Hopes

• U.S. stock index futures rose on Sunday evening as investor optimism grew regarding a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran. • The market surge is driven by ongoing diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving tensions between the two nations. • This development matters as geopolitical stability between the U.S. and Iran typically reduces market volatility and influences global energy prices.

Woman, who says Anthony Odiong pressured her into sex acts, says church officials failed to act when told of abuseThe first woman to publicly accuse a Roman Catholic priest who was convicted by a Texas jury on Friday of repeated adult, criminal clergy sexual abuse has said she “can only hope he is kept from continuing to use faith as his net, his snare and a tool to manipulate current and future victims”.“I’m grateful to the jury for listening to the evidence and seeing the truth” about the convicted clergyman, Anthony Odiong, said the woman in a statement on Saturday, referred to in court proceedings by the pseudonym Hadassah Doe. Continue reading...

• Global stock markets rose on Friday as investors reacted positively to hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran. • Oil prices declined, trending toward a weekly loss, as traders anticipated a potential ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • The market shift reflects a pivot toward risk-on sentiment, further supported by weekly inflows into U.S. equity funds driven by a rally in tech stocks.

• Asian stock markets surged, led by South Korea’s KOSPI which jumped 3.2% to near record levels and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index which rose 1%. • The rally was primarily driven by strong gains in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-linked shares, alongside optimistic hopes for peace in Iran. • The surge reflects growing investor confidence in the AI sector and a shift toward risk-on sentiment across regional markets.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached all-time closing highs, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 jumping 2.5% to 66,329.50 and South Korea’s Kospi surging 3.6% to 8,476.15. • The rally was driven by optimism that the U.S. and Iran will extend their ceasefire, alongside lower-than-expected core inflation data in Tokyo for May. • Technology stocks fueled the gains, particularly in South Korea where Samsung Electronics rose 5.8% due to the global artificial intelligence boom.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached record highs following reports of potential deal hopes between the US and Iran. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.9% to 25,222.38 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbing 1.6% to 8,731.70. • In contrast, the Shanghai Composite index declined by 0.9% to 4,063.56, while Taiwan's Taiex saw a significant increase of 2.5%.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs as global shares generally advanced. • The rally is driven by investor optimism that the U.S. and Iran will agree to extend their current ceasefire by 60 days. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Taiwan's Taiex rising 2.5% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gaining 1.6%, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% to 4,068.57.

• Asian stock markets surged, with exchanges in Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei rising by more than 2% following hopes of a US-Iran ceasefire deal. • Crude oil prices declined, with the West Texas Intermediate benchmark falling below $88 a barrel. • The market optimism follows a positive trend on Wall Street, despite reports of lower first-quarter economic growth and April inflation reaching its highest level since 2023.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs as global shares generally advanced. • The surge is driven by investor optimism that the United States and Iran will agree to extend their current ceasefire, potentially winding down the conflict. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.7% to 25,182.39 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbing 1.6%, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7%.

Commodity poised for one of biggest monthly declines, while global stock markets rallyBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices fell on Friday as investors hoped for the end of the US-Israel war on Iran, leaving the commodity poised for one of the biggest monthly declines ever.The price of Brent crude futures, the global benchmark, fell by 1.3% to $91.54. Brent is heading towards one of its biggest monthly drops ever as it nears a fall of 17% since the start of May. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets saw significant gains, with the South Korean Kospi surging 3.6%, the Japanese Nikkei rising 2.65%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng increasing by 0.9%. • The market rally coincided with a dip in oil prices, driven by investor optimism regarding a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran. • This shift reflects a reduction in geopolitical tension, which typically lowers risk aversion and boosts investor confidence in global equities.

Former Scottish first minister says scandal cast ‘massive shadow’ over his time as leader, after former party chief executive pleaded guilty to stealing £400,000UK politics live – latest updatesHumza Yousaf, Scotland’s former first minister, has called for Peter Murrell to get a “hefty” jail sentence after he admitted stealing £400,000 from the Scottish National party.Yousaf had been serving as first minister for just eight days when Murrell was arrested in April 2023 at the home he then shared with Nicola Sturgeon, Yousaf’s ally and mentor, in a police fraud investigation. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached record closing highs on Tuesday, diverging from the performance of European markets. • West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices fell, while Brent oil prices spiked, reflecting market volatility. • This shift occurred as investors balanced optimism regarding a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal against the risk of a ceasefire collapse.

