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)
Liberal frontbencher Jonno Duniam to quit politics in blow to struggling Coalition 14. June 2026 (02:17) Tasmanian senator says it was ‘extremely difficult decision to make’ and he will leave ‘proud and grateful but exhausted’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal frontbencher Jonno Duniam will quit politics before the end of the year, in another major blow to the struggling Coalition which is experiencing its lowest levels of popularity in decades.The Tasmanian senator, who has been in parliament since 2016, said it was an “extremely difficult decision to make” but one he had been considering for “quite some time” to spend more time with family. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘There was a lot of blood in the water’: paddleboarder rescues woman after ‘shocking’ Coogee shark attack 14. June 2026 (01:10) Charlie Verco managed to grab hold of the woman and bring her back to shore after the Sydney shark attack on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastElite paddleboarder Charlie Verco has only seen one shark bigger than the one he saw on Saturday at Sydney’s Coogee beach.The North Bondi athlete was training for July’s world championships in Hawaii on Saturday morning when he heard a swimmer shouting “shark”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Blaze at 1m-sq-ft California warehouse rages into third day: ‘We’re struggling’ 14. June 2026 (01:00) Fire at medical supplier Medline in Tracy, city of more than 100,000 residents, is affecting the air qualityCalifornia firefighters continued to battle a blaze on Saturday that had engulfed a roughly 1m sq ft warehouse, causing officials to warn residents over unhealthy air quality.The fire has been raging at the medical supplier Medline Industries’ warehouse in Tracy, a city of more than 100,000 residents located about 55 miles (90km) east of San Francisco. Officials expect to be battling the fire for a few more days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tent collapses during Virginia church celebration, killing 1 and injuring 22 14. June 2026 (00:41) Heavy rain, lightning and strong winds tore through Moneta, about 124 miles south-west of RichmondA large tent collapsed during a Virginia church’s 20th anniversary celebration on Friday evening, killing one person and injuring nearly two dozen others, officials said.Heavy rain, lightning and strong winds tore through Moneta, a small community about 124 miles (200km) south-west of Richmond, as the EastLake community church was holding an outdoor service, Shelley Basinger, a spokesperson for Bedford county, said in a statement. The group was in the process of leaving the event tent when it collapsed, according to Abbey Johnston, acting chief of Bedford county fire and rescue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK and Japan set to agree investment deal worth £18bn 14. June 2026 (00:39) Keir Starmer says commercial and government agreements will create tens of thousands of jobsThe UK and Japan are set to agree £18bn worth of investment, creating tens of thousands of jobs.Prime minister Keir Starmer will welcome his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi to Downing Street on Sunday ahead of the G7 summit next week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
