Democrats’ predicament with Graham Platner is one of the party’s own making 14. June 2026 (16:53) Platner’s long road ahead shows how Democrats may have fumbled the bag in MaineThe Democratic establishment’s early bet on Janet Mills, as its best hope to pick up a coveted Senate seat in Maine, now looks like a clear miscalculation – one that has left the party boxed into a far riskier general election fight than it ever anticipated. By rallying behind the septuagenarian governor, and sidelining Graham Platner for months, party leaders helped create the very predicament they face.Platner’s primary victory on Tuesday now means the closely-watched race will be a test of fortitude for Democrats in the long road to November. One where either outcome has wide-ranging implications for the party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Me, worry? For US small businesses, Trump’s tariffs are now a non-issue 14. June 2026 (16:00) A year ago it was the hot topic, but business owners have seen there’s a limit to the president’s royal decreesIn two weeks, I’m speaking to a group of companies in the packaging industry about issues affecting their businesses this year. I’m going to discuss the economy, navigating higher costs, leveraging new tax legislation, AI and what companies are doing to find and retain workers in a volatile job market.You know what I won’t be talking about? Tariffs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mother hopes to get justice for murdered daughter in retrial in Dominican Republic 14. June 2026 (15:00) Shirley Firth is hoping those responsible for Lindsay de Feliz’s death in 2019 will finally be convictedA Cambridgeshire mother in her 90s is hoping to finally see justice for her murdered daughter when a retrial into her death is due to open in the Dominican Republic this week.The body of Lindsay de Feliz, 64, a successful author, was found in a shallow grave, close to her home in the north-west of the Dominican Republic, in December 2019. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK poised to water down 2030 EV sales targets after industry and union pressure 14. June 2026 (14:37) Keir Starmer ready to overrule Ed Miliband after warnings that manufacturers would be penalised and jobs put at riskThe UK government is poised to water down its 2030 targets for electric vehicle sales after intense lobbying by the car industry and unions.The government is preparing to consult on less ambitious targets for the transition to fully battery-powered electric cars over the rest of the decade after carmakers and unions warned that they would penalise manufacturers and put jobs at risk. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UFC to pay White House fighters in crypto issued by Trump company 14. June 2026 (14:20) Some fighters will receive bonuses in ‘stablecoins’ issued by Trump family business World Liberty FinancialThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced on Friday that it will pay bonuses to fighters in a form of cryptocurrency issued by Trump family business World Liberty Financial at the heavily publicized White House mixed martial arts event on Sunday.The development connects the Trump family’s financial interests to the high-profile UFC competition being promoted on government property. The competition on the south White House lawn is scheduled for 14 June, Donald Trump’s birthday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
DNA from 2,000-year-old grape seeds points to origins of modern winemaking 14. June 2026 (14:12) Researchers also discover that the ancient vines of Chianti, famed for its red wines, produced white fruitDNA extracted from 2,000-year-old grape seeds found in ancient wells in Tuscany has enabled scientists to map the most extensive genetic history of grapevines recovered from a single site, revealing that vineyards of the Roman era formed part of the empire’s sophisticated agricultural network that might have influenced the development of modern winemaking.The research led by scientists at the University of York also found that white grapes once dominated the site in Chianti, an area of Tuscany famous for its red Sangiovese wines. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dangerous hormone-disrupting chemicals found in US breast milk samples 14. June 2026 (14:00) Study of mothers in Seattle underscores ‘widespread, systemic problem’ of chemical contamination, experts sayBreast milk samples from mothers in Seattle contain alarming levels of dangerous hormone-disrupting chemicals, including BPA, BPS, melamine, cyanuric acid, and triclosan, new peer-reviewed research has found.The chemicals present a serious risk to infants because they likely interfere with hormones that are critical to newborns’ proper development, and have been found to be harmful at very low levels of exposure. About 92% of 50 samples were contaminated with at least one of the anti-microbials or plasticizers for which researchers checked. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Straight out of Trumpland’: LGBTQ+ members fight for Pride after Essex library ban 14. June 2026 (14:00) Rochford LGBTQ+ community say Reform council’s ban on flying pride flags or holding events states they’re not welcomeBefore Reform gained control of Essex county council in the May elections, Chris Taylor and members of the Rochford LGBTQ+ community already felt they were witnessing a growing tide of political rhetoric around identity.But they were still shocked when the county’s new leadership moved to ban Pride events in 74 libraries, scaling back events of “any particular groups or themes”, a decision they said was “straight out of Trumpland”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Antidepressants and antipsychotics could serve as alternatives to opioids, study finds 14. June 2026 (14:00) Medications that target depression, anxiety and poor sleep could help treat pain without opioids’ addictive propertiesA range of other medications could serve as alternatives to powerful opioids for pain relief in emergency departments, according to a new study.The review paper examined non-opioid medications available in the emergency department at San Francisco general hospital and examined existing medical literature to figure out which ones might provide pain relief. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wes Streeting plans to increase high-skilled immigration if he becomes PM 14. June 2026 (13:42) Leadership hopeful to also say tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy billsWes Streeting’s pitch to be the next Labour leader will include a plan to increase high-skilled immigration to the UK, arguing that Donald Trump is telling scientists and AI experts they are not welcome in the US.In a speech this coming week, the former health secretary will also say that tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy bills. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
