GB News critics want to limit free speech to ‘liberal, Islington consensus’, Grade says
Former Ofcom chair says he welcomed arrival of rightwing news channel five years ago in name of ‘plurality’Critics of GB News are part of a “liberal, Islington consensus” bent on limiting freedom of expression, Michael Grade, the recently departed chair of Britain’s media watchdog, has said.The Conservative peer, whose time at Ofcom has been criticised over the handling of the rightwing news channel, said he welcomed the arrival of the broadcaster five years ago in the name of “plurality”. Continue reading...
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Wars, tariffs and AI: What to expect from the G7 summit in Évian
• World leaders are gathering in Évian for the G7 summit to address critical global issues, including potential tariffs and ongoing wars. • Key agenda items include the precarious status of the Iran peace deal and the integration of AI industry titans into diplomatic discussions.
Read original · euronews.com
EuronewsSon of Norway’s crown princess convicted of rape and sentenced to four years in prison
Marius Borg Høiby found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of domestic violence and other crimesMarius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of several offences, including two counts of rape. He was also sentenced to a two-year restraining order against one of his alleged victims.The verdict was handed down by the Oslo district court on Monday morning, nearly three months since Høby’s closely watched six-week long trial. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comAustralia’s Sigma drops out of talks to buy UK’s Boots
End of discussions on takeover estimated at $10bn extends uncertainty for 177-year-old British chainBusiness live – latest updatesThe Australian pharmaceutical group Sigma Healthcare has dropped its pursuit of the UK retail chain Boots, abandoning a takeover estimated to be worth $10bn (£7bn).Sigma, a wholesaler and retailer, said on Monday that a deal to by the high street pharmacy business – which has 1,800 UK stores – would not meet its strategic and capital investment objectives. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comKeir Starmer set to announce under-16s social media ban – UK politics live
Prime minister expected to unveil ‘Australia plus’ ban for under-16s on apps such as TikTok, Instagram and SnapchatGood morning. In Downing Street officials reportedly refuse to talk about Keir Starmer wanting to establish a legacy. But it is hard for the rest of us to avoid the word, particularly on a morning when he has summoned reporters to Downing Street for an 8am press conference on his plans for a social media ban. In lobby terms, this counts as unconscionably early. The announcement could easily wait. But Starmer is heading to France for the G7 summit later, that will keep him busy until Wednesday night, and on Thursday it’s the Makerfield byelection. This is an annoucement that Starmer is determined to make before then because Andy Burnham seems on course to become an MP in the early hours of Friday and at that point UK politics may start to change drastically – and Starmer’s window for legacy making may swiftly close.Last summer the UK government showed little interest in following the Australian government when it announced its social media ban for under-16s. Within months the view in government was changing, and by early 2026 Starmer said there would definitely be some sort of crackdown. But he suggested he was still undecided between a full social media ban for under-16s, and alternative measures to crackdown on the worst features of these apps.It’s shameful that it’s taken the prime minister’s job to be on the line for the government to finally u-turn and ban social media for under 16s.Three times Labour voted against a ban, failing to stand up to Big Tech and protect children from the extreme content they are exposed to every day. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comLabour MPs urge Starmer to set targets to boost number of male teachers in England
Men and Boys group of MPs addresses ‘crisis of masculinity’ and joins campaign for longer paternity leaveGovernment ministers have been urged to set targets to boost the number of male teachers in England, as backbench MPs seek to capitalise on turbulence in the Labour party to influence government policy.With the government in disarray after the shock resignation of the defence secretary this week, MPs are seizing the moment to embark on a battle of ideas, including tackling toxic masculinity, which they argue has played a role in violent anti-immigrant disturbances. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comDavid Munk appointed editor of Guardian Australia
Former deputy editor steps up to replace Lenore Taylor, who resigned in FebruaryFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former deputy editor of Guardian Australia David Munk has been appointed to lead the publication, Guardian News and Media has announced.Munk spent five years as international news editor in Australia and another five as deputy editor under Lenore Taylor, who resigned in February after a decade at the helm. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comPhotographer Don McCullin to focus on Vietnam for his final book
Exclusive: The work will feature some of the photographer’s most powerful images from his 70-year careerAfter more than seven decades of covering conflicts around the world, Don McCullin will return to Vietnam and his best-known images for his final book.The photographer, who got his start aged 23 when his image of a gang in Finsbury Park was published in the Observer, has decided to revisit the war and his 12-day stint with US marines during the battle of Hue in 1968. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comBritain ‘faces deindustrialisation’ without relief from high energy prices, survey warns
Make UK says manufacturers’ feedback shows sector at risk of collapse as it calls on Treasury to take actionBritain’s industrial sector is at risk of collapse as thousands of companies warn that they could face bankruptcy within the next year because of high energy prices, according to an industry survey.The manufacturers’ body Make UK said the latest feedback from its members found that many would not be able to cope for much longer with energy costs that were twice the average in continental Europe and four times higher than in the US. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comDisabled people with lifelong conditions facing ‘unnecessary’ Pip reassessments
‘Pointless’ reviews are wasting public money and ‘significantly harming’ the mental health of claimants, charity says Disabled people with lifelong conditions are repeatedly being put through “pointless” benefit reassessments, contrary to official guidance, new analysis suggests.A study by the anti-poverty charity Z2K has found that hundreds of thousands of disabled people are going through “unnecessary” personal independence payment (Pip) reviews, “wasting” public money and “significantly harming” the mental and physical health of claimants. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comFashion goals: Socceroos trade kit bags for it-bags as they level up off-field style
Australia stepped off the team bus in suits and holding designer pouches, showing they’ve come ‘a long way from a Country Road bag on the side of the field’Video: Is this Australia’s greatest World Cup win in 20 years?As suited and booted Socceroos stepped off the bus in Vancouver and towards a 2-0 victory against Turkey, many dangled designer pouches. Tete Yengi and Mo Touré carried what appeared to be Goyard, the it-bag of choice for athletes world wide. Burberry checks and monograms from Louis Vuitton and Dior were also spotted.“They’ve come a long way from a Country Road bag on the side of the field,” said Benjamen Judd, Esquire Australia’s head of content. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comOil prices tumble amid hopes strait of Hormuz will soon reopen
US-Iran peace deal sparks immediate drop for Brent crude but analysts warn complex negotiations lie ahead, potentially halting further significant dropsMiddle East crisis: live updatesPeace deal between US and Iran announced, with strait of Hormuz expected to reopenWhat do we know about the US-Iran peace deal – and what questions remain?Global oil prices have tumbled amid fresh hopes that a US-Iran peace deal may end the greatest energy supply crisis in the history of the market.The price of Brent crude dropped below $84 a barrel as the new trading week began in financial centres across Asia-Pacific, amid optimism that the strait of Hormuz could reopen shortly and bring a return of Gulf oil exports to the market. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.com