Weather tracker: heat, humidity and thunderstorms a danger at World Cup 12. June 2026 (10:40) With matches in 16 cities across the US, Mexico and Canada, players and fans face an array of weather-related challengesWith the 2026 World Cup now under way, all 48 teams face a common opposition: summer weather across North America. Matches will be played in 16 cities, from southern Mexico to Canada, with a range of weather risks possible at each venue.Thunderstorms disrupted play before the tournament had even begun. England’s warm-up against Costa Rica in Orlando was delayed by about an hour after storms brought lightning and heavy rain that waterlogged the pitch. Safety regulations at US venues mean play is suspended when lightning is recorded within roughly 8 miles of a stadium, not resuming until 30 minutes after the last strike. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s defence plan is underfunded and outdated, says Al Carns after resignation 12. June 2026 (10:27) Former armed forces minister, who quit hours after John Healey, heavily hints he would run for Labour leadershipUK politics live – latest updatesAl Carns has delivered a withering assessment of the government’s defence plans after quitting as a defence minister, accusing ministers of not spending enough money on the military and spending it on the wrong weapons.Carns quit the government on Thursday night, hours after the resignation of his boss, John Healey, after a protracted row over the defence investment plan (Dip). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Spy turtles’ and ‘spy fish’ being used to monitor Chinese waters, Beijing claims 12. June 2026 (09:27) Ministry says animals fitted with sensors by foreign agencies collect sensitive sea data, in ‘invisible secret war’China’s ministry of state security has claimed that foreign espionage and intelligence agencies are using innovative new methods to monitor the country’s waters, including deploying “spy” animals fitted with sensors.In a post on the Chinese platform WeChat on Friday, the ministry warned that an “invisible secret war” was quietly playing out in the seas around China as foreign agencies were collecting sensitive data “through a variety of new spying devices” to produce underwater maps that pose a “serious threat to our national security”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Paddy Power owner Flutter to scrap listing on London Stock Exchange 12. June 2026 (09:25) Gambling business, which also owns Betfair, to focus on New York in latest high-profile blow to UK stock marketBusiness live – latest updatesThe gambling group that owns Paddy Power and Betfair is to scrap its listing on the London Stock Exchange, in another blow for the UK’s shrinking stock market.Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest online betting company, told investors that it would cancel its London shares on 3 August, blaming low levels of trading in the stock and high costs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pokémon Go data trained AI that could assist military drones in war zones 12. June 2026 (09:06) Location scans from the globally popular augmented reality game have helped train AI to recognise and interpret physical spacesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn AI model trained on data collected from users of Pokémon Go will potentially help military drones find their location in war zones.Pokémon Go, a 2016 augmented reality mobile game, allowed players to find and catch Pokémon in the real world using the cameras on their mobile phones, and exploded in popularity. In 2018, the company reported having more than 800m downloads worldwide. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigerian man unable to claim Italian lottery win gains residency permit 12. June 2026 (08:59) Former street seller celebrates newfound rights after debacle in claiming €500,000 scratchcard prize while undocumentedA Nigerian man who won €500,000 in an Italian lottery – but was barred from collecting his windfall because he was undocumented – said the hardship of his more than decade-long immigration journey had been eased after he was finally granted a residency permit.“I’ve been praying for this moment ever since I arrived in Italy,” said Imagbe Ehizomwengie, 36. “It’s a huge relief. You might think it’s incredible, but receiving the permit means more to me than winning the money. I want to work and contribute to society.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jemma Stapleton, Australian sprinter and Stawell Gift finalist, dies aged 25 on family holiday 12. June 2026 (08:39) Flood of tributes for Victorian athlete, who died while overseasFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLocal Australian athletics organisations have paid tribute to 2025 Stawell Gift finalist Jemma Stapleton, 25, who died while on holiday overseas with her family.The cause of death has not yet been disclosed, though an online fundraising page shared by her brother said she “tragically lost her life in an accident”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK economy shrank by 0.1% in April as Iran war held back growth 12. June 2026 (08:31) GDP hit by higher energy prices caused by Middle East conflict, after 3% rise in MarchThe UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April as the Iran war began to take its toll on growth, official figures show.As energy prices have risen as a result of the conflict, after Iran closed off the strait of Hormuz – a vital shipping route for global trade – the UK’s strong expansion in the first quarter slid into reverse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Missing boy Gus Lamont’s grandmother fined for firearms offence unrelated to his disappearance 12. June 2026 (08:13) Josie Murray fined $10,500 and disqualified from gun ownership for five years after pleading guilty to possessing a gun silencerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe grandmother of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont has been fined $10,500 after admitting to a firearms offence unrelated to the boy’s disappearance eight months ago.Josie Murray was fined $10,500 after a hearing in Adelaide magistrates court on Friday, where she pleaded guilty to one aggravated charge of possessing a sound moderator – a device better known as a gun silencer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation fundraiser moved from Melbourne restaurant amid planned protests 12. June 2026 (07:35) Event to go ahead at an undisclosed location after Moonee Ponds restaurant cancelled at the eleventh hourFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation has been forced to move a planned fundraising event to an undisclosed location in Melbourne, after the venue decided not to hold it due to planned protest activity. The event was due to be attended by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce.A spokesperson for the party told Guardian Australia on Friday that it would move the fundraiser from Giorgio Casa, a bistro in Moonee Ponds, after Victorian police “did express concern about protest activity at the event”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
