The collision tragically claimed the life of 16-year-old Callum Hutchinson

A young boy of 10 has been hailed as a living miracle by his family following his ongoing from a horror car crash last month.

Christopher Faulkner was left in a critical condition after the two-vehicle crash near Nutts Corner in Antrim on Sunday, April. 26

The collision tragically claimed the life of 16-year-old Callum Hutchinson, from Borrisokane, Tipperary, who was a passenger in the same vehicle as Christopher. Two further individuals sustained injuries in the incident.

The driver of the second car, a 29-year-old man, has since been charged with a number of offences including causing death due to dangerous driving, reports the Irish Mirror.

The devastating news came as the Faulkner family, from Longpavement in Limerick, were already mourning the loss of siblings Scarlett and Jason.

Scarlett, 28, passed away at Cork University Hospital three weeks after she was attacked at the roadside in Birdhill on 21 March, while her 34-year-old brother Jason died just two days later on April 19.

A social media update regarding Christopher’s condition stated: “Update for everyone. We just got the best news of our lives.

“Thank you God, Jesus and our lovely Lady. His scans are back. Christopher’s brain is healing.

“Doctors just confirmed he doesn’t need surgery on his neck. Thank you Jesus.

“They are going to take out his breathing tubes sometime today. He is on the road to recovery.

“Christopher is a living miracle. We will forever thank God, Jesus and our lovely Lady for our miracle. My sister and brother-in-law asked me to thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts.

“We will never forget the prayers, love and support shown to our boy. We will be forever grateful to everyone. God is on your side, our miracle boy.”

Earlier on Monday, an update confirmed that Christopher had been transferred to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, home to the “best neurosurgeons in Ireland.

“Christopher will be having lots of brain scans, neck and spinal scans,” it read.

“My sister Julie and William asked me to please everyone pray so hard that the doctors will be happy with these scans.”

A 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named due to her age, has been charged in connection with the fatal assault on Scarlett Faulkner on March 21 in Birdhill, Co Tipperary.

A 40-year-old woman, who is also subject to a court-imposed anonymity order, has been charged in connection with the assault and both have been remanded in custody.

The teenager faces a charge of assault causing serious harm to Ms Faulkner, while the woman faces four charges, including violent disorder, reckless endangerment and two counts of burglary.

Both are due before Nenagh District Court again on May 15.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

“You will be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.”

Volunteers in the Belfast area are urgently needed to foster guide dogs in training. It comes as Guide Dogs Northern Ireland is celebrating a major milestone, with then guide dogs currently in training at their Belfast site – the highest number the charity has had in four years.

The increase marks an important step forward in helping people with sight loss across Northern Ireland gain greater independence and confidence through life-changing guide dog partnerships.

The dogs, who are at various stages of their training journey, are learning essential skills including navigating busy streets, avoiding obstacles, and supporting their future owners in everyday life.

READ MORE: ‘I had a cardiac arrest while asleep in bed but lived to tell the tale thanks to our hero dog’READ MORE: New dog park in Belfast opens using upcycled playground equipment

Sam Murphy, Guide Dog Partnership Operations Manager, said: “This month sees a rare crossover between dogs at different stages of their life-changing journey. Some have just joined us from their volunteer puppy raiser’s homes, advancing into early training. Others are close to the final stage, ready to be matched with someone living with a vision impairment in Northern Ireland.

“We are here to provide the best support for people with sight loss, so we’re passionate about developing the skills and knowledge of our staff. We recently welcomed two new members of staff to the teams as part of the Guide Dogs Academy. This involves training and developing new technical staff, the people who train our dogs, our clients, and then the partnership together.”

This latest investment in staff has contributed to the growing number of dogs being trained, but with that success comes an urgent need for more local volunteers to help support the essential training the organisation provides.

Sam added: “We are so grateful to our volunteer fosterers who open their homes and hearts to our dogs whilst they complete their training.

“We are currently seeking more households in the Greater Belfast area. Dogs will need to be dropped off at our training site Monday to Friday, just like the school run. On evenings and weekends, the dog will then enjoy time out from training sessions with you.

