Top World News

May 21, 2026 - World

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlbanese leaves door open to extending fuel excise cutThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has not ruled out extending the temporary cut to the fuel excise as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt the global oil market.We’ll do an assessment closer to the day. It is very costly but it has made a difference. We’re doing pretty well, I’ve got to say, compared with what the expectations were, people have stopped asking me about it (fuel supplies).We’ll make the assessment, like, it’s really volatile times. We don’t know when this war in the Middle East will end. We’ve got the ceasefire still going at the moment. We want it to end.The domestic terminal at Melbourne Avalon Airport was evacuated this morning following the identification of a suspicious item during the screening process. Victoria police attended and an individual has been detained.The matter is now being managed by police and any further enquiries should be directed to Victoria police.At this stage, passengers are being advised that, due to safety precautions, delays are expected. Passengers are advised to contact Jetstar regarding their flights. We will provide further updates regarding any additional delays as more information becomes available. Continue reading...

May 21, 2026 - World

Without urgent intervention England faces water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, peers tell governmentRainwater harvesting, the use of grey water in homes and an urgent campaign to reduce water usage across society are vital to prevent water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, the government has been told.Without intervention, England will face severe water shortages in the coming decades, as climate change-induced weather patterns, population growth and the expansion of industries such as water-intensive datacentres put excessive demand on supplies and endanger life, according to a House of Lords report published on Thursday.Changes to building regulations to require new homes to achieve a maximum water usage of 105 litres a person a day and accelerated grey water reuse.Nature-based solutions such as restoring peat bogs and reconnecting rivers to their natural flood plains to enhance water retention.An urgent awareness campaign for the whole of society to reduce water usage.A full environmental and economic assessment of drought to weigh the cost of inaction against the value of resilience.The rolling out of nature-based solutions more widely in urban and rural settings. Continue reading...

May 21, 2026 - World

British Trust for Ornithology says 2025 breeding season was especially disastrous for warbler species After a mild, wet and stormy winter in the UK, spring 2025 was one of the warmest and driest ever, while the summer was the hottest since records began, most particularly in England and Wales.Good news, you might think, for migratory birds – especially for eight species of warblers that travel here from their winter quarters in Africa. Yet according to data from bird ringers, collated by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), last year’s breeding season was pretty disastrous. Continue reading...

May 21, 2026 - World

Guide retires award for eco-friendly practices – and says restaurants will no longer be able to advertise they have itWith rare bluefin tuna and red meat often on their menus, Michelin-starred restaurants have not always prioritised sustainability.In an effort to consider the climate crisis, in 2020 Michelin began awarding green stars to chefs who cooked eco-friendly ingredients and reduced waste. But now the body has abruptly retired the prize and said chefs will no longer be able to advertise that they have it. Continue reading...

May 21, 2026 - World

Flea treatment chemicals fipronil and imidacloprid also implicated in lower cognitive scores in children with autismToxic chemicals found in pet flea treatment are devastating wildlife in rivers, parks and special conservation areas and the government should take urgent action to limit their use, according to a study.Chemicals that are banned for use as pesticides but still used in flea treatments are causing potentially irreversible harm to aquatic life as well as decimating birds and pollinators, according to the study published on Thursday. Continue reading...