Democratic-led states sue to block student loan caps by Trump administration 04. June 2026 (14:00) White House says caps will lower tuition costs, but critics say they will exacerbate the country’s nursing shortageSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailWhile the Trump administration has argued that new restrictions on the size of federal student loans will lower tuition costs, public health officials and Democrats say the measures will exacerbate the country’s serious nursing shortage.As such, a group of 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia recently sued the federal government seeking to block the new rule, which is set to take effect on 1 July. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Civilians flee Mogadishu as Somali troops and opposition-allied militias trade fire 04. June 2026 (13:52) Violence flares before protests on Thursday over president’s decision to remain in office after his term expiredFierce clashes have taken place between government troops and militias allied with the opposition in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, damaging property and forcing some civilians to flee.In the runup to the fighting, which started on Wednesday afternoon, opposition leaders embedded with militias set up positions in their clan strongholds the city. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe’s far right exploit Nowak murder with populist rhetoric on race 04. June 2026 (13:10) Polish, Spanish and French populists focus on clips of teenager’s dying moments and accuse UK of descending ‘into depths of the earth’UK politics live – latest updatesPolish far-right politicians have claimed that the murder of Henry Nowak symbolises “Britain’s descent into the depths of the earth” as populists from France, Spain and Japan focused on harrowing clips of his dying moments.Despite pleas from Nowak’s family for people not to exploit the killing for political gain and to focus on cutting knife crime, their comments have focused on race and immigration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Disney racks up $4.2bn deficit on Paris parks 04. June 2026 (13:00) Exclusive: Analysis shows resort has yet to recoup Disney’s investment despite record revenue and 16m annual visitorsDisney has still not recouped $4.2bn of its investment in Disneyland Paris after more than 30 years, even though the resort is now its best-performing international outpost, according to an analysis of recent filings.The sprawling theme park complex swung open its ornate iron gates in 1992 and now attracts about 16 million visitors every year. It is wholly owned by Disney and is home to two theme parks – the fairytale-inspired Disneyland and Disney Adventure World, which launched its largest-ever expansion in late March. The lavish land, themed to the hit animated movie Frozen, is part of a $2.5bn (€2bn) investment by Disney, and its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro, was on hand for the opening alongside Emmanuel Macron. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bondi attack hero Ahmed al-Ahmed charged with assaulting his father 04. June 2026 (12:56) Police allege the 44-year-old lauded for disarming one of the gunmen in December’s attack put his father in a headlockGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Sydney man who disarmed one of the Bondi terror attackers has been charged with assaulting his father.Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, is accused of allegedly putting his father in a headlock on 9 March at a house in Bankstown, in the city’s west. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Penny Wong says she believes Israeli soldiers sexually assaulted and abused Australian women after Gaza flotilla 04. June 2026 (11:44) Foreign affairs minister says her position is to ‘always believe women’ when sexual assault allegations are madeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says she believes the Australian women who have alleged they were raped and beaten by Israeli soldiers after being detained as part of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza.Appearing at Senate estimates, Wong said the treatment of the Australian women was “unacceptable”, and the allegations they had subsequently made were “distressing”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK gets £9m in donations in first quarter of 2026, including £7m from two crypto billionaires – UK politics live 04. June 2026 (11:36) Nigel Farage’s party published the donations as part of its requirements with the Electoral CommissionThe NHS is taking action to tackle antisemitism after a government-ordered report found that Jewish patients and staff face “routine ostracism” in the service, Denis Campbell reports.At the start of the week, the Times reported that Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, was thinking of standing to be the next Labour leader. The prospect of Jones replacing Keir Starmer always seemed a bit of a long shot. But today it is safe to say the Jones campaign is definitely over. It has been killed off by Tim Shipman, the Spectator’s political editor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Leftwing US commentator calls decision to ban him from UK ‘Kafkaesque’ 04. June 2026 (11:35) Cenk Uygur was due to appear at SXSW alongside streamer Hasan Piker but Home Office cancelled travel authorisationUK politics live – latest updatesA leftwing US political commentator has described the UK government’s decision to ban him from entering the country as “haunting and hilarious” and “Kafkaesque”.Cenk Uygur, the founder and a host on Young Turks, a well-established progressive media outlet, was banned earlier this week from entering the UK to attend a speaking engagement alongside Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer who has become a popular figure on the US political left. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Israel to continue ground operation in southern Lebanon despite agreed ceasefire 04. June 2026 (11:34) The country’s defence minister said the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon and will not allow the ‘return of the population’Israel and Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire as Trump seeks to overcome barriers to Iran dealThe Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, said the US-brokered ceasefire agreed last night between Lebanon and Israel could come into force within 24 hours of all concerned parties approving it, Reuters reports.The comments appeared to refer to Hezbollah, which has yet to comment on the ceasefire. Hezbollah previously said it is opposed to the Israel-Lebanon talks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK university’s axing of black studies MA has ‘dangerous parallel’ with US, says academic 04. June 2026 (11:30) Civil rights scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw warns Birmingham City University’s decision part of extremist campaign that has ‘travelled across Atlantic’A leading US civil rights scholar has urged Birmingham City University (BCU) to reverse its decision to close its black studies course, comparing it to the attack on diversity, equity and inclusion in the US.Kimberlé Crenshaw, a professor of law at the University of California, Los Angeles and Columbia University, expressed “profound concern” about plans to withdraw the MA in black studies and global justice, just months after the course was launched. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
