A former ally of Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader will be West Bengal’s next chief minister.

Suvendu Adhikari, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and winning candidate from Bhawanipur and Nandigram assembly constituencies, speaks to the media after meeting West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal at the CEO office in Kolkata, India, on May 6, 2026. 

From trusted aide to biggest rival: Suvendu Adhikari set to become West Bengal chief minister

Country star Dolly Parton helped rescue and rehabilitate bald eagles when they were on the verge of extinction. 

Dolly Parton, wearing an American-flag themed outfit, stands next to a man in a white polo shirt who is holding a bald eagle

The race against time to find eagles escaped from Dollywood

Seasoned staycationers share their favourite spots as Airbnb and Booking.com say interest in UK stays are up on last year.

Eboni a woman in her 30s with curly brown hair standing above The Minack Theatre which is carved into the cliff face in Cornwall and covered in luscious green gardens with a view across turquoise sea

The UK is set for a staycation summer - and there are plenty of hidden gems

A new report says Irish language speakers should be "proactive" in planning for Irish unity.

Róisín Nic Liam has shoulder length brown hair with a side part. She is smiling broadly at the camera and is wearing a rust red top and gold earrings. Behind her is a museum exhibition. 

Irish language should not be 'bargaining chip' for a united Ireland

From dancefloor bangers to heartfelt ballads, here are the highlights and low points of Eurovision.

A montage of Eurovision hopefuls Cosmó, Felicia, Boy George, Antigoni and Lion Ceccah, against the official colours of the 2026 contest

Anti-work anthems, Boy George and controversial lyrics: A guide to all 35 Eurovision songs

From lattes to ice-cream, Japanese hojicha tea has been creeping onto menus across the UK.

Is hojicha the next matcha? The Japanese tea creeping onto menus

Saturday's papers lead with calls for the PM to quit after Labour's local election losses and Tess Daly and Vernon Kay's marriage split.

Newspaper headlines: 'Labour's historic battering' and 'Vernon and Tess split'

'Labour's historic battering' and 'Vernon and Tess split'

Officials say at least six US states are monitoring for possible cases after several passengers from the Dutch vessel MV Hondius returned home.

US sending charter flight to bring Americans home from hantavirus cruise ship

Watch the highlights from Scottish election results day.

The Scottish election results - in one minute

Tommy Fleetwood shoots a four-under round of 67 to put himself within a stroke of the lead after the second round of the Truist Championship.

Fleetwood one shot off lead at Quail Hollow

Victory for the populist party in Farrer, New South Wales, would give it its first seat in Australia's national parliament.

A cardboard cutout of Pauline Hanson on the left with a man in an orange campaign t-shirt on the right in front of a polling station.

Australian by-election a litmus test for right-wing One Nation Party

Labour loses control of several London councils while the Green Party take councils and mayoralties.

Green Party supporters congratulate candidate Florence Cullen-Davies - who is at home about to give birth and appears live via WhatsApp video on a mobile phone - after she is declared a winner in the 2026 London Borough of Hackney

Labour vote sinks in London as Greens make gains

The Tories had a grim night at the polls, losing seats to both Reform and the Liberal Democrats.

A grinning Kemi Badenoch celebrates a victory in Westminster with activists waving union jack banners and wearing blue Tory rosettes

No leadership pressure on Badenoch despite Tory losses

No Premier League medal, no Champions League title, but Bruno Fernandes has won other trophies and many accolades, and the FWA footballer of the year is on the brink of setting a record.

Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes: The trophies, the assist record and his future

St Helens winger Lewis Murphy signs a new three-year contract extension with the Super League club.

St Helens team-mates Daryl Clark (left) and Lewis Murphy smile and hug after their team's victory over Wigan Warriors on Good Friday

Winger Murphy extends contract at St Helens

Former Australia international and State of Origin player Damien Cook agrees a two-year deal with Castleford Tigers from the 2027 season.

Damien Cook carrying the ball for St George Illawarra Dragons

Castleford to sign ex-Kangaroo Cook for 2027

The US government was unable to make a definitive determination on the alleged UFO sightings filmed around the world.