• European shares reached their highest levels in over two months on Monday, with the Pan-European Stoxx 600 trading near record highs last seen in late February. • The market surge was driven by reports that the United States and Iran are negotiating a deal to end their conflict and secure the Strait of Hormuz. • Oil prices dropped 6% as the prospect of a diplomatic resolution eased global concerns regarding inflation and a potential economic slowdown.

Kingfisher, owner of the DIY chain, is top FTSE 100 riser after it says it will stick to full-year profit outlookBusiness live – latest updatesA wet and cold Easter hit sales of barbecues and garden products at the home improvement chain B&Q, but it hopes to make up lost ground during the current heatwave.B&Q owner Kingfisher, which also owns Screwfix in the UK, as well as Castorama and Brico Dépôt across six European countries, said like-for-like sales (at outlets open at least a year) in the UK and Ireland dipped 0.9% between February and April, its first quarter. Within that, B&Q sales fell 4.1% while Screwfix revenue climbed 4.1%. Continue reading...

• Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged over 2.8% to surpass the 65,000 mark for the first time in history. • The record rally was driven by strong technology sector earnings and growing optimism surrounding U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. • This surge reflects a broader improvement in global risk sentiment, with positive gains also seen in China's Shanghai Composite and Australia's S&P/ASX 200.

• The Nikkei stock index closed above the 65,000 mark for the first time on Monday, reaching a historic milestone. • This surge was primarily driven by investor optimism that the United States and Iran are nearing an agreement to end their ongoing conflict. • The rally highlights how geopolitical stability in the Middle East can significantly boost investor confidence in Japanese equity markets.

• Asian stock markets rose following renewed hopes for peace negotiations involving Iran. • Japan's Nikkei index reached a historic milestone, surpassing the 65,000 mark for the first time. • Despite the gains, analysts warn that markets remain volatile due to persistent inflation, high energy prices, and uncertainty regarding global interest rates.

• The United States beat Hungary 7-3 at the ice hockey world championship in Switzerland, a result that kept its quarterfinal hopes alive. • The Americans scored seven times in a high-scoring group-stage game, while Hungary managed three goals in a match that mattered for the U.S. standings. • The win is important because it preserved the United States’ chances of advancing deeper in the tournament and avoiding an early exit.

Brent crude futures down 5.5% to lowest level in two weeks and stock markets riseOil prices have fallen below $100 a barrel and stock markets have risen on hopes that the US and Iran are inching closer to a peace deal.Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, were down 5.5% to just below $98 a barrel, the lowest levels in two weeks, with hopes that an agreement to end the US-Israeli war on Iran can be struck. Continue reading...

• Asian markets traded higher on Friday, led by Japan's Nikkei 225 which surged more than 2 per cent and Taiwan's market which climbed nearly 1.5 per cent. • The rally was driven by improved investor sentiment following hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in peace talks between the US and Iran. • Despite the gains, markets remain cautious due to rising oil prices and instability in the Strait of Hormuz, which continue to fuel inflation worries.

Tube stoppages due on two 24-hour periods from midday on Tuesday and Thursday next week but sources say RMT seeking talksHopes have been raised that next week’s strikes by London Underground drivers could yet be averted, after sources said the RMT union had put out feelers for talks.The RMT members, almost half of London’s Tube drivers, are due to strike for two 24-hour periods from midday on Tuesday and Thursday, closing some lines entirely and bringing widespread travel disruption to the capital until the weekend. Continue reading...

Planned legislation includes housing, immigration and energy measures, and comes amid awkwardness with the palace over Charles’s roleKeir Starmer will attempt to regain the political initiative on Wednesday as his government announces a package of 35 bills for the next parliamentary session, covering everything from housing to immigration.The embattled prime minister will release details of dozens of bills that he intends to pass over the next 12 months, even as his own MPs line up to demand his resignation.Additional reporting by Caroline Davies Continue reading...

