Right-wing populist party makes big gains in UK elections

The UK political landscape faces a seismic shift as local election results show significant losses for the Labour and Conservative parties, alongside a surge for the populist Reform UK. Meanwhile, South Africa’s constitutional court has revived potential impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the "Farmgate" theft scandal. In the digital sphere, Meta has abandoned its commitment to end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages, drawing criticism from privacy advocates concerned about user safety. Global health officials are managing a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, while Indonesia grapples with a tragic volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono that claimed three lives. Additionally, Australia is navigating the legal complexities surrounding the return of citizens linked to the Islamic State, and China celebrates the homecoming of world snooker champion Wu Yize, whose rise from humble beginnings has captivated the nation.