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Lisa Nandy on Sunday rejected Wes Streeting's call for the United Kingdom to re‑enter the European Union, describing the proposal as "odd" and warning it could reopen a debate settled by the 2016 Brexit referendum.Lisa Nandy Labels Streeting’s EU Re‑join Call “Odd”The culture secretary’s remarks came a day after Streeting resigned from the cabinet and urged a new "special relationship" with the EU, saying Britain’s future lies with Europe. Nandy told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that while she shares his regret over Brexit, she does not understand the sudden focus on Europe.Streeting’s speech in London emphasized economic recovery and defence cooperation.Nandy stressed the government’s priority is to repair damage from the Brexit deal without reopening the debate.Political Stakes in the Makerfield ByelectionThe controversy is set to feature prominently in the upcoming Makerfield by‑election, where Greater Manchester Labour mayor Andy Burnham is expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the party leadership. Burnham has said re‑joining the EU will not be a campaign focus, urging voters to concentrate on immediate domestic issues.Labour MP Josh Simons highlighted nationalisation of utilities as a key voter concern.The by‑election has not yet been formally called, and Labour’s candidate selection remains pending.What This Signals for Labour’s Leadership Contest and UK‑EU RelationsIf a leadership contest is triggered, Streeting has indicated he may stand, potentially pulling the EU‑re‑join question into the contest narrative. Meanwhile, Nandy affirmed that Starmer remains committed to staying in office and will enter the race if called.The episode underscores a growing fissure within Labour between pro‑EU voices and those wary of revisiting Brexit, a dynamic that could shape the party’s policy platform ahead of the next general election.

Iran Signals Willingness to Resume Direct Conflict Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, warned that Tehran remains prepared to restart direct military hostilities with the United States if diplomatic talks fail to yield acceptable outcomes. Statement made on May 16, 2026 during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi. Araghchi also highlighted the war’s spill‑over effects on American households. Rising Economic Pressures in the US and Iran US energy and inflation costs have surged since the February 28 conflict began, prompting a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments. US Treasury auctioned $25 bn of 30‑year bonds at a 5 % yield, a level not seen in two decades. 10‑year Treasury yields reached their highest in a year, stoking fears of higher interest rates. Iran’s rial weakened to about 1.8 million per US $, near its all‑time low. Domestic food inflation in Iran hit 115 % in the first Persian calendar month, with staples tripling in price. Geopolitical Ripple Effects of the Hormuz Blockade The blockade has become the central bargaining chip in US‑Iran talks. Tehran demands sovereignty over the strait, a stance rejected by Gulf neighbours who stress its international status. Ebrahim Azizi announced a forthcoming “professional mechanism” to manage traffic, limited to vessels cooperating with Iran. US‑backed “Project Freedom” may be denied access under Tehran’s proposed fee regime. State media have intensified calls for public mobilization, including televised weapons training. Potential Trajectories for US‑Iran Negotiations With US President Donald Trump seeking Chinese mediation and Iran welcoming Beijing’s involvement, several scenarios emerge: Continued stalemate leading to prolonged economic strain on both societies. Partial concession on Hormuz navigation that could de‑escalate market volatility. Escalation to renewed hostilities, raising the risk of broader regional conflict. Analysts warn that any extension of the ceasefire without clear terms may fuel domestic unrest in Iran and sustain inflationary pressures in the United States.

The Battle Against the Thames Tower Celebrities including Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger have defeated plans to build a 29-storey tower on the banks of the River Thames. Jagger, along with fellow rockstar Eric Clapton, actor Felicity Kendal and comic Harry Hill, fought the developer Rockwell Property for two years over its plan to erect a 100-metre tower next to Battersea Bridge. The Proposed Development Rockwell Property initially proposed building a 34-storey tower with 142 flats, which was later reduced to 110 flats, including 54 affordable homes, along with underground parking and a mix of commercial spaces. Proposed tower height: 100 metres Number of flats: 110 Affordable homes: 54 The Reasons for Rejection Wandsworth council rejected the plans, citing the project’s “excessive height and scale,” adding that it “would represent an unacceptable and incongruous transformative change within the location that would significantly harm the spatial character of the same location”. The Greater London Authority backed the council’s decision. The Impact on the Local Area A planning inspector ruled that the tower would have an “adverse effects on the character and appearance of the local area” and “be overbearing”. The inspector added: “The proposal would cause harm to townscape character in several identified views from different directions and differing distances. The Future Outlook Rockwell Property expressed disappointment with the decision, stating that they “firmly believe in this regeneration project” and had made changes to the scheme following feedback from the public.

