‘Not a good look’: witnesses refuse to appear before NSW parliamentary hearings after court ruling 05. May 2026 (17:00) Chris Minns’ chief of staff launched legal action to avoid giving evidence. Since the court ruled in his favour, others are doing the sameFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWitnesses are refusing to appear before New South Wales parliamentary inquiries due to a recent court ruling, in a move labelled as having a “completely unacceptable” impact on public interest investigations.In December, the NSW court of appeal ruled that provisions of the Parliamentary Evidence Act allowing for arrest warrants were invalid on the basis that they impaired the court’s institutional integrity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Philip Morris uses secret Senate hearing to warn illegal tobacco in Australia could wipe out legal trade by 2030 05. May 2026 (17:00) Company pushes for lower excise and claims threats warrant secrecy, while critics say it has ‘no interest in public health or safety’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTobacco giant Philip Morris told a secret Senate hearing that soaring trade in illegal cigarettes would wipe out legal products in Australia as soon as 2030, claiming executives’ identities should be kept secret because of threats from organised crime.Labor criticised Coalition MPs for allowing the company to give evidence to an inquiry on illegal tobacco in a closed-door session in Canberra on Monday, ending more than 15 years of precedent under a World Health Organization (WHO) agreement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It’s quite distressing’: rate rise brings new pain for would-be homebuyers 05. May 2026 (17:00) Property prices are still rising at the entry level and as borrowing costs increase, the home ownership dream is even further out of reach The third Reserve Bank rate hike in a row has delivered a blow not only to mortgaged homeowners, but also to those hoping to break into the property market like Dani Hunterford and her husband.They have been saving for a deposit but have been left frustrated as another rate hike appears to put their homeowning dream out of reach again. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK homebuyers face worst mortgage affordability since 2008, data shows 05. May 2026 (16:58) ‘Least affordable’ areas mainly in London commuter belt, UK Finance finds, with Iran war not yet reflected in dataBusiness live – latest updatesUK homebuyers are facing the worst mortgage affordability pressures for almost two decades, although the “pain” is not being felt equally across the country, according to industry data.The banking body UK Finance said that at a nationwide level, initial mortgage repayments were typically swallowing up more than a fifth (21.3%) of a homebuyer’s gross income – the highest level since 2008. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
David Letterman doubts late-night’s future before Colbert finale 05. May 2026 (16:56) Veteran host says format may not last as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ends its 33-year run amid controversyAhead of the final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, former network late-night host David Letterman said that he would be “surprised” if other shows in that format last too much longer.Letterman, 79, made the remark in an interview with the New York Times that was published on Tuesday, in which he also described his “disbelief” upon learning Colbert’s show had been cancelled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rubble from Trump ballroom dumped at DC golf course has toxic metals, data shows 05. May 2026 (16:53) A federal judge also warned White House to tread carefully as it moves ahead with plans to revamp DC golf courseA federal judge weighed into a dispute over Donald Trump’s controversial plans to revamp a historic Washington DC golf course on Monday, warning the president’s administration to tread carefully as it also dumped “toxic” rubble from the demolished White House East Wing there.District court judge Ana Reyes likened the saga to an episode of the hit television comedy Parks and Recreation during an emergency hearing in the capital to hear an application for a temporary restraining order filed by the DC Preservation League. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sweary first trailer for young Anthony Bourdain biopic 05. May 2026 (16:07) Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers breakout, will play legendary chef in a 70s-set drama from BlackBerry’s directorThe first trailer for the Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, has been released giving us a sweary look at the late food icon’s younger years.Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers breakout, plays 19-year-old Bourdain as he gets his first job in a kitchen in mid-70s Cape Cod. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ohio heads to polls as Ramaswamy hopes to lock in as Republican candidate for governor – US politics live 05. May 2026 (15:09) Trump-endorsed candidate facing a long-shot challenge from car designer and YouTube provocateur Casey PutschSign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump is in Washington today. He’ll spend the day in meetings, tape an interview, and sign a proclamation before attending a Rose Garden Club dinner at the White House at 7pm ET.We’ll hear from the president directly at 10:30am ET in the Oval Office, and then secretary of state Marco Rubio will address reporters for a press briefing at 3pm ET. We’ll also bring you the latest lines as that gets under way Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Protesters push Portland to investigate firm that appears to supply drone tech to Israel 05. May 2026 (15:00) Sightline Intelligence sent AI-supported tool to company that provides drones to Israeli military, research group saysAnti-war activists in Portland, Oregon, are pushing city authorities to ensure no local resources, tax breaks or investments support a local company that appears to be supplying artificial intelligence software to the Israeli military.The company, Sightline Intelligence, manufactures AI-supported video technology that is used in drones to interpret target movements and make quick decisions based on the perceived threat level. Cargo documents appear to show Sightline has shipped its technology to Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms manufacturer that provides drones to that country’s military and exports to others. The activists argue that such sales violate the UN’s arms agreements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
HSBC profits fall amid $400m fraud-related charge and Iran war 05. May 2026 (14:57) London-headquartered bank’s shares slide as it sets aside an extra $300m to cover effects of Middle East conflictBusiness live – latest updatesHSBC has taken a $1.3bn (£961m) hit to profits, amid the fallout from the US-Israel war on Iran and fraud in the troubled private credit sector.The London-headquartered bank said profits fell 4% in the first three months of the year, dropping $100m to $9.4bn, compared with the same period in 2025. Revenue increased 6% to $18.6bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
