Duck, duck, goal: bird dressed in Mexico’s World Cup jersey scores on social media 16. June 2026 (00:13) Images of Merlin, a two-year-old duck, parading on the streets of Mexico City celebrated by fans on social mediaJulián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored the goals, but a duck stole the show.As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a two-year-old duck dressed in the national team’s colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament’s first unofficial mascot. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: police to investigate Gaza flotilla activist allegations; Victorian law set to enshrine right to WFH 15. June 2026 (23:43) Police meet activists and will inquire into abuse and sexual assault allegations. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFinance minister says cut to fuel excise always meant to be ‘temporary’ reliefKaty Gallagher, the finance minister, said the cut to the fuel excise was always meant to be temporary, but the government is still monitoring oil prices despite a preliminary deal for a cease fire between the US and Iran.It was meant to be a temporary relief during this conflict.We know that there will be a tail to this conflict in terms of how that impacts on prices and households remains to be seen. So, this is something I think the PM said yesterday [that] we keep under consideration. And if we make a decision that changes, that will be relayed to people.We’re monitoring events in the Middle East and what’s happening with the price of petrol, and if there, you know, if there’s anything to add to this, I’m sure we’ll do so in good time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer vows new sanctions on Russia and nuclear energy support for Ukraine 15. June 2026 (23:30) G7 told ‘we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes’, with Russia’s finance networks and shadow fleet targetedKeir Starmer has vowed to “choke off” Russian revenue with further sanctions and to provide hundreds of millions of pounds worth of energy support for Ukraine, as he met world leaders in France for the G7.After a torrid political week at home, the British prime minister sought to put himself on the front foot on the international stage at the meeting of the group of seven, which kicked off on Monday in the French spa town of Évian-les-Bains, on the shore of Lake Geneva. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alaska rules Dan Sullivan cannot run against Dan Sullivan in key Senate race 15. June 2026 (23:26) Elections chief says bid by ex-teacher to challenge senator with same name was filed ‘to confuse or mislead’ votersThere will still be one Dan Sullivan on the ballot, but election officials in Alaska determined a second man by the same name cannot run against him in the high-stakes Senate race.A man named Dan Sullivan, or Daniel J Sullivan Jr, filed to run as a Republican against incumbent Alaska senator Dan S Sullivan, also a Republican. Republicans filed complaints against the other Dan Sullivan, saying the candidate had coordinated with a Democratic campaign to confuse voters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Florida lawsuit accuses TikTok of violating state’s child social media ban 15. June 2026 (23:18) State’s attorney general alleges TikTok exposed children to harmful sexual content and addictive featuresFlorida became the latest state to sue TikTok on Monday after the attorney general accused the company of violating a state law that limits social media access for teenagers.In a press conference, Republican James Uthmeier said TikTok exposed children to harmful sexual content and addictive features, such as unlimited scrolling and push notifications. “It’s designed to keep kids stuck on those screens for hours,” Uthemeier said at a press conference. “Our evidence suggests that so many kids are on TikTok for upwards of six, seven, eight or more hours a day. We are going to get our kids their lives back.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