Rhun ap Iowerth says he hopes his party’s programme for government will get backing from across the SeneddUK politics live – latest updatesThe leader of Plaid Cymru is hoping to become Welsh first minister as early as Tuesday after his party won a historic victory in the Senedd elections, soundly beating Labour and holding off Reform UK.Plaid fell short of winning a majority in the Welsh parliament but Rhun ap Iorwerth said on Sunday he hoped that other parties would work with him and told UK Labour not to punish Wales over the result. Continue reading...

• Indian equity indices surged sharply on May 6, 2026, with Sensex gaining 940.73 points (1.22%) to close at 77,958.52 and Nifty rising 298.15 points (1.24%) to 24,330.95, driven by optimism over potential US-Iran peace negotiations and declining crude oil prices. • Banking stocks led the rally following the Union Cabinet's approval of an emergency credit guarantee programme worth Rs 15,800 crore to support businesses facing liquidity stress, with Hero MotoCorp climbing 2.6% and Mahindra & Mahindra advancing 3.1% on strong quarterly earnings. • Broader market indices also gained traction, with Nifty smallcap100 and midcap100 rising 0.9% and 1.1% respectively, though FMCG stocks declined amid easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia that had previously pushed Brent crude to $115 per barrel.

Trump-endorsed candidate facing a long-shot challenge from car designer and YouTube provocateur Casey PutschHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is hoping to lock in his position as candidate in the race to become Ohio governor.Donald Trump has threatened that Iran will be “blown off the face of the earth” if it attacks US vessels trying to reopen a route through the strait of Hormuz. The US launched an operation to help hundreds of ships trapped with their crews in the Gulf, dragging the region back to the brink of full-scale war. While the US military claimed to have destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted both Iranian cruise missiles and drones, this was denied by Iran. More here.The Trump administration moved to block a lawsuit Minnesota officials filed almost six years ago alleging oil companies and a petroleum trade group deceived state residents about climate change. The justice department, the administration’s law enforcement arm, filed an action in federal court in Minneapolis arguing that the federal government has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, not states, and that Minnesota officials are trying to improperly impose their policy preferences on the rest of the country.The US supreme court went out of its way to help Louisiana Republicans redraw their congressional maps ahead of this year’s midterm elections. The procedural move comes less than a week after the court’s landmark decision striking down Louisiana’s congressional map and gutting section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.The Trump administration is continuing to pressure the United Nations and the international aid sector more broadly to adopt trade-focused policies to benefit US firms – or face the threat of further budget cuts. Donald Trump’s second term has already seen USAID suffer mass layoffs and have its remaining operations folded into the state department, with a ripple effect across the globe that has many experts warning will cost thousands of lives as vital programs are cut. More here.The Trump administration’s attack on the 87-year-old food aid program that supports tens of millions of low-income Americans escalated last week as the agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, claimed that 14,000 Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (Snap) recipients included owners of luxury vehicles such as Ferraris, Bentleys and Teslas. More here. Continue reading...

The treasurer also says May federal budget will play ‘helpful not harmful role in fight against inflation’Jim Chalmers has warned there will be little room for more cost of living support in his fifth and “most responsible” budget yet, as he ruled out an immediate extension of the 26-cent cut to the fuel excise and downplayed hopes for additional tax relief for workers.The treasurer also said Australian voters would forgive Labor for breaking a pre-election vow not to touch negative gearing rules for landlords, which is set to form part of a package that would also scale back the capital gains tax discount in the name of intergenerational fairness. Continue reading...

Nearly 60 countries back voluntary roadmaps to wean world off coal, oil and gasGovernments have been asked to develop national “roadmaps” setting out how they will end the production and use of fossil fuels, after a landmark climate meeting involving nearly 60 countries.The voluntary plans will form the bedrock of a new initiative to wean the world off coal, oil and gas, the focus of two days of intensive talks in Colombia this week. Continue reading...