Agenda

World leaders will be joined by Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they try to keep Donald Trump on sideSo what we now have is the leaders of Canada, EU, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK waiting for Trump, Macron and Zelenskyy.It sounded as if someone, possibly Meloni, was telling some sort of story that involved the White House, but it’s impossible to make out what it was. Continue reading...

US president left last meeting early, but world leaders aim to end Ukraine war and push for resolution in Gaza and IranEmmanuel Macron, the host of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, has framed an agenda to make it as palatable as possible to his guest of honour, but the French president has no idea if Donald Trump, a haphazard summit attender, will last the full three days – or disrupt the proceedings every hour he stays.The US president quit the last G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, early to work on the Iran conflict, and this year, plus ça change, Iran may also draw presidential attention. For good measure, he insulted this summit’s host before leaving Canada last year, describing Macron as “publicity seeking” and adding: “Purposefully or not, Emmanuel Macron always gets it wrong.” Continue reading...

Exclusive: Greater Manchester mayor ‘serious’ about taking over ‘essentials of life’ if he becomes PM, a move critics say could cost taxpayer billions A decade-long project to bring water and energy into public control will lie at the heart of Andy Burnham’s agenda should he become prime minister, according to sources close to the Greater Manchester mayor.Several close allies of Burnham have said he wants to take over broad swathes of UK utilities in an effort to improve performance and potentially reduce bills for consumers. Continue reading...

• London Tech Week 2026 officially opens today, June 8, hosted at the Olympia London venue. • The event brings together global technology leaders to discuss industry trends, with a primary focus on an AI-driven agenda. • This gathering serves as a critical hub for networking and innovation, highlighting London's position as a global tech center.

Senior administration officials jump on death of Henry Nowak – and statements echo language of the far rightOver a breathtaking few days that spanned Saturday’s 82nd anniversary of D-day, senior Trump administration officials have trampled over diplomatic protocol to tear into Europe’s immigration and anti-racism policies and argue that such actions could end western civilization.From the United States, Vice-President JD Vance and other administration officials jumped on a controversial murder case in Britain to accuse Keir Starmer’s government of lacking the Trump administration’s “political will and leadership” to stop mass migration and defend national sovereignty. Continue reading...

Michael Grade dismisses impartiality concerns, saying rightwing channel faces same rules as BBC, Sky and ITNMichael Grade, the recently departed chair of Britain’s media watchdog, has accused broadcasters of being “embarrassed” by GB News because it covers the “agenda of the majority”.Grade, who has recently retaken the Conservative whip in the House of Lords after stepping down from Ofcom, said he was now able to give his real view on the rightwing broadcaster, which has faced repeated accusations of partial and misleading coverage. Continue reading...

• Sierra Leone's Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation is developing the country's first-ever National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy. • The initiative is being created in collaboration with the World Bank Group and other strategic partners to establish a framework for AI adoption. • This move is critical for expanding digital opportunities and ensuring the proper governance of emerging technologies within the nation.

• Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Richard Neal plans a broad tax agenda if he reclaims the Ways and Means gavel after a House control change. • Neal is unlikely to revive the battle over President Trump's tax returns, focusing instead on more urgent priorities like corporate rates and credits. • This positions Democrats to counter GOP tax policies, impacting revenue and economic inequality debates.

• Tensions between House and Senate Republicans are escalating, directly threatening the party's unified legislative agenda. • Divisions center on key bills, with high animosity stalling progress on spending, taxes, and reforms. • The rift matters as it weakens GOP messaging and momentum heading into critical 2026 midterms.

• A KFF poll reveals 41% of US adults back the MAHA agenda amid rising healthcare concerns ahead of midterms. • 55% of respondents stated healthcare costs will have a 'major impact' on their voting decisions, outpacing food policy issues. • The survey, conducted recently, carries a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, highlighting voter priorities in public health policy.

• The Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services notified hospitals and nursing homes on May 4, 2026, to prioritize 'real food' over sugary drinks and dietary supplements in patient meals. • The policy shift faced immediate backlash from healthcare providers concerned about implementation and patient preferences. • This agenda aims to combat diet-related diseases amid rising obesity rates, potentially affecting millions of inpatients annually.

Judge’s repeal of Trump ban on gender-affirming care for children ‘a meaningful win for patients’, experts sayA federal judge overturned the Trump administration’s ban on gender-affirming care for children on Saturday, decrying Robert F Kennedy Jr’s “wanton disregard” for the law that “causes very real harm to very real people”.It’s another loss for Kennedy’s agenda as secretary for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the second Trump administration – an agenda that has focused on restricting healthcare, including vaccines, abortion and gender-affirming care. Continue reading...

The prime minister has weathered the crises – for now – and there is a growing recognition that Australia is too vulnerable to world eventsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese’s fuel diplomacy tour of Asia has already started paying dividends, but the real test could still be to come.After last week’s rush to Singapore and pulling forward a planned visit, the prime minister dashed back to Australia from Malaysia on Thursday, to survey the damage at one of the nation’s only remaining fuel refineries. The hastily arranged trips, were to show a leader on the job; to demonstrate Albanese’s attention to the fuel crisis. Continue reading...

Trump has yet to nominate a permanent CDC director and the Senate confirmation of his pick for top doctor is in limboSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe Trump administration’s “Make America healthy again” (Maha) agenda appears to be stalled as two of the government’s most influential public health positions sit empty.The president has yet to nominate a permanent director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leaving a leaderless agency that has been plagued by turmoil for the past year. At the same time, Trump’s controversial pick for surgeon general, Casey Means, remains in limbo as her nomination stalls in the Senate. Continue reading...