‘Let’s not blow it’: Trump calls for restraint after Israel launches fresh airstrikes on Beirut 14. June 2026 (18:22) US president says ‘all sides should stand down’ as mediators seek to conclude preliminary US-Iran peace deal negotiationsMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump was forced to call for restraint on Sunday after Israel launched fresh airstrikes on Beirut as mediators sought to conclude negotiations on a preliminary peace deal between Iran and the US that would bring the three-month war in the Middle East to a definitive end.Trump played down new Israeli strikes but said “all sides should stand down”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minnesota woman rescued after being trapped in mud pit for several days 14. June 2026 (17:56) Two friends found Kathryn Woessner, 68, in wooded area almost entirely submerged in mud puddleA woman has been rescued from a mud pit in Minnesota after becoming trapped for several days.On 6 June, two friends, Adam Sandbeck and Mike Gravalin, were riding their all-terrain vehicles through a wooded area near Backus and Hackensack in northern Minnesota when they discovered Kathryn Woessner, 68, almost entirely submerged in a mud puddle. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iranian hardliners in vociferous push to reject proposed peace deal with US 14. June 2026 (17:47) Those in favour forced to defend themselves against claims the terms of the proposal amount to capitulationMiddle East crisis – live updatesIranian hardliners have mounted a rearguard rejection of a proposed deal with the US as backers in the regime defend themselves against charges it does not guarantee sanctions relief, compensation or control of the strait of Hormuz.“The fact that they say we won and America has retreated is a blatant lie,” the Iranian MP Kamran Ghazanfari said. Meysam Nili, the managing director of Rajanews and brother-in-law of the hardline former president Ebrahim Raisi, called the deal on the table a catastrophic capitulation. He urged Iranians not to sit quietly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why is the UK launching an ‘Australia plus’ social media ban and how will it work? 14. June 2026 (17:39) Government wants to back parents against tech companies though some feel the process has been rushedKeir Starmer is expected to announce sweeping “Australia-plus” restrictions on under-16s accessing harmful social media apps, a move the government has framed as taking the side of parents against the big technology companies.A consultation on online safety closed on 26 May, giving ministers just weeks to come up with policies after receiving more than 116,000 responses. Industry sources and child safety advocates have described the process as “rushed” and driven by a political timeline. It is not clear when the ban could come into force. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer to announce ‘Australia plus’ ban on social media for under-16s 14. June 2026 (17:05) Sources say hardline measures will also prevent young users from being able to talk to strangers on gaming appsWhy is the UK launching an ‘Australia plus’ social media ban and how will it work?Keir Starmer will ban under-16s from major social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram and X in sweeping restrictions described as “Australia plus”, the Guardian understands.Teenagers will be banned from all the main social platforms, and online products that are not covered by the ban – such as gaming apps – will face new restrictions such as having the option to chat to strangers removed. There will also be restrictions for older teenagers up to the age of 18 that prevent “scrolling” late at night – after 8.30pm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers could give billions raised by business rates to England’s regions 14. June 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: devolving tax is part of plans to give local areas more power in areas including justice, health and educationMinisters are considering handing over billions of pounds raised by business rates to regional mayors as part of one of the biggest shake-ups of the English tax system in recent years.Steve Reed, the local government secretary, said the government was working on plans to devolve the tax, which has been the subject of recent protests by pubs and other hospitality businesses. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats’ predicament with Graham Platner is one of the party’s own making 14. June 2026 (16:53) Platner’s long road ahead shows how Democrats may have fumbled the bag in MaineThe Democratic establishment’s early bet on Janet Mills, as its best hope to pick up a coveted Senate seat in Maine, now looks like a clear miscalculation – one that has left the party boxed into a far riskier general election fight than it ever anticipated. By rallying behind the septuagenarian governor, and sidelining Graham Platner for months, party leaders helped create the very predicament they face.Platner’s primary victory on Tuesday now means the closely-watched race will be a test of fortitude for Democrats in the long road to November. One where either outcome has wide-ranging implications for the party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Me, worry? For US small businesses, Trump’s tariffs are now a non-issue 14. June 2026 (16:00) A year ago it was the hot topic, but business owners have seen there’s a limit to the president’s royal decreesIn two weeks, I’m speaking to a group of companies in the packaging industry about issues affecting their businesses this year. I’m going to discuss the economy, navigating higher costs, leveraging new tax legislation, AI and what companies are doing to find and retain workers in a volatile job market.You know what I won’t be talking about? Tariffs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mother hopes to get justice for murdered daughter in retrial in Dominican Republic 14. June 2026 (15:00) Shirley Firth is hoping those responsible for Lindsay de Feliz’s death in 2019 will finally be convictedA Cambridgeshire mother in her 90s is hoping to finally see justice for her murdered daughter when a retrial into her death is due to open in the Dominican Republic this week.The body of Lindsay de Feliz, 64, a successful author, was found in a shallow grave, close to her home in the north-west of the Dominican Republic, in December 2019. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK poised to water down 2030 EV sales targets after industry and union pressure 14. June 2026 (14:37) Keir Starmer ready to overrule Ed Miliband after warnings that manufacturers would be penalised and jobs put at riskThe UK government is poised to water down its 2030 targets for electric vehicle sales after intense lobbying by the car industry and unions.The government is preparing to consult on less ambitious targets for the transition to fully battery-powered electric cars over the rest of the decade after carmakers and unions warned that they would penalise manufacturers and put jobs at risk. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
