Romaine calm: live frog found in discount supermarket lettuce bag 18. May 2026 (09:42) ‘Look, if I was in a French supermarket, I probably would have got a two for one deal on that one,’ woman in WA told national TVFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen a group of housemates in Western Australia bought a pair of lettuces in a sealed plastic bag – reduced for quick sale to $1.15 – they got two other things for which they could not have bargained. One was a live frog reckoned to be the size of a man’s palm. The other, a slot on national television.But despite describing it as “the most random thing” they had encountered upon opening a packet of leafy greens from the supermarket, Laura Jones and Billie Le Pine fronted their interview on ABC news breakfast with a series or ready made one liners. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer is not setting out timetable for his departure, says David Lammy 18. May 2026 (09:29) Deputy PM says Andy Burnham would be ‘great addition to parliament’ but leadership row is an ‘own goal’ for LabourKeir Starmer is not about to set a timetable for his departure from Downing Street, David Lammy, one of the prime minister’s closest cabinet allies, has said, urging Labour to get beyond the “spectacular own goal” of repeated leadership speculation.While allies of Starmer have suggested he could be willing to step aside if Andy Burnham wins next month’s Makerfield byelection and no other challenger emerges, Lammy insisted this was not being considered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police running out of room to store illegal cigarettes they’ve seized amid Australia’s booming illicit trade 18. May 2026 (09:12) Inquiry into black market hears cost of destroying vapes has also soared, with some requiring manual dismantlingFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice are struggling to store a growing wave of illegal cigarettes and vapes seized from criminals, with secure facilities at capacity and the high cost of destroying illicit products becoming prohibitive.The Australian federal police (AFP) has been spending as much as $13 a kilogram for vapes to be destroyed, with some companies requiring the cartridge, battery and heating element to be manually dismantled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
National Conversation project launches as Britain risks ‘being torn apart by differences’ 18. May 2026 (08:00) Commission led by Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas asks public to share vision of community and country to help rebuild social cohesionSajid Javid has warned the country risks “being torn apart by our differences” as figures from across public life launch a project that asks what it means to be British.The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, co-chaired by the former Conservative chancellor as well as the former Labour party policy chief Jon Cruddas, is urging the public to share their personal vision of their community and their country in the National Conversation project. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘When your signal goes down, something’s going on’: life next to a US air base in the UK 18. May 2026 (07:00) While RAF Lakenheath holds its secrets, neighbours contend with plane spotters, protesters and sonic boomsThe local people know there is something going on when the internet and phone signal drops dead, they say. If the heavy bombers are flying low, the teachers will pause their school assembly until the thunderous din has passed. The parish council has been briefed on the intricacies of sonic booms. Car insurance is more expensive here as the Americans “can’t drive” and sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of the road. The base became less open to its neighbours after 9/11. But everyone knows there are secrets held beyond the barbed wire, not least that this is where the nukes are stored.RAF Lakenheath is the largest US air force (USAF) base in Europe, part of what is known as the “tri-base area” of Suffolk, a stretch of 20 sq miles (52 sq km) of land leased to the US government around which a peculiar ecosystem has developed over the eight decades of the American presence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s next ambassador to Japan may be called to give evidence in Mandelson inquiry 18. May 2026 (07:00) MPs will decide whether Corin Robertson will face questions over decision to award security clearance against adviceThe UK’s next ambassador to Japan could be called to give evidence over the decision to award Peter Mandelson security clearance against the advice of vetting officials.Corin Robertson was the Foreign Office’s (FCDO) chief operating officer when she was involved in the decision in late January 2025 to grant Mandelson clearance, according to evidence given to MPs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two-thirds of NHS nurses believe lack of staff is putting patients at risk, survey finds 18. May 2026 (07:00) Union to urge ministers to bring in mandatory minimum staffing, as ageing population increases demand for careAlmost two-thirds of nurses believe there are too few of them working in the NHS to keep patients safe and give them proper care, a survey has revealed.Understaffing and the increasingly complex medical needs posed by an ageing population are creating a “deadly mix” for patients, the Royal College of Nursing warned on Monday.64% expected to cut services this year.83% feared financial constraints will impact planned patient care and 78% worry it will affect emergency care.57% expected to cut their clinical staffing this year to save money. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Quieter and cleaner’: Sydney to trial electric ferry after two-year delay 18. May 2026 (06:01) NSW transport minister says contracts signed for 24-metre, battery electric ferry to be trialled for 12 months from 2028Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSpluttering journeys across Sydney Harbour may soon give way to quieter trips with the New South Wales government to trial an electric ferry from 2028 before the fleet is expanded.The government said on Monday that contracts had been signed for the new 24-metre, battery electric ferry to be trialled for 12 months from 2028 – two years later than originally planned. It is hoped it will operate on a new Sydney fish market route when it enters passenger service in 2029. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hundreds of children affected by UK’s halting of refugee family reunion, says Red Cross 18. May 2026 (06:00) Charity estimates up to 1,360 children could remain separated from families for every month the suspension continuesHundreds of children every month face being separated from their families since the UK suspended refugee family reunion last September, according to analysis by the British Red Cross.Based on examination of Home Office data of family reunion grants previously made, the charity estimates between 550 and 1,360 children could remain separated from their families for every month that refugee family reunion suspension continues. Of these, between 180 and 430 each month are likely to be unaccompanied minors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Introducing Stateside with Kai and Carter: Stacey Abrams on why gutting US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’ – podcast 18. May 2026 (06:00) The US supreme court demolished the 1965 Voting Rights Act when it ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states can’t consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority Black districts, sparking chaos for the midterm elections. Kai Wright talks with Stacey Abrams, voting rights activist and former Georgia house minority leader, about the fallout from the decision and why she thinks the way forward is still through engaging more voters to participate in democracy: ‘They have fractured communities and said we’re going to scatter these seeds. Our job is to grow.’ Continue reading...(The Guardian)
