Next boss warns over ‘dramatic fall’ in UK entry-level jobs 26. May 2026 (11:58) Peer’s comments come as Milburn report is likely to find government has failed to tackle youth unemploymentBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Next has sounded the alarm about a “dramatic fall” in the number of entry-level jobs in the UK that is driving up youth unemployment, saying the retailer now receives twice as many applicants for each role than two years ago.Lord Wolfson said the clothing and homeware chain, where he has been chief executive since 2001, typically received 10 applications for every job in its shops in 2024 but that number has now risen to 19. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wes Streeting says Starmer ‘behind the curve’ on under-16s social media ban – UK politics live 26. May 2026 (11:51) Former health secretary says he unsuccessfully argued for tougher action when in cabinetCarol Vorderman has demanded an apology from a “cowardly” Reform UK candidate in the Makerfield by-election who supported an sexually explicit post about her, the Press Association is reporting. PA says:Robert Kenyon, who is standing against Labour’s Andy Burnham in the 18 June contest, used a now-deleted X account to support an offensive post about the Welsh broadcaster.Messages published by campaign group Hope Not Hate showed that Kenyon responded on Christmas Eve 2021 to another person’s post including graphic sexual language about the presenter, who made her name as the maths expert on Channel 4’s Countdown. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four killed as train and school bus collide in Belgium – Europe live 26. May 2026 (11:46) Minister says that two children are among the dead and another two people have been seriously injuredBelgium’s mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke told Belgian broadcaster RTL that four people died in the crash – two children, the driver and the other adult.“It’s tragic,” he was reported as saying.“My first thoughts are with the victims, but also with those who were injured and their families.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Carol Vorderman demands apology from Reform candidate over ‘disgusting comments’ 26. May 2026 (11:46) Broadcaster describes Robert Kenyon, who is standing in Makerfield byelection, as a misogynist and a ‘cowardly man’UK politics live – latest updatesCarol Vorderman has demanded an apology from the Reform UK candidate in the upcoming Makerfield byelection for “disgusting comments” he made about her on social media in the past.The broadcaster and former Countdown numbers expert described Robert Kenyon, who Reform has backed to face Andy Burnham in next month’s vote, as a “cowardly man” for a series of offensive posts made by the Wigan councillor that have since been deleted, along with his account. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
B&Q sales hit by wet Easter but it hopes to gain in heatwave 26. May 2026 (11:36) Kingfisher, owner of the DIY chain, is top FTSE 100 riser after it says it will stick to full-year profit outlookBusiness live – latest updatesA wet and cold Easter hit sales of barbecues and garden products at the home improvement chain B&Q, but it hopes to make up lost ground during the current heatwave.B&Q owner Kingfisher, which also owns Screwfix in the UK, as well as Castorama and Brico Dépôt across six European countries, said like-for-like sales (at outlets open at least a year) in the UK and Ireland dipped 0.9% between February and April, its first quarter. Within that, B&Q sales fell 4.1% while Screwfix revenue climbed 4.1%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Seven deaths in France linked to record-high temperatures 26. May 2026 (11:19) Five of the deaths were by drowning while two people died competing in sporting eventsSeven people have died in France in an extreme early-summer heat event that is affecting a swathe of western Europe, as France and the UK set record highs for May and temperatures were forecast to rise further on Tuesday.“What I can say today is that there have been seven deaths linked directly or indirectly to the heat,” a French government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon, told TF1 television, adding that five of the deaths were by drowning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Revealed: huge climate cost of harmful emissions from US immigration flights 26. May 2026 (11:00) Trump campaign accelerating climate crisis as officials move migrants to detention jails and deport them from USUS immigration enforcement flights are producing hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of climate-damaging carbon emissions as officials shuttle unprecedented numbers of people to detention centers far from home and deport them to countries across the world.Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign has spurred at least an 80% increase in such flights year over year, accelerating the climate crisis by emitting massive amounts of carbon dioxide, according to data analysis shared exclusively with the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NT police won’t be charged over Kumanjayi White’s death as Lidia Thorpe criticises lack of justice 26. May 2026 (10:45) Police commissioner acknowledges outcome causes ‘significant distress’ for 24-year-old Warlpiri man’s family and wider communityWarning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have diedNorthern Territory police will not lay any charges against officers after an Indigenous man died while being restrained in an Alice Springs supermarket in 2025.Kumanjayi White, a 24‑year‑old Warlpiri man who lived with cognitive disabilities, died on 27 May last year during a confrontation with police in a Coles supermarket. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mother of boy who may have died in TikTok challenge urges No 10 to ban social media 26. May 2026 (10:34) Ellen Roome, whose son, Jools Sweeney, was 14 when he died, wants a ban put in place for under-16sThe mother of a teenager who believes he died in a TikTok challenge gone wrong has said Downing Street has been too slow to move towards a social media ban for under-16s, and accused the government of “kicking it down the road”.Ellen Roome, the mother of Jools Sweeney, 14, is among the families who will meet Keir Starmer on Tuesday as a consultation on a possible social media ban closes this week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Heavy rain and storms expected in Australia’s south-east as severe weather warning issued for Tasmania 26. May 2026 (09:57) Bureau of Meteorology says thunderstorms could bring widespread rainfalls and flash flooding while there are ‘signs of El Niño development’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSevere thunderstorms could bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding to eastern and south-eastern Australia in coming days, according to the weather bureau.On Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said a low-pressure system over South Australia combined with moisture being pushed down the eastern seaboard from the tropics, would bring widespread rainfalls. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
