Magic mushrooms could be effective treatment for cocaine addiction, study shows 18. May 2026 (13:00) Participants who got single dose of psilocybin were more likely to abstain from cocaine than those who got placeboResults from a new clinical trial show that a single dose of psilocybin could be an effective treatment for cocaine addiction.The study, published in Jama Network Open this month, showed that 19 participants who received a single dose of psilocybin were more likely to abstain from cocaine than 17 participants who received a placebo of diphenhydramine, a common antihistamine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dr Hook co-frontman Dennis Locorriere dies aged 76 18. May 2026 (12:23) Singer took lead vocal on UK No 1 When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman, and had numerous other transatlantic hitsDennis Locorriere, the guitarist and singer with the chart-topping soft rock band Dr Hook, has died aged 76.A statement from his management company said he died on Saturday “after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease … Dennis faced his illness with remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience throughout, and remained deeply cherished by all who knew him”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Weather tracker: Europe braces for swing from Arctic chill to extreme heat 18. May 2026 (11:38) Temperatures in France and England could rise by 15C, while hot air could to give way to snow in parts of USAfter a prolonged spell of cool conditions across much of Europe, a dramatic swing in temperatures is expected in the coming days as warmer air surges north into western and central parts of the continent.A large blocking high over the North Atlantic and slow-moving low pressure across southern Scandinavia dragged Arctic air southwards last week, sending temperatures 10-15C below the seasonal average for more than a week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump warns ‘clock is ticking’ for Iran to reach peace deal 18. May 2026 (11:38) US president says there ‘won’t be anything left’ of country if it doesn’t come to an agreementUAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plantIsraeli forces were intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on Monday after it set sail from Turkey last week.“Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and IDF forces are currently boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight,” the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on X. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe should pick negotiator for possible Russian talks, says Zelenskyy – Europe live 18. May 2026 (11:32) Ukrainian president says Europe must ‘have a strong voice and presence’ amid search for candidate who could lead any talks with PutinWe are also getting some lines from the Kremlin, via Reuters, saying that they consider the peace process with Ukraine to be “on pause,” although they expect it to be resumed soon.The Russian authorities also dismissed Zelenskyy’s warnings from last week that Russia could be preparing to fuel the conflict further by opening another front against Ukraine or attacking a Nato country, saying “this is an attempt to escalate the situation” and not worthy of a response. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A book that should be read by all Australians’: Clare Wright wins book of the year at the NSW Literary awards 18. May 2026 (11:30) The historian won $50,000 for her nonfiction book Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions, which judges praised as deeply researched, ‘highly original’ and ‘vividly alive’A “highly original” nonfiction by Melbourne historian Clare Wright, charting the creation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions – a seminal moment in Australia’s history of land rights – has won book of the year at the NSW literary awards.The Petitions were landmark documents presented by Yolŋu elders to the Australian parliament in 1963 on painted bark frames, which sought government intervention after a portion of Arnhem Land Reserve was licensed to a French mining company. Though it didn’t halt mining on the land, the petitions led to the first land rights legislation in Australia, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drones reshape war in Colombia as deaths and injuries mount 18. May 2026 (11:00) Civilians left increasingly exposed as a dangerous new front opens up in the country’s decades-old conflictAs night fell over southern Colombia, and a group of children began their weekly Tuesday football match, a drone appeared overhead.The children looked up, and the drone dropped a grenade, its blast killing a 10-year-old boy and injuring 12 more civilians. The child’s death, in southern Cauca in 2024, marked the first known time a person in the country had been killed in a weaponised drone attack. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil prices rise and bonds wobble as Iran war stokes inflation fears 18. May 2026 (10:55) Trump warning over peace talks drives up crude price as UK gilts hit by uncertainty over Starmer leadershipBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices rose and global bonds wobbled on Monday, as fresh tensions in the Middle East fed inflation fears and bets that central banks will have to increase interest rates.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose on Monday, after an attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain’s conservatives forced to rely on far-right Vox party after losing majority in Andalucía 18. May 2026 (10:48) People’s party wins regional election but loses absolute majority, opening door to possibly months of negotiationsSpain’s conservative People’s party (PP) won Sunday’s Andalucían regional election, but lost its absolute majority, leaving it dependent on the support or abstention of the far-right Vox party to form a new government.After the poll in Spain’s most populous region – which will serve as a barometer of wider electoral opinion before next year’s general election – the socialists slumped to an all-time low and Vox picked up one additional seat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ryanair ‘confident’ it will avoid jet fuel shortage but warns of future fare rises 18. May 2026 (10:19) Airline says travellers are leaving it longer to book and those buying flights later this year could face higher pricesBusiness live – latest updatesRyanair is “confident” it will not face a jet fuel shortage this summer amid fears over widespread cancellations linked to the Iran war, but warned that holidaymakers booking their flights later this year could face higher fares.Neil Sorahan, the chief financial officer at the budget airline, said he was “increasingly confident that we will not see any supply shocks this summer”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
