News 08/05/26

Reform UK has made gains in council election results overnight.

The votes across Scotland, Wales and one hundred and thirty six English councils are the biggest set of elections since the 2024 general election. More councils are expected to declare results on Friday, alongside results for the Senedd and Scottish Parliament.

President Donald Trump says a ceasefire remains in place between the United States and Iran after both sides exchanged fire late on Thursday night.

Iran’s military command accused the US of targeting an Iranian oil tanker, carrying out aerial attacks on coastal areas. The US says it responded with self defence strikes after attacks on Navy destroyers in the Strait. The violence comes after Iran said it was considering a US proposal to end the war.

Instagram users will no longer be able to send ultra private direct messages after Meta removed end to end encryption globally.

The technology allows only the sender and recipient to read messages, but critics say it can allow extreme content to spread online without authorities being able to intervene. Children’s charities have welcomed the decision, while privacy campaigners have condemned it.

Revised plans for a building used in the production of cancer treatments at Wexham Park Hospital have been approved after earlier proposals were considered undeliverable.

NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust is overseeing the hospital modernisation project, including a new cancer drug centre. The current aseptic suite prepares seven hundred and fifty chemotherapy doses each month.