Australia news live: banks pass on interest rate hike to customers; Sydney ‘globalise the intifada’ forum held in park 05. May 2026 (23:55) Lenders increase borrowing rates by 0.25%; pro-Palestine meeting barred from council venue goes ahead outside in Darlington. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFederal shadow treasurer says any handouts in budget could add to inflationThe federal shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, has warned that potential cash handouts in next week’s federal budget could add to inflation.Unfortunately when the government hasn’t take inflation seriously, we’ve ended up in this situation and the risk is that if you keep handing out money to households, what you’ll actually do is fuel inflation.This is a government that cuts taxes. We’ve cut taxes already and we will cut taxes again, we made that clear and we made that public.The issue is, the budget won’t be pumping a lot of extra stimulus in the economy, in fact overall we’ll be winding back spending in the budget. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FDA blocked studies finding Covid and shingles vaccines safe, HHS official says 05. May 2026 (23:46) Serious side effects from vaccines were rare, scientists found in studies funded by US taxpayer moneyThe US Food and Drug Administration has blocked the publication of several studies that found Covid-19 and shingles vaccines to be safe, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services.Agency scientists conducted the studies by analyzing millions of patient records and found that serious side effects from the vaccines were rare, the spokesperson confirmed. The studies – funded by taxpayer money and costing several million dollars – included research examining the safety of Covid-19 vaccines in 2023 and 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zack Polanski falsely claimed to be British Red Cross spokesperson, charity says 05. May 2026 (23:33) Green party leader also accused of incorrectly stating he was a full member of the National Council of HypnotherapyZack Polanski falsely claimed to be a spokesperson for the British Red Cross while campaigning for Green party leadership, the charity has said.This was also mentioned on his personal website in 2020, where he said he was “really proud of the work we do”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Unwell British crew member to be ‘urgently’ evacuated from cruise ship after hantavirus cases 05. May 2026 (23:29) Briton and Dutch colleague to be removed from MV Hondius, as ship sets course for Canary Islands after deal struck with Spain What is hantavirus, the infection thought to have killed three on cruise ship?A British crew member who became ill after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean is to be medically evacuated, officials have said.The crew member is being prepared for medical evacuation from the MV Hondius along with a Dutch colleague, with Dutch authorities overseeing the operation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California ‘failing victims’ of violent crime as financial support plummets 05. May 2026 (23:13) Analysis finds victims’ compensation program is awarding less money to fewer people, although budget has increasedVictims of violent crime in California are finding it increasingly hard to get support from the state, a new analysis has found, a development that has locked some of the most vulnerable people out of funds to help cover crime scene cleanup, relocation costs, funerals and therapy.California established the nation’s first victims’ compensation program in 1965, aimed at helping victims of violent crimes and their families cover some of the costs sprung onto them by the violence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senate Republicans propose package including $1bn that could go to Trump ballroom 05. May 2026 (21:51) New immigration enforcement package could fund security of $400m ‘East Wing modernization project’Senate Republicans have released a new immigration enforcement funding package that includes a proposed $1bn that could go to security measures related to the $400m ballroom that is part of Donald Trump’s “East Wing modernization project”.Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican who chairs the Senate judiciary committee, released the funding plan on Monday, as part of a wider bill the Republican party plans to pass along party lines to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies involved in the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US-Iran truce teeters on meltdown as stalemate takes toll on each side 05. May 2026 (21:11) Conflict appears to have reached impasse, but leaders in Tehran and Washington seem to think victory is nearThe month-old ceasefire between Iran and the US appeared to be in new peril on Tuesday with a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles reported to have targeted the United Arab Emirates as US naval forces pressed ahead with efforts to reopen the strait of Hormuz.The Iranian strike on the UAE was the second in 48 hours, and came shortly after the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, insisted the shaky truce which has paused the war in the Middle East was intact, despite the new increase in violence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Tate sought CPS assurance he would not be arrested if he returned to UK, court hears 05. May 2026 (20:57) Disclosure made at preliminary hearing for civil case in which four women accuse the influencer and his brother of rapeAndrew Tate sought written assurances from prosecutors that he would not be arrested if he returned to the UK for a civil case in which he is accused of rape, a court has heard.Lawyers for the influencer and self-described misogynist, who has been charged with 10 criminal offences and is under investigation by various forces, made the submission last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MoD has no system to detect civilian harm caused by military, study shows 05. May 2026 (20:47) Revelation comes after report commissioned by department released in response to charity’s FoI requestThe Ministry of Defence has no system for examining whether UK military action has killed or injured civilians in war, a study commissioned by the department has revealed.The MoD also “does not maintain a central register of civilian harm incidents or allegations” and, despite mass casualties caused by other countries, has concluded there is no need to do so because its existing mitigation is considered effective. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US announces deals with tech firms for national security review of AI models before release 05. May 2026 (20:44) Agreements with Microsoft, Google DeepMind and xAI focus largely on recognizing cybersecurity, biosecurity and chemical weapons risksThe US government has struck deals with Google DeepMind, Microsoft and xAI to review early versions of their new AI models before they are released to the public.The Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), part of the US Department of Commerce, announced the agreements on Tuesday, saying the review process would be key to understanding the capabilities of new and powerful AI models as well as to protecting US national security. These collaborations will help the federal government “scale (its) work in the public interest at a critical moment”, the agency said in a press release. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