“Guide Dogs covers the cost of all the food, veterinary care and equipment required for each dog and provides full training and support. The best part of this role is you get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.”

A guide dog begins its formal training at around 14 months old, and, in usual circumstances, most dogs qualify as working guide dogs by the age of two.

The charity, which recently celebrated 40 years since it opened a site in Northern Ireland, is funded almost entirely by charitable donations. It now costs £77,000 to breed, raise and train every guide dog and £25,000 to support each partnership throughout their working lives together.

Sam added: “We’re aware that not everyone who would love to assist in this amazing journey can, due to the specific geographical needs, but we rely almost entirely on public donations and the kindness of volunteers to continue our vital work. I would encourage anyone from across Northern Ireland to get involved with their local Guide Dogs fundraising group.”

If you think you could provide a loving, temporary home for a trainee guide dog, or wish to help raise much-needed funds for the charity visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The rebranding of the US war effort could see the US President skirt his way around a law that requires US Congress to approve further combat operations if they were to resume

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The US is considering renaming its war with Iran should its tenuous ceasefire collapse, it has been revealed. The renaming could also allow US president Donald Trump to argue that the 60-day clock that requires US congress’ authorisation for war does not need to be restarted. America’s 1973 War Powers Resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of starting combat. If not, US troops must either be withdrawn within a 60-day period, or Congress must give the green light for continued military action. Operation Epic Fury’s offensive against Iran was put on pause after 40 days. Considering that pause, the Trump administration has argued that conflict has therefore not reached the 60-day threshold for Congress approval.

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A number of US officials have told NBC that discussions about possibly changing the name from Operation Epic Fury to “Operation Sledgehammer”, indicate just how seriously America is considering restarting its offensive. The US-Iran war came to and ‘end’ in early April when the ceasefire began, according to the Trump administration, along with an end to Operation Epic Fury. The Trump administration also told US Congress the same thing. However, the Pentagon has continued to describe its conflict with Iran as ‘Operation Epic Fury’. It has also continued to provide updates to the public on its efforts in the Middle East, with one Pentagon official telling the NBC that Operation Epic Fury has, in fact, continued. The ceasefire merely just pressed pause on major combat operations, the Pentagon official said. A White House official also told NBC that any new offensive against Iran would be conducted under a new name and operation. This would restart the clock with Congress, the person familiar with discussions in the White House added. Additionally, Operation Sledgehammer is not the only name under consideration, they added.

The potential name change comes a week on from comments made last week by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told the press last week Operation Epic Fury was “over”. “The President notified Congress, we’re done with that stage of it,” he said in a briefing at the White House “Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation.” The U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire in recent days as Iran has halted ship passage in the Strait of Hormuz and Trump continues a blockade. Trump is still considering various options for reopening the strait and breaking the stalemate as he expresses deep scepticism that diplomatic talks with Iran will succeed, one of the U.S. officials said, adding that the president has not ordered the U.S. military to restart major combat operations. “The blockade is giving decision space without major combat operations or putting a lot of folks at risk,” the official said. “The status quo will not persist.” On Sunday, Iran presented the US with its latest proposal to end the war through a mediator. Trump quickly denounced the plan on social media, declaring it “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!”

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Trump said on Monday his qualm with the peace offering is that he insists that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, which immediately weakens Iran’s ceasefire offer. The US President added on Monday: “I would call it the weakest right now, after reading the piece of garbage they sent us, I didn’t even finish reading it, they said — I’m not going to waste my time reading it. I would say it’s one of the weakest right now.” He then described the ceasefire as being on its last legs. Trump said: “I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1 per cent chance of living.” A spokesperson for the Pentagon directed inquires to the White House. The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment. The Mirror has also approached both, to no reply.

The BBC Radio 2 DJ is providing live commentary for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for the upcoming semi-finals tonight and May 14.

English singer and electronic musician, whose real name is Sam Battle, will represent the UK with his synth and anthemic song Eins, Zwei, Drei on the song contest’s 70th anniversary.

