World - Monday, May 18, 2026

The Trump administration, ratcheting up its effort to cripple the Cuban government, also imposed sanctions on three government agencies, including the police.

Fire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands national park becomes state’s largest this year and threatens rare plants A wildfire that broke out on an island in the Channel Islands national park has become California’s largest wildfire so far this year, burning through more than 10,000 acres, destroying historic structures and endangering rare plant communities that conservationists had struggled to reclaim. About six dozen firefighters have been deployed to control the blaze, which broke out on Friday, but their efforts have been undermined by strong winds. The fire is currently at 0% containment, according to a Cal Fire incident report . Continue reading...

Taiwan independence is the reddest of red lines for China, which claims the island as its own.

This blog is now closed. See our latest full report: Trump claims planned attack on Iran postponed after Tehran makes new proposal to end war Friedrich Merz has been embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over his war on Iran ever since the German chancellor suggested the Trump team was being outplayed in its negotiations with Tehran and said he would not advise his children to study or work in the US in the current climate. The Guardian’s Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole, has looked at the declining relationship between the two leaders in this story. Here is an extract: Disputes over trade and military aid for Ukraine have fuelled tensions between the US and its European allies and tested the Nato alliance . Merz is struggling to revive an anaemic German economy and has said the impact of the US-Israeli military action in Iran and the ensuing closure of the strait of Hormuz has been severely damaging to European interests. We strongly condemn the renewed Iranian airstrikes against the United Arab Emirates and other partners. Attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the safety of people throughout the entire region. There must be no further escalation of violence. Iran must enter into serious negotiations with the USA, stop threatening its neighbours, and open the strait of Hormuz without restrictions. Continue reading...

Ankita Shrivastav is among millions of Indians who fall prey to cybercrimes every year.

Étienne Davignon had been set to stand trial in connection with the murder of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This blog is now closed Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Global Sumud Flotilla participants urge Australian government to intervene and ‘keep us safe’ The Australians that the Global Sumud Flotilla allege have been kidnapped by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are academics, doctors, students, activists and film-makers. This is now the second time Israel has illegally abducted Australian citizens in international waters, and our government has said nothing … For as long as Australia continues to support Israel’s genocide, Australians will keep sailing. You never know the minute when the Israelis decide that ‘yeah, let’s fuck over some ordinary people,’ 500 of them, who have got a whole load of baby food in boats trying to break their illegal siege in international waters. Here we are in international waters, and our governments are completely failing us. Do everything that you can to keep us safe. When people are unwell with colds or flu, they can’t donate, even if they want to. But the need for blood doesn’t slow down. Patients undergoing cancer treatment, people needing surgery, and those injured in accidents rely on blood every single day. Continue reading...

Rescuers found four Italian divers' bodies deep inside a Maldives underwater cave days after they vanished during a dive far beyond recreational limits.

This live blog is now closed. Trump dismisses $10bn suit against IRS and creates $1.7bn ‘anti-weaponization’ fund Sign up for the Breaking News US email Democratic reactions to the news about Trump moving to withdraw his lawsuit against the IRS are coming in. Ron Wyden, a top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said Trump deserved no credit for dropping the lawsuit, regardless of his reasons. “Even by his standards the move he’s trying to get away with now is a stunning act of corruption,” said Wyden in a statement. “What Trump wants is a $1.7bn slush fund for right-wing political violence and subversion, and if he follows through, it will be the most brazen theft and abuse of taxpayer dollars by any president in American history.” Continue reading...

In Afghanistan today, a staggering three in four people cannot meet their basic needs.