Middle East crisis live: US strikes Iran for third consecutive night; UAE says Tehran has hit tankers in strait of Hormuz 14. July 2026 (05:51) Just before the latest strikes Trump said Iran would be hit ‘very hard’; UAE says Iranian cruise missiles hit two oil tankers in strait, killing a crew member and wounding eightUS launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockadeIran responded to the latest US strikes with attacks targeting American bases in Bahrain. It marks the third day in a row that Iran retaliated against gulf countries after US attacks on its facilities.Early on Tuesday, Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens twice, urging the public to seek shelter. There was no word on any damage or casualties from the attack.During the five-hour mission, U.S. forces successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police claim breakthrough in Melbourne’s hospitality wars, alleging links to overseas crime figure 14. July 2026 (05:08) Victoria police say they have arrested ‘high-ranking’ man from syndicate accused of orchestrating arson attacksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice have arrested a man they say orchestrated a wave of Melbourne arson attacks, marking a major development in the city’s escalating hospitality wars.A 20-year-old was arrested in the city’s north-west on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marco Rubio launches campaign to dismantle international criminal court 14. July 2026 (03:39) Trump’s secretary of state claims the global tribunal is interfering with US military and law enforcement operationsMarco Rubio, the US secretary of state, launched a campaign to dismantle the international criminal court (ICC) on Monday, claiming the global tribunal was interfering with US military and law enforcement operations at the risk of American sovereignty.Rubio invoked images of US border patrol agents and elected leaders being “dragged before an international court” and tried by judges from around the world in a lengthy op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan admits growing need to counter espionage after Russian ‘den of spies’ report 14. July 2026 (03:10) Issue must be addressed with ‘even greater rigour’, says government spokesman, after New York Times report on how it has become a spy hub for Vladimir PutinJapan has said it recognised the need to counter foreign intelligence better after the New York Times reported that Russia had turned the country into a “den of spies” and key source of weapons components.The newspaper, in an investigation published on Sunday, reported that thanks to “weak espionage laws”, Moscow was using Japan as a key hub for intelligence gathering and procurement of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US refunds $81bn in Trump tariffs after supreme court ruled them illegal 14. July 2026 (02:35) Government had been forced to pay back duties to companies that imported goods into the US that were hit by Trump’s tariffsThe US government has already paid back tens of billions of dollars in tariffs it collected before the supreme court ruled them illegal, according to budget figures released on Monday.Tariffs – taxes on imported goods – have been a key part of president Donald Trump’s game economic plan since he took office again last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump dramatically cuts size of two national monuments held sacred by tribes 14. July 2026 (01:45) Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah will lose ‘close to a million and a half acres each’ and open land to developers and oil industryDonald Trump has approved a sharp reduction in the size of two national monuments in Utah held sacred by many Native Americans, in the latest move to open US public land to corporate developers and the oil and gas industry.The two monuments, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, will see a reduction of “close to a million and a half acres each”, Trump said during an executive order signing event on Monday, undoing protections established by former presidents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
World Cup and sunshine prompt UK consumers to splash out on beer and online shopping 14. July 2026 (01:01) Despite spending increase in June, Barclays says most people still pessimistic about economyRelentless sunshine and the World Cup coaxed consumers to spend more on beer and online shopping last month, with purse strings expected to remain loose as England fans gear up for Wednesday’s semi-final.Most people remain pessimistic about the UK economy, according to data from Barclays Bank based on debit and credit card transactions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK children will be one of unhealthiest generations in decades, doctors say 14. July 2026 (01:01) Analysis of 12 indicators including asthma, obesity and vaccination finds child health is ‘national embarrassment’Children in the UK will grow up to be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades, with child health outcomes having declined or stalled completely across all areas, a group of leading paediatricians has said.Reduced vaccination rates alongside rising hospital admissions for asthma and mental health disorders are all contributing factors to the UK’s record on children’s health, which should be seen as a “national embarrassment”, their analysis has found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andy Burnham backs controversial asylum bill amid Labour dissent 14. July 2026 (00:52) Prime minister-in-waiting votes for plans to tighten appeals system as 14 Labour MPs oppose measuresAndy Burnham has backed the government’s controversial asylum changes, voting for legislation that has divided Labour MPs over plans to tighten the immigration system and reshape the appeals process.The prime minister-in-waiting and Labour MP for Makerfield supported the immigration and asylum bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday evening, despite a rebellion by 14 Labour MPs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockade 14. July 2026 (00:43) American president says ships will be charged for safe passage through strait in apparent policy reversalMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe US has launched its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran hours after Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on the country and, in an apparently policy reversal, charge ships for safe passage.“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz,” the US military’s Central Command said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
