California’s proposed billionaire tax: what you need to know 26. June 2026 (02:15) Plan to levy 5% tax on California billionaires championed by progressives – but state’s super rich are forcefully opposedFull story: California billionaire tax heads to ballotThe proposed billionaire tax in California is officially heading to voters’ ballots in November. After getting more than double the necessary signatures to qualify, the secretary of state certified the ballot measure late on Thursday.The confirmation came after backroom dealing didn’t pan out between California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, who opposes the proposal, and the labor union backing it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California billionaire tax will appear on ballot after deadline for deal passes 26. June 2026 (02:14) Proposal to introduce one-time tax of 5% will go to voters in November after backers decline to withdraw measureCalifornia’s billionaire tax, explained: what you need to knowCalifornia voters will get to decide in November whether billionaires should pay a one-time 5% tax, after a deadline passed on Thursday for its backers to withdraw the measure.The so-called billionaire tax is among the highest-profile ballot efforts in the US this year taking aim at rising wealth disparities, and is set to be one of the state’s most contentious ballot initiatives. It has already spurred tech moguls to pour millions of dollars into attempts to stop the proposal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JD Vance says Nixon’s Watergate scandal would be ‘12-hour news story’ today 26. June 2026 (02:12) Vice-president declares admiration for 37th president and claims Nixon and Trump are targeted by ‘deep state’ forcesJD Vance does not think the era-defining Watergate scandal would have lasted more than a single news cycle in today’s fragmented, hyper-partisan political environment – and certainly would not have led to a president’s downfall.Speaking at the Richard Nixon presidential library in Yorba Linda, California, on Thursday to promote his new book, Communion, Vance discussed his spiritual journey from atheist to Catholic convert before declaring his admiration for the 37th president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Experts say three recent powerful earthquakes are not related 26. June 2026 (02:01) 5.6-magnitude California tremor, 7.2-magnitude temblor in Japan and two quakes in Venezuela all struck within hoursA 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck a rural part of northern California on Wednesday. Hours later, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the northern coast of Japan and two powerful earthquakes rocked Venezuela in a devastating mass casualty event.The tremors happened in the span of eight hours, prompting online speculation over whether they were related. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Apple raises iPad and MacBook prices, blaming cost of chips amid AI boom 26. June 2026 (01:46) Company says it cannot shield customers from memory and storage chip costs – and iPhone hikes could be nextApple raised iPad and MacBook prices on Thursday, saying it could no longer shield customers from soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry’s data center buildout.The move does not affect Apple’s cash cow, the iPhone. But it would take the starting price of the Neo, its lowest-priced laptop, from $599 to $699 mere months after launch. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Major wildfire rips through moorland close to Greater Manchester 26. June 2026 (01:09) Blaze on Tintwistle Moor, Glossop, has burned more than 500 square metres, forcing road closures and smoke warningA major wildfire close to Greater Manchester has torn through large areas of moorland for more than 24 hours, forcing road closures and smoke warnings as fire crews battle to bring it under control.The blaze, on Tintwistle Moor, near Glossop, has burned an area of more than 500 square metres of moorland and woodland, with thick plumes of smoke directly affecting the villages of Tintwistle, Hollingworth and Woolley Bridge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UN agency pauses ship evacuations through strait of Hormuz after vessel struck 26. June 2026 (00:23) International Maritime Organization says safety guarantees must be confirmed before ships can move againA United Nations agency has paused the evacuation of ships through the strait of Hormuz after the British military said a vessel was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman following the passage of several tankers that used a route backed by the UN.The head of the UN’s International Maritime Organization said on Thursday that the plan to move stranded ships out of the Persian Gulf through the strait would be on hold until the agency could confirm safety guarantees for the ships on the evacuation list and in the region. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Karl Stefanovic says his podcast is ‘about freedom of speech’ after Nine announces his immediate departure 25. June 2026 (23:53) Nine says in a statement it was ‘no longer possible’ for Stefanovic to host Today. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlbanese says Stefanovic saga ‘unfortunate’, but ‘words do matter’The prime minister was asked by the ABC about Karl Stefanovic’s departure from Nine. He had this to say:It’s a matter, of course, for Channel 9, but words do matter, and what people who are very prominent in our public discourse do, and how they conduct themselves, matters as well.And it’s unfortunate, the way that what has been a very big career has ended in this way.It will be an important day.It will be a great couple of hours. I’m sure the whole of Australia will cheer on the Socceroos. …I know that Australian workers will be, of course, very passionate about the Socceroos, and I know that Australian employers will be generous in their approach to these things. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charities condemn ‘arrogant’ plans to house asylum seekers at former military sites 25. June 2026 (23:30) Planning permission has been sought for three additional military sites Home Office plans to use three more former military sites to house thousands of asylum seekers have been condemned as “arrogant”, “costly” and “a political fix” by refugee charities and local stakeholders.Planning permission is being sought to build “basic” accommodation at MOD Bicester in Oxfordshire, RAF Barnham in Suffolk and RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, a statement said. These new sites could house 3,750 claimants, the government has claimed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
King and Queen will not live at Buckingham Palace after £369m refit 25. June 2026 (23:07) Charles and Camilla to remain at Clarence House and are said to want the public to have more access to ‘monarchy HQ’King Charles’s tax bill: what did we learn and what is still in the dark?Crown estate makes more than £1bn profit for third year runningKing Charles and Queen Camilla will not move into Buckingham Palace when £369m of buildings works to update it finish next year, preferring to remain at Clarence House, their London home nearby.The announcement came as it was revealed the king paid £12.9m in income and capital gains tax in 2024-25 on his personal income, known as the privy purse, making him among the country’s top 100 taxpayers. Prince William paid £7.76m for the same period. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
