Media union blasts Pauline Hanson’s ‘bitter, unprofessional’ attack on Guardian journalist 18. June 2026 (08:40) Union calls for journalists to stand with colleagues when they are targeted by politicians as Anthony Albanese says media organisations play ‘vital roles in our democracy’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe media union has condemned One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s attack on Guardian Australia senior correspondent Sarah Martin, as Anthony Albanese called on journalists to defend public broadcasters SBS and the ABC.After her landmark address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Hanson called Martin “trashy” for asking about her daughter Lee Hanson’s employment by a NSW One Nation senator, despite living and working in Tasmania. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK unemployment rate falls to 4.9% and wages grow more than expected 18. June 2026 (08:33) Drop will put pressure on Bank of England to raise interest rates despite peace deal in Iran warBusiness live – latest updatesUnemployment fell and wages increased in April, official figures showed, putting pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates despite a peace deal in the Middle East.The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed unemployment slipped to 4.9% in the three months to April from 5% in the three months to March. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Tehran says it will charge ships in strait of Hormuz after 60 days; US-Iran presidents sign peace deal 18. June 2026 (08:27) Chief Iranian negotiator says key waterway will ‘not return to prewar conditions’ after 60-day window; both sides sign memorandum of understanding extending truceReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warThe Swiss foreign ministry said planned talks between the US and Iran in the Buergenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland are still going ahead on Friday, after both sides signed a ceasefire agreement last night to end the war.“As things stand, the plan is still for the US and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries, to meet tomorrow at Buergenstock for initial negotiations about implementing the agreement,” the ministry said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Inquest into Melbourne influencer’s death following freebirth halted after new phone evidence discovered 18. June 2026 (07:51) Coroner tells inquiry new material ‘of such significance’ any findings must be postponed so information can be analysedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe closing submissions in an inquest into the death of a woman who gave birth at home with no support from medically trained health workers has been delayed, after new evidence came to light after a forensic analysis of her mobile phone.Stacey Warnecke, a 30 year-old nutritionist, died on 29 September in Frankston hospital in Melbourne. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Moscow oil refinery on fire after ‘large-scale’ Ukrainian drone strike 18. June 2026 (07:47) Mayor of Russian capital claims about 180 drones heading to the city were shot down as flames and smoke billow over outskirtsUkrainian drones hit Moscow’s oil refinery for the second time this week, sending out flames and plumes of smoke over the south-eastern district of Kapotnya on Thursday morning.“Air defence forces are continuing to repel a large-scale attack. Several drones managed to reach the [Moscow oil refinery],” said Sergei Sobyanin, the city’s mayor, adding that a shopping centre was also damaged. He claimed about 180 drones heading for the capital had been downed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dubai property sales have fallen ‘off a cliff’ since start of Middle East war 18. June 2026 (07:00) Sellers of luxury villas have wiped tens of millions of pounds off asking prices, with sales down 19% in May from the previous monthProperty sales in Dubai have fallen “off a cliff”, a leading market watcher has said, after war in the Middle East forced a dramatic slowdown in one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets.Sales in the city dropped 19% in May compared with the previous month, accelerating from a 4% drop in April, the researcher ValuStrat found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ukraine bolsters its northern defences amid fears Belarus is being dragged into war 18. June 2026 (07:00) Kyiv is not taking any risks amid Moscow’s efforts to integrate Minsk ever more closely into its warRussian spy drones flying into Ukraine from Belarusian airspace have sharply increased since the beginning of the year, as senior officials in Kyiv express mounting concern over Belarus’s involvement in the war.Ukraine has stepped up by reinforcing fortifications on its northern border, including anti-tank ditches, concrete “dragons’ teeth” obstacles to block armoured vehicles and new areas of barbed wire. Troops operating along the border say they have noted a jump of about 20% in Russian intelligence drones since January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia-linked arson attacks show bad actors targeting UK, says Starmer 18. June 2026 (07:00) Prime minister says country needs to resist those who seek to ‘exploit division’ and ‘destabilise democracy’The trial of two Russian-linked arsonists who targeted property connected to Keir Starmer shows that the UK is under attack from bad actors who want to “exploit division” and “destabilise our democracy”, the prime minister has said.Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property linked to the prime minister, and appear to have operated under the instruction of an online handler with links to Russia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour campaigners fear hordes of MPs may annoy public as Makerfield votes 18. June 2026 (07:00) Up to 3,000 activists – including cabinet ministers and other MPs – descending on constituency to back Andy BurnhamUp to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for Andy Burnham, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taliban order ban on smartphones as officials shown destroying devices 18. June 2026 (07:00) Directive aimed at government workers, but reports of wider implementation spark warnings of future Afghanistan-wide prohibitionThe Taliban have ordered a sweeping ban on the use of smartphones by government officials – in what some analysts say could foreshadow broader, population-level restrictions.In a directive issued by the Taliban’s military courts and reviewed by the Guardian, the ban was to take effect this week and prohibits “high rank, low rank, general mujahideen, or service staff” from using mobile phones. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