The Crisis of Entry: Youth Unemployment at the London Job ShowThe recent London Job Show at Westfield White City served as a stark microcosm of the broader economic stagnation facing young professionals in the UK. While the event attracted hundreds of job seekers, the atmosphere was defined less by opportunity and more by the sheer volume of applicants competing for a shrinking pool of roles. This gathering highlighted a critical disconnect between the government's ambitious employment targets and the daily reality of young people struggling to secure their first foothold in the workforce.The London Job Show as a Barometer for Recruitment StrugglesThe event, which hosts employers ranging from the Metropolitan police to car valet services, underscores the desperation of the current job market. For many attendees, the fair represents a rare chance to bypass the digital noise of online applications and present themselves in person. However, the presence of hundreds of hopefuls at a single venue illustrates the saturation of the market, where even those with degrees and qualifications are finding themselves locked out of sectors they are qualified for.Demi Trowsdale (24) has been unemployed for four months despite sending 170 applications.Angel Simpson (18) noted that qualifications are often insufficient against the "experience" barrier.Harvey Barns (21) highlighted the issue of "ghost jobs" and the struggle to afford living costs on minimum wage.The Statistics of StagnationThe despair on the floor of Westfield White City is backed by alarming data regarding the UK's employment landscape. The crisis is disproportionately affecting the younger demographic, with 713,000 young people currently unemployed. This represents a youth unemployment rate of 15.8%, significantly outpacing the general unemployment rate of 4.9%. In London specifically, the rates are even more acute, reaching 24.6%, making the capital the hardest place in the UK for young jobseekers to find work.The Dehumanisation of RecruitmentA significant factor contributing to the frustration is the shift toward automated recruitment processes. Young jobseekers like Demi Trowsdale have expressed feeling "dehumanised" by the lack of individual feedback, noting that applications are often met with blanket rejections rather than constructive criticism. The reliance on AI screening tools means that candidates are often judged by buzzwords rather than potential, leaving them feeling invisible in a system that prioritizes efficiency over human connection.Beyond the £1bn Pledge: The Need for Structural ChangeWhile the UK government has pledged £1bn to create 200,000 new jobs for young people, experts argue that funding alone will not resolve the structural barriers. Laura-Jane Rawlings of Youth Employment UK emphasized that successful delivery requires high-quality support, paid work experience, and apprenticeships. She also pointed out that in London, specific barriers such as transport costs, housing pressures, and digital exclusion must be addressed to truly unlock employment opportunities for the next generation.

Lead: Russia’s Heavy‑Hit Campaign on Kyiv Amid a Slowing Eastern AdvanceRussia unleashed more than 1,400 drones and 56 missiles on Kyiv between May 9 and May 14, 2026, even as its territorial gains in the east fell to an average of 2.6 sq km per day. Ukraine reported a 92 % drone‑kill rate and downed 41 of 57 missiles, highlighting a sharp contrast between offensive intensity and operational momentum. Escalation of Russian Drone and Missile Strikes Targeting KyivThe onslaught focused on civilian infrastructure, including a nine‑storey apartment block that collapsed, killing twelve. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “purely civilian” and rejected Moscow’s claim of reciprocity.May 9: 43 drones + several ballistic missiles launched.May 10: Additional 27 drones.May 11: Night‑time launch of 216 drones.May 12‑13: 892 drones over 24 hours.May 13‑14 night: 675 drones accompanied by 56 missiles. Scale of the Assault: Drones, Missiles, and Interception RatesOfficial Ukrainian figures recorded strikes in at least 20 locations across the capital. Interception statistics show:92 % of 1,930 drones shot down.71.9 % (41/57) of missiles neutralised.Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War noted that Russian ground advances dropped from 9.76 sq km/day in early 2025 to 2.63 sq km/day by mid‑May 2026, indicating a pronounced slowdown. Strategic Implications of the Stalled Eastern Front and Kyiv BombardmentThe reduced territorial gain suggests Russian forces are reallocating resources to high‑intensity aerial attacks while Ukrainian forces exploit logistics vulnerabilities deep behind the front line. Ukraine’s National Guard Azov Corps reported successful drone strikes on Russian supply lines 160 km from the front, and Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted a five‑fold increase in deep‑strike operations over the past year.Ukrainian commanders, including Oleksandr Syrskii, warned that Russian troops remain concentrated—over 106,000 personnel in the Pokrovsk direction—yet are being pressured by intensified Ukrainian offensives across the entire front. Potential Trajectory of the Conflict in Late May and BeyondIf Russia continues to rely on large‑scale drone and missile barrages without regaining momentum on the ground, its operational effectiveness may further erode, especially as Ukraine’s deep‑strike capabilities receive continued Western support (e.g., a reported $1 bn German investment). Conversely, sustained Ukrainian logistics strikes inside Russia could compel Moscow to divert air‑defence assets, potentially reducing the intensity of attacks on Kyiv.Analysts anticipate a near‑term focus on attrition warfare, with both sides leveraging unmanned systems to shape the battlefield while the front‑line stalemate persists.