An unidentified black, tubular thing shoots through the air. There is a red ring around it.

Watch: Declassified footage shows 'unidentified anomalous phenomena'

The US has published transcripts, video clips and audio recordings about unidentified flying objects, also called unidentified anomalous phenomena.

A photo from the surface of the Moon. It shows the shadows of two astronauts, and in the distance what looks like a flash of blue light. It is highlighted and englarged

Hovering objects and flashing lights: what we learned from UFO documents released by the Pentagon

Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack signs a new one-year contract to remain at Fratton Park for the 2026-27 season.

Marlon Pack in action for Portsmouth against Birmingham City at Fratton Park in May 2026

Portsmouth captain Pack signs new one-year deal

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey is set to miss the European Challenge Cup final with a serious hamstring problem as the injuries mount up for Richie Murphy.

McCloskey set to miss Challenge Cup final through injury

The naturalist's seven-decade career was marked with a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Sir David Attenborough stands holding a letter in a crowd. Prince William is next to him applauding

William hails Sir David Attenborough's 'remarkable milestone' at 100th birthday concert

Netball Super League leaders Loughborough Lightning return to winning ways with a hard-fought 76-60 victory over Birmingham Panthers on Friday. 

Five Loughborough Lightning players celebrate together

Lightning seal hard-fought NSL win over Panthers

No party has overall control of Birmingham, with Reform UK having the largest number of seats.

A man with ginger hair looking solemn, wearing a red and yellow 'Vote Labour' rosette. 

Labour loses control of Birmingham City Council

The EFL charges Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough before they meet in the Championship play-off semi-finals on Saturday.

An exterior view of St Mary's Stadium in Southampton 

Saints charged by EFL with spying on Middlesbrough

Former Chelsea and Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho in talks to become next Real Madrid head coach, Newcastle and Chelsea eye Uruguay Darwin Nunez, Wolves set to agree deal to sell Joao Gomes to Atletico Madrid, plus more.

Former Man Utd and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho leads the BBC Sport football gossip column

Real hold talks over Mourinho return - Saturday's gossip

Robert Jenrick and Victoria Atkins, both former Tory ministers, were reunited during the BBC’s election coverage for the first time in an awkward exchange.

'Rob hasn't spoken to me': Watch awkward reunion of former Tory ministers

Ulster and Stormers produce an enthralling 38-38 draw in a United Rugby Championship game that featured 11 tries and a controversial ending at the Affidea Stadium.

Ulster players look dejected after the game

Ulster and Stormers share spoils in dramatic draw

Aston Oxborough saves the late penalty he conceded as Dunfermline Athletic get past Arbroath to set up a Premiership play-off semi-final against Partick Thistle.

Watch: Late penalty drama as Dunfermline edge out Arbroath

The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships semi-finals and finals take place in London this weekend - and you can follow the action live on the BBC.

How to watch: World Team Table Tennis Championships on BBC

The local leaders... who aren't leaders any more

Gloucester fight back to beat Sale Sharks 21-15 at Kingsholm and secure their first back-to-back Prem wins of the season.

Charlie Atkinson, of Gloucester, dives over the line to score the winning try against Sale Sharks

Atkinson scores two tries as Gloucester beat Sale

Labour no longer controls the city council, after losing 11 seats.

Two rows of Lib Dem councillors and supporters hold diamond shaped placards with orange and black colours that read: Liberal Democrats winning here. they are cheering and fist pumping. 

Lib Dems pip Labour to the post in Milton Keynes

Borussia Dortmund survive a late scare as they hang on to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 at Signal Iduna Park to secure second place in the German Bundesliga.

Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt in five-goal thriller

The party did not gain enough seats to take control of the council after an unexpected result.

Woman with brown bob speaking into the camera, wearing a floral dress

The Conservatives become Swindon's biggest party

Glasgow Warriors cruise to a bonus-point victory over Cardiff to go top of the United Rugby Championship with one round of the regular season remaining.

Johnny Matthews celebrates a try for Glasgow

Glasgow beat Cardiff to move top of URC table

Derry City's six-game unbeaten run comes to an end after a 1-0 defeat by Drogheda at Sullivan and Lambe Park.

