UK will have to ‘dial back’ military plans without more funding, says chief of defence 16. June 2026 (14:03) Rich Knighton tells Lords committee he is ‘most concerned’ about impact on day-to-day military activitiesBritain will have to “dial back” on military operations and exercises in the next few years if the Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not receive extra funding from Downing Street and the Treasury, the UK’s most senior military officer has said.Rich Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, told a Lords committee that he was “most concerned” about the budgets for day-to-day activities – in his first public appearance after the resignation of John Healey as defence secretary last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestine Action ban will be overturned, group’s co-founder vows 16. June 2026 (14:00) Speaking after appeal court ruled ban lawful, Huda Ammori says fight will be won in the courts or ‘on the streets’The co-founder of Palestine Action has said the battle to overturn the terrorism ban on the direct action group will be won – in the courts or “on the streets”.On Monday, five court of appeal judges ruled that a ban on the organisation was lawful, reversing the high court’s February judgment, which they said had wrongly limited the home secretary’s discretion on national security. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian artist and critic of Putin shot dead in eastern Poland 16. June 2026 (13:47) Two Belarusians detained over attack on Robert Kuzovkov, who is also known as Semyon SkrepetskyA Russian artist critical of Vladimir Putin was shot and killed in the eastern Polish town of Biała Podlaska, a Polish prosecutor has said.Five shots were fired at the victim, including one to the head, in the attack on Monday, said Marcin Kozak, a spokesperson for the district prosecutor in Lublin. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Father of Australian girl shot by police while visiting Pakistan demands justice 16. June 2026 (12:25) Hania Ahmed, 9, died after Punjab police opened fire on suspected robbers as well as her family in ChakwalGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe father of a nine-year-old Australian girl killed in Pakistan on holiday has demanded justice and to “reduce the harm” of a controversial new police wing whose officers opened fire with machine guns in response to a robbery.Hania Ahmed and her family were visiting her great-uncle Ali Ejaz last week at his home in Chakwal, Punjab province. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thames Water nationalisation moves closer as government ‘objects to rescue deal’ 16. June 2026 (11:54) Environment secretary reportedly raises concerns that customers would face ‘undue burden’ from £10bn planThames Water should be nationalised, says BurnhamBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK environment secretary has objected to a £10bn rescue proposal for Thames Water because it would place an “undue burden” on consumers, pushing the troubled utilities firm closer towards public ownership.Emma Reynolds wrote to the regulator Ofwat on Monday to raise concerns about the plan for the UK’s biggest water company as she is worried that customers will lose out. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JD Vance says US-Iran deal ‘very general’ with many details yet to be negotiated – Middle East crisis live 16. June 2026 (11:52) Meanwhile Iranian foreign minister says ending Israel’s war on Lebanon ‘most important issue’ in US dealFull report: Trump declares deal ‘all signed’ as G7 leaders try to tie loose endsYou can follow all the latest developments from the G7 summit in our Europe live blog:We will be including any Iran-related news from the summit in our Middle East crisis live blog. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kingsmill owner cleared to create UK’s biggest bread brand with Hovis takeover 16. June 2026 (11:43) ABF’s bakeries arm would be likely to exit the market entirely if the deal did not proceed, CMA findsBusiness live – latest updatesA £75m deal for the owner of Kingsmill to buy Hovis to create the UK’s biggest bread brand has been cleared by the competition watchdog.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ruled that Associated British Foods’ proposed takeover of Hovis did not raise competition concerns because if the deal did not go ahead “the most likely outcome” would be ABF’s bakeries arm leaving the UK market entirely. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ben Roberts-Smith’s bail varied so alleged war criminal can attend Australian War Memorial opening 16. June 2026 (10:58) Former SAS soldier had been invited along with all other living Victoria Cross recipients, judge toldGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has successfully varied his bail to attend the opening of the Anzac Hall at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.However he has not been allowed to go to a military graduation parade and afterparty north of Sydney due to concerns he might interact with another alleged war criminal, Oliver Schulz, while there. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high amid Iran war inflation pressures 16. June 2026 (10:51) Country follows ECB in increasing borrowing costs, but US Fed and Bank of England expected to hold ratesBusiness live – latest updatesThe Bank of Japan (BoJ) has raised interest rates to a 31-year high as it tries to dampen inflationary pressures created by the Iran war.Policymakers in Tokyo raised the BoJ’s short-term policy rate by a quarter of one percentage point, to 1% from 0.75%, and warned that companies were passing on rising oil costs to each other at a “relatively fast pace”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
