Reeves hints she accepts Burnham will not keep her as chancellor – UK politics live 25. June 2026 (11:58) Reeves refused to say whether she would accept a more junior job in cabinet if Burnham offered her oneIn her Q&A this morning Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, confirmed that she wants the government to approve the licences for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea.She said:I’ve been very clear that I think that the North Sea is a crucial asset for the UK, and that oil and gas will be an important part of our energy mix for years to come. And I’m very keen to make sure that we use that resource, to ensure our energy security.There are decisions to be made shortly on both Rosebank and Jackdaw. Those are quasi-judicial decisions. But in our manifesto two years ago, we committed to honour existing licences, and I hope that we do. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK to halve tariff-free steel imports to counter glut of cheap Chinese metal 25. June 2026 (11:51) Duty on imports outside new quota will double in move echoed by similar changes in EU limitsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government will halve the amount of tariff-free steel imports allowed in an attempt to counter a global oversupply of cheap Chinese metal and boost its beleaguered local industry.New “safeguards” will be introduced on 1 July and will coincide with similar new limits being introduced by the EU for the same purposes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe braced for another day of extreme heat as warnings issued across UK, France and Italy – live 25. June 2026 (11:48) UK June heat record could be broken for the second consecutive dayFarryn StockOver in the UK, South East Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban in Kent amid growing strain from the ongoing heatwave (31C today, 33C tomorrow).“To safeguard that shared supply and prevent any homes from facing a sudden loss of water, we sadly need to ask our communities to not use their hosepipes immediately. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone helping us protect Kent’s water.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JD Vance is the face of the beleaguered Iran deal – is he its fall guy? 25. June 2026 (11:46) The vice-president, leading a foundering peace deal to end the kind war he’s opposed in the past, is left holding the bagJD Vance has taken the greatest gamble of his vice-presidency by making himself the face of the Iran ceasefire deal – a shaky agreement that already seems to be unraveling at the seams.But after months spent in limbo due to the war, it may be the best chance for him to find his feet again. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney shark attack survivor awake, alert and ‘remembers the whole event in detail’, brother says 25. June 2026 (11:33) Australian woman Leah Stewart no longer in critical condition but doesn’t yet have use of her handGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA woman who was attacked by a great white shark at Sydney’s Coogee beach is no longer in a critical condition and “remembers the whole event in detail”, her brother has said.Leah Stewart’s brother Joshua provided the update on a fundraising site on Thursday, writing that it was “amazing to hear from her so much sooner than anyone expected” and that his sister had been “overjoyed” to see her daughter for the first time since the incident almost two weeks ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elizabeth Warren says ‘frenzy’ of mergers under Trump could be reversed 25. June 2026 (11:00) Senator warns of ‘tsunami of anger’ against big companies and suggests future administrations may undo key dealsDemocratic senator Elizabeth Warren has warned that corporate mergers approved by the Trump administration – including a pending deal that would put two of America’s largest news outlets under the control of a family sympathetic to the president – could be undone by a future administration.“After 2028, we’ll have new players in Washington, and everyone who’s engaged in this merger frenzy right now is aware of that,” Warren said in an interview. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EasyJet opens talks with Castlelake after rejecting £4.9bn takeover offer 25. June 2026 (10:55) British carrier says it hopes to receive ‘more attractive proposal that better reflects’ its valueBusiness live – latest updatesEasyJet has opened talks with Castlelake, despite rejecting a fourth takeover offer worth £4.9bn from the US investment firm, with the airline saying it would open its books in the hope of receiving a higher bid.The British budget carrier unanimously rejected the latest proposal, of 650p a share, saying it still “substantially” undervalued the company while flagging “significant questions of deliverability”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves backs Burnham to be PM despite reports she may be offered lesser role 25. June 2026 (10:20) Allies of Reeves lobby to keep her as chancellor as ‘stable’ choice while Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband also in pictureUK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves has given her support to Andy Burnham to be the next prime minister, despite reports she is likely to be moved out of the role of chancellor if he becomes Labour leader.The chancellor told the BBC she and Burnham were friends and did not appear to rule out accepting a more junior cabinet position. “I’m supporting Andy to be prime minister,” she said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil price falls to pre-Iran war levels as more tankers exit strait of Hormuz 25. June 2026 (09:39) Fears of long-lasting energy crunch ‘slinking away’ as vessel traffic doubled in 24 hours to highest level since late FebruaryBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have fallen below levels last seen before the Iran war started in late February as more oil tankers exited the strait of Hormuz.Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell to a low of $72.24 a barrel on Thursday, slightly lower than the day before the US and Israel launched missile attacks on Tehran on 28 February. Prices have fallen more than 20% this month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I was miserable at my old school’: UK social media ban puts spotlight on hybrid learning 25. June 2026 (08:00) Pupils say LPS Hybrid’s combination of remote and in-person classes has transformed their school experienceTwo years ago, Ellie Ball could barely bring herself to attend school. Today, the 16-year-old is planning to take four A-levels and hopes to study astrolaw – “It’s basically space law,” she explains – at university.The transformation happened largely through a screen. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