Speaking ahead of his performance during the second semi-final on Thursday May 14, Sara said: “I can’t wait to see Look Mum No Computer up on the stage performing Eins, Zwei, Drei.

“It’s such a lively song. I hope there’s complete chaos on the stage, but more than anything I hope he just really enjoys his moment and gives it some proper welly.”

(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

Look Mum No Computer launched his career on YouTube in 2013 and has become known for his videos about making and playing unusual electronic music equipment, including making an organ out of Furby toys and fusing a synthesiser with a Raleigh Chopper bicycle.

Ahead of the semi-finals, Cox shared some advice for the artists who will take to the stage at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle after Austrian entry JJ won in 2025 with his song Wasted Love, on Saturday May 16.

She said: “I think what’s important for all the artists taking to the stage to remember is that it is fun. It is not brain surgery; it is a fun, joyous celebration of music and togetherness.

“I really hope they can just try and enjoy it and just go for it.”

A total of 35 countries will compete during the live semi-finals with the top 10 countries from each competition going through to the Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday May 16.

As one of the pre-qualified “big four” countries – along with Germany, France and Italy – the UK has a guaranteed place in the grand final, as does Austria as the reigning Eurovision champions and host.

Sara also praised Eurovision for being the most “beautiful, inclusive and fun show” ever.

She added: “I think the Eurovision Song Contest is the must watch or listen event of the year.

“However, this year is the 70th birthday so I think it’s going to be super special and the thing that I love about it the most is that you never know what you’re going to get.

“Expect the unexpected, and I think it’s just the most beautiful, inclusive and fun show… ever!”

It comes amid a string of artists, including Paloma Faith, Massive Attack, Paul Weller and Kneecap, called for the boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 over the inclusion of Israel.

The letter was co-ordinated by campaign group No Music For Genocide (NMFG), and signed by over 1,100 musicians and cultural workers, including David Holmes, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Macklemore.

It calls for countries to follow in the footsteps of the national broadcasters of Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Spain by withdrawing their participation from the popular music competition.

Sara was recently announced the new presenter for BBC Radio 2’s breakfast programme, replacing Scott Mills.

She will take over the show in the summer after Mills was sacked by the BBC last month, shortly before it emerged the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.

The contest’s semi-finals will take place on May 12 and 14, with the Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday May 16 and will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer, as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Sara Cox and Rylan bring you the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final on Saturday, May 16.

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has officially returned for its 70th year — and while the first semi-final saw countries battling for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final, it was Israel’s qualification that once again sparked the most controversy.

Hosted in Vienna after Austrian winner JJ triumphed last year, the first semi-final saw 15 countries take to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle on Tuesday night, all hoping to secure one of just 10 available spots in the final.

But as Israeli contestant Noam Bettan performed his entry Michelle, viewers claimed they could hear boos and pro-Palestine chants breaking through the arena noise during the broadcast.

Later in the evening, news spread on social media that a pro-Palestine protester had allegedly been removed from the arena during the performance.

Israel nevertheless advanced to the Grand Final alongside Sweden, Finland, Greece, Belgium, Moldova, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland.

Viewers online quickly became divided over Bettan’s performance and the atmosphere inside the arena.

‘Israel are being chanted off by someone who can be heard very clearly by the mic’s this year,’ one viewer wrote on X during the performance.

Another claimed: ‘I heard booing, I heard people shouting “Palestine”.’

But support for the act was equally vocal online.

‘Go Israel, you smashed the stage,’ one fan posted, while another argued that Israel and Poland had ‘the best voices in this semifinal, no doubt’.

The tense response comes after months of renewed controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Last week, Israeli broadcaster KAN received a formal warning from Eurovision organisers after Bettan appeared in promotional videos encouraging viewers to use all 10 of their votes on Israel — something which breached updated contest rules designed to prevent broadcasters and artists from influencing voting campaigns.

The European Broadcasting Union confirmed it had intervened within minutes of becoming aware of the videos, ordering their removal.

The contest’s executive director Martin Green said Eurovision must remain ‘a celebration of music and unity’ and warned that attempts to manipulate the voting system could result in sanctions.

