An election day that pinches Labour from both flanks while Shell banks the Iran-war windfall
Polling opened at 07:00 for the 2026 Holyrood election, with a record 4,320,981 voters on the roll and a count deferred to 09:00 Friday. South of the border Reform UK is forecast to take 1,000-1,500 of around 5,000 English council seats, and a UCL Policy Lab report drawing on Stan Greenberg's research warned Keir Starmer is pushing progressive voters away. Shell reported a 19 percent rise in Q1 net profit to $5.69 billion on Iran-war prices with a $3 billion buyback; Strategic Defence Review co-author Dr Fiona Hill told MPs Trump's Falklands comments must be taken seriously.
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gb95Scotland votes for 129 MSPs in 2026 Holyrood election with a record 4,320,981 on the roll and no overnight count
Polling stations across Scotland opened at 07:00 on May 7 for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, with a record 4,320,981 people registered to vote and almost a fifth of the electorate having applied for a postal ballot, according to the Electoral Commission. Voters are choosing 129 members of the Scottish Parliament — 73 in constituencies and 56 across eight regional lists — with polling stations closing at 22:00 and no requirement to show photo ID, unlike in England. For the second consecutive Holyrood vote there will be no overnight count: the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said counting will start at 09:00 on Friday, with first declarations expected in the afternoon and the final results from the Highlands and Islands region not due until about 19:00.
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Scotland votes for 129 MSPs in 2026 Holyrood election with a record 4,320,981 on the roll and no overnight count
Polling stations across Scotland opened at 07:00 on May 7 for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, with a record 4,320,981 people registered to vote and almost a fifth of the electorate having applied for a postal ballot, according to the Electoral Commission. Voters are choosing 129 members of the Scottish Parliament — 73 in constituencies and 56 across eight regional lists — with polling stations closing at 22:00 and no requirement to show photo ID, unlike in England. For the second consecutive Holyrood vote there will be no overnight count: the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said counting will start at 09:00 on Friday, with first declarations expected in the afternoon and the final results from the Highlands and Islands region not due until about 19:00.
Polling stations across Scotland opened at 07:00 on May 7 for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, with a record 4,320,981 people registered to vote and almost a fifth of the electorate having applied for a postal ballot, according to the Electoral Commission. Voters are choosing 129 members of the Scottish Parliament — 73 in constituencies and 56 across eight regional lists — with polling stations closing at 22:00 and no requirement to show photo ID, unlike in England. For the second consecutive Holyrood vote there will be no overnight count: the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said counting will start at 09:00 on Friday, with first declarations expected in the afternoon and the final results from the Highlands and Islands region not due until about 19:00.
gb88Report says Keir Starmer's discomfort with progressive values driving away left-leaning voters
A report from UCL's Policy Lab, using research by veteran pollster Stan Greenberg, warns that Keir Starmer's lack of a clear values-based argument is pushing progressive voters away from Labour. The findings come as the party braces for poor results in Thursday's local elections, which could trigger a leadership challenge. The report says voters want a more robust challenge to Donald Trump and a stronger defence of environmentalism.
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Report says Keir Starmer's discomfort with progressive values driving away left-leaning voters
A report from UCL's Policy Lab, using research by veteran pollster Stan Greenberg, warns that Keir Starmer's lack of a clear values-based argument is pushing progressive voters away from Labour. The findings come as the party braces for poor results in Thursday's local elections, which could trigger a leadership challenge. The report says voters want a more robust challenge to Donald Trump and a stronger defence of environmentalism.
A report from UCL's Policy Lab, using research by veteran pollster Stan Greenberg, warns that Keir Starmer's lack of a clear values-based argument is pushing progressive voters away from Labour. The findings come as the party braces for poor results in Thursday's local elections, which could trigger a leadership challenge. The report says voters want a more robust challenge to Donald Trump and a stronger defence of environmentalism.
gb82Reform UK forecast to win up to 1,500 of around 5,000 English council seats as Farage targets the Conservatives' base
Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK, which has led every national poll for more than a year, is expected to make its largest gains yet at Thursday's English local elections, with some estimates putting the party on 1,000 to 1,500 of the roughly 5,000 council seats up for grabs. Farage's stated objective is to demonstrate that Reform has replaced the Conservatives as the natural party of the British right, with the strongest gains forecast in the north of England and the Midlands and the prospect of Reform turquoise displacing Labour red in some predominantly white, working-class areas of London.
