Democrats to call on Vance to testify to House committee over Epstein files 11. June 2026 (21:53) Plan comes after major New York Times report alleges files became source of crisis within Trump administrationDemocrats on the House oversight committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, plan to call on JD Vance to testify on the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files following a major report on Wednesday from the New York Times, which described how the Epstein files became the source of an internal crisis within Trump’s administration.Garcia will call on the committee chair, James Comer, to summon the vice-president to speak, according to a post from Max Cohen, a reporter with Punchbowl News. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether Vance would agree to appear. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US lawmakers demand Trump officials halt plan to send Afghans to DRC 11. June 2026 (21:41) Government urged to reconsider proposal for 1,100 Afghans, currently stranded in Qatar, who worked with US forcesDozens of US lawmakers urged the Trump administration on Thursday to roll back any plans to ship to unsafe third countries Afghan nationals who worked with US forces during the war in their homeland.In a letter seen by Reuters, more than 80 House of Representatives members, including at least three Republicans as well as Democrats, appealed to secretary of state, Marco Rubio, to reconsider plans for 1,100 Afghans who have been stranded in Qatar awaiting relocation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US authorities investigate huge etching of ‘8647’ on National Mall grounds 11. June 2026 (21:16) Live webcam footage from atop the Washington Monument shows a highly visible ‘8’, while the others appears fainterUS federal authorities are investigating what appears to be a massive etching of “8647” into the grass of the National Mall.Live webcam footage from atop the Washington Monument as of Thursday afternoon shows the markings, with a highly visible “8,” along with less visible “6”, “4” and “7”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK defence funding crisis has been a long time coming 11. June 2026 (21:14) John Healey’s complaint is that Starmer sat on this problem for months before making a derisory offerUK politics live – latest updatesJohn Healey’s resignation as defence secretary on Thursday was a long time brewing, though in the end the denouement was swift. It leaves an already weak Keir Starmer without a defence strategy less than a month before a Nato summit and an unresolved row about spending as Donald Trump threatens to restart the bombing of Iran.On Monday, No 10 finally told Healey how much more money it was prepared to give the Ministry of Defence to fund major projects as part of the defence investment plan (Dip). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Healey’s shock resignation over defence plan pushes Starmer to brink 11. June 2026 (20:52) Former defence secretary accuses PM of putting UK’s security at risk at a time of growing international threatsUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer’s premiership has been pushed to the brink of collapse as the shock resignation of John Healey as defence secretary undermined his security credentials and risked shredding his remaining political authority.In a blistering resignation letter, Healey accused Starmer and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, of putting the country’s security at risk, saying the long-awaited defence investment plan (Dip) fell well short of what was required. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republicans split on following Trump’s demands for restrictive voting bill 11. June 2026 (20:49) US president urges congressional Republicans to use budget reconciliation procedure to enact his priorities Donald Trump has demanded that congressional Republicans get to work on a party line measure that would ensure defense spending reaches its highest level in decades and also make a likely fruitless attempt to impose a host of new restrictions on voters nationwide.In a post on Truth Social Wednesday, the president said he was “calling on Republicans in Congress to IMMEDIATELY advance and pass the forthcoming $350 Billion Reconciliation Bill”, which would also include the Save America Act, a rightwing makeover of elections that his allies in Congress have sought to pass for months, without success. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump nominates Jay Clayton as top US intelligence official after pushback on Bill Pulte 11. June 2026 (20:44) US president had faced widespread criticism of his decision to install a controversial ally, Bill PulteDonald Trump has nominated Jay Clayton, former head of the top US markets watchdog, to be the country’s leading intelligence official.The US president faced widespread criticism of his decision to install a controversial ally, Bill Pulte, as acting director of National Intelligence while searching for a permanent candidate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Delhi issues ‘strong protest’ after US strikes kill three Indian seafarers in Gulf 11. June 2026 (20:11) Washington claims vessel was violating its blockade of Iranian ports and failed to comply with instructionsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Indian government has voiced a “strong protest” after three Indian seafarers were killed in US military strikes against oil tankers travelling through the strait of Hormuz.US Central Command confirmed that its aircraft had fired two Hellfire missiles at the engine room of the MT Settebello as it sailed through the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Thank God for the Knicks’: New Yorkers abuzz after historic Game 4 comeback 11. June 2026 (19:30) Largest comeback in NBA finals history galvanizes city and inspires morning-after chants of ‘Knicks in five!’New Yorkers woke up on Thursday morning – those who had even slept in the city that never sleeps – still jubilant after the Knicks men’s basketball team had made history the night before.The team staged the largest comeback in NBA finals history to overcome the San Antonio Spurs in the dying seconds of the fourth game of the finals – and put themselves 3-1 up and within one game of a rare championship win. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alleged rape of girl ‘simply not true’, Jeffrey Donaldson tells trial 11. June 2026 (19:17) Former DUP leader also rejects suggestion wife knew about or witnessed abuse, saying ‘there was nothing to know’Jeffrey Donaldson is “crystal clear” that an allegation he raped a girl several years ago is “simply not true”, the former Democratic Unionist party leader has told a court.Giving evidence in the third week of his trial on sexual abuse charges, the ex-MP said an allegation that he had touched the same girl’s breasts was “just unbelievable”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