But for many viewers, the controversy surrounding Israel’s involvement has already become impossible to separate from the competition itself.

Metro journalist Pierra Willix, who is in Vienna covering the contest, noted that despite the city being on ‘high alert’ over fears that the event presents a prime target for terrorists, the atmosphere outside the stadium on Tuesday evening was relatively calm.

‘After being in Basel last year where there were protests outside the stadium that saw police separating pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protestors, I was expecting the tension would be heightened this year, especially after five countries boycotted over Israel’s ongoing inclusion,’ she said.

‘While there was airport-style security screenings for fans and media entering the stadium, the process was quick and efficient.

‘I was also expecting to see protests outside the stadium. I didn’t see a single person opposing the contest, but did see a resident living opposite the stadium had hung a Palestinian flag on their balcony.’

Last year’s final in Basel, Switzerland, saw major pro-Palestine protests erupt both outside and inside the arena, while two demonstrators reportedly attempted to rush the stage during Israel’s performance before being stopped by security.

Elsewhere in tonight’s semifinal, the biggest upset came courtesy of Alicja for Poland, who managed to outperform expectations and snatch a qualifying spot despite many predictions placing her among the likely exits.

Her dramatic staging and powerhouse vocals appeared to give her the edge over SENHIT, whose elimination means Boy George’s Eurovision adventure has also come to an abrupt end.

Other results were as expected, with Finland and Greece among the strongest favourites on the ground in Vienna for days, while Sweden and Israel were also widely expected to sail through to Saturday’s Grand Final.

Meanwhile, several of the countries eliminated tonight had spent weeks languishing near the bottom of the betting tables.

Portugal, Montenegro, Georgia and Estonia had all struggled to gain momentum with fans and bookmakers alike ahead of the live show.

As for UK viewers, there’s still plenty to come.

While the UK automatically qualifies for the Grand Final as part of Eurovision’s so-called ‘Big Five’, British audiences will still be keeping an eye on Antigoni representing Cyprus, alongside eccentric inventor-musician Look Mum No Computer, who performs for the UK during Thursday’s second semi-final.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plan to put weapons in space — pitched as a “Golden Dome for America” missile defense program — is estimated to cost $1.2 trillion over a 20-year period, according to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, a far heftier sum than the initial $175 billion price tag he gave last year.

The nonpartisan CBO report, published Tuesday, is described as an analysis that reflects “one illustrative approach rather than an estimate of a specific Administration proposal.”

The futuristic system was ordered by Trump in an executive order during his first week in office. He said then that he expected the system to be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which wraps up in January 2029.

“Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex with the development by peer and near-peer adversaries of next-generation delivery systems,” Trump said in his executive order, justifying the need for the missile defense system.

The CBO’s estimates are in part based on a lack of details from the Defense Department about what and how many systems will be deployed, “making it impossible to estimate the long term cost” of the Golden Dome system, the report says.

The concept for the missile system is at least partly inspired by Israel’s multitiered defenses, often collectively referred to as the “Iron Dome,” which played a key role in defending it from rocket and missile fire from Iran and allied militant groups as it prosecutes the war on Iran alongside the U.S.

The U.S. Golden Dome is envisioned to include ground- and space-based capabilities able to detect, intercept and stop missiles at all major stages of a potential attack.

Congress has already approved roughly $24 billion for the missile defense initiative through Republicans’ massive tax and spending measure signed into law last summer.

Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, director of the Golden Dome project, testified last month about its costs. He told lawmakers that various groups estimating costs “just take the cost of a legacy system and they multiply it out and they get these really large numbers and they say, well, that must be it.

“That is not what Golden Dome is doing,” the U.S. Space Force general said. “We are laser focused on affordability.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., who requested the estimate from the CBO, said in response to the report that the missile defense project is “nothing more than a massive giveaway to defense contractors paid for entirely by working Americans.”

Last May, the president said the Golden Dome would cost $175 billion. The CBO last year estimated that just the space-based components of the Golden Dome could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years.

