SNP accused of ‘embezzling’ voters over Peter Murrell’s theft of party funds 26. May 2026 (17:51) Scottish National party’s attempt to focus on call for independence referendum overshadowed by embezzlement scandalThe Scottish National party was accused of “embezzling” voters after opposition leaders highlighted the crisis over Peter Murrell’s misuse of £400,000 from party funds.The scandal over Murrell’s guilty plea on Monday to embezzling £400,310.65 while he was the SNP’s chief executive overshadowed a Holyrood motion tabled by John Swinney to call for a second independence referendum. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italy’s top court rules against tourist refused tap water in Dolomites hotel 26. May 2026 (17:36) Woman argued water was a universal human right but court ruled no law obliged hoteliers to serve it from tapsA tourist’s simple request for a glass of tap water at a hotel restaurant in the Italian Dolomites has culminated in Italy’s top court ruling that being served water from the tap is not a consumer right, after a lengthy and costly legal saga.The case dates back to 2019 when the woman spent a week at the five-star hotel in the ski resort of Corvara, in Badia, over Christmas and new year. She was on a half-board deal with the evening meal included, except for drinks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal court blocks new Republican-friendly voting map in Alabama 26. May 2026 (17:30) Panel of three judges says congressional map was drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black votersAlabama cannot use a new Republican-friendly map in this year’s midterm elections because it was drawn to intentionally discriminate against Black voters, a panel of three federal judges ruled on Tuesday.The decision blocks Alabama from using a congressional map lawmakers passed in 2023 but never went into effect because the same court found it was drawn with intent to discriminate. Alabama was eventually ordered to adopt a map with two majority-Black districts that both elected Democrats. After the US supreme court gutted a major provision of the Voting Rights Act in a case called Louisiana v Callais in April, Alabama took the extraordinary step of moving its imminent congressional primary and sought to use the 2023 congressional map this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Image of ‘twin babies’ used by anti-abortion activist appears to show sugar gliders 26. May 2026 (17:00) Joanna Howe says the image was sent to her by a woman ashamed of her abortion, and used it to support ‘rally for Emma and Ruth’ in favour of NSW billGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn image posted by anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe claiming to show aborted twin girls called “Ruth and Emma” appears to be a picture of sugar gliders.The two little pink bodies are displayed on a clean white background and experts say the image does not look at all like the product of an abortion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rein in fossil fuel tax concessions, Labor MP says after BHP revelations 26. May 2026 (17:00) Jerome Laxale breaks ranks to publicly back reforms that would also wind back the diesel fuel rebateFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Labor MP Jerome Laxale says it’s “reasonable to expect more” from mining giants, breaking ranks to publicly back changes to the generous tax concessions blamed for holding back decarbonisation after revelations BHP delayed major projects to cut emissions.Labor’s grassroots environment action group has also renewed calls to wind back the diesel fuel rebate following an exclusive investigation by the Guardian and the ABC, which revealed BHP scrapped a project to significantly reduce global emissions, delayed vast renewables projects in the Pilbara and war-gamed options to push the electrification of its polluting diesel truck and train fleets into the next two decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Czech police release Russian bishop after ‘white powder’ found in his car 26. May 2026 (16:58) Russia says arrest of Bishop Hilarion, who heads Orthodox congregation in Karlovy Vary, was politically motivated ‘setup’Czech police have released a Russian Orthodox bishop who was detained on suspicion of drug possession, after Moscow condemned the arrest as a politically motivated setup.Bishop Hilarion, also known by his secular name, Grigory Alfeyev, was stopped by police on Sunday in Karlovy Vary, a spa town in western Czechia popular with Russian tourists, after officers discovered containers of a white substance in the boot of his car. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK records highest ever May temperature for second day in a row 26. May 2026 (16:41) Temperature reaches 35C at Heathrow on Tuesday after 34.8C high at Kew Gardens in London on MondayTell us: how are you coping in the UK heatwave?The UK has recorded its highest-ever May temperature for the second consecutive day, as thermometers hit 35C (95F) at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in London, the Met Office said.The latest high was recorded the day after the country’s provisional hottest meteorological spring temperature, of 34.8C in Kew Gardens in south-west London. The previous May peak of 32.8C had stood since 1922. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jury sworn in at trial of Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged sex offences 26. May 2026 (16:32) Trial of former DUP leader expected to last four weeks alongside trial of facts for wife, Eleanor, on charges of aiding and abettingThe jury in Jeffrey Donaldson’s trial for alleged sex offences has been sworn in, launching one of the most high-profile trials in recent Northern Irish history.The former MP and Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader entered Newry crown court on Tuesday amid a heavy police and media presence for the trial which is expected to last about four weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman guilty of killing stepdaughter, five, by scalding almost 50 years ago 26. May 2026 (16:02) Janice Nix convicted of manslaughter after brother of Andrea Bernard alters account of incident in 1978A woman has been found guilty of killing her five-year-old stepdaughter by punishing her in a scalding hot bath almost 50 years ago.Andrea Bernard’s death in 1978 in Thornton Heath, south London, was treated as an accident until the girl’s older brother, Desmond Bernard, went to police in 2022 with a new account of what happened, Isleworth crown court heard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Renters could save $20bn on bills in a decade from rooftop solar and appliance upgrades – if landlords act 26. May 2026 (16:01) Owners’ lack of motivation due to ‘split incentive’ is main reason rental properties are missing out on energy upgrades, research findsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRenters make up nearly a third of Australian households, yet many are missing out on energy upgrades – such as insulation, appliances and rooftop solar – that could slash their power bills and improve home comfort.The problem, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), is landlords’ lack of motivation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
