Can Burnham turn ‘Manchesterism’ into a practical offer for government? 19. May 2026 (20:29) Roots of idea for ‘ending neoliberalism’ have been growing over many months – with many different influencesManchesterism is “the end of neoliberalism”. That was the claim made by Andy Burnham in his campaign launch video this week – a film which made an audacious offer not just to his byelection constituents in Makerfield, but how he intended to change national politics and the economy.But the 2026 doctrine of Manchesterism is very different to its 19th-century namesake, when it was a byword for free trade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens ‘a big hit’ if Tehran does not make deal soon 19. May 2026 (20:23) Renewed threat comes after US president said he was ‘an hour away’ from ordering a strike before pulling backMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has again threatened Iran, saying the US may launch new attacks if Tehran continues to refuse the significant concessions he wants before a deal can be struck to end the Middle East war.The US president said he had called off a fresh wave of strikes, which would have broken the ceasefire in place since early last month. “I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
John Healey says Labour infighting puts government’s credibility at risk 19. May 2026 (20:22) Defence secretary say party has turned in on itself in thinly veiled criticism of Andy Burnham and Wes StreetingJohn Healey has criticised Labour figures jockeying to become prime minister in a politicised speech in which he said the party’s “very credibility“ in government was at stake if the infighting deepened.The defence secretary, a Keir Starmer loyalist, said the party had turned in on itself since the May elections in what appeared to be direct criticism of Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and even the junior defence minister Al Carns. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump endorses attorney general Ken Paxton in Texas Senate primary 19. May 2026 (20:16) US president calls Paxton an ‘America First Patriot’ and ‘MAGA Warrior’ ahead of runoff against John CornynUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump has endorsed the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, in the state’s Republican primary, bolstering his bid to unseat the incumbent US senator, John Cornyn.The US president praised Paxton, a hardliner who has pitched himself as a political warrior for Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, as an “America First Patriot” in a post on social media on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three Toronto police officers arrested over sexual assault in Barcelona 19. May 2026 (19:13) Two off-duty officers allegedly assaulted a sex worker in a taxi in Ciutat Vella, according to police in CataloniaSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe Toronto police force, which is already under intense public scrutiny, is facing fresh questions after it emerged that three off-duty officers on vacation in Barcelona were arrested in connection with a sexual assault last week.According to police in Barcelona, the alleged assault occurred in the early hours of 13 May, when the trio of police officers were travelling in a taxi with a sex worker in the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood of the Catalan capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman shot dead by police in Jamaica at protest over previous police shooting 19. May 2026 (18:41) Investigation launched as video circulates online showing officer firing at vehicle and colleagues dragging away bodyAuthorities in Jamaica have launched an investigation after CCTV footage of a woman’s fatal shooting by police sent shock waves across the Caribbean nation.Footage circulating on social media shows a police officer firing at a vehicle during a protest on Sunday in Granville, in Jamaica’s north-western parish of St James. The bullet hit Latoya Bulgin, 45, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian jamming blamed after Nato jet downs Ukrainian drone over Estonia 19. May 2026 (17:57) Officials from Baltic states say Moscow behind latest such incident but also tell Kyiv to be more careful with its routingA Romanian F-16 Nato jet shot down a drone over Estonia on Tuesday in what appears to be the latest case of Russian electronic jamming diverting long-range Ukrainian drones into the alliance’s territory.A local resident told the Estonian public broadcaster, ERR, that he had seen two fighter jets – part of a Nato force policing the skies over the Baltic states – flying in the area before a loud bang that brought the drone down. He said the drone had crashed about 30 metres from the nearest residential building. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Defense department watchdog opens inquiry into US airstrikes on alleged drug boats 19. May 2026 (17:53) Officials will determine if standard process was followed before lethal strikes in Caribbean and eastern PacificSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Pentagon’s internal watchdog has opened an investigation into whether US military commanders followed proper procedures when conducting boat strikes in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.The office of inspector general at the Department of Defense is examining whether military commanders stuck to the standard six-step process the US military is required to follow before approving and carrying out lethal strikes, according to an 11 May memo initiating the review. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit hot on heels of Trump 19. May 2026 (17:27) Russian leader says relations between two countries have reached ‘unprecedented level’ on eve of 25th visit to ChinaVladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a state visit, just four days after Donald Trump left China.Putin’s visit to China – his 25th, according to Chinese state media – reflects Beijing’s growing confidence on the world stage as a centre of global diplomatic activity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Foolish’ CSIRO job cuts will mean Australia unable to provide climate projections to global reports, scientists warn 19. May 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Science agency is planning to sack a third of the team working on the national climate model, sources sayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJob cuts at the national science agency mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports and will have significantly reduced ability to forecast future damage to the country, leading researchers have warned.Multiple sources told Guardian Australia that CSIRO planned to sack a third of the team working on the national climate model that provides projections relied on by governments, councils, industry and farmers as they plan for the future. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
