UK needs ‘national consensus’ over rejoining EU, David Miliband says 23. May 2026 (12:26) Ex-foreign secretary urges reset at ‘higher dosage’ after officials revealed to have pitched single market for goodsBritain needs a “national consensus” about rejoining the European Union, David Miliband has said, in response to revelations that the UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU to the bloc.The former foreign secretary, who is now president of the International Rescue Committee, said he thought the UK needed a reset of its relations with the EU at “a much higher dosage” than the government was planning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pope decries ‘unscrupulous’ polluters at deadly, mafia-linked dumping ground 23. May 2026 (12:11) Pontiff visits ‘Land of Fires’ where dumping, burial and burning of waste has caused rise in cancer and other illnessesPope Leo has met Italian families whose loved ones have died or have cancer as a result of illegal toxic dumping linked to a multi-billion-euro criminal racket run by the mafia.Leo’s visit to the Terra dei Fuochi, or Land of Fires, near Naples, came on the eve of the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ big ecological encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be), and indicates Leo’s commitment to carry on his predecessor’s environmental agenda. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK, German and French aid cuts will take ‘devastating toll’ on most vulnerable, says study 23. May 2026 (12:00) As Europe’s leading donor countries slash budgets, the result could be more than 11.5m preventable deaths, report suggestsCuts to foreign aid budgets by the UK, France and Germany could contribute to more than 11.5 million preventable deaths by the end of the decade, according to a new report, which warns that Europe is abandoning its role as a pillar of global health and development.Three separate studies within the report reveal the extent to which the nations have slashed their foreign aid budgets, and illustrate the impact worldwide. UK official development assistance (ODA) spending is projected to fall by 45% between 2020 and 2026, Germany’s by 37% between 2023 and 2026, and France’s by 30% over the same period, according to the research.This report was a collaboration with European newspapers El Pais and Le Monde Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves’s tax cut on children’s meals a political ‘soundbite’, say restaurateurs 23. May 2026 (11:00) Chancellor’s measure to help families save money during summer holidays ‘won’t make any difference’Cutting tax on children’s meals is a political “soundbite” that will make little difference to families or businesses, restaurateurs have said.This week, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, announced a temporary reduction in VAT on the children’s menu in restaurants from 20% to 5% between June and September, in order to help families with the cost of living crisis and offer a boost to the hospitality sector. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Board of Peace focus on Hamas risks return to war in Gaza, critics say 23. May 2026 (11:00) US-backed board has put sole blame for stalled ceasefire on militant group despite Israel not fulfilling its obligations, analysts sayThe top diplomat from the Board of Peace has blamed Hamas for the stalled ceasefire, but critics have said the US-backed board’s lack of even-handedness in implementing the truce risks a return to war.The “high representative for Gaza”, Nickolay Mladenov, told the UN security council on Thursday that Hamas was the “principal obstacle” to the ceasefire’s continued implementation because “it refused to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control and allow a genuine civilian transition”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves begins push to remain as chancellor under new Labour leadership 23. May 2026 (09:00) Chancellor’s allies urge MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced, saying she is only candidate to safeguard UK’s financesRachel Reeves has launched a rearguard action to save her job as chancellor, telling friends she would like to stay in the post even under a new prime minister.The chancellor’s supporters have been urging MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced later this year, saying she is the only candidate who can safeguard the country’s finances. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fraudster trying to sell fake ancient statues to Sotheby’s foiled over bogus invoices 23. May 2026 (09:00) Paperwork supplied by Andrew Crowley, 46, found to be made using printing methods 25 years too modernA fraudster who tried to sell fake ancient statues to Sotheby’s was foiled when his bogus accompanying paperwork was found to be written with printing methods that were 25 years too modern, a court has heard.Andrew Crowley, 46, asked the auctioneers to value three Cycladic figures and one Anatolian stargazer statuette that he had inherited from his grandfather, Southwark crown court in London was told on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China mine explosion: death toll leaps to 90 after gas blast 23. May 2026 (08:21) Xi Jinping urges authorities to ‘spare no effort’ in rescue efforts after blast at mine in northern Shanxi provinceThe death toll from a gas explosion at a coalmine in northern China’s Shanxi province has risen to at least 90, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday.The gas explosion happened Friday evening at the Liushenyu coalmine in Qinyuan county, while 247 workers were underground, state media agency Xinhua reported. Earlier reports said eight people had been killed, while more than 200 people had been brought safely to the surface. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese joins coalition of nations calling for an end to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank 23. May 2026 (08:03) Australia joins the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and New Zealand in condemning illegal settlementsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Israeli government is undermining stability in the West Bank as settler violence reaches unprecedented levels, a coalition of western countries says, as its leaders call for an end to construction of Israeli settlements it says breach international law.In a joint statement issued on Friday, Anthony Albanese and the leaders of the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and New Zealand said: Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Multimedia arts project wins Sycamore Gap tree commission after public vote 23. May 2026 (07:00) ‘Living archive’ will mark loss of Northumberland landmark with storytelling, sound and sculpture using saved woodA new artwork will transform preserved wood from the felled Sycamore Gap tree into a “living archive” after a public vote.The community arts charity Helix Arts and George King Architects were named winners of the vote on Saturday, after being shortlisted for a National Trust commission in March. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