Margaret Blair lives at Erskine Veterans Charity’s McKellar House care home in Bishopton, and celebrated her birthday on Tuesday with friends and family.

A Scot who has celebrated her 105th birthday said the secret to a long life is “a good cup of tea with friends”. Margaret Blair, who lives at Erskine Veterans Charity’s McKellar House care home in Bishopton, enjoyed her birthday with friends and family on Tuesday.

Born on May 12, 1921, Mrs Blair grew up in her grandmother’s house in Dumbarton with her four younger siblings. She was a pupil at College Street Primary School and later Dumbarton Academy, before finding work in embroidery at the United Turkey Red Words in Dalquhurn, Renton.

She was an overseer at the Blackburn Aircraft Factory in Dumbarton during the Second World War, where Sunderland Flying Boats were created for UK forces. She enlisted in the Women’s Land Army in 1941 and was stationed at her uncle’s farm in Southmains, Milngavie, where she met her husband, Christie Blair, the son of a local gamekeeper.

Mr Blair, who served in the RAF from 1940 to 1947, served in India for a time before he returned home. The pair married in 1948 and moved into a home in Bearsden. They were happily married until Mr Blair died in 2017 while a resident at Haig House, an Erskine care home.

They have a daughter, Senga, who was born in 1957, and Mrs Blair is a grandmother to two and a great-grandmother to three. On Tuesday, she received a second royal birthday card, with a message from the King and Queen, after getting another on her 100th.

The centenarian has never been a drinker or a smoker, and says the simple things in life like home-cooked meals and good company are key to happiness and a long life. She said: “I’ve had a great life and so many happy memories over the years. I feel very fortunate to be celebrating my 105th birthday and to have reached this milestone surrounded by family, friends and everyone here at McKellar House.

“It has been lovely to spend time together and celebrate with so many familiar faces. The secret to a long life is a good cup of tea with friends, and we’ve had a few of them today.”

Ian Cumming, chief executive of Erskine Veterans Charity, said: “It is a pleasure for everyone at Erskine to celebrate Margaret’s 105th birthday.

“Reaching such a remarkable milestone is a significant occasion and a chance to recognise a life filled with memories and experiences. We are delighted to help make the day special for Margaret and to celebrate alongside her family, friends, residents and staff.”

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Katie Lewis, 29, died suddenly at home after being discharged from hospital following spinal surgery, with her death now being investigated by a coroner

A devastated father has honoured his “incredible” partner following her sudden death just 24 hours after being discharged from hospital. Cameron Lewis, 28, shared with the ECHO the tragic loss of Katie, mother to their one year old son Dylan, who passed away on April 25.

Katie, 29, had been hospitalised for a month while recuperating from an operation on her spine. Cameron revealed the family had voiced worries about what they suspected might have been blood clots in her arm post-surgery.

He said: “We asked a lot of different doctors about this but we never got anything confirmed. We obviously never thought it would be as bad as it was.”

Katie was discharged on April 24, but Cameron explained she deteriorated rapidly.

He said: “She had only come home the day before and mentioned that when she stood up she became really short of breath.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“She stood up to get ready for bed, looked really faint and was struggling to breathe, so I ushered her sit down. She fell and, presumably, had a fit where she lost consciousness.

“I called an ambulance after trying to get her into a safe position. When paramedics arrived she had a second fit, which killed her.

“She was scared and confused in her last moments. I tried to comfort her and calm her so they could help her, but it didn’t help.”

The coroner is now examining the circumstances surrounding Katie’s death.

Cameron explained the pair first crossed paths while at Wrexham University, where he pursued music while Katie focused on ceramics and art. In a heartfelt tribute, he remarked: “Katie was the finest person I’ve ever met. She had such a big heart. She was wary of people, but if you were lucky enough to earn her trust, she had so much love to give.

“She was so caring. No matter how small your problems were, she would take them seriously if they mattered to you.

“She was really smart and so creative.”

The pair relocated to Merseyside half a dozen years back, initially settling in Huyton before moving to Stockbridge Village this past November following Dylan’s arrival.

Cameron revealed they were captivated by Liverpool due to its vibrant music and cultural landscape.