Drogheda United's Warren Davis and Henry Rylah of Derry City

Derry's unbeaten run ended by Drogheda defeat

Leanne Lucas, who was critically injured in the July 2024 attack, is now a knife safety campaigner.

Prince William, who is wearing a suit and black top hat, speaks to a woman with wavy brown hair who is wearing a pink floral dress in a crowded garden area with a large white gazebo in the background.

Southport survivor loved 'magical' William meeting

The Labour Party, which has ruled exclusively in Wakefield since 1974, is virtually wiped out.

Denise Jeffrey, who has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is wearing a blue blazer with a white t-shirt.

Reform UK ousts Labour from Wakefield Council

'The message is clear' - Labour MPs on Keir Starmer's leadership

Labour leader of Bradford Council Susan Hinchcliffe loses her seat after a decade in charge.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a red dress stands in a room.

Council leader loses seat as Reform strikes ahead

A Reform UK spokesman says it intends to govern "in the interests of people across this great county".

A group of Reform UK candidates celebrating.

Reform UK misses out on county council majority

Leeds City Council saw devastating Labour losses and gains from Reform and Green.

Dozens of people standing and sitting at white tables at an election count.

'Seismic shift at Leeds City Council after local elections'

Lucy Ashton rounds-up local election results in Barnsley

'For the first time in 50 years, Barnsley Council is no longer Labour'

Reform UK make huge gains across Coventry and Warwickshire on a bad day for Labour in the county.

Two men and a woman punch the air while wearing light blue rosettes in front of another group of people.

Labour lose control of city council as Reform votes surge

Voters choose councillors for two new authorities, which will replace Surrey's existing councils.

A wide overhead view of a large indoor sports hall set up for an election count, with rows of long tables arranged across a marked wooden floor and dozens of people sorting ballot papers, while observers stand nearby and basketball hoops and scoreboards are visible along the walls

Liberal Democrats take control of new councils

In a video message from Buckingham Palace, wildlife helps the King deliver a birthday card for Sir David Attenborough.

King Charles III writes a letter from a desk in front of a window in Buckingham Palace. He is wearing a blazer and a purple tie. 

King Charles sends Attenborough a birthday message with help from 'friends'

A woman with blonde hair looks into the camera

Reform UK take full control of Wakefield Council from Labour

Reform UK takes control of Barnsley Council, ending Labour's 50-year reign.

A group of four people standing on a raised stage. Behind them is a large purple backdrop featuring the text “Barnsley – the place of possibilities", along with the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council logo and a collage of photographs showing buildings, landmarks, green spaces, and people engaged in activities around the town.

Reform ends 50 years of Barnsley Labour leadership

After Kamil Horan died in a Superbike qualifying crash at the North West 200, leading rider Davey Todd opens up about dealing with death in the sport.

How do motorcycle road racers deal with death in their sport?

The Liberal Democrats are now narrowly the largest party at the local authority with 25 seats.

An exterior view of Newcastle Civic Centre, a large building with glass windows and an ornate tower on its right side.

Labour no longer biggest party at Newcastle Council

Group leader Lucy Galvin says people in Norwich voted for "hope and a future".

A group of Green Party councillors with Lucy Galvin in the middle (in a blue blouse) standing outside. They are wearing rosettes and are cheering with arms aloft.

Greens win historic victory to seize city council

Sir Keir Starmer is facing what looks like a coordinated attempt to get him to set a timetable for his departure.

Keir Starmer, in an open neck shirt and suit jacket, looking pensive

Many Labour MPs are blaming the boss for elections body blow

Tom Hunt says the results in Sheffield are "extremely disappointing" for Labour.

A man stands in a leisure centre where tables are in the background for the vote count. He has a navy suit, burgundy tie, brown short hair and black square glasses. He has a neutral expression but looks sad.

Council leader out as Reform and Greens make gains

In Fife the SNP have held onto every constituency but across the Firth in Edinburgh there is a very different picture.

A group of people wearing suits and one dressed as a bird stand on stage

SNP lose seats in capital but hold on in Lothians and Fife

Anthony Clemmings, 54, was found dead on the roof garden of a block of flats.

