Ditched government projects lost taxpayer £6.6bn last year, watchdog says 22. May 2026 (07:00) Spending committee finds MoD most wasteful and also points to cancelled schemes such as Rwanda and StonehengeCancelled government projects such as the Rwanda deportation scheme and the road tunnel under Stonehenge are wasting billions of pounds of taxpayer money a year, parliament’s spending watchdog has found.About £6.6bn was written off by government departments last year alone – state spending that did not achieve its intended objectives or create any value for the taxpayer, the public accounts committee said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taliban ‘legitimising child marriage’ with new edict, activists warn 22. May 2026 (07:00) Up to 70% of girls may be in early or forced marriages but law now makes divorce impossible if husbands disagreeChild marriage appears to have been legally recognised for the first time by the Taliban in Afghanistan, as activists say “shameful” new laws make it almost impossible for girls and young women to seek divorce against their husbands’ will.There are no official statistics on forced and underage marriages in Afghanistan, but activists say it has risen at an alarming rate in recent years, driven by the ban on girls being in education after the age of 11. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sea foam may look sinister but it is mostly harmless and natural 22. May 2026 (07:00) Phenomenon, often seen around Britain’s coast at this time of year, is caused by a combination of algae and weatherAt this time of year a sinister-looking substance can often be sighted around Britain’s coast: a frothy foam piled up along the shoreline or appearing in long ribbons offshore. People sometimes assume this foam is the result of pollution or sewage dumping. In fact it is a common natural phenomenon produced by a combination of algae and weather.Sea algae start to grow in April as conditions warm. The most common sort, phaeocystis, is not toxic and forms part of the marine food chain. When the algal bloom dies it leaves a brown scum of organic material with surfactant properties, which, like soap, lowers the surface tension of the water. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victims’ commissioner to step in after Southport parents say support ‘woeful’ 22. May 2026 (07:00) Some parents have not received proper psychological help nearly two years after the atrocity, solicitor saysGirls who survived Southport attack meet again: ‘It was like having big sisters’The parents of a girl critically injured in the Southport attack were allowed no more than 12 counselling sessions after the atrocity, while others described a “woeful” lack of support.The victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman, said she would raise the “deeply concerning” experiences of Southport families with ministers, after their accounts were shared with the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guzman y Gomez exits US after succumbing to ‘graveyard’ for Australian fast food chains 22. May 2026 (04:28) Company founder Steven Marks says US stores will close as it can no longer justify cost of trying to break into crowded marketFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGuzman y Gomez is closing its US business after failing to establish itself in a market already rich with Mexican food, confirming the American country’s reputation as a “graveyard” for Australian fast food companies.The Mexican-themed chain told shareholders on Friday that the performance of its US stores had not been acceptable, despite its well-publicised plans to “become the best and biggest restaurant company in the world”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump is supporting Spencer Pratt in the LA mayor’s race. It may be a poison pill 22. May 2026 (03:10) President says reality star a ‘big Maga person’ but backing may prove more hindrance than help in deep-blue bastionUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s endorsement is typically a boon for candidates seeking elected office – a show of support, or disapproval, from the president has proved significant in races across the US this year.But Trump’s recent comments on the Los Angeles mayor’s race, just weeks before the primary, are sure to benefit Democrats. The president spoke favorably of Spencer Pratt, a former Republican and reality TV star who is polling second in the contest to lead America’s second-largest city. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Last Australian women and children linked to IS leave Syrian camp before expected return home – report 22. May 2026 (02:56) Federal minister Tanya Plibersek says the group will face same repercussions on arrival in Australia as previous returneesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe last remaining Australian women and children left stranded in the al-Roj detention camp have reportedly left north-east Syria for Damascus, ahead of an expected return to Australia.Vision obtained by an ABC news crew in Syria showed a minivan leaving the camp, which it reported was transporting all the remaining seven women and 14 children from the camp, though this has not been officially confirmed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Plibersek condemns Israeli minister’s ‘disgraceful’ treatment of flotilla activists; Guzman y Gomez pulls out of US 22. May 2026 (02:40) Eleven Australians were among pro-Palestine activists detained by Israel from the Global Sumud flotilla. Follow today’s news liveGuzman y Gomez, the Mexican-themed fast food chain, is pulling out of the United States in a spectacular turnaround on its American market ambitions, AAP reports.The decision was made because the financial performance of the US business was not acceptable or meeting targets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
House Republicans cancel vote on war powers resolution to end US war in Iran 22. May 2026 (02:34) Cancellation, which avoids embarrassment for Trump, is latest signal of diminishing congressional support for warHouse Republicans canceled a scheduled Thursday vote on a war powers resolution aimed at ending the US war with Iran, a measure that likely would have advanced had the vote been held.The cancellation, which avoided political embarrassment for Donald Trump, is the latest signal that congressional support for the US president’s war is diminishing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor MPs expect eventual concessions for startups after backlash to CGT changes 22. May 2026 (02:00) Several MPs tell Guardian Australia they are keen to see tweaks, and some are engaging directly with treasurer’s officeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor MPs expect the government will agree to capital gains tax concessions for startup businesses after a meme-fuelled backlash to the budget, with some wary that scare campaigns could “get out of hand” without clearer explanation of the changes from Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers.Guardian Australia spoke to a number of Labor MPs nationwide. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several MPs said they were keen to see change on CGT, with some engaging directly with Chalmers’ office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
