Source: Sharecast
Iran's Khatam al‑Anbiya joint military command said the strait had been returned to its "previous status" and was now under "strict management and control" by the armed forces. Tehran said the restrictions would remain in place unless Washington guaranteed full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling to and from Iran - a position reiterated by deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh and the IRGC navy.
Labour criticised Reform UK's vetting procedures on Saturday, according to the Guardian, saying checks were "clearly not fit for purpose" after two further local election candidates were accused of posting offensive or potentially racist material on social media. The row came as it emerged that Restore Britain - the party formed by MP Rupert Lowe after leaving Reform - had appeared to accept a donation from an individual who had publicly called for "another Hitler" to come to power.
Reform has faced a series of controversies over candidates standing in the 7 May local elections in England, as well as those contesting seats in Scotland and Wales, despite Nigel Farage insisting the party had significantly improved its screening processes.
Virgin Atlantic reported a strong start to the year as travellers opted for Caribbean destinations over Dubai, helping the airline deliver a rare first‑quarter profit. Chief executive Corneel Koster said the group had posted a positive result in the three months to March — typically a loss‑making period for northern‑hemisphere carriers.
The Times reported that bookings had surged in April, with transatlantic revenues up 34% and turnover from Africa routes also rising 34%, reflecting robust demand across the network.
A senior government rail adviser has been dismissed after criticising Whitehall plans to shorten HS2 train lengths. Chris Gibb, a non‑executive director at the state‑owned Department for Transport Operator, was reported by the Times to have had his contract terminated for allegedly breaching media rules.
Gibb, who joined the DFTO board in 2020 after more than four decades in the rail industry, served on the body overseeing operators brought into public ownership. Seven of the UK's 14 train companies - including LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express and Southeastern — have been fully nationalised as the Labour government advances its pledge to reverse rail privatisation.
Keir Starmer faced renewed pressure on Saturday after opponents accused him of a "cover‑up" over the handling of Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting ahead of his appointment as US ambassador. The Telegraph reported that the prime minister had insisted Downing Street was unaware of the issue, but reports indicated that the Cabinet Secretary and other senior officials had known for weeks before the decision became public.
Starmer dismissed Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins for not raising the concerns, while continuing to back Antonia Romeo, the most senior civil servant involved. Allies of Robbins suggested Starmer was reluctant to remove another senior figure following the departures of Chris Wormald and Morgan McSweeney amid the fallout.
Hundreds of Britain First supporters and anti‑racism counter‑protesters gathered in Manchester on Saturday, with three arrests made after scuffles with police. The far‑right group, led by Paul Golding, staged a march to mark St George's Day, claiming to protest against what it described as the "extinction" of Britain.
According to the Intdependent, local leaders, including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and council leader Bev Craig, had urged unity ahead of the demonstration. Police said around 1,000 people attended in total, with counter‑protesters moved to a designated area after attempting to block tram tracks.