Manhole mystery grips New York – just what are city’s ‘mole people’ up to? 07. June 2026 (14:00) Video of figures clambering in and out of manholes sparks intrigue – and comparisons with crime-fighting turtlesIt started in early May. Under cover of darkness, three people pried open a manhole cover in Queens, New York, and clambered down into the sewer.The incident might have gone unnoticed, but the subterranean quest, which was caught on film, captured New Yorkers’ interest when it happened again, and again, in the same month, with two other groups filmed making their way in and out of the sewer system in Brooklyn. The string of events have seen those involved dubbed “mole people” by the local press. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian drone hits building storing spent nuclear fuel near Chornobyl 07. June 2026 (13:39) Attack was ‘extremely vile’ and deliberate, says Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy A Russian Shahed drone has substantially damaged a building used to store spent nuclear fuel close to the disused Chornobyl nuclear power plant, in what Ukraine’s president described as a deliberate and “extremely vile” attack.While the structure – the reception building of the spent fuel storage facility – was empty of containers at the time, the targeting of the sensitive site appeared to be direct messaging from Moscow amid an intensifying battle of long-range aerial strikes in which high-profile locations on both sides have been hit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Arkansas sheriff’s candidate focused on ‘family’ after dismissal of murder charge 07. June 2026 (13:00) Aaron Spencer never denied fatally shooting Michael Fosler, 67, the sexual abuser of his daughter, aged 13An Arkansas sheriff’s candidate who was alleged to have killed his teenaged daughter’s sexual abuser says he is focused on “family and getting back to a normal life” after the dismissal of a murder charge filed against him.“I’m grateful this chapter is closed,” Aaron Spencer also said in a statement after the dismissal on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Görli is our garden’: Berliners fight to stop mayor locking their park at night 07. June 2026 (13:00) Kreuzberg campaigners win court ruling against €2m fence aimed at shutting out drug dealersThe “hollow” in Görlitzer Park was heaving with revellers who had gathered in reaction to a court ruling against Berlin’s mayor who wanted to lock it up at night. “Görli is our garden,” said Monika, a retired psychiatric nurse who lives nearby and had joined the crowds on Monday night for a beer and a bop on the popular deep bowl-shaped meadow in the Kreuzberg district.“Görli is where we socialise and where my daughter grew up,” she said, using the affectionate nickname for the centrally located green space covering 14 hectares (35 acres). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US insurers’ move to back vaccines sends ‘powerful’ message about safety of shots, experts say 07. June 2026 (13:00) As Trump officials take aim at vaccine schedule, scientists encouraged by companies’ desire to continue coverageA group of insurers will continue covering routine vaccines through 2027 as the Trump administration once again takes aim at the shots and outbreaks of preventable illnesses such as measles and whooping cough lead to hospitalizations and deaths.Experts told the Guardian that the move has raised questions ahead of the November midterms, but certainly indicates that insurance companies believe vaccines are “safe and effective”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than a million people join Pope Leo for outdoor mass in Madrid 07. June 2026 (12:20) In his first visit to an EU country outside Italy, pope urges world leaders to stop dividing electorates and to respect ‘every human being’More than a million people have filled the streets near one of Madrid’s main squares to join Pope Leo for an outdoor mass, likely to be the largest event of his week-long visit to Spain.Throngs of people pressed along barriers near the landmark Plaza de Cibeles, waving flags and shouting “Long live the pope”, as Leo arrived in his white popemobile for the event. Some tossed flower petals as he arrived in the square. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BA boss warns costly aviation taxes and rail tickets are stunting UK growth 07. June 2026 (12:19) UK lagging behind rivals on tourism growth because of travel costs and lack of joined-up planning, says CEO Sean DoyleThe cost of travel to and around the UK is keeping millions of tourists away and slowing economic growth, the boss of British Airways said, as he urged a rethink of aviation taxes.The airline’s chief executive, Sean Doyle, said the UK had some of the highest aviation taxes in the world and was falling behind countries such as Japan, France and Germany in boosting its inbound tourism. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It’s time to move forward’: Armenians vote in election closely watched by Russia and EU 07. June 2026 (11:56) Voters to choose between pro-Russian opposition and incumbent Nikol Pashinyan, who is more closely aligned with the westArmenians are going to the polls in an election that could cement the country’s shift towards Europe and away from its traditional alliance with Russia.Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party enters the vote as the favourite, ahead of three opposition candidates who advocate for closer ties with Moscow. Pashinyan’s main challenger, Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who built much of his fortune in Russia, has been forced to campaign from house arrest at his mansion outside Yerevan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
David Lammy: I told JD Vance he was wrong about Henry Nowak murder 07. June 2026 (11:47) Deputy PM says he spoke to US vice-president about post that blamed ‘mass invasion of migrants’ for teenager’s death David Lammy has said he told the US vice-president, JD Vance, he was “wrong” to blame the murder of the British teenager Henry Nowak on mass migration.The deputy prime minister said he spoke to Vance in a phone call on Saturday to tell him “our democratic process is working well” and that he was wrong in his commentary about the murder. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lammy told JD Vance his remarks about Henry Nowak were ‘wrong’ – UK politics live 07. June 2026 (11:42) The justice secretary said he spoke to the US vice president after he blamed mass immigration for Nowak’s murderThere is an interesting report in the Sunday Times saying that Keir Starmer is considering targeting net zero and transport as he looks for cuts to fund his defence investment plan.Starmer will reportedly cut capital investment, which covers (long-term) investment in buildings and equipment, across all government departments by 1% to raise about £6bn by the end of this parliament – but is seeking to impose further cuts on transport and net zero. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
