UK’s former Brexit negotiator says Burnham should ditch much of Starmer’s EU reset if made PM – Europe live 23. June 2026 (11:48) As UK marks 10 years since the EU referendum, David Frost says outgoing prime minister’s team ‘didn’t think hard enough about the choices and the processes’Meanwhile, we are also getting a dramatic update from France, with the country’s prime minister Sébastien Lecornu saying that forty people have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas in France since the weekend.Much of France is under severe heat alert and set to experience temperatures around 40C on Tuesday, Meteo France said, with temperatures of up to 43C expected in some parts of western France. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer ally calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham as Carns and Jones decline to rule out leadership bids – UK politics live 23. June 2026 (11:47) Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Cabinet Office minster and former armed forces minister ponder their optionsThis is from my colleague Jessica Elgot on a potential Darren Jones leadership bid (see 9.34am).Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor.I’m absolutely convinced I’ve done nothing wrong in any way at all. I also know that since I was elected as an MP, I’ve taken zero in personal expenses. I’m very careful and very cautious about these things.Would you be happy if the next prime minister of this country secretly banked a £5m cheque from a billionaire whose business interests he was promoting?I believe [the donation] to be a wholly private matter. The standards commissioner may take a different view. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP 23. June 2026 (11:30) Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party while he was its chief executive.Murrell stole the money over a 12-year period, splashing out on a luxury motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, Montblanc pens and luxury watches, a set of Lalique salt and pepper grinders and 2kg of coffee granules. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
David Pocock urges Albanese to stop tech companies training AI models using Australian content 23. June 2026 (11:16) Independent senator says Anthony Albanese is preparing to announce an AI copyright plan in JulyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe independent senator David Pocock has challenged the Albanese government to rule out letting tech giants use Australian content to train AI models, as cabinet considers proposals to change copyright rules for the rapidly developing technology.Pocock used Senate question time on Tuesday to ask the government about intense lobbying from AI proprietors over possible new rules and regulations for Australian-made content – including suggestions Labor would create a new “carve out” or extend existing licensing arrangements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage says £5m gift from crypto billionaire is ‘not any of your business’ 23. June 2026 (11:15) Reform leader says it is ‘purely private matter’ and it is not hypocritical to criticise Keir Starmer for receiving glassesUK politics live – latest updatesNigel Farage has said his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is “not any of your business”, saying the cash from the British Thai-based businessman Christopher Harborne was “a purely private matter”.The Reform UK leader also said it was not hypocritical of him to attack Keir Starmer for receiving donations of glasses and suits, because Starmer had been “the leader of the opposition and I was a presenter on GB News”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Hastie to get extra security, citing One Nation campaign against him 23. June 2026 (10:57) Hastie tells colleagues home affairs minister did not disclose the threats made against him, but he has been targeted online for his views on Ben Roberts-SmithFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie is set to receive extra security in what he believes is a response to a One Nation-fuelled campaign against him, including over his stance on the Ben Roberts-Smith war crimes allegations.At a partyroom meeting on Tuesday, Hastie told colleagues that the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, had advised him that he had been identified for security measures at his home and electorate office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MPs urge Darren Jones to run against Andy Burnham for Labour leadership 23. June 2026 (10:53) Chief secretary to the prime minister is backed by MPs who point to his ‘economic and national security experience’UK politics live – latest updatesDarren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, is being urged by MPs to run against Andy Burnham to spark a Labour leadership contest and avoid a “coronation”.The MP for Bristol North West is understood to be reluctant to run but sources said he would look at Burnham’s economic plans, including plans for public control of utilities, before deciding. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
StubHub UK fined almost £900,000 over ‘hidden’ ticket fees 23. June 2026 (10:43) Reseller is also ordered to refund more than 50,000 fans, while its rival Viagogo remains under investigationBusiness live – latest updatesThe online ticket reseller StubHub UK has been fined almost £900,000 and ordered to make payments to more than 50,000 fans for not showing the full price of tickets at the time of booking, an illegal practice known as “drip pricing”.The UK competition watchdog, which launched an investigation into the sales practices of eight companies including the rival reseller Viagogo UK last year, said StubHub must issue refunds exceeding £590,000 to customers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Public transport fee relief and car rego cut by $100 in NSW budget targeting cost-of-living pressures 23. June 2026 (09:50) Australia’s most populous state forecast to plunge into worse-than-expected $2.3bn deficit in 2026-27, before rebounding to a $1.1bn surplus following yearGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPublic transport fares will be frozen for one year and vehicle registration cut by $100 under New South Wales budget measures designed to provide cost-of-living relief ahead of the upcoming election.In Tuesday’s budget, the last before the March 2027 state poll, the Minns government has made a direct appeal to working families in seats threatened by One Nation and the Coalition, especially in Sydney’s west. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taylor won’t say if he supports multiculturalism as Chalmers says he’s trying to ‘out-One Nation One Nation’ 23. June 2026 (09:22) Treasurer says Coalition playing ‘footsie with the monoculture language’ after Liberal leader sidesteps questions at press conferenceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngus Taylor has repeatedly refused to say whether he supports multiculturalism in Australia, sidestepping five questions at a press conference about his views and claiming “there’s all these vague words running around”.The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, accused the opposition leader of “playing footsie” with One Nation and Pauline Hanson’s call for a “monoculture” in Australia, as Labor ministers committed to backing multiculturalism. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
