Trial of 12mph bike lane speed limit grinds gears of Dutch cyclists 14. June 2026 (08:00) Increase in road deaths amid rise of e-bikes prompts Houten to test willingness of freedom-loving cyclists to slow downAs road deaths increase and cycle lanes overflow with e-bikes, the Netherlands is considering a cycling speed limit of 12mph (20km/h).The government has started a two-week trial in Houten, near Utrecht, to gauge whether freedom-loving Dutch cyclists are willing to slow down – and whether they have any idea how fast they are going in the first place. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Make platforms that promote violent content pay towards riot costs, Streeting says 14. June 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Former minister calls for urgent action against companies such as X that allow incitement to violenceWes Streeting has called for Keir Starmer to take urgent action against X and other online platforms that have helped whip up social tensions, suggesting they should be forced to contribute to rebuilding costs after the riots in Belfast.The intervention by the former health secretary, who is seen as a likely challenger to Keir Starmer in any leadership contest, comes after Downing Street said any response would be left to Ofcom, the media regulator, meaning no action is likely for at least two months. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Illegal dump becomes ‘symbol of north-south divide’ at heart of Makerfield byelection 14. June 2026 (08:00) Failure to clear up rotting, rat-infested site is a key issue for local people as they weigh up politicians’ promisesA mountain of rubbish sits behind a metal fence in the village of Bickershaw, where it has remained for more than 20 months. For many residents, it is a physical manifestation of the north-south divide as well as a rotting, rat-infested symbol of a broken system in which organised criminal gangs make millions while communities endure the toxic impact of their trade.The 25,000 tonnes of household and trade rubbish is one of the largest toxic waste dumps in the country. Unlike many illegal dumps that appear in woodlands, by rivers and on farmland, this one is in the heart of a residential street, right next to a primary school. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minister defends changes to UK workers’ rights against costs backlash 14. June 2026 (08:00) Kate Dearden says reforms such as enhanced sick pay simply bring UK into line with other big economiesLabour’s radical workers’ rights reforms have simply put the UK on a “level playing field” with other big economies, the employment minister, Kate Dearden, has said.The government’s Employment Rights Act became law last year, with specific provisions being implemented this year and next. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As Donald Trump turns 80, he faces a foe he can never defeat: Father Time. That’s a problem for us all 14. June 2026 (07:00) Alarm over the judgment and behaviour of the world’s most powerful man, and the consequent risks to the world, can only get worseThe main Nuremberg trial ended, Winston Churchill warned of an iron curtain descending across Europe, It’s a Wonderful Life received its premiere and, at Jamaica hospital in the borough of Queens, New York, Donald John Trump was born.It was 1946, also the birth year of George W Bush and Bill Clinton, but on Sunday the current US president celebrates his 80th birthday in a style uniquely his own. Trump will stage a night of cage fighting on the once-pristine White House south lawn as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian girl killed in Pakistan after reportedly being shot dead by police 14. June 2026 (05:39) Nine-year-old visiting relatives in Punjab province when police opened fire on car, local media reportFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA nine-year-old Australian girl has been killed and two of her family members injured after reportedly being shot by police in Pakistan.The family were visiting a relative in Chakwal, in Punjab province, when they were robbed while in their rental car on Wednesday night local time, Pakistani English-language news outlet Dawn reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Butler warns Coalition against using NDIS cuts as ‘pawn in bigger game’ and says bill delays could cost billions 14. June 2026 (05:24) Opposition and Greens could team up to extend inquiry into changes but health minister ‘utterly convinced’ federal government’s plan is rightFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMark Butler has doubled down on his plans to pass contentious NDIS changes as early as this month, warning the opposition against using the bill as a “pawn in a bigger game of chess” as they consider a potential deal with the Greens.The Coalition and the Greens have criticised Labor’s truncated timeline to pass NDIS, negative gearing and capital gains changes, and have signalled they could team up against the government in the Senate to extend inquiries into the bills. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