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Reform UK forecast to win up to 1,500 of around 5,000 English council seats as Farage targets the Conservatives' base
Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK, which has led every national poll for more than a year, is expected to make its largest gains yet at Thursday's English local elections, with some estimates putting the party on 1,000 to 1,500 of the roughly 5,000 council seats up for grabs. Farage's stated objective is to demonstrate that Reform has replaced the Conservatives as the natural party of the British right, with the strongest gains forecast in the north of England and the Midlands and the prospect of Reform turquoise displacing Labour red in some predominantly white, working-class areas of London.
Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK, which has led every national poll for more than a year, is expected to make its largest gains yet at Thursday's English local elections, with some estimates putting the party on 1,000 to 1,500 of the roughly 5,000 council seats up for grabs. Farage's stated objective is to demonstrate that Reform has replaced the Conservatives as the natural party of the British right, with the strongest gains forecast in the north of England and the Midlands and the prospect of Reform turquoise displacing Labour red in some predominantly white, working-class areas of London.
gb78Shell Q1 profit surges 19% to $5.69B on Iran war energy price spike
Shell reported a 19% rise in first-quarter net profit to $5.69 billion on Thursday, driven by soaring oil and gas prices after the Iran war disrupted global energy markets. The company also announced a $3 billion share buyback and a 5% dividend increase, while slowing the pace of quarterly buybacks from $3.5 billion. Shell's shares fell 2.3% on the FTSE 100 amid easing oil prices on hopes of a ceasefire.
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Shell Q1 profit surges 19% to $5.69B on Iran war energy price spike
Shell reported a 19% rise in first-quarter net profit to $5.69 billion on Thursday, driven by soaring oil and gas prices after the Iran war disrupted global energy markets. The company also announced a $3 billion share buyback and a 5% dividend increase, while slowing the pace of quarterly buybacks from $3.5 billion. Shell's shares fell 2.3% on the FTSE 100 amid easing oil prices on hopes of a ceasefire.
Shell reported a 19% rise in first-quarter net profit to $5.69 billion on Thursday, driven by soaring oil and gas prices after the Iran war disrupted global energy markets. The company also announced a $3 billion share buyback and a 5% dividend increase, while slowing the pace of quarterly buybacks from $3.5 billion. Shell's shares fell 2.3% on the FTSE 100 amid easing oil prices on hopes of a ceasefire.
gb38UK defence review co-author warns Falklands threats from Trump must be taken seriously
Dr Fiona Hill, co-author of the UK's Strategic Defence Review, told the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy that US President Trump's comments about the Falkland Islands should be taken seriously and engaged with directly. She described Trump's stance as a combination of genuine belief and political posturing rooted in his alliance with Argentina's President Milei, and warned that the US sees European allies as having been 'infantilised' by reliance on American support. Hill advised initial private diplomatic engagement rather than public dismissal.
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UK defence review co-author warns Falklands threats from Trump must be taken seriously
Dr Fiona Hill, co-author of the UK's Strategic Defence Review, told the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy that US President Trump's comments about the Falkland Islands should be taken seriously and engaged with directly. She described Trump's stance as a combination of genuine belief and political posturing rooted in his alliance with Argentina's President Milei, and warned that the US sees European allies as having been 'infantilised' by reliance on American support. Hill advised initial private diplomatic engagement rather than public dismissal.
