National News

Here are the latest stories from the team at Radio News Hub. The links will open in a new page and take you to their website.

• Counting under way in Holyrood election as SNP eyes fifth consecutive win

  Counting is under way in the Scottish Parliament election after voters went to the polls on Thursday.

• Labour heading for crushing defeat in Wales

  Labour is heading for a crushing defeat in Wales after suffering disastrous local election results in England overnight.

• Starmer takes responsibility for tough election results but vows to carry on

  Sir Keir Starmer insisted he would carry on as Prime Minister despite Labour suffering disastrous local election losses.

• Third British national diagnosed with suspected hantavirus linked to cruise ship

  A third British national has been diagnosed with suspected hantavirus linked to a cruise ship outbreak, health officials have said.

• Farage says Reform on course for general election win after early local gains

  Nigel Farage suggested Reform UK was on course for a general election victory after taking council seats from Labour in early local election results.

• Keir Starmer praises pioneer David Attenborough on 100th birthday

  The Prime Minister has called Sir David Attenborough a “true national treasure” as the naturalist turned 100.

• Actors who will play Beatles members in BBC series Hamburg Days revealed

  The actors who will play the members of The Beatles in a new BBC TV series called Hamburg Days have been revealed.

• Shopping visits fall as Middle East conflict takes toll on consumer confidence

  Consumers are making fewer visits to the shops as the ongoing Middle East conflict drags down confidence, figures suggest.

• Polls close in crucial elections for Sir Keir Starmers premiership

  Polls have closed in elections across Scotland, Wales and parts of England that could prove a decisive moment in Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership.

• Man arrested after allegedly threatening Andrew near home on Sandringham Estate

  A man has been arrested for allegedly threatening Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor near his new home on the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk Police said.

• Shell under fire over outrageous profits after boost from soaring oil prices

  Shell has become the latest oil giant to face criticism over mammoth profits after it revealed a bumper earnings haul thanks to rocketing oil prices caused by the Iran war.

• Two passengers of ship linked to hantavirus self isolating in the UK

  Two people who were on board the cruise ship linked to the hantavirus outbreak are self-isolating after returning to the UK, health officials have said.

• Man Utd fans appeal for rethink on FA Youth Cup final venue

  The Football Association has been urged to move the FA Youth Cup final to the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford after Manchester City confirmed they would host Manchester United at their 6,447-capacity Joie Stadium.

• British doctor evacuated as ship linked to outbreak to leave Cape Verde

  A British doctor with suspected hantavirus has been medically evacuated from the cruise ship linked to the outbreak, which is believed to have originated from a birdwatching expedition in Argentina.

• US to pause effort to guide ships out of Strait of Hormuz to focus on Iran deal

  President Donald Trump says the United States will pause efforts to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz in order to try and finalise a deal with Iran.

• Two thirds of Gen Z adults do not know VE Day marks end of WW2 poll finds

  Two thirds of Gen Z adults don’t know VE Day marks the end of the Second World War, a poll has found.

• Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri backs British Sign Language campaign

  Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has spoken out as new research shows almost a quarter of people would avoid someone who is deaf if they thought communicating with them would be too difficult.

• Kate returns to international travel next week with solo trip to Italy

  The Princess of Wales is to return to international travel by carrying out her first overseas royal visit since facing cancer.

• Met Police announces team of 100 extra officers to protect Jewish communities

  The Metropolitan Police has announced a community protection team of 100 extra officers to help safeguard the Jewish community, despite the force’s chief previously saying 300 more officers were needed to tackle the rise in antisemitism across the capital.

• Bukayo Saka fires Arsenal into Champions League final

  Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal to send Arsenal to their first Champions League final in 20 years following a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

• William brings cakes as hill farmers share challenges of diversifying

  The Prince of Wales took a box of cakes when he met hill farmers in the Yorkshire Dales and discussed the challenges facing their industry.

• Phil Foden agrees terms in principle to extend Manchester City deal to 2030

  Phil Foden has agreed terms in principle on a new contract with Manchester City

• Kim Kardashian stuns Met Gala in tangerine breastplate by British designer

  Kim Kardashian turned heads at the Met Gala in a tangerine fibreglass breastplate by British pop artist and sculptor Allen Jones.

• Pret A Manger opens first drive thru restaurant

  Pret A Manger has opened its first drive-thru restaurant.

• Suspected arson attack at former synagogue in east London

  Counter-terrorism police are investigating a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue.