Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Former Brexit negotiators state that the United Kingdom would be unable to rejoin the European Union under the special terms it held previously. According to The Guardian, these warnings come as senior Labour politicians discuss the possibility of a future return to the union.

Georg Riekeles expects EU member states to adopt a "warm, welcoming stance" that is also "hard-headed," according to The Guardian. Riekeles notes that the EU would require a durable national consensus showing the UK has changed its mind, and that re-entry would necessitate membership on normal terms without exceptionalism.

Sandro Gozi told The Guardian that the "tailor-made suit is gone" and that negotiations would begin with standard terms regarding the euro and Schengen. Gozi also suggested the UK could consider options such as single market association or founding a new European security council.

Political figures have offered differing timelines for such a move. Wes Streeting argued that the UK should rejoin the EU in the future, while Andy Burnham previously stated he wants Britain to rejoin within his lifetime, though he clarified he would not attempt to do so in the short term if he became prime minister. Additionally, allies of Streeting noted that rejoining would require an election or referendum to gain voter permission.

Four people were killed and at least 30 others injured during protests linked to nationwide transport strikes in Kenya, according to BBC News. The unrest follows a decision by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority to raise fuel prices to a high of 242 shillings on Thursday.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen reported that 348 people have been arrested during the demonstrations. Murkomen stated that political actors hijacked the protests for political ends and noted that looting and vandalism cannot lower oil prices. Treasury Minister John Mbadi described the price increase as "unfortunate" but maintained that the government would make decisions that are "informed and not emotional."

No agreement has been reached between the government and the Transport Sector Alliance, which has called for a 35% reduction in fuel prices. The strikes have caused significant disruption, with Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud reporting that six officers were injured and six vehicles were damaged during clashes.

A New York judge has ruled that a handgun and a notebook discovered during a search at a police station may be used as evidence in the murder trial of Luigi Mangione, according to BBC News. The decision comes after Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a nationwide manhunt related to the December 2024 shooting of Brian Thompson.

Judge Gregory Carro ordered the suppression of several items found at a McDonald's, including a cellphone, passport, wallet, and a computer chip. Carro determined these items were recovered during an "improper and warrantless search," BBC News reports. The judge also ruled that Mangione's responses to officer questioning prior to receiving his Miranda warnings at 9:48 am cannot be used at trial.

Mangione faces state charges including second-degree murder, stalking, and firearms charges, and has pleaded not guilty to both these and separate federal charges. The state trial is expected to begin in September, according to BBC News.

Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus, according to BBC News. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla announced that 16 vessels had been intercepted by Monday afternoon. Live video from the flotilla's website showed commandos approaching and boarding a sailboat approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza, as passengers raised their hands.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the raid was "effectively neutralizing a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we have imposed on Hamas terrorists." The Israeli foreign ministry added that the flotilla's purpose was to serve Hamas and divert attention from the group's refusal to negotiate. Following the interception, Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila were taken to Israel for questioning and subsequently deported after 10 days in custody.

International reactions to the boarding have been critical. Turkey's foreign ministry condemned the intervention, calling it an act of piracy. Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel of state terrorism and undermining the international order. Meanwhile, the Israeli foreign ministry noted that more than 1.5 million tonnes of aid have entered Gaza over the last seven months.

A study of 1,027 Australians aged 10 to 17 found that the social media ban has reduced news access for many teenagers, according to The Guardian. While two-thirds of under-16s remained on social platforms after the ban took effect in December, half of those who were blocked reported seeing less news than before. Among those affected, 47% reported losing access to world news and events.

The study, titled 'Young People and News,' also found that 39% of surveyed teenagers do not use any other news sources. This group represents a significant portion of the demographic, as social media was the second most popular news source for Australian teens at 39%. Professor Tanya Notley noted that one unintended consequence of the ban is that young people are receiving less news.

Government response to the findings remains limited. The Albanese government has claimed that 4.7 million under-16 social media accounts have been restricted, but Communications Minister Anika Wells refused a request from Senator Fatima Payman to release documents verifying these figures. Meanwhile, the eSafety commissioner is investigating five major platforms—Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube—for compliance with the ban.

Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in China on Tuesday evening to meet with Xi Jinping on Wednesday morning, according to The Guardian. The visit follows a summit in Beijing between Xi and Donald Trump, which concluded four days ago. Xi and Putin reportedly exchanged congratulatory letters on Sunday ahead of the meeting.

Relations between the two nations have seen significant economic growth, with China purchasing more than $367 billion in Russian fossil fuels since the start of the war. The Guardian reports that China currently buys more than one-quarter of Russia's total exports. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the leaders would discuss all areas of bilateral relations, including the proposed Power ofsiberia 2 gas pipeline.

During his recent visit to Beijing, Donald Trump reportedly left without deciding on a multibillion-dollar deal to send US weapons to Taiwan. The Guardian notes that the US statement regarding the talks with Xi did not mention the Ukraine crisis. Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, suggested in a newsletter that Taiwan may serve as the subtext of the upcoming Xi-Putin meeting.

The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) reported on Monday that infectious disease outbreaks are increasing in both frequency and severity. The report warns that pandemic risks are outpacing investments in preparedness, stating that the world is not yet meaningfully safer. This warning comes as health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda work to contain an Ebola outbreak that has resulted in at least 87 deaths.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the WHO has depleted its stocks of protective equipment in Kinshasa while preparing to transport additional supplies from Kenya. Professor Matthew Kavanagh attributed delayed response times to early tests targeting the wrong Ebola strain, which resulted in false negatives. To address these vulnerabilities, the GPMB has called on political leaders to establish a permanent, independent monitoring mechanism and dedicated financing for pandemic preparedness.

Global health leaders also highlighted systemic issues in vaccine distribution. According to the GPMB, vaccines for recent mpox outbreaks took almost two years to reach African countries, a timeline slower than the 17 months required for Covid-19 vaccines. GPMB co-chair Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović noted that while solutions exist, they require trust and equity to reach those in need. GPMB co-chair Joy Phumaphi added that fracturing trust and cooperation leaves every country exposed to future pandemics.

Étienne Davignon, a 93-year-old Belgian former diplomat, has died before he could stand trial for his alleged involvement in the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, according to the Jacques Delors Institute. The thinktank, where Davignon served on the board, confirmed his death.

In March, a Belgian court ordered Davignon to stand trial for war crimes related to the extra-judicial killing of Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prosecutors alleged that Davignon participated in the unlawful detention or transfer of Lumumba, who was killed on January 16, 1961, by Belgian-backed secessionist rebels. Davignon was also accused of involvement in the deaths of political allies Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito, The Guardian reports.

Davignon's career included service as a European commissioner from 1977 to 1985 and he was elevated to the rank of count by King Philippe in 2018. The court's decision to proceed with the trial had been welcomed by the Lumumba family, according to The Guardian.

Two US nationals have been arrested following an incident at the Ichikawa City Zoo involving a viral macaque named Punch, according to BBC News. One suspect, who identified himself as a 24-year-old college student, reportedly scaled a fence to enter the enclosure. The second man, claiming to be a 27-year-old singer, filmed the stunt, BBC News reports.

Police arrested the men on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business, though both suspects have denied the allegations, BBC News reports. Authorities confirmed that no monkeys were injured during the incident. Punch, a nine-month-old macaque, gained widespread online attention after videos of the animal hugging a stuffed toy went viral.

In response to the incident, Ichikawa City Zoo stated it has filed a damage report with police and is installing intrusion prevention nets. The zoo is also considering a full ban on filming around the monkey enclosure, according to BBC News.

Large crowds gathered at Swatch stores worldwide to purchase the new Royal Pop watch, a collaboration with Audemars Piguet, according to BBC News. The queues caused safety concerns that forced some shops to close, and police were called to manage gatherings in the UK, France, and Switzerland, the BBC reports.

While the watches retail for £335, some shoppers have attempted to resell them for as much as £16,000, according to the BBC. One man told the broadcaster he successfully resold a £335 watch for just over £1,000.