Dr Fiona Hill, co-author of the UK's Strategic Defence Review, told the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy that US President Trump's comments about the Falkland Islands should be taken seriously and engaged with directly. She described Trump's stance as a combination of genuine belief and political posturing rooted in his alliance with Argentina's President Milei, and warned that the US sees European allies as having been 'infantilised' by reliance on American support. Hill advised initial private diplomatic engagement rather than public dismissal.
gb30JD Sports warns Iran conflict could hit consumer spending and raise prices
UK-based sports fashion retailer JD Sports warned that profits will fall this year due to a muted market and concerns about the Middle East conflict. The company stated that while there has been no material business impact to date, the Iran war could push up costs and prices, including energy and fuel costs, and potentially impact consumer demand. JD reported flat sales in the latest quarter and expects no sales growth this year.
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JD Sports warns Iran conflict could hit consumer spending and raise prices
UK-based sports fashion retailer JD Sports warned that profits will fall this year due to a muted market and concerns about the Middle East conflict. The company stated that while there has been no material business impact to date, the Iran war could push up costs and prices, including energy and fuel costs, and potentially impact consumer demand. JD reported flat sales in the latest quarter and expects no sales growth this year.
UK-based sports fashion retailer JD Sports warned that profits will fall this year due to a muted market and concerns about the Middle East conflict. The company stated that while there has been no material business impact to date, the Iran war could push up costs and prices, including energy and fuel costs, and potentially impact consumer demand. JD reported flat sales in the latest quarter and expects no sales growth this year.
gb28UK police watchdog investigates Met officers over handling of Mohamed Al Fayed sexual abuse allegations
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating one serving and four former Metropolitan Police officers for potential misconduct over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against the late Mohamed Al Fayed. The investigation covers reports from four victims and follows revelations that the Met was approached by 21 women before Al Fayed's death in 2023, yet he was never charged. This development highlights ongoing scrutiny of police handling of sexual abuse cases involving high-profile figures.
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UK police watchdog investigates Met officers over handling of Mohamed Al Fayed sexual abuse allegations
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating one serving and four former Metropolitan Police officers for potential misconduct over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against the late Mohamed Al Fayed. The investigation covers reports from four victims and follows revelations that the Met was approached by 21 women before Al Fayed's death in 2023, yet he was never charged. This development highlights ongoing scrutiny of police handling of sexual abuse cases involving high-profile figures.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating one serving and four former Metropolitan Police officers for potential misconduct over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against the late Mohamed Al Fayed. The investigation covers reports from four victims and follows revelations that the Met was approached by 21 women before Al Fayed's death in 2023, yet he was never charged. This development highlights ongoing scrutiny of police handling of sexual abuse cases involving high-profile figures.
gb20Amazon launches first UK drone delivery service in Darlington
Amazon has become the first retailer in the UK to launch a drone delivery service, starting with a limited rollout in Darlington, County Durham. Packages under 2.2 kg are delivered within a 7.5-mile radius of its fulfilment centre in as little as two hours, using autonomous MK30 drones with GPS and obstacle sensors. The service operates up to ten flights per hour, with a maximum of 100 deliveries per day on weekdays. The trial, approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, runs until the end of the year and is part of Amazon's broader push for ultra-fast delivery. Darlington is the only location outside the US where Amazon operates drone deliveries.
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Amazon launches first UK drone delivery service in Darlington
Amazon has become the first retailer in the UK to launch a drone delivery service, starting with a limited rollout in Darlington, County Durham. Packages under 2.2 kg are delivered within a 7.5-mile radius of its fulfilment centre in as little as two hours, using autonomous MK30 drones with GPS and obstacle sensors. The service operates up to ten flights per hour, with a maximum of 100 deliveries per day on weekdays. The trial, approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, runs until the end of the year and is part of Amazon's broader push for ultra-fast delivery. Darlington is the only location outside the US where Amazon operates drone deliveries.
Amazon has become the first retailer in the UK to launch a drone delivery service, starting with a limited rollout in Darlington, County Durham. Packages under 2.2 kg are delivered within a 7.5-mile radius of its fulfilment centre in as little as two hours, using autonomous MK30 drones with GPS and obstacle sensors. The service operates up to ten flights per hour, with a maximum of 100 deliveries per day on weekdays. The trial, approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, runs until the end of the year and is part of Amazon's broader push for ultra-fast delivery. Darlington is the only location outside the US where Amazon operates drone deliveries.