TikTok’s algorithm favored Republican content in 2024 US elections, study finds 06. May 2026 (17:24) Researchers found that TikTok’s For You pages prioritized pro-Republican content in New York, Texas and GeorgiaA study published Wednesday in the journal Nature finds that TikTok’s algorithm systematically prioritized pro-Republican content in three states leading up to the 2024 US elections.Researchers created hundreds of dummy accounts and conditioned them to mimic real users’ behavior by watching a set of videos either aligned with the US Democratic or Republican parties. Then, they tracked the videos TikTok recommended on these accounts’ For You pages, TikTok’s main feed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Your craft is obsolete’: WiseTech staff in limbo as AI touted as better than humans 06. May 2026 (17:00) The software company said in February it would cut 7,000 jobs but, as it touts new technology, workers are still waiting to hear which roles will goGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastStaff at WiseTech have been waiting almost three months to be told if they’re among the 2,000 people the logistics software company is to cut due to advances in AI, with workers criticising the wait as stressful and “ridiculous”.The comments come as its founder on Tuesday told investors an AI agent could learn a human’s job in just 15 minutes, according to the Australian Financial Review. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition considers plan to slash net overseas immigration by nearly half its current rate, leaked documents reveal 06. May 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Taskforce to mull options to cut level to 150,000-200,000, higher than One Nation’s hard 130,000 cap and Howard-era’s 100,000 targetGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Coalition is planing to cut Australia’s annual net overseas immigration levels to 150,000-200,000, according to a confidential policy roadmap that reveals Angus Taylor is preparing to fight a possible early election.An internal document circulated to senior Coalition MPs details the key policies the opposition wants to build its election platform on, as it rebuilds from its catastrophic 2025 loss. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man fatally stabbed partner and tried to blow up their London home, court hears 06. May 2026 (16:59) Clifton George admits manslaughter but denies murder of Annabel Rook, whom he stabbed at least 22 timesA man fatally stabbed his partner and then triggered a gas explosion at their north-east London home last summer, a court has heard.Clifton George, 45, is accused of murdering 46-year-old Annabel Rook during an argument at their home in Stoke Newington on 17 June 2025. George has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Defeated by conspiracy’: West Bengal chief minister refuses to resign after election loss 06. May 2026 (15:46) Mamata Banerjee says Narendra Modi’s party ‘forcefully captured’ election that ended her party’s 15 years in powerA political showdown is taking place in the Indian state of West Bengal as the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, India’s most powerful female politician, has refused to resign after she lost elections to the prime minister’s party this week.Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) won an overwhelming victory on Monday in state elections in West Bengal, where Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress party (TMC) have been in power for 15 years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pope Leo rejects claim he supports nuclear weapons after Trump tirade 06. May 2026 (14:58) Pontiff responds after US president accuses him of ‘endangering a lot of Catholics’ with stance on Iran warMiddle East crisis – live updatesPope Leo has said he has never supported nuclear weapons and that those who criticise him need to speak the truth, in response Donald Trump’s latest tirade accusing him of “endangering a lot of Catholics” with his stance on the Iran war.Speaking to journalists on Tuesday night after leaving the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, the first US-born pontiff said: “The mission of the church is to preach the gospel, to preach peace.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
World’s most powerful are suing media outlets before stories are even published, says editor 06. May 2026 (14:48) Editor-in-chief of Wall Street Journal says those with deep pockets launching legal challenges as a PR strategyPowerful figures are increasingly suing media outlets before they have even published a story, the editor of the Wall Street Journal has said.Emma Tucker, whose title is being sued by Donald Trump over its reporting of his relationship with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, said the act of reporting itself was now under threat from the use of “lawfare”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform-led Lancashire county council to quit refugee resettlement scheme 06. May 2026 (14:42) Councillor announces plan to withdraw from government-funded programme in run-up to May electionsUK politics live – latest updatesThe Reform-led Lancashire county council will withdraw from the government’s refugee resettlement scheme, one of its cabinet members has said.Councillor Joshua Roberts announced plans for Lancashire to leave the scheme, which would make it the first local authority to do so. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s commerce chief Lutnick to face Epstein grilling in closed-door interview – US politics live 06. May 2026 (14:37) Howard Lutnick has acknowledged he visited Epstein’s island with his family in 2012 after earlier claiming he severed ties in 2005Sign up for the Breaking News US emailA reminder that my colleagues are covering the latest developments out of the Middle East at our dedicated live blog. This includes the reaction to Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to halt Project Freedom – the administration’s operation to “guide” stranded ships through the strait of Hormuz as the naval blockade in the waterway continues.On Truth Social, Trump expressed optimism that the Iran war “will be at an end” and the strait of Hormuz “open to all” if Iran agrees to the US’s truce proposal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Airlines among companies using fuel surcharges to cover surge in costs, UK survey shows 06. May 2026 (14:33) Firms raising prices at fastest rate in three years, driven by soaring energy and wage bills but also extra materials costsBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices fall as Trump hails ‘progress’ on Iran dealAirlines and other companies are increasingly using fuel surcharges to cover soaring costs, a survey has found, in a further sign of Iran war-linked inflation hitting the economy.A poll of companies in the services sector, which includes airlines, found rising fuel prices had contributed to businesses raising prices at the fastest pace in more than three years in April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
