GB News critics want to limit free speech to ‘liberal, Islington consensus’, Grade says 15. June 2026 (07:00) Former Ofcom chair says he welcomed arrival of rightwing news channel five years ago in name of ‘plurality’Critics of GB News are part of a “liberal, Islington consensus” bent on limiting freedom of expression, Michael Grade, the recently departed chair of Britain’s media watchdog, has said.The Conservative peer, whose time at Ofcom has been criticised over the handling of the rightwing news channel, said he welcomed the arrival of the broadcaster five years ago in the name of “plurality”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Disabled people with lifelong conditions facing ‘unnecessary’ Pip reassessments 15. June 2026 (07:00) ‘Pointless’ reviews are wasting public money and ‘significantly harming’ the mental health of claimants, charity says Disabled people with lifelong conditions are repeatedly being put through “pointless” benefit reassessments, contrary to official guidance, new analysis suggests.A study by the anti-poverty charity Z2K has found that hundreds of thousands of disabled people are going through “unnecessary” personal independence payment (Pip) reviews, “wasting” public money and “significantly harming” the mental and physical health of claimants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fashion goals: Socceroos trade kit bags for it-bags as they level up off-field style 15. June 2026 (06:20) Australia stepped off the team bus in suits and holding designer pouches, showing they’ve come ‘a long way from a Country Road bag on the side of the field’Video: Is this Australia’s greatest World Cup win in 20 years?As suited and booted Socceroos stepped off the bus in Vancouver and towards a 2-0 victory against Turkey, many dangled designer pouches. Tete Yengi and Mo Touré carried what appeared to be Goyard, the it-bag of choice for athletes world wide. Burberry checks and monograms from Louis Vuitton and Dior were also spotted.“They’ve come a long way from a Country Road bag on the side of the field,” said Benjamen Judd, Esquire Australia’s head of content. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Macron frames Évian G7 agenda in hope Trump will stay for whole summit 15. June 2026 (06:00) US president left last meeting early, but world leaders aim to end Ukraine war and push for resolution in Gaza and IranEmmanuel Macron, the host of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, has framed an agenda to make it as palatable as possible to his guest of honour, but the French president has no idea if Donald Trump, a haphazard summit attender, will last the full three days – or disrupt the proceedings every hour he stays.The US president quit the last G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, early to work on the Iran conflict, and this year, plus ça change, Iran may also draw presidential attention. For good measure, he insulted this summit’s host before leaving Canada last year, describing Macron as “publicity seeking” and adding: “Purposefully or not, Emmanuel Macron always gets it wrong.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Attacks on education, pupils and staff around the world up by 40%, says study 15. June 2026 (06:00) Cases reported in 83 countries, with at least 10,600 students and staff killed, injured, abducted or arrested, GCPEA saysAttacks on education globally have surged by 40% with more than 8,556 recorded incidents and 10,600 students and staff killed, injured, abducted, arrested or otherwise harmed in 2024 and 2025, according to new research.Attacks were reported in 83 countries, with the highest incidences recorded in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine and Ukraine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shark expert says Tony Abbott ‘doesn’t understand the science’ after former PM calls for cull 15. June 2026 (05:02) Another expert says drone technology may have prevented a shark attack at Coogee beach on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA shark behaviour expert says Tony Abbott “doesn’t understand the science” after the former prime minister called for sharks to be culled in the wake of an attack at a Sydney beach.A woman, aged in her 30s, was in a critical but stable condition on Monday after being bitten on the leg and arm by what was thought to be a great white shark on Saturday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pakistani police officer arrested over shooting death of ‘happy, bubbly, friendly’ Australian girl Hania Ahmed 15. June 2026 (05:01) Punjab police said an officer mistakenly opened fire at the Ahmed family, who were victims of a robbery at ChakwalA Pakistani police officer has been stood down and arrested after mistakenly shooting dead a young Australian girl who was on holiday with her family.Australian-born Hania Ahmed and her family were visiting a relative at Chakwal, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, when they were robbed while in their rental car late on Wednesday night (local time). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Father may have thrown daughter into Parramatta River in suspected murder-suicide, police say 15. June 2026 (04:48) NSW police say suicide note and ‘other evidence’ suggest six-year-old’s death was an act of domestic violenceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA suicide note has been located after the bodies of a young girl and her father were pulled from the Parramatta River on Saturday.The six-year-old may have been deliberately thrown in the water by the man from a hired boat in what police believe was a horrific act of domestic violence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
In Makerfield for the byelection that could change everything - podcast 15. June 2026 (04:00) Helen Pidd goes to Makerfield where the Labour candidate and would-be prime minister Andy Burnham faces Reform UK in a crucial byelection. With reporting from Josh HallidayOn Thursday, Makerfield is hosting what is surely the most consequential byelection in memory.If he wins, Andy Burnham will challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership – and attempt to save the party and the government from its current malaise. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kyiv monastery set on fire in night of Russian attacks across Ukraine 15. June 2026 (03:12) Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most significant religious sites, and residential buildings hit across capitalUkraine has come under a massive Russian missile and drone attack with waves of explosions echoing through the capital, Kyiv, in the early hours of Monday morning as air raids killed at least five people across the country.Among targets hit in the sustained wave of strikes were the city’s historic Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most significant religious sites, as well as residential buildings across the city. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
