‘The FDA is a complete mess’: Trump makes fate of agency chief unclear as public trust plummits 09. May 2026 (12:00) Food and Drug Administration commissioner’s decisions have hurt staff morale and put his job in crosshairsDonald Trump has signed off on a plan to fire Marty Makary, the commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, after a series of high-profile agency decisions put the FDA head in the crosshairs of the White House and Republican lawmakers.Makary’s tenure at the FDA has been marked by several controversial decisions on drugs and vaccines amid plummeting staff morale over layoffs and the appointments of divisive officials. Recent political clashes include abortion, drugs and vaping, but decisions to pull back publications on the safety of shingles and Covid vaccines, among other immunization decisions, have also rocked public health. There have also been concerns about the transition from two clinical trials to one, the commissioner’s new priority review vouchers and “data-free” regulatory decisions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia will always be victorious, says Putin at scaled-back Victory Day parade 09. May 2026 (11:55) Moscow blanketed in heavy security despite last-minute announcement of three-day ceasefire with UkraineVladimir Putin has declared Russia will always be victorious as he oversaw a scaled-back Victory Day parade on Red Square held under heavy security amid mounting fears of Ukrainian attacks and growing public fatigue with the war.Speaking to the crowd, the Russian leader invoked the sacrifices of the second world war to rally support for his soldiers fighting in the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer gives Brown and Harman new roles as pressure grows over election mauling – UK politics live 09. May 2026 (11:43) Several frontbenchers told the Guardian they agreed the prime minister’s time in office should not go beyond the end of the yearMapped: how Labour lost ground in different directionsPippa Crerar: Starmer under pressure to agree exit planGordon Brown has been appointed as a special envoy on global finance.Number 10 said:The PM has committed to boosting the country’s security and resilience’In this role, Gordon Brown will advise on how global finance cooperation can help to achieve this. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire begins as Moscow holds Victory Day parade – Europe live 09. May 2026 (11:36) As ceasefire begins, Zelenskyy says ‘Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home’Saturday is also Europe Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration that ultimately laid the groundwork for the European Union as it exists today.On X, Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote that Ukraine – which is seeking EU membership – is celebrating Europe Day “not formally or through sloganeering, but fully aware that we are already an inseparable part of the European family”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Early results show One Nation on track to win Farrer byelection 09. May 2026 (11:13) Initial counting shows David Farley with a clear lead ahead of independent Michelle Milthorpe as Coalition support tanksGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation appeared on track for its first ever lower house victory on Saturday night, with early results showing Pauline Hanson’s insurgent party taking the lead in the Farrer byelection.Irrigator David Farley looked well placed to beat independent Michelle Milthorpe in the closely watched race, which would translate One Nation’s dramatic rise in public support since last year’s federal election to a clear result in parliament and further weaken Angus Taylor’s depleted Liberal party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Everyone has a breaking point’: the immigration judges at the sharp end of Trump’s deportation drive 09. May 2026 (11:00) Judges have been fired or taken buyouts, and those remaining say they toe the government lineDavid Koelsch, a former immigration judge based in Maryland, was in Minneapolis visiting his mother and sister the day Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. He drove to Nicollet Avenue, parked a few blocks away, and walked toward the scene.“I didn’t go there to protest. I didn’t bring a sign. I didn’t bring anything. I just went to stand and bear witness,” Koelsch said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Barrister says ‘dead woman was put on trial’ after husband cleared of manslaughter 09. May 2026 (08:59) Charlotte Proudman’s comments follow trial of Christopher Trybus, who was acquitted of all charges against wife Tarryn BairdA barrister has suggested that a “dead woman was put on trial” in the case of Christopher Trybus, who was cleared of manslaughter by a jury.Charlotte Proudman’s comments came after Trybus was found not guilty by a jury of eight women and four men, who deliberated for more than 40 hours. He was acquitted of all charges: manslaughter, coercive and controlling behaviour and two counts of rape. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The SNP may have won again but Scottish politics has been upended 09. May 2026 (08:50) Public frustration gave the SNP a muted victory, while Labour tied with Reform for second and the Greens claimed a ‘seismic’ resultLong before the final votes were counted in Scotland, veteran Labour politicians said it was a defeat made in Downing Street.When the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, strode into the Glasgow count arena on Friday afternoon flanked by sombre-faced activists, the scene was a mirror image to the same venue in 2024, when his resurgent party won 36 seats from the Scottish National party, playing a significant part in Keir Starmer’s landslide victory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mysterious disappearance of man on popular WA hiking track sparks police search 09. May 2026 (08:06) Samuel Whitsed, 27, is believed to have travelled from Victoria to hike Bibbulmun Track near outskirts of PerthGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThree months after a hiker was last seen at a popular walking track, police have become increasingly concerned for the missing man’s welfare.Police have scoured dense bushland for a Victorian man after he disappeared from a popular hiking trail on the other side of the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We are talking about energy security for Europe’: Norway doubles down on oil and gas production 09. May 2026 (08:00) Norway’s energy minister says country has a ‘responsibility’ to address shortfalls caused by wars in Ukraine and Middle EastIn case of any doubt about Norway’s commitment to maintain – and expand – its production of gas and oil offshore, the energy minister, Terje Aasland, has a pithy response: “We will develop, not dismantle, activity on our continental shelf.”This week, to the alarm of environmental campaigners, he announced that three gasfields off the country’s southern coast would reopen by the end of 2028 – nearly three decades after they closed – to meet a shortfall caused by the impact of the war in Ukraine and disruption to supplies from the Middle East. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