A photo of Anthony - he is wearing a black top and a black cap

Murder investigation after 'loved' man found dead

Labour councillors now make up 48 of the 99 seats at the authority.

A tent erected inside a sports arena. A blue carpet has been laid down and spotlights illuminate the space. Tables are lined up with people counting votes.

Labour loses overall control of Leeds City Council

The election results are in - what happens next?

Daniel Dubois will not to be drawn into a war of words after weighing in at a career-heavy 18st for Saturday's all-British heavyweight world-title fight against Fabio Wardley.

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois face-off at weigh-in

Tight-lipped Dubois weighs in at career-heavy 18st

BBC London speaks to voters in Romford and Dalston about what they want from their new councils. 

Composite of two women, one on the left with white short hair wearing a black hairband and t-shirt and another woman wearing a blue denim jacket and blue top.

Havering and Hackney voters choose opposing visions of change

Rescue crews spotted the hiker's remains in a densely wooded area, with injuries "consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter".

A grizzly bear walks on all fours in a grassy area in Glacier National Park.

Missing hiker killed in possible bear attack in Montana

Outgoing council leader Tom Hunt reacts to losing his seat

'I respect the democratic right of voters to have their say' - outgoing council leader

Most Australians do not want the women and children to come home, but advocates say they're in danger.

A hijabi woman is shielded from media by a man wearing a bright green hoodie

Return of IS-linked families sparks debate in terror-traumatised Australia

The Lib Dems increase their hold on South Cambs, while Reform UK has gains in Huntingdonshire.

Kathryn Fisher standing on a balcony in a sports hall with desks laid out for an election count behind them. They have short hair, curling on the top and are wearing round glasses, a blue and white striped shirt and a green Green party rosette and are smiling broadly.

Labour loses control of city council after 12 years

Only a third of seats are contested in North Tyneside so Labour remains in control.

Eight men stand in a line in front of the stage and smile for the photographer in front of them. They are all wearing turquoise rosettes for Reform.

Reform UK new opposition in North Tyneside

Reform UK now have 41 councillors in South Tyneside while Labour have been left with just one.

A crowd of Reform party members wearing rosettes. They are wearing suits and cheering.

Reform takes control of South Tyneside Council

Nigel Farage's party secured MSPs in a number of regional lists across Scotland.

Malcolm Offord, who has grey hair and glasses, speaks at a podium with pale blue Reform branding 

Reform wins 17 seats at Holyrood 

The party won 11 of the contested seats, leaving it with 25 councillors overall on the authority.

Wide view inside a large indoor hall set up for an election count, with rows of tables arranged on a patterned floor, ballot boxes stacked nearby and groups of people sorting and counting papers, with tiered seating and tall windows along one wall

Liberal Democrats strengthen control on council

An out-of-sorts Novak Djokovic suffers defeat on his return to action as he is stunned by gutsy qualifier Dino Prizmic in the Italian Open second round.

Novak Djokovic reacts during the Italian Open, raising a towel to his face while wearing a yellow tennis shirt

Djokovic stunned on return to action in Rome

A profile of the broadcaster turned politician poised to be Plaid Cymru's first first minister.

Rhun ap Iorwerth speaking after winning his seat

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth: From party disarray to brink of power

Stephen Houghton reacts to keeping his seat by just 23 votes.

Barnsley Council leader warns it could get 'even worse' for Labour

Follow live text commentary, score updates and match stats from Levante vs Osasuna in the Spanish La Liga

A white football with black panels on grass, with a goal net in the background

Levante v Osasuna

Follow live text commentary, score updates and match stats from St Patrick's Athletic vs Waterford in the Irish Premier Division

St Patrick's Athletic v Waterford

Reform UK is now the leading power in Gateshead and Labour is left with just 12 councillors.

Gateshead Civic Centre. The three-storey building is red brick with rows of windows at each level. A clock has been installed above the entrance.

Reform UK wins majority at Gateshead Council

Swindon's Conservative leader says he is surprised that his party won 23 seats.

A group of people all cheering in a row for a photo, all Conservatives, wearing blue rosettes, dressed smartly.

8 May 2026