Trump moves to withdraw $10bn lawsuit against IRS amid talks of deal to compensate allies – US politics live 18. May 2026 (17:46) Move comes after reports that Trump could end lawsuit in exchange for $1.7bn fund to compensate people he claims were wrongfully targetedTrump moves to dismiss $10bn lawsuit against IRS amid reports he’s considering settlementSign up for the Breaking News US emailDemocratic reactions to the news about Trump moving to withdraw his lawsuit against the IRS are coming in. Ron Wyden, a top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said Trump deserved no credit for dropping the lawsuit, regardless of his reasons.“Even by his standards the move he’s trying to get away with now is a stunning act of corruption,” said Wyden in a statement. “What Trump wants is a $1.7bn slush fund for right-wing political violence and subversion, and if he follows through, it will be the most brazen theft and abuse of taxpayer dollars by any president in American history.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump moves to dismiss $10bn lawsuit against IRS amid reports he’s considering settlement 18. May 2026 (17:23) Settlement with the US government would create $1.7bn fund to compensate allies for supposed persecutionSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump moved to dismiss a $10bn lawsuit against the IRS on Monday, dropping his claims amid reports he is considering a settlement with the federal government that would create a $1.7bn fund to compensate allies for supposed persecution by the government.The Monday filing came just two days ahead of a 20 May deadline in which the judge overseeing the case asked the parties for briefing on whether a legitimate controversy existed – a requirement for any lawsuit – because Trump controls the IRS. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves poised to cancel planned fuel duty rise to help with cost of living 18. May 2026 (17:11) Chancellor has been under pressure to extend 5p temporary cut at an estimated cost to government of £2.4bn a yearUK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves is planning to cancel a rise in fuel duty this week when she unveils a package of measures to reduce the cost of living.The chancellor will announce she will not put up the tax by 1p as was due to happen in September, government sources said, and she could cancel all of a 5p rise that is due to happen in stages over the subsequent six months. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NT laws to allow police to hold young people for 48 hours will be ‘funnelling Aboriginal children into prisons’, advocates warn 18. May 2026 (17:00) Police will be able to question children without an adult present and hold them after being charged under draft laws introduced by the CLPGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Northern Territory government has been accused of “funnelling Aboriginal children into prisons” over draft youth justice laws that would give police the power to charge, detain and question young people for up to 48 hours without a legal guardian.Under the proposed amendments to the NT Youth Justice Act, introduced by the corrections minister, Gerard Maley, young people charged with an offence would be able to be held for up to 48 hours in police watch houses, interviewed if they have “knowledge in relation to an offence”, and questioned without an adult present if it is “in relation to a serious and urgent matter concerning public safety”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Melbourne psychiatrist refuses new patients who don’t consent to AI note-taking 18. May 2026 (17:00) Registration form informs patients that if they do not wish AI to be used, they will need their referring doctor to refer them to a different service providerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Melbourne psychiatrist has refused new patients unless they agree to allow her to use an AI scribe to transcribe the conversations in their sessions.AI-driven note taking tools are becoming popular within the medical industry – with two in five general practitioners now using such scribes, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s social media ban preventing teens from accessing the news, research finds 18. May 2026 (17:00) Half of the teens who have been blocked say they are seeing less news than before – but they are not necessarily going back to traditional sourcesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s social media ban is preventing teens from accessing news, a new study has found, with half of the teens who have been blocked saying they’re seeing less news than before.Two-thirds of under-16s have remained on social media platforms since the ban came into effect in December. But for those who were kicked off, the change has meant seeing less news than before the ban. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Luigi Mangione trial judge allows gun and notebook to be used as evidence 18. May 2026 (16:58) Other evidence found backpack must be suppressed, says judge, because McDonald’s search was warrantlessSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe judge overseeing Luigi Mangione’s Manhattan state court trial ruled Monday that some evidence gathered during his arrest would be barred from court.“The evidence found during the search of the backpack at the McDonald’s must be suppressed, including the magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip,” Judge Gregory Carro said in his 18 May decision. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Belgian ex-diplomat dies before standing trial over 1961 murder of Congolese leader 18. May 2026 (16:58) Étienne Davignon, 93, was last living person targeted in investigation into assassination of DRC’s first PM, Patrice LumumbaA 93-year-old Belgian former diplomat who became the first person to be charged in the murder of the Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba has died before he could stand trial.The death of Étienne Davignon, an aristocrat who served as a European commissioner during a decades-long career as one of Belgium’s leading diplomats and industrialists, was confirmed by the Jacques Delors Institute thinktank, where he had served on the board. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andy Burnham says he will not try to return UK to EU 18. May 2026 (16:46) Burnham vows to have ‘relentless domestic focus’ in Makerfield in first speech since announcing byelection runUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has said he will not try to return the UK to the EU, saying Britain would be stuck in “a permanent rut if we’re just constantly arguing”.Burnham said Labour’s offer in general to voters had “simply not been good enough”, in his most explicit comments yet that he intends to stand to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister, should he win the Makerfield byelection. “If I get to stand, a vote for me will be a vote to change Labour, because Labour needs to change if we are to regain people’s trust.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump’s approval rating sinks to lowest point of second term 18. May 2026 (16:44) US president’s approval rating falls to 37% days after he said Americans’ financial situation is not motivating him to broker deal with IranDonald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest point of his second term, amid mounting frustration over the cost of living and the US-Israel war on Iran.As November’s US midterm elections loom, most American voters believe Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran was the wrong choice, according to polling released on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
