Venezuelans newly deported from US missing after hotel collapse 30. June 2026 (01:10) More than 100 people removed on ICE flight were being held in hotel in La Guaira when earthquakes struckMore than 100 people just deported from the United States were being held in a hotel when earthquakes struck Venezuela, setting off a scramble to find survivors and bodies buried in the rubble, according to survivors.A deportation flight from Miami arrived in Venezuela hours before Wednesday’s earthquakes. Onboard were 146 Venezuelans, including 19 women and seven children, according to ICE Flight Monitor, an initiative of Human Rights First, which tracks deportation flights. They were transported to a hotel in La Guaira. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Crypto firms operating in UK to be subject to sweeping new rules 30. June 2026 (01:01) City regulator will require booming industry to prove its resilience to risk from October next yearCrypto firms operating in the UK will be forced to prove they can weather market shocks and hold capital against risky assets as part of sweeping new rules announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).The regulations will increase supervision of the crypto industry, which has so far has faced minimal oversight despite a boom in popularity linked to social media influencers and a legitimisation drive under the US president, Donald Trump. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Transparency, standards and a new commissioner – but does the maternity review go far enough? 30. June 2026 (01:01) Amos review sets out recommendations for government, but falls short on systemic racism and traumatic birthsEngland to get powerful maternity commissioner after ‘shocking’ failingsThe findings of Lady Amos’ review into maternity and neonatal services across England, which state the system is ultimately no longer fit for purpose, are unsurprising. The systemic failures and inadequacies of these services have been uncovered in several reports already, including Donna Ockenden’s review of the “toxic” Nottingham NHS trust published last week.But what this report does offer are a set of recommendations for the government to implement. Amos states that if they were to be delivered in full then “the overall safety and quality of maternity and neonatal care in England will be materially and sustainably improved”. But how far do these recommendations go, and what will it take for them to be implemented? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Monaco explosion injures three and triggers police hunt 30. June 2026 (00:51) Two people said to be in critical condition after CCTV shows man dropping backpack at residential building lobbyAn explosion in Monaco has triggered a police hunt for a man suspected of detonating a makeshift bomb that injured three people.The blast occurred on Monday evening in the semi-enclave famous for casinos and superyachts, French media reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
San Francisco archdiocese to pay $395m to settle over 500 child sexual abuse claims 30. June 2026 (00:30) Settlement requires archbishop to write apology letter to each survivor and implement child protection reformsThe San Francisco Catholic archdiocese has agreed to pay $395m to settle more than 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church officials, plaintiffs’ attorneys said Monday.Salvatore Cordileone, the San Francisco archbishop, will have to write an apology letter to each survivor as part of the settlement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Offenders in England and Wales who kill current or ex-partners face 10 more years in prison 29. June 2026 (23:30) Increase comes after seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murderOffenders who kill their current or ex-partner face spending an extra 10 years behind bars, with a new minimum sentence of 25 years in England and Wales, under plans announced by David Lammy.The increase, announced by the justice secretary on Monday, comes after a seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murder. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Asylum seekers to pay £10,000 towards living costs under new UK law 29. June 2026 (23:30) Means-tested scheme included in immigration and asylum bill condemned by charities for placing tax on refugees Asylum seekers will be ordered to pay about £10,000 to cover their state-funded living costs or be denied settled status in the UK under a new law to be considered by MPs on Tuesday.The means-tested scheme, compared by officials to student loans and included in the immigration and asylum bill, has been condemned by charities for placing a tax on refugees fleeing war, torture and famine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New defence secretary wins another £1.5bn to boost drone spending 29. June 2026 (23:30) Dan Jarvis persuaded Rachel Reeves to reduce £18bn funding gap that led to predecessor resigningThe new defence secretary has secured an extra £1.5bn to the UK’s long-delayed defence investment plan, with the bulk of that to be spent on drones to deter Russia and Iran.Rows about closing an £18bn funding gap had led to the resignation of John Healey and raised questions about Britain’s commitments to Nato – though on Monday the head of the alliance told the Guardian he believed the UK would honour its commitments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
High-street slot machines and casinos could face £460m tax rise under Burnham 29. June 2026 (23:00) Thinktank finds 43% of the public would support a move by Labour to raise taxes on adult gaming centresAll-night slot machine shops and casinos could face a £460m tax rise if Andy Burnham acts on his concerns about the gambling industry as prime minister, after an influential thinktank found the policy would have public support.Known by some in the gambling sector as “slot sheds”, adult gaming centres (AGCs) have flooded UK high streets in recent years, disproportionately targeting economically deprived areas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Officials release names of three firefighters killed in Colorado wildfire 29. June 2026 (22:33) Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson killed working to contain raging fires on Utah-Colorado borderThe US Department of Interior on Monday released the names of three firefighters who were killed while working to contain wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border.Two other firefighters who were part of the specialized helicopter-deployed crew were also injured in the blaze, although authorities did not identify them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