The Diplomatic StandoffThe BRICS alliance of major developing economies has failed to issue a joint statement after their two-day meeting in India, amid internal divisions over the Iran war which is affecting several members. India, which currently chairs the alliance and hosted the foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, acknowledged that "there were differing views among some members" regarding the conflict in the Middle East.Regional Fractures Over Iran ConflictIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged BRICS member states to condemn what he described as "violations of international law by the United States and Israel." The war has intensified tensions between Iran and its Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a fellow BRICS+ member.Without directly naming the UAE, Araghchi told a news conference that a BRICS member had blocked parts of India's statement. Iran repeatedly targeted its Gulf neighbour following the outbreak of the war on February 28, reportedly striking the UAE more than any other country involved in the conflict, including Israel.The UAE representative, Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar, rejected Araghchi's remarks, accusing him of attempting to justify "terrorist attacks" against the UAE and other Gulf states. Al Marar said Iran had launched approximately 3,000 attacks on the UAE using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.Areas of Global Governance ConsensusDespite the divisions, India's statement highlighted areas of consensus among BRICS members, including calls for reforms to global governance institutions, such as the United Nations and the Security Council. The bloc reiterated its longstanding demand for greater representation of Global South countries within international institutions, reflecting its broader push for a multipolar world order.Middle East and African ConflictsThe foreign ministers also discussed Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. They agreed that Gaza was an "inseparable part" of any future independent Palestinian state, stressing the importance of unifying the enclave with the occupied West Bank under the governance of the Palestinian Authority. However, the statement noted that one unnamed country had expressed reservations about certain aspects of the section on Gaza.The group further called on all parties to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon, which critics have denounced as a halt in hostilities in name only. Without singling out a specific country, the ministers condemned the use of economic sanctions as a form of coercion.Sudan was also on the agenda. The African country remains in the grip of what the UN has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Ministers called for an immediate ceasefire, saying that only a peaceful solution through dialogue could bring a lasting end to the civil war, which began more than three years ago. They also warned that Sudan could become fertile ground for what ministers described as "extremism" and "terrorism".Post-War Syria TransitionAlso discussed was the situation in Syria, which is recovering from the civil war that effectively ended in December 2024 following the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. India's statement called for a peaceful and inclusive political transition. The parties further stressed the importance of eliminating what they described as "foreign terrorist fighters" in Syria, saying they pose a security threat to both the country and the wider region.

Marc Guéhi's FA Cup Journey Marc Guéhi’s whirlwind 12 months in the FA Cup: captaining Crystal Palace to glory at Wembley last season, experiencing the competition’s greatest shock via the holders’ third-round elimination at sixth-tier Macclesfield and, on Saturday, aiming to claim the trophy again when Manchester City face Chelsea. The Defender's Story Guéhi’s character, alongside his stellar talent, has driven his rise, after rejection at Chelsea. After progressing through the west London club’s ranks, Guéhi made two League Cup starts in the autumn of 2019 – against Grimsby and Manchester United – before being loaned to Swansea in January 2020 and the following season. An £18m transfer to Palace followed in July 2021. The Impact of Guéhi's Journey Guéhi is asked whether the Cup final is a chance to show Chelsea they were wrong about him. He says: “That’s not my mentality. I completely understand people that have that thought process but I’ve got nothing but gratitude towards Chelsea. Going there from such a young age, I am super grateful to the coaches, and the players I played with. And, to have been given the opportunity to play for the club, a couple of times.” The Future Outlook Guardiola may depart in the summer and the captain, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones are leaving. Guéhi, in his modest way, is reluctant to say whether he will become one of the leaders.

