13 men killed by US military boat strikes identified: ‘These were flesh-and-blood people’ 15. May 2026 (12:00) All victims of US strikes in eastern Pacific and the Caribbean identified so far came from extremely poor communitiesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA five-month investigation has named 13 previously unidentified victims of US attacks on boats allegedly carrying narcotics in a campaign that has killed nearly 200 people in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.It is unclear if the US has ever identified any of its 194 victims before attacking them, and the names of just three had previously emerged, after their families launched legal cases against the White House. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US teens getting less sleep than ever, new report finds 15. May 2026 (12:00) Homework, social pressure and jobs still keep teens up but now screen time and social media rob their sleepA new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that today’s teenagers are sleeping less than ever before.The findings, which appeared in Pediatrics, showed a consistent decline in sleep across every age category. The latest figures revealed record-low sleep levels for all groups, with only 22% of older adolescents saying they slept at least seven hours each night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer ally admits prime minister is ‘unpopular’ but warns of ‘chaos’ if leadership contest triggered – UK politics live 15. May 2026 (11:59) Pressure is intensifying on Keir Starmer after Andy Burnham was given a route back to parliamentMatt Goodwin, the Reform candidate who came second to the Greens in Manchester’s Gorton and Denton byelection, has ruled himself out of running in the upcoming Makerfield byelection.Goodwin told the Guardian that he looked forward to supporting a “local Reform candidate” in the contest which emerged as Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s best hope of returning to the House of Commons. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hopes grow that London Underground strikes could be called off 15. May 2026 (11:50) Tube stoppages due on two 24-hour periods from midday on Tuesday and Thursday next week but sources say RMT seeking talksHopes have been raised that next week’s strikes by London Underground drivers could yet be averted, after sources said the RMT union had put out feelers for talks.The RMT members, almost half of London’s Tube drivers, are due to strike for two 24-hour periods from midday on Tuesday and Thursday, closing some lines entirely and bringing widespread travel disruption to the capital until the weekend. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 24 killed in Kyiv in one of deadliest Russian attacks since start of war – Europe live 15. May 2026 (11:38) The death toll included three children, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy saidIn other news, let’s catch up with the last night’s second semi-final of the Eurovision song contest, which saw Australia (checks notes; looks sceptically at the map of Europe) through to the grand final on Saturday.The Guardian’s Eilish Gilligan said that heading into the competition as an early favourite behind Eurovision heavy-hitters Denmark and Finland, Australia’s 2026 Eurovision hopeful Delta Goodrem delivered a note-perfect rendition of her power-ballad entry, Eclipse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Heathrow could be forced to allow other firms to build third runway to cut costs 15. May 2026 (11:14) Under aviation regulator proposals rival companies would bid to design and build parts of airport expansionHeathrow could be forced to allow other companies to design and build its third runway and new terminal after the UK aviation regulator argued that rival bids could keep construction costs down.A long-awaited review by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) proposes changes to the regulatory model that governs how Heathrow runs and covers its costs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Christopher Harborne, tycoon who gave £5m to Farage, enters UK rich list at No 6 15. May 2026 (10:14) Crypto billionaire goes straight into top 10 on Sunday Times list, with Noel and Liam Gallagher among other first-timersBusiness live – latest updatesUK politics live – latest updatesChristopher Harborne, the crypto billionaire who controversially gifted Nigel Farage £5m, has been named in the list of the UK’s wealthiest people for the first time.Other first-timers include Noel and Liam Gallagher and Emily Eavis, the daughter of the Glastonbury festival founder, Michael Eavis, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List published on Friday.Sanjay and Dheeraj Hinduja and family: £38bnDavid and Simon Reuben and family: £27.971bnLeonard Blavatnik: £26.852bnIdan Ofer: £24.481bnGuy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family: £18.939bnChristopher Harborne: £18.177bnNik Storonsky: £16.411bnAlex Gerko: £16.006bnJim Ratcliffe: £15.194bnIgor and Dmitry Bukhman: £14.26bn Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer loyalist admits PM is unpopular but warns against ‘copying Tories’ 15. May 2026 (09:34) Housing secretary Steve Reed says no one has numbers for challenge and Labour should row in behind prime ministerUK politics live – latest updatesOne of Keir Starmer’s closest allies in the cabinet has conceded that the prime minister is “unpopular” but has insisted Labour should not repeat the same pattern of changing leaders that damaged the Conservatives.The housing secretary, Steve Reed, one of Starmer’s most loyal ministers and staunch defenders, told broadcasters on Friday that no one had the numbers to challenge him and the party should come together behind the prime minister. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British Gas customers to receive up to £112m over prepayment meter scandal 15. May 2026 (08:53) Redress for force-fitting devices in homes of vulnerable includes £20m penalty and £70m of debt write-offsThousands of British Gas customers who had prepayment meters force-fitted in their homes will receive up to £112m in compensation and debt write-offs on their energy bills.Great Britain’s energy regulator found that British Gas forced prepayment meters on homes that were not keeping up with their bills at the height of the Russian gas crisis, in one of the most complex Ofgem investigations in its history. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network criminalised under hate laws passed after Bondi terror attack 15. May 2026 (08:12) Home affairs minister Tony Burke says listing will stop group from organising and meeting, and may prevent more ‘horrific bigoted rallies’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe government has banned neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network, also known as White Australia, listing it as a prohibited hate group under legislation passed in the wake of the Bondi terror attacks.The listing will mean that activities including supporting, funding, training, recruiting and joining the group will constitute a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
