US strikes Iran missile sites and mine laying vessels as Trump’s promised peace deal remains elusive 26. May 2026 (05:28) Negotiators from Iran travelled to Qatar on Monday, with the fate of the country’s nuclear programme and access to frozen assets under discussionMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US has launched strikes on southern Iran in a test of the seven-week long ceasefire, as both sides played down hopes for an imminent peace deal even as negotiators from Tehran began new talks in Qatar.US forces targeted missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, US central command (Centcom) said on Tuesday, but stressed that the strikes did not indicate the ceasefire with Iran was over. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sonny Rollins, colossus of jazz saxophone, dies aged 95 26. May 2026 (04:01) One of the last stars of the bebop generation, Rollins was an genius of melodic invention and improvisation, working with Davis, Monk, Coltrane and othersSonny Rollins interview from 2022: ‘I was so close to the sky. It was spiritual’Sonny Rollins, one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time, has died aged 95.His death was announced on his website on Monday, “with deep sorrow and profound love”. His publicist Terri Hinte also confirmed the news. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vivid Sydney cancels shows after 89 drones plunge into Darling Harbour 26. May 2026 (02:57) Event organisers blame ‘unforeseen technical difficulties’ for the drone malfunction, with four performances cancelledFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAbout 90 drones have plummeted from the sky and plunged into Sydney’s Darling Harbour during an aerial drone show, prompting a second event to be cancelled later in the evening.Vivid Sydney said “unforeseen technical difficulties” occurred during Monday’s 7.30pm performance of the show, called Star-Bound, resulting in 89 drones falling into the water at Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour. No injuries have been reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chris Bowen says he has made it ‘crystal clear’ to BHP and other big polluters they must cut emissions onsite 26. May 2026 (02:48) Mining giant’s backsliding on climate commitments due to ‘weakness’ of policy, Kate Chaney saysAdam Morton: Big Mining gets a $4bn tax break to use fossil fuel. It’s a strange way to tackle emissionsRead more from the BHP files investigation hereGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s climate change minister, Chris Bowen, says he has made it “crystal clear” that he expects industrial polluters including BHP to reduce their onsite emissions after leaked documents revealed that the world’s biggest miner has backtracked on climate action.An exclusive investigation based on documents leaked to by the Guardian and the ABC show BHP has 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)
Power bills to fall by up to 10% from July as renewables and batteries soar across Australia 26. May 2026 (02:16) Australia now a top-three global player in batteries, and renewable energy met nearly half of the nation’s power in 2025Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEnergy bills for households and small businesses will fall by up to 10% from July across parts of the eastern states, as a new industry survey shows record levels of renewables and batteries in the power grid.Households in New South Wales and south-east Queensland on standing electricity plans – known as the “default market offer” – can expect prices to fall between 3.4% and 10.7% compared to last year, according to the Australian Energy Regulator’s final offer for 2026-27. Some could save up to $155 per year. While, South Australian households on a flat rate could expect an increase of 1.4%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel escalates strikes in Lebanon as Netanyahu vows to ‘crush’ Hezbollah 26. May 2026 (02:01) Hezbollah and Israel launch attacks amid increasingly imperilled ceasefire and stalling talks between US and IranMiddle East crisis: live updatesThe Israeli army has intensified strikes in southern Lebanon, as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to escalate its offensive in an effort to “crush” Hezbollah in a further erosion of an already fragmented ceasefire.In turn, Hezbollah said it staged several attacks on Monday on three barracks and a military post in northern Israel “in response to the violation of the ceasefire” by Israel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A tsunami of harm’: views on tackling online safety for under-16s in the UK 26. May 2026 (01:01) Campaigners, teenagers, legislators and experts give their opinions on the government’s social media consultation Change is coming for social media platforms. The UK government’s consultation on improving online safety for children will result in some form of action being taken against big tech. Even before the deadline for submissions has passed, ministers have pledged to introduce an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s or restrictions on “addictive” features such as infinite scrolling.There is overwhelming pressure from safety campaigners and MPs for a further crackdown on social media platforms, despite the introduction of the Online Safety Act, which requires tech firms to shield children from harmful content. The deadline for contributions is Tuesday night and the government has promised to act swiftly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nurseries in England charging extra fees to cover funding gap, campaigners say 25. May 2026 (23:30) Head of Early Years Alliance says additional charges paid by parents represent ‘cross-subsidy’Parents of nursery children in England are being charged extra fees to cover for government underfunding of free childcare hours, with some paying thousands of pounds a year for consumables such as food, wipes and nappies, campaigners have said.The comments came as the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, asked the competition watchdog to investigate hidden extra charges that parents have encountered when trying to access government-funded childcare. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Like tobacco’: Wes Streeting calls for partial social media ban for under-16s 25. May 2026 (22:59) Exclusive: Former health secretary’s intervention comes as government closes consultation on age limits for platformsSocial media companies should be treated like the tobacco industry, Wes Streeting has argued, as he called for a ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms.Speaking publicly about the prospect of a ban for the first time since he left government, the former health secretary said one was needed because large technology companies were trying to dodge regulations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer urged to intervene in ‘rigged’ Indian prosecution of British human rights activist 25. May 2026 (21:53) Senior lawyers call on prime minister to request Indian prosecutors drop charges that would breach double jeopardy ruleFour senior lawyers, including the former attorney general Dominic Grieve, have written to Keir Starmer urging him to request that Indian prosecutors drop charges against the British national Jagtar Singh Johal on the basis that continued prosecution would be in manifest breach of the double jeopardy rule which prevents someone being tried twice for the same offence.Johal has been held in an Indian jail for eight years, and in March last year was acquitted of the terrorist charges laid against him in a court in Punjab. The court found the prosecutors had “miserably failed” to present any reliable evidence, despite having had seven years to do so. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