He explained: “We’d visited a lot of different cities, but Liverpool was the closest big city to us. I’ve always loved music and The Beatles, and Katie really loved the arts.

“We loved the city and thought it would be the perfect place to settle down.”

In the aftermath of Katie’s passing, Cameron has journeyed back to Gloucester with young Dylan.

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He shared: “We could have stayed in Liverpool, but because Katie died at home it would have been very difficult to remain there.

“At the same time, leaving means leaving behind so many memories. Me and Katie didn’t really have a large support network around us, and I want Dylan to grow up with that support around him.”

Reflecting on Katie’s role as a mother, Cameron painted a picture of the profound connection she forged with their little boy.

He said: “She loved Dylan so much. She would have done anything for him. She was so calm with him; being a mum came naturally to her.

“She always wanted to do whatever made him happy. Her whole focus in life was making him smile.”

A fundraising appeal has been set up to assist with Katie’s funeral expenses, with any surplus funds earmarked for Dylan’s future care.

Reflecting on the outpouring of generosity, Cameron said: “I just want to thank anyone who chooses to donate. It’s easy to see stories like this and think of them as something far away, without realising there are real people going through it.

“So when someone takes the time to empathise and support us, I think that’s an incredibly generous thing to do.”

Those wishing to contribute to Cameron’s fundraising appeal can do so here.

Scientists might have find a new way of detecting life on other planets.

For years, scientists have been combing the Earth looking for particular molecules on other worlds that might be signs of life. But new research suggests that there might be another, more revealing way of finding them: not by looking for the molecules, but what scientists believe is a hidden order that connects them together.

The research could prove useful by allowing scientists to search through other planets using a statistical approach, rather than relying on any particular special instrument. In fact, it might be possible to find the pattern in data from instruments that have already been sent into space.

In the study, researchers borrowed an idea from ecology that measures biodiversity by how many species are present, or richness, as well as how uniformly those species are distributed, or evenness. They then applied that to extraterrestrial chemistry, looking at amino acids and fatty acids that were taken from locations including asteroids and fossils.

They found that biological samples were notably different from nonliving chemistry, with the former showing clear organisational patterns. That let them consistently and reliably separate the two different kinds of samples, as well as seeing the ways that life was preserved.

Even very degraded samples – such as fossilised dinosaur eggshells – showed those detectable statistical signatures of alien life.

The researchers noted that no one method, including the new one, is likely to prove the existence of alien life on its own. But they hope that it could become an important way of contributing to that search for alien life.

“Our approach is one more way to assess whether life may have been there,” said Fabian Klenner, who co-authored the new study. “And if different techniques all point in the same direction, then that becomes very powerful.”

The work is described in a paper, ‘Molecular diversity as a biosignature’, published in Nature Astronomy.

President Donald Trump’s push to redraw the nation’s U.S. House districts received mixed results Tuesday as South Carolina senators defied his desires, but Missouri’s top court upheld a new map that could help Republicans win an additional seat in the November midterm elections.

Rather than waning, a national redistricting battle that began 10 months ago has intensified — inflamed by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the federal Voting Rights Act and provided grounds for states to try to eliminate voting districts with large minority populations.

Republican lawmakers in Louisiana are wrestling with how politically aggressive to be when redrawing House districts after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a majority-Black district as an illegal racial gerrymander.

The ripples of the Louisiana ruling already have led to new U.S. House districts in Tennessee and have extended to Alabama, where Republican Gov. Kay Ivey announced an Aug. 11 special primary for four of the state’s seven congressional districts. That came after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday overturned an order mandating use of a map with two largely Black districts. The state plans to switch to a map passed in 2023 that has only one majority-Black district.

Republicans think they could gain as many as 14 seats from new House maps enacted so far in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida and Tennessee. Democrats, meanwhile, think they could gain six seats from new maps in California and Utah. The Virginia Supreme Court last week struck down a redistricting effort that could have yielded four more winnable seats for Democrats.

Missouri map splits Kansas City district

Missouri was the second Republican state, after Texas, to redraw its congressional districts at Trump’s urging last year. Since then, numerous other states have joined the redistricting battle.