Surge in Hiscox Shares Signals Takeover RumorsOn Friday, Hiscox stock leapt to an all‑time high, climbing as much as 15.3% to £18.90 per share after a report that Canadian insurer Intact Financial Corp is exploring a purchase of the Lloyd’s‑of‑London‑listed group.Intact Financial Explores Acquisition of HiscoxAccording to the Insurance Post, Intact Financial Corp, a major property‑and‑casualty insurer, is assessing a potential takeover of Hiscox. The bid aligns with Intact’s strategy to expand its commercial lines, and its chief executive has publicly expressed admiration for the British insurer.Share Price Jump Quantifies Market ReactionShare increase: up to 15.3% on the dayNew price level: £18.90 per share, a record highMarket context: follows similar spikes in other UK targets such as Tate & Lyle (45% rise on a £2.7bn offer) and Intertek (mindful of a £10.6bn EQT proposal)Foreign Bids Fuel a New Wave of UK Takeover ActivityThe Hiscox episode underscores a broader trend of overseas investors targeting UK‑listed firms, attracted by comparatively lower valuations. Recent examples include:U.S. food‑ingredients group Ingredion offering £2.7bn for Tate & LyleSwedish private‑equity firm EQT proposing a £10.6bn deal for FTSE 100 testing company IntertekThese moves suggest heightened confidence in the UK market’s upside potential despite broader economic uncertainties.What the Next Weeks May Hold for Hiscox and the FTSEIf Intact formalises an offer, shareholders will need to evaluate the premium against Hiscox's current valuation and strategic fit. A successful bid could accelerate consolidation in the European commercial‑lines insurance sector, while a rejection may keep the FTSE 100’s takeover momentum alive as other foreign suitors continue to scan the market.

The LeadPunk, intellectual, feminist, theorist, brave as hell, vulnerable, funny—Valie Export was a hero to many women. Since the 1960s, she was driven by a fierce conviction that art and media would play an essential role in women's liberation: that women must picture their own reality in the name of social progress. In Women's Art: A Manifesto (1972), she wrote that women must "use art as a means of expression, so as to influence the consciousness of all of us". What she demanded was revolution.The Revolutionary Art of Valie ExportI keep returning to her work. Can't stay away. Her work was heavy with explicit threat and pain, and she made evident the violence of forcing women's bodies to inhabit structures that were not designed for them. For the 1973 performance Hyperbulia she crept naked through a corridor of electrified wires, exposing herself voluntarily to shocks. Her 1976 photocollage The Birth Madonna shows a woman positioned like a Renaissance Madonna seated on a drying machine from which spews a bloody towel—it still provokes shock.Challenging Societal ConstraintsExport spoke with tremendous clarity about her work and the ideas underpinning it. Her father died during the war, and she was sent to a convent with her two sisters while their mother worked as a primary school teacher. The first of her many expulsions came aged 10 when she was discovered exploring the nun's living quarters. Her experience of girlhood was of constraint—of having little or no control over her own life.In 1967, aged 27, she swapped her married name Waltraud Höllinger for the moniker VALIE EXPORT. A play on a cigarette brand, written in capital letters, it was a decisive rejection of patriarchal structures. She would be known neither by her father's name, nor by her ex-husband's.The Power of PerformanceHer work was intended to explode the structures containing her—in cinema, in art and in the wider society. In Action Pants: Genital Panic (1969) she walked along the rows of a Munich art cinema with her exposed pubic region level with punters' faces, and plastered the walls of Vienna with posters of herself in crotchless trousers holding a gun.For Tap and Touch Cinema in 1968, she constructed a theatre in a box strapped to her chest, with people on the street invited to reach into the darkness and touch her breasts while she watched them. Documentary of the performance exposes the shifting power dynamic between Export and the men who accept the invitation. It was brilliantly subversive and unsettling.More recently, her 1968 performance From the Portfolio of Doggedness has drawn attention—during which she led Peter Weibel crawling through the streets of Vienna by a dog lead. Weibel was dressed in a business suit, a disturbing echo of the commuters milling around him.A Lasting Feminist LegacyHer 1972 manifesto described how the spark kindled by women's art might ignite far-reaching social change. It concludes by stating the importance of documenting and honouring the life and work of those who had come before, as we must now do hers. "The future of women will be the history of woman."I grieve her in the most selfish way: there were so many things I wanted to ask her about. Having survived decades in which women's art was marginalised and ignored, she had so much to tell us. Like a fool, I kept delaying a planned interview. Now it's too late.