Reform UK civil service plan ‘would sack more planning officers than exist’ 26. May 2026 (21:00) Analysis of party’s proposed cuts also suggests it would get rid of two-thirds of psychologists who support prison staffA Reform UK plan to cut the size of the civil service would involve sacking more planning officers than exist and getting rid of at least two-thirds of the psychologists who support prison officers’ welfare, it has emerged.The policy paper, led by the Reform MP Danny Kruger and published in December, promises to save more than £5bn a year by cutting civil service roles, with the full-time-equivalent (FTE) headcount falling by 13%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman shot dead outside Sheffield bar was innocent bystander, police say 26. May 2026 (20:57) Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after shooting outside One Four One in the city centreA woman shot dead outside a bar in Sheffield was an innocent bystander, police say.Officers were called to the scene outside the One Four One bar on West Street in in the city centre at 2.45am on Monday after reports of a shooting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Another day in Florida: RFK Jr posts video of him wrestling two snakes 26. May 2026 (20:38) US health secretary gets nip from one of two serpents he grabbed at home of fellow Trump official Dr OzRobert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, on Tuesday added to his lengthening catalog of bizarre wild animal encounters by posting to social media a video of himself in Florida wrestling with two snakes.Kennedy, who has previously admitted dumping the carcass of a bear cub in New York’s Central Park, and is also alleged to have cut the penis of a road-kill raccoon, is seen grabbing the pair of serpents with his bare hands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers urged to press ahead with ban on zero-hours contracts 26. May 2026 (20:13) Campaigners reject claims that tougher rules will deter hiring – and lock young people out of jobsMinisters should press ahead with a ban on zero-hours contracts, campaigners say, despite claims by business leaders that it would deter hiring and lock more young people out of the labour market.The Child Poverty Action Group and the union umbrella organisation the TUC were among eight signatories to a letter to the department of business and trade calling on the government to “ignore the noise” from businesses, which want zero-hours contracts to remain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK’s Makerfield candidate appeared to doubt seriousness of Covid on X 26. May 2026 (20:08) Exclusive: Robert Kenyon has been linked to vaccine scepticism and advised a person with the virus to ‘stop having boosters’The Reform UK candidate in this month’s Makerfield byelection appeared to express doubt over the seriousness of Covid and the efficacy of vaccines for the virus in another tranche of messages unearthed from now-deleted social media posts.Previously seen messages from Robert Kenyon showed him interacting with far-right figures and expressing strong support for Donald Trump. Separately, the broadcaster Carol Vorderman has asked Kenyon to apologise for “disgusting comments” he made about her on X in the past. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Salem witch trials help explain why Faithfuls fail to spot real Traitors, says David Olusoga 26. May 2026 (20:06) Historical events like Spanish Inquisition show the ‘velocity’ at which rumours move to conviction, says Celebrity Traitors contestantHistory might explain why Faithfuls find it so difficult to root out Traitors in the hit BBC show, suggests one member of the Celebrity Traitors cohort, who were record-breakingly bad at the game.The roundtable – where contestants discuss who should be cast out – was somewhat “frightening” because of the “velocity in which something goes from a suspicion to belief, to faith, to condemnation”, said the broadcaster and historian David Olusoga. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Implosion’ at Washington state packaging plant kills unknown number of people 26. May 2026 (19:55) Tank containing white liquor, a chemical solution used in the paper industry, ruptured, according to fire departmentSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailAuthorities in Washington state are responding to an “implosion” at a packaging plant early on Tuesday morning that killed an unknown number of people and left multiple others with chemical burns.The Longview fire department said in a statement there was a hazardous materials incident at Nippon Dynawave Packaging that occurred when a tank containing white liquor, a chemical solution used in the paper industry, ruptured. According to the state, the plant has a kraft pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging facility, and employs roughly 1,000 employees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Turkish police fire teargas to break up protest after opposition leader ousted 26. May 2026 (19:40) Water cannon also used at rally called by Özgür Özel days after court dismissed him as CHP leaderRiot police in Turkey have fired teargas and water cannon to break up a rally called by the ousted opposition leader Özgür Özel days after a court dismissed him from office.On Sunday, riot police had battered their way into the main opposition CHP’s headquarters in the capital, Ankara, firing teargas and beating party members before throwing them out, Özel said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Manchester University to offer work placements to all undergraduates 26. May 2026 (19:25) Russell Group university promises students, from chemical engineering to classics, ‘meaningful real-world experience’A leading UK university is promising work placements to all undergraduates regardless of their degree, to better equip them for the challenges of the job market.In what appears to be a first for a large Russell Group institution, the University of Manchester is planning to offer “meaningful real-world experience” to all students, in subjects from classics to chemical engineering. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran remains in peace talks despite first US strikes since ceasefire 26. May 2026 (19:06) Tehran condemns ‘definitive violation’ but announces no specific reprisals as negotiations near decisive stageMiddle East crisis – live updatesA proposed peace agreement between Iran and the US seemed to still be on the table on Tuesday despite US bombings of Iranian targets – the first military action by Washington since the 8 April ceasefire.The Iranian foreign ministry denounced the US attack – aimed at missile launchers and efforts to lay fresh mines in the strait of Hormuz – as “an act of bad faith” and “a definitive violation of the ceasefire” and said it would not leave aggression unanswered. But it conspicuously did not pull out of the talks that were continuing under the joint mediation of Pakistan and Qatar. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