During arguments earlier Tuesday, attorneys for voters challenging Missouri’s new map focused on changes to a Kansas City-based district long represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who previously was the city’s first Black mayor.

The new map takes a compact urban district that covered 20 miles (32 kilometers) and two counties and stretches it 200 miles (322 kilometers) over 15 counties, distorting it “into a sprawling behemoth that cuts clear across the state to unite territories that share nothing in common,” said Abha Khanna, an attorney who has represented Democrats in voting and redistricting cases across the country.

A lower court ruled in March that the map as a whole satisfied the compactness requirement, even though the Kansas City district is less compact. No Missouri court has ever struck down a congressional map for not being compact, said attorney John Gore, who defended the districts on behalf of the Republican Party.

A second case heard by the high court centered on whether the new map took effect in December, as asserted by Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, or whether it should have been suspended when referendum signatures were submitted.

To suspend the map before validating the signatures would let activists temporarily undercut laws by submitting boxes of fraudulent signatures, Missouri Solicitor General Lou Capozzi argued.

But to not immediately suspend the map “would dilute the referendum right, if not destroy it altogether,” said attorney Jonathan Hawley, arguing for voters who sued.

Republican officials contend the new districts can be suspended only after Hoskins determines the petition meets constitutional requirements and has enough valid signatures. Hoskins has until Aug. 4, the day of Missouri’s primary elections, to make that determination. The Supreme Court upheld the decision of a state judge in March who agreed with Republicans’ position.

Louisiana hearing leads to death threats

Louisiana state Sen. Jay Morris, a Republican who drafted redistricting bills that would eliminate one or both of the state’s majority Black districts, told lawmakers Monday that he received death threats after Friday’s contentious hearing in which he told members of the public to “shut up.”

Morris acknowledged the outburst but denied the Louisiana Democratic Party’s assertion — blasted across social media and in a press release — that he also used the derogatory term “boy” toward its executive director, Dadrius Lanus, who is Black.

State Sen. Gary Carter, one of three Black Democrats serving alongside six white Republicans on the Senate committee overseeing redistricting, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he had withdrawn from the committee “to help restore the decorum and focus that this moment demands” after shouting at Republicans during last Friday’s hearing. Carter publicly apologized on Monday to Morris and his Senate colleagues for having “lost my temper” and for any remarks that were taken as “personal attacks.”

Carter is the nephew of U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, a Democrat who represents New Orleans and is at risk of losing his seat in the redistricting process. Gary Carter is being replaced on the committee with state Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat representing New Orleans.

South Carolina weighs political risks of redistricting

The Republican push for South Carolina to join the national redistricting battle by redrawing its U.S. House map fizzled Tuesday as an initial vote in the state Senate fell short.

President Donald Trump had urged South Carolina to redraw its congressional districts ahead of the November elections in an attempt to help Republicans win another seat in the closely divided chamber. The state House had voted in favor of letting lawmakers return after the regular session ends this week to consider redistricting, and had proposed a new map that could eliminate the state’s only Democratic-held seat.

But the Senate had to give permission to take up redistricting, too.

The 29-17 vote failed, with just two votes short of the two-thirds needed. Five Republicans joined all the Democrats in the chamber to reject the proposal.

Trump said on social media Monday that he was closely watching the redistricting vote, urging South Carolina senators to “be bold and courageous” and to delay the House primaries so new districts can be drawn.

Although Republicans have a supermajority in the chamber, some GOP senators weren’t sure the proposed map would guarantee the party could unseat longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn. They also said it could push enough Democrats into other districts to backfire, resulting in a 5-2 or even a 4-3 Republican split.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey acknowledged the pressure from Trump, but said he doesn’t like being asked to bend to someone’s will instead of doing what’s best for his state.

“I got too much Southern in my blood,” Massey said. “I’ve got too much resistance in my heritage.”

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Brook reported from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Chandler from Montgomery, Alabama, Collins from Columbia, South Carolina, and Lieb from Jefferson City, Missouri.