POLITICSWar in Iran costs $29 billion so far. And, students are finally improving in mathPentagon officials told Congress they estimate the war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far. And, a new Education Scorecard shows U.S. students are improving in math.NPR·May 13, 2026
POLITICSBudget 2026 live updates: PM says opposition ‘reduced to a farce’ as government targeted over CGT; three Coalition MPs booted from question time<p>Albanese defends changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, which Bill Shorten says will give young people a ‘fighting chance’. Follow today’s news live</p><ul><li><p>See all our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/australian-budget-2026">Australia budget 2026</a> coverageThe Guardian·May 13, 2026
POLITICSSources: 76ers president Morey out; Nurse to stayDaryl Morey is out as president of basketball operations after six seasons with the 76ers, who will continue with Nick Nurse as their coach.ESPN·May 13, 2026
POLITICSElon Musk and Jensen Huang among CEOs joining Trump on China tripA total of 18 US executives have joined the president on his visit, where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.BBC News·May 13, 2026
POLITICSCindy Burbank Wins Senate Primary in Nebraska, but Plans to Drop Out to Help Dan OsbornDemocrats in Nebraska appear headed toward the Senate matchup they want, while their primary for a key House district was too close to call.NY Times·May 13, 2026
POLITICSNSW police to drop charges against Isaac Herzog protesters laid using unlawful public assembly restrictions<p>Lawyers calling for all charges to be withdrawn after Sydney town hall rally against Israeli president</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/may/13/budget-2026-live-updates-reaction-jim-chalmers-tim-wilson-cost-of-living-capital-gains-negative-gearing-housingThe Guardian·May 13, 2026
POLITICSJensen Huang joins Trump's China trip after the U.S. president called the Nvidia CEOThe U.S. chipmaker executive was not included in earlier lists of business leaders participating in President Donald Trump's trip to China this week.CNBC·May 13, 2026
POLITICSEurope Tries a Trumpian Tactic With Trump: No ApologiesStuck with the fallout from America’s war in Iran, European leaders have criticized the president publicly. When he’s been angered, they haven’t backed down.NY Times·May 13, 2026
POLITICSTrump’s Shrinking Ambitions on ChinaThe president came into office planning harsher trade moves on China than on the rest of the world. Here’s why he’s had to scale them back.NY Times·May 13, 2026
POLITICS‘Blatant disregard for rights’: concern grows over Gabon’s social media clampdown<p>Activists claim use of laws to curtail internet freedoms part of well-documented history of cracking down on dissent</p><p>When Gabon’s media regulator indefinitely suspended major social media platforms in February, citing security concerns during anti-government protests, it became the talk of The Guardian·May 13, 2026
POLITICS‘Blatant disregard for rights’: concern grows over Gabon’s social media clampdown<p>Activists claim use of laws to curtail internet freedoms part of well-documented history of cracking down on dissent</p><p>When Gabon’s media regulator indefinitely suspended major social media platforms in February, citing security concerns during anti-government protests, it became the talk of The Guardian·May 13, 2026
POLITICSThe Lecturer and Philosopher King: Xi Jinping Behind Closed DoorsEncounters with other world leaders reveal a side of China’s leader that the public rarely sees, and offer clues to how he will approach President Trump in Beijing.NY Times·May 13, 2026