‘Deplorable’: ICE hires firm accused of ‘torture’ to track down undocumented children 02. May 2026 (12:00) Exclusive: Contractor denies allegations including ‘enforced disappearance’ and will help locate unaccompanied minorsUS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a contract to a private security company that has faced accusations of “torture” and “enforced disappearance” to assist in tracking down undocumented immigrant children who arrived in the US alone, a contracting document shows.ICE has stepped up its work so much in pursuing these minors in the US that it has contracted out some of its mission to a third party to put “boots on the ground” and locate immigrant children previously released from US government custody. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Family of six held by ICE arrives back in Colorado as lawyer attacks ‘kidnapping’ 02. May 2026 (12:00) El Gamal family was released from detention and then re-arrested as US officials appeared to overstep judge’s orderAn Egyptian mother and her children, previously jailed by immigration authorities, arrived back in their home in Colorado on Wednesday, after a days-long ordeal during which the Trump administration likely attempted to violate a federal judge’s order.Their attorney, Eric Lee, claimed the US government’s actions against the El Gamal family constituted “kidnapping” after immigration officials re-arrested the family last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Germany says it expected Trump’s withdrawal of US troops as row over Iran comments grows – live 02. May 2026 (11:52) German defence minister responds to US president’s announcement that 5,000 US troops will leave bases in GermanyHere is the full statement from German defence minister Boris Pistorius in response to the US’s decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany:The presence of American troops in Europe, particularly in Germany, serves the interests of both the US and ourselves.We collaborate closely with our US partners in Ramstein, Grafenwöhr, Frankfurt and elsewhere – to foster peace and security in Europe, to support Ukraine and to uphold joint deterrence. The US presence in Europe also serve its own security interests in Africa and the Middle East. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Some pro-Palestinian protests could be banned amid attacks on British Jews 02. May 2026 (11:29) PM worried about ‘cumulative’ effect of marches, as Met chief says Jewish communities facing biggest threatSome pro-Palestinian demonstrations could be stopped, the prime minister has warned, as the UK’s most senior police officer said the threat to the Jewish community was greater than it had ever been.Keir Starmer indicated he wanted the language expressed on some protest marches to be subjected to “tougher action” as he sought to allay the fears of British Jews after a series of attacks on their communities in recent weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Asylum seeker sent back to France in ‘one in, one out’ scheme to be returned to Syria 02. May 2026 (11:00) Kurdish Syrian man, 26, said he fled forced conscription by YPG militia because he ‘didn’t want to kill people’An asylum seeker sent back to France under the controversial “one in, one out” scheme faces being returned to Syria after authorities in Paris ruled it was safe to do so, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.When the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced the “groundbreaking” deal in July 2025 to stop small boats crowded with asylum seekers from crossing the Channel – by forcibly returning one small-boat asylum seeker to France in exchange for bringing one in northern France legally to the UK – they emphasised that France was a safe country for returnees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Letters and photos from Beatles’ early days to go on show in Hamburg 02. May 2026 (11:00) Exclusive: The collection, including donations from Paul McCartney’s brother Mike, shows band’s development in early 60sA rare set of letters and photos from the early days of the Beatles, in which they write about feeling like stars for the first time, is to go on display in Hamburg.The collection, from an influential period when the band lived in the German city, includes the only letter in existence with words from both Paul McCartney and John Lennon, which was written to the bassist’s brother, Mike McCartney. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Such huge consequences’: pressure mounts on France to act on enslavement reparatory justice 02. May 2026 (10:00) As a Mast of Fraternity and Memory is unveiled in Nantes, calls are growing for Macron to announce framework for discussionsIn the French port city of Nantes, once France’s largest departure point for ships that trafficked enslaved Africans across the Atlantic, a new wooden mast rises 18 metres into the sky from the waterside.The Mast of Fraternity and Memory, inaugurated this month, marks a turning point in France’s complicated relationship with the legacy of its history of enslavement – just as the French president, Emmanuel Macron, comes under pressure to make key announcements on a process of reparatory justice. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Record-breaking May warmth soon to blow away as cold front moves towards eastern Australia 02. May 2026 (09:19) Daytime temperatures on Friday were 10 to 14C above average in four statesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRecord-breaking warm temperatures for the start of May in many parts of the country will be washed out by a cold front bringing rain, thunderstorms and much cooler weather.A high-pressure system dragged warm northerly winds across south-east Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New free financial advice plan aims to help Britons build savings 02. May 2026 (09:00) ‘Targeted support’ means certain banks and financial institutions can offer free extra help with investments and pensionsMany Britons are daunted by the world of investing, but new City rules mean certain banks and financial institutions can offer free extra help with investments and pensions.Last month marked the launch of “targeted support”, a new regulated service that permits companies to suggest investments and pension products to customers that might provide a better return. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First malaria drug for babies is approved in ‘major public health milestone’ 02. May 2026 (08:00) WHO prequalification of Coartem Baby means newborns can be safely treated rather than using medication for older childrenThe first malaria treatment for babies has been approved by the World Health Organization, opening the door to widespread use around the globe.In parts of Africa, up to 18% of children under six months will be infected with malaria, but there has historically been no safe treatment for the smallest of them. There were 610,000 deaths from malaria in 2024, about three quarters of which were under-fives in Africa. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
