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)
Champion swimmer with rare brain cancer urges UK to do more to help people with condition 16. June 2026 (10:00) Breakthrough treatment enabled Archie Goodburn, 24, to keep competing but he says one new drug in 20 years is not enoughArchie Goodburn, a 24-year-old champion swimmer who has a rare, inoperable form of brain cancer, is calling for the government to do more to help people with the condition.“I grew up representing my country, and I want to see my country supporting me back,” he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank holds official cash rate at 4.35% 16. June 2026 (09:35) Reserve Bank of Australia decision on Tuesday comes after three consecutive cash rate hikes this yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank has warned it is ready to raise interest rates further despite leaving its official interest rate on hold at 4.35%.The widely expected decision on Tuesday will bring little relief to mortgage holders, already strained by the RBA’s three consecutive rate hikes earlier in 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BoM forecasts strong El Niño and warns climate change could amplify effects on Australia 16. June 2026 (09:20) El Niño events linked with extreme weather around the world – and can increase risk of bushfires in Australia and coral bleaching on Great Barrier ReefFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared an El Niño – the phenomenon linked to hotter and drier conditions for Australia – is now locked in place in the tropical Pacific Ocean.The bureau warned climate change would amplify the effects on Australia, including the risk of extreme heat and bushfires. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish households save €10 a month thanks to renewables expansion, report finds 16. June 2026 (09:00) Thinktank says decoupling electricity from gas prices has also helped shield Spain from hikes caused by Iran warSpanish households save €10 a month on electricity bills because of wind turbines and solar panels installed in the last five years, a report has found.Typical energy bills would be 19% more expensive if electricity costs were still as tightly coupled to gas prices as in 2021, according to Ember, a climate thinktank. It found Spain’s “strategic” expansion of renewables since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 has shielded Spanish households from the latest rises in fossil fuel prices caused by the Iran war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
