‘Massive’ child abuse scandal in France as school staff investigated for violence and sexual assault 25. May 2026 (07:00) Paris police looking into more than 100 allegations of mistreatment by ‘monitors’ after parents’ groups said they had fought for years to be taken seriouslyFrance is facing a child abuse scandal as ‘monitors’ at dozens of state nursery and primary schools are investigated for violence, sexual assault and rape.Paris police are examining more than 100 allegations of mistreatment, physical violence and rape of children as young as three by school monitors during lunch breaks, nap times and after-school activities, prosecutors have confirmed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘She does not back down’: the couple seeking to legalise same-sex marriage in Botswana 25. May 2026 (06:00) Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are going to court for right to wed but face fierce opposition from church groupsBonolo Selelo was at Botswana’s national museum for a Gaborone Pride event when she spotted Tsholofelo Kumile and was struck by her good looks. The two initiated a conversation and when Kumile expressed anxiety about what a tarot reading at the event might hold, Selelo thought nothing of offering her a hug. The reading turned out positive but Kumile claimed her hug anyway and they talked for hours.That was 1 October 2023. Two months later, they moved in together. Then, on a hike during the Easter holidays in 2024, Selelo proposed to Kumile. A year later, they visited a local government office to register their intent to marry and were told it wasn’t legal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The byelection, Wes Streeting and Europe: your questions answered – podcast 25. May 2026 (06:00) Can Andy Burnham do a better job than Keir Starmer? Is Makerfield more important for Reform than Labour? Can the UK rejoin the EU? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey answer your messages and emails Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Mandalorian and Grogu has lowest box office opening for a Star Wars film in Disney era 25. May 2026 (05:44) Film starring Pedro Pascal next to ‘Baby Yoda’ took $165m globally on opening weekend, failing to surpass the opening of 2018 flop SoloThe Mandalorian and Grogu may have blasted into first place at the box office – but its launch was far, far away from impressive, having the lowest opening weekend for a Star Wars film since Disney took over the franchise.The film, which stars Pedro Pascal as the titular helmeted warrior who travels the galaxy with a tiny companion better known as “Baby Yoda”, made $102m at the domestic box office (North America and Canada) over the US’s four-day Memorial day weekend, contributing to a total $165m global box office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zali Steggall says donation rules favour teals forming own party but other independents rule out idea 25. May 2026 (04:24) Warringah MP among those most active in alliance discussions while Monique Ryan, Helen Haines and Kate Chaney distance themselves from possible moveFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastZali Steggall says funding rules that disadvantage independents and looming changes to donations laws are factors in favour of “teal” independents forming their own party, but some fellow MPs have already ruled out the idea.Sources close to crossbench MPs say discussions about forming an alliance of independent politicians are not new and have been happening for months, but that there is no general agreement – even among the more closely aligned inner-city members referred to as teals – about such a plan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dezi Freeman inquest: police investigating alleged sexual assault of child when two killed, coroner hears 25. May 2026 (04:10) Directions hearing over deaths of Victoria police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart told of new details of Porepunkah shootingFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe alleged sexual assault of a child has been revealed as the reason for a search warrant against Dezi Freeman that ended with him shooting dead two Victorian police officers.Fresh details into the August deaths of Det Leading Sen Const Neal Thompson, 59, and Sen Const Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, at Freeman’s home were detailed in a coroner’s court directions hearing on Monday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Grizz Chapman, actor who played Grizz in 30 Rock, dies aged 52 25. May 2026 (03:13) The actor, who played Tracy Jordan’s gentle bodyguard in 80 episodes of the beloved comedy, died in his sleep after years of health problemsGrizz Chapman, best known for his role as Grizz on the hit comedy 30 Rock, has died aged 52.His cousin, the Harlem Globetrotter Donte Harrison, confirmed Chapman’s death on social media on Saturday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guzman y Gomez faces class action from US workers over closed stores 25. May 2026 (02:04) Mexican-themed Australian fast food chain accused of terminating staff without adequate pay or notice as it pulls out of the USAmerican workers at Guzman y Gomez’s shuttered US stores have launched a class action lawsuit against the Mexican-themed Australian fast food chain over allegations staff were terminated without adequate pay or notice.The legal claim, filed in a US federal trial court in Illinois, was sparked by GyG’s decision last week to immediately close its string of Chicago stores after giving up on its highly vaunted plans to expand in the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
