Police failed to act on repeated warnings about a violent man before he killed a toddler. But that’s not the most shocking thing about this case 16. June 2026 (17:00) The Mason Lee case was not an anomaly. Queensland’s police and coronial systems work as designed – and that’s the core of the current crisisNine months before the death of the toddler Mason Jet Lee, a woman called police to warn them about the boy’s killer, William Andrew O’Sullivan. They placed a flag on his file labelling the woman’s claims “vexatious”. But that’s not the most shocking part of this story.Police already had evidence O’Sullivan was suicidal and homicidal. Months earlier they’d gone with him to a hospital, seeking mental health treatment, and while there he threatened to “skin” the woman and kill children. But that’s also not the most alarming thing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation’s health policies based on misconceptions and may cost the taxpayer, experts warn 16. June 2026 (17:00) Former Howard-era adviser says Pauline Hanson’s party is channelling Donald Trump’s health agendaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMedical experts have blasted One Nation’s health policies, saying they do not make sense, are based on misconceptions and could cost taxpayers more money while leaving vulnerable Australians without access to care.The party has promised to withdraw Australia from the World Health Organization and to scrap regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration, rolling its “essential functions” into the health department. It has also proposed adding photo ID to Medicare cards. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One-year-old killed and another person injured after Mississippi police shot at car 16. June 2026 (16:59) Child was fatally shot and his mother’s friend is wounded after Senatobia police responded to shoplifting callA one-year-old boy is dead and another person wounded after a northern Mississippi police officer shot at a vehicle while responding to a shoplifting call, according to authorities and the child’s grandfather.Kohen Wiley, the slain child, was in the car at the center of the shooting on Sunday alongside his mother and her friend, said Marquell Bridges, a local community advocate who is helping the family find legal representation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK social media ban could cut lifeline for disabled children, campaigners warn 16. June 2026 (16:48) Activists say blanket ban could prevent teenagers from finding peers and role models with similar conditionsDisability activists have said banning under-16s from social media risks cutting off a “lifeline for friendship” for disabled children and could push them into social isolation by preventing them from making connections online.Charities and high-profile figures in disability advocacy said they were concerned that a blanket ban on social media would disproportionately affect teenagers who may not be able to meet people easily in real life or find peers with similar conditions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US lawmakers fight Trump cuts to $386m ocean monitoring program: ‘supreme stupidity’ 16. June 2026 (16:48) Lisa Murkowski, a Republican senator, joins Democrats in bid to stop dismantling of Ocean Observatories InitiativeUS politics live – latest updatesA group of Democratic senators and one Republican, as well as two Democratic House committees, sent letters on Monday to the National Science Foundation asking it to reverse course on its plan to dismantle a sprawling ocean monitoring network, with House lawmakers going further and accusing the agency of acting illegally.The Ocean Observatories Initiative is a network of more than 900 ocean sensors built at a cost of $386m. Over the last decade it has tracked ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, climate change and extreme weather, producing data freely available to the public and informing more than 500 scientific publications. The project was slated to run another 15 to 20 years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wombles set to return after 27 years as IP deal opens door to comeback 16. June 2026 (16:42) Litter-picking creatures emerge from underground for global franchise targeting nostalgic adults and gen AlphaMove over Paddington Bear. After almost 30 years off screen, the Wombles – the furry, litter-picking creatures who live beneath Wimbledon Common – are set for a comeback.The characters, whose motto is “Make Good Use of Bad Rubbish”, are being revived after the consolidation of the brand’s intellectual property rights under The Blair Partnership, which will oversee its global development. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Everyone is angry for different reasons’: scepticism in Iran as peace deal nears 16. June 2026 (15:54) Any sense of relief is offset by doubts over durability of agreement and feelings of betrayal by Trump administrationMiddle East crisis – live updatesIn the rural town of Sirik, in southern Iran, temperatures over the past week have climbed to 45C (113F), and residents were still queueing to fill buckets of water days after US strikes reportedly damaged two drinking water facilities serving nearby villages.Amid the water shortages and the looming fear of war came news of a possible deal between Washington and Tehran. But for those struggling to pick up the pieces in the aftermath, the announcement brought little relief. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sean Penn to direct January 6 drama with Bradley Cooper set to star 16. June 2026 (15:42) Oscar-winning actor to write and direct fact-based movie that will follow a police officer mixed up in 2021 Capitol riotSean Penn will direct a new film about the January 6 riot set to star Bradley Cooper.According to Deadline, the star, who recently won his third Oscar, will bring what’s been described as a “passion project” to the screen and act as both writer and director.This article was amended on 16 June 2026. An earlier version stated that Sean Penn had won two Oscars, not three. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fujitsu chair resigns after ‘woman-related inappropriate conduct’ 16. June 2026 (15:18) Japanese technology company at centre of Post Office IT scandal is negotiating settlement with UK government over faulty softwareBusiness live – latest updatesThe chair of Fujitsu, the Japanese technology firm at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal, has resigned after its board became aware of his “woman-related inappropriate conduct”.The company said on Tuesday that Hidenori Furuta had stepped down after two years in the role. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European leaders urge Trump to host Zelenskyy-Putin talks 16. June 2026 (14:54) Call at G7 summit in France comes as Ukraine president tells US counterpart Kyiv is no longer losing on battlefieldEurope live – latest updatesEuropean leaders at the G7 summit have urged Donald Trump to try to break the deadlock over ending the Ukraine war by taking up the proposal for him to host talks in the US between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.The US president lamented “the great antipathy” between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders that made it difficult to reach a settlement, and vowed to do what he could. He said Moscow “should make a deal”, noting that it had “lost a great many people, just like Ukraine”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
