UK May Elections: What's at Stake as Labour, Reform and the Greens Battle for Britain's Councils

Reform UK on Course for 324 Seats as Poll Shows Half of Starmer's Cabinet Could Lose to Farage's Party

A new poll projects that more than half of Keir Starmer's cabinet ministers could lose their seats to Reform UK in a general election, with Nigel Farage's party on course for 324 seats. Starmer has responded by urging his cabinet to fight Reform 'with everything we have', framing the May local elections as 'the fight of our political lives'. The poll comes as Labour's approval ratings remain deeply negative and Reform continues to lead in national surveys.

Chinese EV Brands Double UK Market Share as BYD Surges 134% in March

UK House Prices Dip Below £300,000 for First Time This Year as Middle East Tensions Hit Market

UK Inflation Holds at 3% as Bank of England Braces for Energy Price Surge from Middle East Crisis

The Bank of England is holding interest rates at 3.75% and has revised its inflation forecasts sharply upward, warning that CPI could remain between 3% and 3.5% through the summer as the Middle East crisis sends oil prices past $100 a barrel. UK petrol prices have risen 19p per litre in 30 days, mortgage rates are climbing, and the 2% inflation target is not expected to be reached until early 2027. The Resolution Foundation has warned that household living standards are set to fall.

OpenAI Opens First Permanent London Office at King's Cross with Capacity for 500 Staff

OpenAI has signed an 88,500 sq ft lease at Regent's Quarter in King's Cross, London, establishing its first permanent UK office with capacity for over 500 staff. The move makes London OpenAI's largest research hub outside the US, despite the company recently pausing its UK Stargate data centre project.

North Belfast Security Alert Declared 'Elaborate Hoax' After Families Evacuated from Homes

A security alert in the Canning Place area of North Belfast that forced families to evacuate their homes on Sunday has been declared an 'elaborate hoax' after Ammunition Technical Officers examined a suspected pipe bomb and found it not to be viable. The PSNI has appealed for information as inquiries continue. The incident comes amid a period of heightened tension in Northern Ireland, with fuel protests and separate security incidents in Coleraine and Newtownards also making headlines.

Viktor Orbán Concedes Defeat as Hungary Votes for Change After 16 Years of Fidesz Rule

Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in Hungary's general election after 16 years in power, as Péter Magyar's Tisza party secured a landslide victory with a projected two-thirds majority. Voter turnout reached a record 77.8%, and celebrations erupted in Budapest as crowds chanted 'It's over!' European leaders including Keir Starmer, Ursula von der Leyen, and Emmanuel Macron congratulated Magyar on what Starmer called 'an historic moment for European democracy'.

Leinster Thrash Sale Sharks 43-13 to Book Champions Cup Semi-Final Against Toulon

North Belfast Woman's 'Project: Own Your Space' Inspires Young People to Challenge Stereotypes

Savana Knocker, a 23-year-old North Belfast woman and Miss GB Belfast finalist, has launched 'Project: Own Your Space' — an online platform that interviews people from diverse backgrounds to inspire young people and challenge stereotypes. Motivated by her own experiences of sexism in the car sales industry, Knocker wants to show the next generation that no career is off-limits. She plans to take the project into schools and youth groups across Northern Ireland.

Ireland Begins Screening Newborn Babies for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in 'Remarkable' Heel Prick Test Expansion

Ireland has begun screening newborn babies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) through the heel prick test, in a development hailed as a 'remarkable day' for infant health. Early detection is described as life-changing, as it allows treatment to begin before irreversible damage occurs — with around six babies born with SMA in Ireland each year. The expansion brings the total number of conditions screened to eleven and was welcomed by advocacy groups and families affected by the condition.

Denis Donaldson Murder Case: Man Remanded in Custody Until June at Special Criminal Court

Antoin Duffy (49), charged with the 2006 murder of former Sinn Féin official and MI5 informant Denis Donaldson, has been remanded in custody until June at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The case marks the first time anyone has faced criminal charges over one of the most politically sensitive murders in Irish history.