Spain awards UN legal expert Francesca Albanese one of its highest civilian honours 07. May 2026 (16:17) Honour recognises Albanese’s work ‘documenting and denouncing violations of international law in Gaza’The Spanish government awarded the UN legal expert Francesca Albanese one of its highest civilian honours in recognition of what it termed her “extensive work in documenting and denouncing violations of international law in Gaza”.Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer who serves as the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, has been vocal in her criticisms of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which she has described as genocide. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Authorities search home linked to 1996 killing of college student Kristin Smart 07. May 2026 (16:04) Smart went missing in California after returning from a party, and was declared legally dead in 2002 Authorities plan on Thursday to enter the second day of their search of a home connected to the man convicted of killing 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart in 1996, according to law enforcement.The San Luis Obispo county sheriff’s office served the warrant on Wednesday in the continuing investigation into Smart’s disappearance. Her remains were never found and she was declared legally dead in 2002. Paul Flores was convicted in October 2022 and ultimately sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Revealed: owner of former WH Smith stores is charging fee to use fictitious ‘family’ brand 07. May 2026 (15:36) Exclusive: Documents show Modella Capital, which bought the chain last year, is so far owed £2.9m in royalty feesThe investment company that owns the former WH Smith high street stores is charging the retailer millions of pounds in licence fees for the right to use its widely derided TG Jones name, the Guardian can reveal.Modella Capital, which bought the chain from WH Smith’s parent company last year, on Wednesday blamed weak consumer spending as it laid out a restructuring plan that could shut 150 of its 450 shops. It also said “the forced name change from WH Smith has also negatively impacted consumer awareness”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran conducting near-daily prisoner executions in secrecy, say rights groups 07. May 2026 (15:12) Families pressured to stay silent, with at least 24 executions reportedly taking place since March amid internet blackoutMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran is carrying out near-daily executions of prisoners in secrecy and, in some cases, refusing to hand the bodies of the dead to their families, according to rights groups and sources close to the relatives of the dead.Many families only learn of executions after they have been carried out, with some facing harassment and pressure not to speak publicly on the personal impact of the state killings, the sources say. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘People should be talking about it’: moves to curtail vaccine information obscures important science, doctors say 07. May 2026 (15:00) Quashed studies, halted publications and canceled research threaten damage to public health, critics saySign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A series of high-profile and under-the-radar decisions by US health agencies have scientists and doctors questioning the extent of the agencies’ control over public communications – and they say the debate is obscuring the most important part, which is informing the public about key updates in science and medicine.Studies on the safety of vaccines against shingles and Covid were reportedly quashed before publication by officials at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The news follows the hasty halt on publication of a study on the effectiveness of Covid boosters by the top acting official at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and research terminated or never approved in the first place because of keywords such as “hesitancy” and “misinformation” at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Only Way Is Essex star Jake Hall found dead in Mallorca 07. May 2026 (14:58) Towie star Hall, 35, found unresponsive with head wounds reportedly caused by shards of glass at villa on Spanish islandThe Only Way Is Essex star Jake Hall has been found dead in a freak accident in Mallorca.The former reality TV show personality was found unresponsive with head wounds reportedly caused by shards of glass at a villa on the Spanish island. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rachel Entrekin becomes first woman to win Cocodona 250 ultramarathon – and pets dogs along the way 07. May 2026 (14:53) 34-year-old heads elite field of men and womenAmerican takes small naps during 56-hour runRachel Entrekin has made history by beating a field of elite men and women to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon.Entrekin had won the women’s race on two occasions but on Wednesday she headed the entire field, winning in a record time of 56 hours 9 minutes and 48 seconds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK construction firms face some of sharpest cost rises in nearly 30 years 07. May 2026 (14:49) Iran war is driving up prices for fuel and raw materials, says survey Business live – latest updatesConstruction companies in the UK are experiencing some of the sharpest cost rises in nearly 30 years as the war in Iran drives up prices for fuel and raw materials, according to a closely watched survey.The poll of UK construction companies found that input cost inflation – which accounts for expenses such as raw materials, energy and labour – rose last month to the highest level since June 2022 when there was a spike in commodity prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Report shows banned non-fiction books doubled over last school year in US 07. May 2026 (14:30) New PEN America report analysed 3,743 unique titles removed from libraries and classrooms and found books about activism and social movements were targetedA new report has found that the number of banned non-fiction books doubled during the 2024-2025 school year in the US.PEN America analysed the 3,743 unique titles removed from school libraries and classrooms in the July to June period and found that over 1,100 or 29% were non-fiction, more than double the year prior. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost $4bn more for Victoria’s contentious Suburban Rail Loop to be included in federal budget 07. May 2026 (14:30) Additional funding for the costly 90km public transport project promised ahead of state’s November electionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal budget will include another $3.8bn for the Suburban Rail Loop, Melbourne’s controversial and costly 90km public transport project.Prime minister Anthony Albanese will announce the additional funding alongside the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, on Friday ahead of the 12 May budget and as early campaigning for the state election heats up. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
