Trump accuses pope of ‘endangering a lot of Catholics’ with Iran stance 05. May 2026 (14:24) US president directs fresh criticism at pontiff days before secretary of state Marco Rubio’s visit to VaticanMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has issued a fresh verbal attack against Pope Leo XIV, accusing the pontiff of “endangering a lot of Catholics” because “he thinks it’s fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”.The remarks come two days before Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, meets Leo at the Vatican in an effort to ease the tensions sparked by Trump’s previous broadside against the Chicago-born pontiff over his condemnation of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France serves up €1 meals to all university students in effort to cut hardship 05. May 2026 (14:16) Ministers take action after survey shows almost half of students had gone without food for financial reasonsFrench universities have begun offering €1 (86p) meals to all students regardless of income in a measure designed to address financial hardship.Student unions have been pushing to extend the €1 rate – down from the usual €3.30 – for a three-course meal to all students, which was previously only available to those with low incomes or receiving financial aid. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
London Marathon sets record after 1.8% of UK adult population applies for 2027 race 05. May 2026 (14:06) Over one million entries received from UK runnersLondon also sets record with 1.3m total applicationsThe London Marathon has set yet more records with organisers announcing that 1.8% of the UK adult population – more than one million people – have applied to run in next year’s race.Running’s boom was also reflected in a world record 1,338,544 global application for the 2027 London Marathon – up from 1.13m for this year’s race and more than double the amount they received in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s long-term borrowing costs hit highest level since 1998 05. May 2026 (14:05) Rise in bond yields due to fuel prices and political stability concerns will eat away at Rachel Reeves’s fiscal headroomBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government’s long-term borrowing costs have hit their highest level since 1998, amid rising fuel prices and concerns about political stability.The yield – effectively the interest rate – on 30-year UK government bonds (gilts) hit 5.76% at lunchtime on Tuesday, up 0.11 percentage points – exceeding the 27-year high reached last autumn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese government abandons beleaguered inland rail project connecting NSW with Queensland 05. May 2026 (14:00) Originally envisioned to run 1,700km from Melbourne to a port near Brisbane, the mega infrastructure project will now only connect Beveridge in Victoria to Parkes in NSWGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government will drastically scale back the beleaguered inland rail project, abandoning plans to connect country NSW and Queensland by rail, as the price tag blows out to more than $45bn.Originally envisioned to run 1,700km from Melbourne to a port near Brisbane, the mega infrastructure project will now only connect Beveridge, on the outskirts of Melbourne, to Parkes in central-west New South Wales – about half the distance – with the government reallocating $1.75bn of the funding to other national rail upgrades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ohio voters head to polls to select candidates for midterm elections 05. May 2026 (12:30) State expected to play major role in deciding whether Republicans maintain control of Congress in his final two yearsVoters in Ohio on Tuesday are selecting candidates ahead of November’s midterm elections. The state is expected to play a major role in deciding whether Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans maintain control of Congress for the final two years of his term.The race with the highest national profile is Ohio’s Senate special election, in which Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is vying to unseat the Republican incumbent, Jon Husted, and return to the chamber after failing to win re-election in 2024. The winner will serve the final two years of the term JD Vance won in 2022, before he became vice-president last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians are poorer because of war on the other side of the world – Michele Bullock’s logic is hard to fault 05. May 2026 (12:11) In sobering comments, the RBA governor forecasts economic malaise due to the global fuel shock. Not recession but higher prices, lower growth and wages that don’t keep pace with inflationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAs far as rallying cries go, Michele Bullock’s “we are poorer, and there is no way out of that” leaves a lot to be desired.It’s not going to win you any applause, particularly when you’re the governor of a central bank that has just announced a third rate hike. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Universities will be expected to publish scale of antisemitism on campuses, says Starmer – UK politics live 05. May 2026 (11:54) The prime minister said universities will be held to account on tackling antisemitismIn his speech Keir Starmer also said that, if arts organisations platform antisemitism, the Arts Council “must act using its powers to suspend, withdraw and clawback funding”.And he announced a review into whether this is happening properly. He went on:And today we’re mandating an independent audit of how allegations are handled. This will be a hard-edged review of where systems are failing and where they need to be strengthened.We will not and cannot accept complacency, delays or weak enforcement.We’re rolling out antisemitism training for staff and in our schools, colleges and universities. We’re investing £7m to tackle antisemitism while making sure Holocaust education is taught in all schools.And today, we’re going further. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia launches attacks on Ukraine energy infrastructure amid truce talks – Europe live 05. May 2026 (11:39) ‘Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war,’ Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in sharp criticism of PutinMeanwhile, over in Russia, mobile internet services have been cut off to many customers in Moscow as part of the preparations for 9 May Victory Parade given concerns about a potential attack from Ukraine.The Kremlin said the limits had been introduced to ensure security amid a heightened risk of Ukrainian drone attacks, but for many Russians they have complicated payments, navigation and communication, Reuters reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police investigate fire at former synagogue in east London 05. May 2026 (11:31) Counter-terrorism officers investigating blaze at former synagogue in Tower HamletsCounter-terrorism police are investigating a fire at a former synagogue in Tower Hamlets, east London, the Metropolitan police have said.More details soon … Continue reading...(The Guardian)
