Lloyds Banking Group to hire 300 tech experts to work on AI 20. June 2026 (13:00) Exclusive: While recruits will increase headcount for now, broader adoption of AI could lead to jobs cuts in futureLloyds Banking Group has launched an AI recruitment drive for 300 tech experts, weeks before its chief executive, Charlie Nunn, unveils a strategic plan for the 261-year old lender.The bank said it intended the recruits to work on its use and development of agentic AI by September, referring to autonomous artificial intelligence models that can plan and execute tasks with minimal human oversight. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
What Democrats want: New York congressional race showcases fight over party’s future 20. June 2026 (12:00) In NY-12, four Democrats, including one Kennedy, are vying to replace Jerry Nadler – and potentially shake things upWhen news broke that a safely Democratic seat in New York’s wealthiest congressional district was becoming vacant, it was inevitable that there would be a crowded field of candidates.What people might not have expected is that the subsequent Democratic primary, would become one of the country’s most closely watched and action-packed, the race coming to reflect a range of Democrats’ national political priorities: who is the strongest against Trump; who is the most critical of artificial intelligence companies; and who is, basically, the coolest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
What lessons will Iran’s new leadership draw from the 110-day war? 20. June 2026 (12:00) Now fighting is over, the question is how Iran’s government will behave. Early clues point to more authoritarianism and prioritising relations with ChinaThe precise ideological lessons that Iran’s new leadership draws from the 110-day war may prove to be the overriding factor in determining whether negotiations with the US culminate in an agreement that verifiably prevents the country from developing a nuclear weapon – an outcome that could usher in a new era for the Iranian economy while also reshaping the Middle East.Does this rapidly assembled leadership team, forged in the fire of war, still represent an Islamic ideological crusade – a description coined by Henry Kissinger – or does the acceptance of the memorandum of understanding, in the words of JD Vance, denote a desire for pragmatism? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer has ‘absolutely no authority’, says Labour peer as pressure grows on PM to step aside for Burnham – UK politics live 20. June 2026 (11:52) Peer and former cabinet minister Charlie Falconer says PM could have ‘at most weeks to go’Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exitA pro-Starmer memo circulating among loyalist MPs shows the attack arguments the prime minister and his team would be likely to make in a leadership campaign.The memo, seen by the Guardian, says: “[Burnham] hasn’t faced any real scrutiny yet. A true contest would expose him to questions that he hasn’t ever before had to answer and likely see his support wane as a result.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Passenger of Bedford crash says 90% of people on his carriage were injured 20. June 2026 (11:45) Teacher Brett Byatt was onboard train during incident that killed driver and left 33 people seriously injuredTwo trains collide near BedfordA survivor of the Bedford train crash has told how bodies were flung across the carriages, leaving people with broken bones and deep wounds after the rush hour collision on Friday night.Brett Byatt, a teacher from Bedford, was onboard the East Midlands Railway (EMR) service that rammed into another slower travelling train resulting in a crash which killed the driver, left 89 with injuries and 33 needing urgent hospital treatment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Motorway traffic drones are coming to UK roads, but will they drive us to distraction? 20. June 2026 (11:17) National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying dronesI’m barrelling down the motorway at 70mph, swerving from lane to lane, with cars speeding past me. There’s just one problem, I don’t have a driving licence.Or at least it would be a problem were this a real road test. But despite the life-like surroundings, I am in fact trialling a complex simulation created by virtual reality company MXT on behalf of National Highways, the government-owned agency responsible for the UK’s major roads. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
From coal to cabernet: the wine seller using a flooded mine to cut heating bills 20. June 2026 (11:00) Lanchester Wines in north-east England uses heat from a disused coalmine to maintain wine temperatures and with 23,000 flooded mines in the UK, there’s huge potential for more businesses and homes to follow its leadShove them in a fridge, stash them in a cellar – this is how most people store their favourite bottles of wine. But if you have warehouses full of thousands of vintages, you have to think a little differently.For the last eight winters, Lanchester Wines has used heat from a disused coalmine to maintain ideal storage temperatures at its facilities in the north-east of England, helping to prevent freezing or spoilage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JLR at risk of battery supply delays after Somerset factory turmoil 20. June 2026 (10:18) Supplier Agratas sacks its main building contractor on the government-backed project amid a budget mismatchJaguar Land Rover faces the risk of delays to the first deliveries of electric car batteries from a £5.2bn government-backed factory in Somerset after construction problems.The British carmaker is planning to rely on the Agratas factory in Bridgwater, Somerset, to supply the batteries for its new electric models. Agratas and JLR are owned by the Indian industrial conglomerate Tata. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Beyond the beach: Spain pushes offbeat regions as tourist numbers nudge 100m 20. June 2026 (09:00) Exclusive: Tourism minister says another likely record year of visitor growth is not a worry amid move to welcome tourists out of season and market less frequented areasSpain is redoubling its efforts to push its tourist appeal beyond the familiar “sun and sand and coast” model as it prepares for another record-breaking year in which the number of foreign visitors could reach 100 million for the first time, the country’s tourism minister has said.Speaking to the Guardian, Jordi Hereu rejected suggestions that Spain was now saturated with tourists but said it had become clear that the “old formulas no longer work”, especially amid growing concerns about overtourism and the effects of the climate emergency. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A kind of massive rave’: Paris braces for 2m revellers as Fête de la Musique returns amid heatwave warnings 20. June 2026 (09:00) Officials expand safety measures as French capital prepares for huge annual street celebrationParis is preparing for a street party of unprecedented scale on Sunday, as more than 2 million people are expected to gather for the Fête de la Musique amid a huge influx of music fans from the UK and warnings of record temperatures.France’s annual free street music festival, which has been running for more than 40 years, has grown into the country’s largest cultural event. What was previously a nationwide showcase for local and amateur talent – from village choirs to classical ensembles and techno acts in the capital – has evolved into a vast international open-air celebration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
