Three Toronto police officers arrested over sexual assault in Barcelona 19. May 2026 (19:13) Two off-duty officers allegedly assaulted a sex worker in a taxi in Ciutat Vella, according to police in CataloniaSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe Toronto police force, which is already under intense public scrutiny, is facing fresh questions after it emerged that three off-duty officers on vacation in Barcelona were arrested in connection with a sexual assault last week.According to police in Barcelona, the alleged assault occurred in the early hours of 13 May, when the trio of police officers were travelling in a taxi with a sex worker in the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood of the Catalan capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman shot dead by police in Jamaica at protest over previous police shooting 19. May 2026 (18:41) Investigation launched as video circulates online showing officer firing at vehicle and colleagues dragging away bodyAuthorities in Jamaica have launched an investigation after CCTV footage of a woman’s fatal shooting by police sent shock waves across the Caribbean nation.Footage circulating on social media shows a police officer firing at a vehicle during a protest on Sunday in Granville, in Jamaica’s north-western parish of St James. The bullet hit Latoya Bulgin, 45, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian jamming blamed after Nato jet downs Ukrainian drone over Estonia 19. May 2026 (17:57) Officials from Baltic states say Moscow behind latest such incident but also tell Kyiv to be more careful with its routingA Romanian F-16 Nato jet shot down a drone over Estonia on Tuesday in what appears to be the latest case of Russian electronic jamming diverting long-range Ukrainian drones into the alliance’s territory.A local resident told the Estonian public broadcaster, ERR, that he had seen two fighter jets – part of a Nato force policing the skies over the Baltic states – flying in the area before a loud bang that brought the drone down. He said the drone had crashed about 30 metres from the nearest residential building. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Defense department watchdog opens inquiry into US airstrikes on alleged drug boats 19. May 2026 (17:53) Officials will determine if standard process was followed before lethal strikes in Caribbean and eastern PacificSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Pentagon’s internal watchdog has opened an investigation into whether US military commanders followed proper procedures when conducting boat strikes in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.The office of inspector general at the Department of Defense is examining whether military commanders stuck to the standard six-step process the US military is required to follow before approving and carrying out lethal strikes, according to an 11 May memo initiating the review. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit hot on heels of Trump 19. May 2026 (17:27) Russian leader says relations between two countries have reached ‘unprecedented level’ on eve of 25th visit to ChinaVladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a state visit, just four days after Donald Trump left China.Putin’s visit to China – his 25th, according to Chinese state media – reflects Beijing’s growing confidence on the world stage as a centre of global diplomatic activity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Foolish’ CSIRO job cuts will mean Australia unable to provide climate projections to global reports, scientists warn 19. May 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Science agency is planning to sack a third of the team working on the national climate model, sources sayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJob cuts at the national science agency mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports and will have significantly reduced ability to forecast future damage to the country, leading researchers have warned.Multiple sources told Guardian Australia that CSIRO planned to sack a third of the team working on the national climate model that provides projections relied on by governments, councils, industry and farmers as they plan for the future. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians with Down’s syndrome among those to suffer most from proposed NDIS cuts government analysis says 19. May 2026 (17:00) ‘It’s heartless to cut supports we need to leave the house, work and study at a time when the cost of living has dramatically increased’, advocate saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProposed funding cuts to NDIS would disadvantage Australians with visual impairment, psychosocial disability and Down’s syndrome the most, according to government analysis, with the government hoping to slash those budgets by 50% by the end of 2027.It also forecasts the cost of the NDIS will more than double in 10 years to $117bn, representing 2.4% of GDP, unless significant changes are made to the $50bn program. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scrapping 86,000 new car parking spaces could save $5.2bn and drive down rents, Grattan report finds 19. May 2026 (17:00) About 40% of parking spaces under apartments in Australia sit empty, yet strict planning rules mean more unwanted spots continue to be builtGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia risks squandering $5.2bn by building 86,000 unwanted car parking spaces in the next five years, according to research by the Grattan Institute.The report recommends urgent reform to planning rules, including scrapping a requirement for a minimum number of car parking spaces per bedroom for new builds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Strike near UAE reactor revives concerns over nuclear plant safety in wartime 19. May 2026 (16:49) Attack marks first time military action has forced a fully operating nuclear power plant to rely on backup generators• Middle East crisis – live updatesA drone strike that cut off external power to a nuclear reactor in the United Arab Emirates this week has revived concerns over the safety of nuclear plants during wartime.Reactor no 3 at the Barakah nuclear plant lost off-site power, which is critical for its own functioning, for about 24 hours after the attack on Sunday, forcing it to rely on emergency diesel generators. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senior minister defends decision to withhold some Mandelson files 19. May 2026 (16:40) Darren Jones says there are good reasons not to disclose certain details and next batch will be released next monthUK politics live – latest updatesA senior minister has defended the government’s decision to withhold information relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Washington ambassador from a powerful parliamentary committee.Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, told the Commons on Tuesday there were good reasons not to disclose certain information, adding that the next tranche of documents would not be published until next month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
