Oil prices rise and bonds wobble as Iran war stokes inflation fears 18. May 2026 (10:55) Trump warning over peace talks drives up crude price as UK gilts hit by uncertainty over Starmer leadershipBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices rose and global bonds wobbled on Monday, as fresh tensions in the Middle East fed inflation fears and bets that central banks will have to increase interest rates.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose on Monday, after an attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain’s conservatives forced to rely on far-right Vox party after losing majority in Andalucía 18. May 2026 (10:48) People’s party wins regional election but loses absolute majority, opening door to possibly months of negotiationsSpain’s conservative People’s party (PP) won Sunday’s Andalucían regional election, but lost its absolute majority, leaving it dependent on the support or abstention of the far-right Vox party to form a new government.After the poll in Spain’s most populous region – which will serve as a barometer of wider electoral opinion before next year’s general election – the socialists slumped to an all-time low and Vox picked up one additional seat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ryanair ‘confident’ it will avoid jet fuel shortage but warns of future fare rises 18. May 2026 (10:19) Airline says travellers are leaving it longer to book and those buying flights later this year could face higher pricesBusiness live – latest updatesRyanair is “confident” it will not face a jet fuel shortage this summer amid fears over widespread cancellations linked to the Iran war, but warned that holidaymakers booking their flights later this year could face higher fares.Neil Sorahan, the chief financial officer at the budget airline, said he was “increasingly confident that we will not see any supply shocks this summer”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Romaine calm: live frog found in discount supermarket lettuce bag 18. May 2026 (09:42) ‘Look, if I was in a French supermarket, I probably would have got a two for one deal on that one,’ woman in WA told national TVFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen a group of housemates in Western Australia bought a pair of lettuces in a sealed plastic bag – reduced for quick sale to $1.15 – they got two other things for which they could not have bargained. One was a live frog reckoned to be the size of a man’s palm. The other, a slot on national television.But despite describing it as “the most random thing” they had encountered upon opening a packet of leafy greens from the supermarket, Laura Jones and Billie Le Pine fronted their interview on ABC news breakfast with a series or ready made one liners. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer is not setting out timetable for his departure, says David Lammy 18. May 2026 (09:29) Deputy PM says Andy Burnham would be ‘great addition to parliament’ but leadership row is an ‘own goal’ for LabourKeir Starmer is not about to set a timetable for his departure from Downing Street, David Lammy, one of the prime minister’s closest cabinet allies, has said, urging Labour to get beyond the “spectacular own goal” of repeated leadership speculation.While allies of Starmer have suggested he could be willing to step aside if Andy Burnham wins next month’s Makerfield byelection and no other challenger emerges, Lammy insisted this was not being considered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police running out of room to store illegal cigarettes they’ve seized amid Australia’s booming illicit trade 18. May 2026 (09:12) Inquiry into black market hears cost of destroying vapes has also soared, with some requiring manual dismantlingFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice are struggling to store a growing wave of illegal cigarettes and vapes seized from criminals, with secure facilities at capacity and the high cost of destroying illicit products becoming prohibitive.The Australian federal police (AFP) has been spending as much as $13 a kilogram for vapes to be destroyed, with some companies requiring the cartridge, battery and heating element to be manually dismantled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
National Conversation project launches as Britain risks ‘being torn apart by differences’ 18. May 2026 (08:00) Commission led by Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas asks public to share vision of community and country to help rebuild social cohesionSajid Javid has warned the country risks “being torn apart by our differences” as figures from across public life launch a project that asks what it means to be British.The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, co-chaired by the former Conservative chancellor as well as the former Labour party policy chief Jon Cruddas, is urging the public to share their personal vision of their community and their country in the National Conversation project. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘When your signal goes down, something’s going on’: life next to a US air base in the UK 18. May 2026 (07:00) While RAF Lakenheath holds its secrets, neighbours contend with plane spotters, protesters and sonic boomsThe local people know there is something going on when the internet and phone signal drops dead, they say. If the heavy bombers are flying low, the teachers will pause their school assembly until the thunderous din has passed. The parish council has been briefed on the intricacies of sonic booms. Car insurance is more expensive here as the Americans “can’t drive” and sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of the road. The base became less open to its neighbours after 9/11. But everyone knows there are secrets held beyond the barbed wire, not least that this is where the nukes are stored.RAF Lakenheath is the largest US air force (USAF) base in Europe, part of what is known as the “tri-base area” of Suffolk, a stretch of 20 sq miles (52 sq km) of land leased to the US government around which a peculiar ecosystem has developed over the eight decades of the American presence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s next ambassador to Japan may be called to give evidence in Mandelson inquiry 18. May 2026 (07:00) MPs will decide whether Corin Robertson will face questions over decision to award security clearance against adviceThe UK’s next ambassador to Japan could be called to give evidence over the decision to award Peter Mandelson security clearance against the advice of vetting officials.Corin Robertson was the Foreign Office’s (FCDO) chief operating officer when she was involved in the decision in late January 2025 to grant Mandelson clearance, according to evidence given to MPs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two-thirds of NHS nurses believe lack of staff is putting patients at risk, survey finds 18. May 2026 (07:00) Union to urge ministers to bring in mandatory minimum staffing, as ageing population increases demand for careAlmost two-thirds of nurses believe there are too few of them working in the NHS to keep patients safe and give them proper care, a survey has revealed.Understaffing and the increasingly complex medical needs posed by an ageing population are creating a “deadly mix” for patients, the Royal College of Nursing warned on Monday.64% expected to cut services this year.83% feared financial constraints will impact planned patient care and 78% worry it will affect emergency care.57% expected to cut their clinical staffing this year to save money. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
