Downing St has scrapped plans to delay about 30 council elections after a Reform UK legal challenge and advice that a postponement risked being unlawful. The votes will go ahead in May, posing political risk for Labour. Nigel Farage called for Steve Reed to resign over the reversal.

European intelligence reports a hostile state is recruiting ex-members of a disbanded paramilitary network to carry out sabotage across the continent, using vulnerable recruits for cash. UK and allied services are foiling plots and bolstering protections for critical infrastructure.

DP World’s chief quit after disclosures of ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The long‑serving executive, seen as key to the ports group’s growth, resigned as scrutiny of newly released communications mounted. Several external advisers also stepped down, including a Goldman lawyer.

Schroders has agreed to be bought by US asset manager Nuveen for £9.9bn. The sale follows a difficult decade and pressure to gain scale as fees fall and passive investing grows. Shares jumped about 29% on the news, though some investors question the low premium and implications for UK capital markets.