‘They have screwed each other pretty badly’: tensions emerge in Netanyahu-Trump alliance 09. May 2026 (08:00) Israeli PM says he has ‘full coordination’ with US president amid reports that Washington no longer consults himBenjamin Netanyahu interrupted an uncharacteristically long silence over the Iran conflict this week with a video commentary insisting he had “full coordination” with Donald Trump, with whom he spoke “almost daily”.The insistence that all was rosy in the US-Israeli relationship followed weeks of reports in the domestic press that Israel was no longer being consulted over the Iran conflict, and even less over Pakistani-brokered peace talks. Such is the scepticism over Netanyahu’s trustworthiness among the general public and independent press that the immediate reaction among observers to his video statement was speculation that the reality could be even worse than they had imagined. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Most Labour members think Starmer cannot revive party fortunes, poll finds 09. May 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is preferred choice of new leader for 42% of those surveyedFull results from England, Scotland and WalesThe majority of Labour members say they do not believe Keir Starmer can turn around the party’s fortunes, while 45% say the prime minister should step down.The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was the first preference for 42% of members, who were asked to rank their preferred successor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Worried Britons ‘prepping’ for major disruption with stash of tins and cash, survey shows 09. May 2026 (07:00) Fears over a natural disaster or cyber attack are pushing households into contingency planning, Link survey showsMillions of Britons are “prepping” for a potential “major disruptive event” by keeping a stash of cash at home, stockpiling tinned goods or ensuring they have a battery-powered torch close to hand, new data suggests.With war raging in the Middle East and Ukraine, extreme weather becoming more frequent, and warnings that the UK’s critical infrastructure is at risk from cyber-attacks and power outages, many people feel the world has become a more dangerous and chaotic place. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France has a record number of presidential hopefuls. Will any of them be able to hold back the far right? 09. May 2026 (07:00) About 30 people – nearly all men – have expressed an interest in taking on the far-right National Rally in next year’s ballotAt a Paris meeting hall this week, hundreds of leftwing voters braved a rainstorm to gather chanting: “Unity! Unity!”They were celebrating the 90th anniversary of France’s Popular Front, a leftwing alliance that was formed in the 1930s amid fears that the far right could take power. But their concerns were more immediate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
David Pocock applauds $387m in extra funding for CSIRO after tens of thousands sign petition 09. May 2026 (04:31) Analysis commissioned by independent senator found national science agency’s funding is at its lowest since 1978Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government will boost funding to CSIRO by $387.4m in a bid to meet the long-term costs of the national science agency.It follows months of advocacy by scientists and staff after hundreds of job cuts and cost-cutting measures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US military strike on vessel in eastern Pacific kills two people, leaving one survivor 09. May 2026 (04:08) More than 190 people have been killed in such strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and PacificThe US military on Friday said it struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people and leaving one survivor in the latest attack on boats suspected of transporting narcotics. This brings the death toll from strikes on such vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific to more than 190 people since September.A video posted by the US Southern Command shows the vessel traveling through the water being hit by what appears to be a missile. The screen momentarily goes black and then shows the boat engulfed in flames. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
John Swinney urges Starmer to show Scotland ‘greater respect’ after SNP victory 09. May 2026 (02:36) Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, concedes his party was comprehensively beaten in election as count puts his party on 17 seats, a tie with ReformElection 2026 live: latest news updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesJohn Swinney, the Scottish National party leader, has challenged Keir Starmer to show “greater respect” to the Scottish government after winning the Holyrood elections by a comfortable margin.The Scottish National party secured a record fifth term in office on Friday after securing 58 of Holyrood’s 129 seats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
General Motors to pay $12.75m settlement for selling drivers’ location and data 09. May 2026 (01:51) Automaker had given ‘numerous statements reassuring drivers that it would not do so’, says California attorney generalGeneral Motors (GM) agreed to pay $12.75m to resolve claims that it illegally sold hundreds of thousands of Californians’ location and driving data to two data brokers, said the state’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, on Friday. He said this came after the Detroit-based automaker had given “numerous statements reassuring drivers that it would not do so”.“General Motors sold the data of California drivers without their knowledge or consent,” Bonta said in a statement. “This trove of information included precise and personal location data that could identify the everyday habits and movements of Californians.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration relaxing hunting restrictions in US parks and refuges 09. May 2026 (01:09) After January order from US department of the interior, managers across 55 sites have lifted prohibitionsDonald Trump’s administration is quietly pushing national park, refuge and wilderness area managers to dramatically scale back hunting restrictions, raising questions about visitor safety and the impact on wildlife.Doug Burgum, the US Department of the Interior secretary, issued an order in January directing multiple agencies to remove what he termed “unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers” to hunting and fishing, to and justify regulations they want to keep in place. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Doge slashing of humanities grants in 2025 ruled biased and unconstitutional 09. May 2026 (00:32) US judge says halt of $100m in funds allotted by Congress for scholars, writers and research illegal and discriminatoryA federal judge ruled on Thursday that the terminations of hundreds of humanities grants last year by the Trump administration’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) were unconstitutional and involved “blatant” discrimination. In April last year, Donald Trump’s administration terminated more than 1,400 grants, representing more than $100m in congressionally appropriated funds awarded to scholars, writers, research institutions and other humanities organizations.The terminations were part of a cost-cutting drive that billionaire Elon Musk was leading at Doge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
