Halifax could disappear from UK high streets as Lloyds assesses branding strategy 18. May 2026 (19:44) Bank founded 174 years ago could be phased out from as early as 1 July as part of group’s reviewBosses at Lloyds Banking Group are considering axing the Halifax as a standalone brand, as part of a sweeping review that could result in the historic 174-year-old lender disappearing from Britain’s high streets.Lloyds has been assessing the future of its branding strategy and whether it will continue to operate everyday banking under three different brands – Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland – after government-backed rescue efforts at the height of the 2008 financial crisis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Disposable’ operatives for hire are a new menace for western countries 18. May 2026 (19:30) A court case in New York has highlighted how Iran is using technology to recruit agents who may not even be regime supportersWhen on Friday a 32-year-old Iraqi was brought before a court in New York to be charged with planning to attack Jewish community sites in the US, a curtain was suddenly lifted on a corner of a shadowy world.The detention of Mohammed Saad Baqer al-Saadi in Turkey last week revealed rare details of Iran’s efforts to use terrorism to sow discord among communities in Europe, the UK and the US – but also the outlines of an uncertain and threatening future. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran makes new proposal for deal to end war, regional officials say 18. May 2026 (19:21) Tehran is said to have made or reiterated some concessions but source in mediator Pakistan appears pessimisticMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran has made a new proposal for a deal to definitively end the war in the Middle East, officials in the region said on Monday, though there was no sign of any immediate breakthrough in the stalled peace negotiations.A ceasefire has paused most violence after six weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes and Iranian retaliation, but there has been little progress since Donald Trump said the ceasefire was “on life support”, and reports in Israeli media suggest a resumption of hostilities is imminent. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greenlanders are not ‘experimental subjects’, says minister as she decries US doctor’s visit 18. May 2026 (19:06) Health minister in Nuuk condemns doctor’s presence in US delegation as ‘deeply problematic’Greenland’s government has criticised the arrival of a US doctor in Nuuk alongside Donald Trump’s special envoy, Jeff Landry, saying that Greenlanders are not “experimental subjects”.Joseph Griffin said he had joined the delegation as a volunteer to “assess the medical needs” of the Arctic island, which the US president has repeatedly threatened to invade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pressure on Mexico after two ex-officials surrender to US over alleged cartel ties 18. May 2026 (19:06) Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum denies any links between her Morena party and organized crimePressure is mounting on Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, after two former top officials from the country’s Sinaloa state – both members of her Morena party – gave themselves up to US authorities over alleged ties to the Sinaloa cartel.The state’s former security minister, Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, crossed the border into Arizona last week and was taken into custody by US marshals, Mexico’s security ministry said. Sinaloa’s former finance minister, Enrique Díaz Vega, was taken into custody in New York. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starbucks Korea CEO resigns over ad evoking massacre of pro-democracy protesters 18. May 2026 (18:50) ‘Tank Day’ event causes outrage with ‘malicious mockery’ of deadly crackdown during dictatorship eraThe chief executive of Starbucks in South Korea has been fired after the company ran a promotional event using slogans that evoked a massacre of pro-democracy protesters during the country’s dictatorship era, sparking outrage and boycott calls.The coffee chain launched a “Tank Day” campaign on 18 May for its “Tank” tumbler series. The date coincides with one of the most politically sensitive days in South Korea’s calendar, when citizens commemorate the 1980 democratisation movement in Gwangju, 167 miles (270km) south-west of Seoul. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NextEra to buy Dominion in $67bn deal creating US utility giant 18. May 2026 (18:25) Deal would create largest regulated US utility, serving 10 million customers as AI-driven demand for power surgesNextEra, a US energy giant, announced on Monday that it will buy Dominion Energy in a $67bn deal, creating what the companies say will be the world’s largest regulated utility business.The deal comes as the appetite for energy sources has swelled with the construction of massive datacenters across the country, built largely to supply rising demand for AI. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump moves to withdraw $10bn lawsuit against IRS amid talks of deal to compensate allies – US politics live 18. May 2026 (17:46) Move comes after reports that Trump could end lawsuit in exchange for $1.7bn fund to compensate people he claims were wrongfully targetedTrump moves to dismiss $10bn lawsuit against IRS amid reports he’s considering settlementSign up for the Breaking News US emailDemocratic reactions to the news about Trump moving to withdraw his lawsuit against the IRS are coming in. Ron Wyden, a top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said Trump deserved no credit for dropping the lawsuit, regardless of his reasons.“Even by his standards the move he’s trying to get away with now is a stunning act of corruption,” said Wyden in a statement. “What Trump wants is a $1.7bn slush fund for right-wing political violence and subversion, and if he follows through, it will be the most brazen theft and abuse of taxpayer dollars by any president in American history.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump moves to dismiss $10bn lawsuit against IRS amid reports he’s considering settlement 18. May 2026 (17:23) Settlement with the US government would create $1.7bn fund to compensate allies for supposed persecutionSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump moved to dismiss a $10bn lawsuit against the IRS on Monday, dropping his claims amid reports he is considering a settlement with the federal government that would create a $1.7bn fund to compensate allies for supposed persecution by the government.The Monday filing came just two days ahead of a 20 May deadline in which the judge overseeing the case asked the parties for briefing on whether a legitimate controversy existed – a requirement for any lawsuit – because Trump controls the IRS. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves poised to cancel planned fuel duty rise to help with cost of living 18. May 2026 (17:11) Chancellor has been under pressure to extend 5p temporary cut at an estimated cost to government of £2.4bn a yearUK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves is planning to cancel a rise in fuel duty this week when she unveils a package of measures to reduce the cost of living.The chancellor will announce she will not put up the tax by 1p as was due to happen in September, government sources said, and she could cancel all of a 5p rise that is due to happen in stages over the subsequent six months. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
