The UK has joined US forces in attacking a Houthi target in Yemen for the first time since Donald Trump was re-elected.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes took place on Tuesday as part of the government’s response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The ministry said careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture the sort of drones used to attack ships, located 15 miles south of the capital Sanaa.

RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on several buildings using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs.

The planes had air refuelling support from Voyager tankers.

The ministry said the strike was conducted after dark to reduce the likelihood of civilians being in the area.

All the aircraft returned safely.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security.

“Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base.

“We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping.”

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Houthis a ‘persistent threat’ to ‘freedom of navigation’

Mr Healey said Houthi activities in the Red Sea are a “persistent threat” to “freedom of navigation”.

“A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,” he said.

“The government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the service men and women involved in this operation.”

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US intensifies strikes on Houthis

It was the first time UK forces have struck a target in Yemen since May last year, the ministry confirmed.

The US has intensified its strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis under Mr Trump’s presidency, after his re-election in November 2024.

The group began launching attacks on shipping routes in November 2023 saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

The strike came after a Houthi-controlled TV channel claimed a US strike killed 68 people at a detention centre for African migrants in Yemen on Monday.

Six mayors are being elected in England, with most of the mayoralties last contested in 2021.

These include four combined authority mayors , otherwise known as metro mayors, as well as two city mayors.

Two of the mayors will take up new positions in the Hull and East Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire combined authorities. The other mayoralties were all last contested in 2021.

Metro mayors

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater Lincolnshire
• Hull and East Yorkshire
• West of England

City mayors

• Doncaster
• North Tyneside

Polls closed on Thursday night. Greater Lincolnshire, West of England, and Doncaster are counting results overnight while the other areas will report results on Friday.

The map below shows which mayoral candidates have won in their area by political party.

All of these mayoralties will be elected under a first-past-the-post electoral system, which is also used for Westminster parliamentary elections.

See below for more detailed breakdowns of results for each race.

Metro mayors

There are four metro mayors being elected in combined authorities. These mayors are elected by voters from several different areas and counting will take place at local council level. Tables will be updated as each local area reports its result.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

First established in 2017, the combined authority covers six areas. These are Peterborough, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire, and Cambridge local council areas.

Labour won the mayoralty from the Conservatives when it was last contested in 2021.

Greater Lincolnshire

This is a new mayoralty, being elected for the first time in 2025.

The combined authority covers nine areas. These are North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Boston, Lincoln, East Lindsey, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, and South Holland local council areas.

Hull and East Yorkshire

This is a new mayoralty, being elected for the first time in 2025.

The combined authority area covers both Hull City and East Riding of Yorkshire local council areas.

West of England

The combined authority covers three areas: Bristol City, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset local council areas. The authority was established in 2017.

Labour won the mayoralty from the Conservatives when it was last contested in 2021.

City mayors

There are two city mayors being elected, one for Doncaster and one for North Tyneside.

Labour’s Ros Jones has been the Mayor of Doncaster since 2013, and is running for re-election this year.

The mayor of North Tyneside has been held by Labour since 2013, though incumbent Nora Redfearn is not standing for re-election this year.

The New York Yankees moved designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton to the 60-day injured list and claimed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz off waivers from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Stanton, 35, has been sidelined all season by tendinitis in both elbows. The five-time All-Star took batting practice with teammates last week for the first time this season, but the team does not have a timetable for Stanton’s return to its lineup.

Stanton is in his eighth season with New York. Last season, he hit 27 homers and drove in 72 runs in 114 games. He was among the club’s top hitters in the postseason, finishing with 15 hits — including seven home runs — and 16 RBIs as the Yankees advanced to the World Series.

The Yankees optioned De La Cruz, 28, to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

De La Cruz batted .191 in 16 games this season for Atlanta. He is a career .251 hitter with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 491 games with the Miami Marlins (2021-24), Pittsburgh Pirates (2024) and Braves.

The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.