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s turbulent tenure. Analysts suggest the results could accelerate Starmer’s departure and signal a major political shift. The Labour Party faces potential heavy losses in England’s local councils and in the semi-autonomous legislatures of Scotland and Wales, driven by public frustration over the weak economy, rising living costs, and declining trust in Starmer’s leadership.

The economic crisis has deepened due to disrupted oil supplies following the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, while Starmer’s decision to appoint scandal-linked Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington has further eroded his popularity. Polls indicate Labour could lose more than half of its 2,500 council seats, as the far-right Reform UK party campaigns under the slogan “Vote Reform, Remove Starmer.”

Experts warn that a major defeat could trigger an internal revolt within Labour, with figures such as Health Minister Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham rumored as potential challengers. Meanwhile, nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales are expected to gain ground, potentially reigniting independence debates.

At least 26 people were killed and more than 80 injured in Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes targeted Kramatorsk in the east, Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, and Chernihiv in the north. Zaporizhzhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov said at least 12 people were killed in his area. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that five people died in Kramatorsk and four in Dnipro following separate attacks.

Officials also confirmed that overnight airstrikes hit state gas facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, killing at least five people. The attacks came a day after Kyiv and Moscow had separately announced a ceasefire to take effect later in the week.

The renewed wave of strikes underscores the continuing intensity of the conflict despite the pending ceasefire announcement, raising concerns about further civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Arsenal have reached the final of Europe’s top club competition for the first time in 20 years after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg of the semifinal at Emirates Stadium in London. The North London side secured a 2-1 aggregate victory, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal in the 45th minute to send his team to the final scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.

The match was played in front of a passionate home crowd, whose energy fueled Arsenal’s performance throughout the rainy evening. Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone appeared dejected as his team’s comeback hopes faded. After the final whistle, players and fans celebrated together, with coach Mikel Arteta joining in the jubilation.

This marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the competition’s final since 2006. The team also remains in contention for the domestic league title, needing three more wins to end a 22-year wait. Arsenal’s opponent in the final will be decided between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, with PSG leading 5-4 after the first leg.

The United Kingdom is set to hold local elections on Thursday, which analysts say could present a serious political challenge for the ruling Labour Party. Led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, this will be the government’s first major electoral test since its landslide victory in the 2024 general election. Millions of voters across Scotland, England, and Wales are expected to participate.

Polls suggest Labour may lose a significant number of seats, potentially raising questions about Starmer’s leadership, though replacing him appears unlikely for now. Analysts note that Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, and the Green Party could make notable gains as voter disillusionment with traditional parties grows. In Wales, Labour’s century-long dominance is reportedly under threat, while in Scotland, the Scottish National Party could strengthen its position.

Experts attribute Labour’s difficulties to unpopular government decisions, weak communication, and voter frustration over rising living costs and economic pressures. Although internal discussions about leadership have reportedly begun, major changes within the party are not yet expected.

The Iranian Embassy in London has denied allegations linking Iran to recent violent incidents in the United Kingdom. In a statement, the embassy said a deliberately negative media environment was being created against Iran. The embassy posted on social media platform X that there was no credible evidence supporting such accusations, describing them as politically motivated attempts to mislead public opinion and divert attention from the real causes of terrorism and extremism.

The statement further asserted that Iran has long been a primary victim of terrorism, citing the killing of innocent civilians, senior officials, and scientists over the decades. It claimed that Iran remains at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism and extremism.

The embassy also noted that it had previously expressed concerns to relevant authorities about suspicious activities and alleged “false flag” operations on British soil aimed at discrediting Iran.

The British government has directed its refineries to produce the maximum possible amount of jet fuel as part of an emergency plan to maintain energy supply stability. The order comes as the country faces fuel shortages linked to the ongoing Iran war, according to Energy Minister Michael Shanks.

The directive aims to ensure adequate fuel availability ahead of the upcoming peak holiday travel season, when demand for aviation fuel typically rises. Airlines are already under pressure from rising fuel prices caused by the conflict. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned earlier that the jet fuel shortage would first hit Asia before spreading to Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Facing this potential global supply disruption, the UK is taking early measures to stabilize its domestic energy system and safeguard the aviation sector from further shocks.

British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner stated that only Israel has a 'special relationship' with the U.S. He made the remark in February while speaking to a group of students about transatlantic relations. The comment was first reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday, just before King Charles III arrived at the White House for a state visit, at a time of heightened tensions over the Iran war. The UK Foreign Office clarified that Turner’s remarks were personal and informal, not reflective of the government’s official stance.

An audio recording of Turner’s meeting with sixth-form students in the U.S. revealed him saying that the phrase 'special relationship' feels nostalgic and outdated. He added that while the U.K. and U.S. share deep historical and security ties, the nature of their relationship is evolving. Turner noted that Europe cannot rely solely on the U.S. security umbrella and that the partnership must adapt to changing times.

Turner, a career diplomat, was appointed British ambassador to the U.S. in December of the previous year.

Former royal officials have described King Charles III’s recent visit to the United States as a turning point in relations between London and Washington. According to a former close associate of the royal family, the King’s cordial approach during the trip effectively pressed a ‘reset button’ in bilateral ties. The comments were reported by the BBC.

Ailsa Anderson, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s press secretary from 2001 to 2013, said the visit gave the impression that the two nations’ relationship had started anew. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, she noted that King Charles appeared more confident in delivering major speeches and, being above party politics, was able to convey a special message to the American public. Simon Lewis, the Queen’s former communications secretary from 1998 to 2000, told BBC Radio 4 that the visit came at a time when political relations between the two countries were strained.

Lewis added that the trip was organized in coordination with the government and could positively influence future relations between the British Prime Minister and the U.S. President. Observers believe the visit has created a positive diplomatic mood likely to strengthen ties further.

Retail sales in the United Kingdom have fallen to their lowest level in more than four decades, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI data, reported by Al Jazeera, show that the retail sales volume index dropped to -68 in April from -52 in March, marking the weakest reading since the index began in 1983. The decline is attributed to the ongoing war surrounding Iran and rising inflation concerns.

The survey also indicates growing pessimism for May, with the forecast index falling to -60, the lowest since March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. CBI economist Martin Sartorius said the economic impact of the Iran conflict is becoming more evident and urged the government to recognize that reducing living costs requires lowering business expenses. The organization called on the government to ensure new labor laws do not excessively raise employer costs and recommended reducing property taxes and electricity bills.

The survey, conducted between March 26 and April 14 among 61 retail firms, found that weak consumer confidence negatively affected April sales.

More than 130 prominent individuals, including scholars, writers, and artists, have publicly challenged the United Kingdom’s ban on the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action. They signed an open letter to the Court of Appeal ahead of a hearing in London next week, declaring their opposition to genocide and support for the group. The signatories include Irish author Sally Rooney, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, British musician Brian Eno, and academics from Oxford and Cambridge universities.

The letter, containing only a few words, has become a symbol of the “Lift the Ban” campaign, launched after the UK government banned Palestine Action under terrorism laws in July 2025. Since then, thousands of the group’s supporters have reportedly been arrested. Professor Penny Green of Queen Mary University of London criticized the government for labeling peaceful protesters as terrorists and accused the Labour government of avoiding accountability.

Human rights organizations and UN experts have also condemned the UK’s increasing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and urged the government to lift the ban on Palestine Action.