US arms sales to Taiwan on ‘pause’ due to Iran war, says acting navy chief 22. May 2026 (11:08) Hung Cao’s comments are latest blow to Taipei after Donald Trump recently cast doubt over US’s enduring supportUS arms sales to Taiwan have been “paused” to ensure the US military has enough munitions for its Iran operations, according to Washington’s acting navy secretary, in the latest blow to Taipei after a series of comments by Donald Trump.When asked at a congressional hearing on Thursday about a $14bn (£10.4bn) weapons packageawaiting Trump’s signoff for months, Hung Cao said: “Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury [the Iran war] – which we have plenty.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tennessee school board member charged after calling teenage girl ‘hot’ 22. May 2026 (11:00) Keith Ervin, 59, was charged with assault after he told a student ‘God – you’re hot’ at a public meeting in AprilAn east Tennessee school board member who told a teenage girl, “God – you’re hot,” on video at a public meeting in April has been charged with assault.State prosecutors on 18 May charged 59-year-old Keith Ervin under a Tennessee statute that outlaws “intentionally or knowingly [causing] physical contact with another [that] a reasonable person would regard … as extremely offensive or provocative”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK borrows more than forecast in April as inflation adds to benefits bill 22. May 2026 (10:55) The £24.3bn figure comes amid rising cost of pensions as bond market jitters take monthly debt interest to £10.3bnBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK borrowed more than expected in April as high inflation drove up the cost of pensions and benefits, amid concern over the Iran war and political uncertainty adding to debt costs.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – was £24.3bn in April 2026, £4.9bn higher than in April 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Estée Lauder ends merger talks with Gaultier owner Puig 22. May 2026 (10:42) Sticking points to build beauty powerhouse included which family would hold balance of power, according to FTBusiness live – latest updatesThe US cosmetics company Estée Lauder has ended merger talks with its Spanish rival Puig to create a fashion and beauty retailer worth almost $40bn (£30bn/€34.5bn) after failing to agree which would hold the balance of power in the combined group.Estée Lauder is one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of skin care, makeup and fragrances with a portfolio that includes Clinique, Bobbi Brown and Tom Ford Beauty. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tony Abbott to become new Liberal party president in former PM’s return to political frontlines 22. May 2026 (10:37) Unopposed nomination comes seven years after Abbott lost his Sydney seat of Warringah at the 2019 electionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTony Abbott will become the new federal Liberal party president in a return to the political frontlines for the conservative former prime minister.Abbott was the only nominee for the presidency after the other contender – former foreign minister Alexander Downer – chose to instead run for one of the vice-president’s positions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Biggest drop in petrol purchases in six years hits retail sales in Great Britain 22. May 2026 (10:35) Drivers conserve fuel amid Iran war uncertainty, pushing overall sales down 1.3% in AprilBusiness live – latest updatesMotorists cutting back on petrol and fuel purchases at the steepest rate since the Covid pandemic in 2020 drove retail sales in Great Britain to their biggest monthly decline in a year.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the overall volume of retail sales plunged by 1.3% in April compared with the previous month, the biggest contraction since May last year and worse than the -0.6% forecast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Weather tracker: Heavy rain triggers flooding and landslides in parts of China 22. May 2026 (10:04) Twelve dead as southern and central areas also suffer travel disruption, electricity outages and evacuationsHeavy, prolonged rainfall in southern and central China has resulted in weather warnings for flash flooding, landslides and waterlogging. The slow-moving band of rainfall spanned 620 miles (1,000km) and travelled eastwards across the regions on Tuesday. It was formed from the convergence of multiple bands of rain originating from the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.Given the accompanying low wind speeds, high daily and hourly rainfall totals have been recorded, with as much as 75mm locally in Hunan, 85mm in Anhui in a 24-hour period, and 95mm on the island of Hainan. Twelve people have died because of the flooding and hundreds of residents have been evacuated by emergency services. There were major travel disruptions, electricity outages, as well as school and business closures. Social media posts showed submerged cars and people fishing along flooded streets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Green party candidate for Makerfield byelection withdraws after nine hours 22. May 2026 (09:24) Party apologises for posts shared by Chris Kennedy about Jewish ambulance attacks and says he has dropped out for personal reasonsThe Green party’s candidate for the Makerfield byelection has withdrawn from the ballot within hours of being announced.Chris Kennedy was announced to be running in the seat for the Greens on Thursday morning, but nine hours later the party said he had dropped out, citing “personal and family reasons”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
English Heritage unveils recreation of 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall near Stonehenge 22. May 2026 (09:00) The Kusuma Neolithic Hall, based on Durrington 68 site, will allow visitors to ‘step back in time’ into the lives of those who built the stone circleIt may have been a place for ceremony or a barn for pack animals. It could have been a place for weary labourers to rest their heads. Or perhaps there was no building at all.English Heritage has unveiled a 7-metre-high reconstruction of what a 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall may have looked like at Stonehenge, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of the prehistoric builders who raised the world’s most famous stone circle. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump renews threat of military action 22. May 2026 (08:41) US secretary of state says president would like a negotiated agreement with Havana but likelihood ‘is not high’The US president, Donald Trump, and the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, on Thursday again raised the spectre of military intervention in Cuba, a renewed threat that takes on greater weight a day after the administration announced criminal charges against the island’s former leader, Raúl Castro.Trump said previous US presidents have considered intervening in Cuba for decades but that “it looks like I’ll be the one that does it”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
