Ursula von der Leyen pledges EU-wide social media ban for children

• The United States and Iran experienced a significant escalation in conflict on Monday following a new wave of U.S. strikes against Iranian targets. • In response, Tehran launched retaliatory attacks targeting American-linked military facilities located across several Gulf countries.

• Tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Iran as both nations vie for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies. • The conflict has manifested in a series of recent attacks, threatening the stability of international oil shipments and maritime security.

• Hostilities have resurfaced between the United States and Iran, undermining recent diplomatic efforts and mediation attempts to stabilize the region. • Fresh military actions have pushed the Middle East toward the brink of a wider conflict, reversing cautious signs of diplomatic momentum.

Elizabeth Warren asked Jamie Dimon if he took advice from child sex offender while lobbying against UK tax on bankers’ bonusesA leading Democratic senator has written to the JP Morgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon to request clarification on the bank’s contact with the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the senate banking committee, wrote to the Wall Street grandee last week to ask if he took advice from Epstein while lobbying against a UK tax on banker bonuses, in a letter published by the US senate’s banking, housing and urban affairs committee. Continue reading...

Suspects, aged 15 and 16, taken into custody but not formally charged in ‘targeted mass shooting’ in East St LouisTwo teenagers were arrested Sunday in connection with a “targeted mass shooting” that killed five members of the same family and wounded two others in East St Louis, Illinois, according to state police.The 15- and 16-year-old suspects were taken into custody at Holten State Park, a recreation area east of the city, Illinois state police director Brendan Kelly said at a Sunday news conference – but they had not immediately been formally charged with a crime. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Three men killed in incidents over past year allegedly involving G4S guards, who replaced in-house team after previous deathsBereaved families and politicians have raised alarm about continued killings on Del Monte’s pineapple farm in Kenya despite the company hiring G4S to replace its in-house security team after previous deaths were exposed by the Guardian.Del Monte appointed G4S to guard the farm, which is estimated to cover at least 40 sq km, the area of a small city, after the Guardian detailed allegations of brutal assaults and killings of people suspected of trespassing on its land. Kenyan police have been working with G4S to guard the site. Continue reading...

Body of pilot involved in tackling Gold Mountain fire recovered by divers from Silver Jack reservoirA pilot who was helping to fight a wildfire in Colorado has died after the aviator’s aircraft crashed into a reservoir, local authorities said.The Gunnison county sheriff’s office said in a statement that it was notified of the deadly crash at about 5.17pm local time on Sunday. Gunnison’s regional communications center received a call reporting that the aircraft involved in the crash went down in the Silver Jack reservoir located in the county’s south-western portion. Continue reading...

Roaming charges also scrapped and trading terms continue for medicines, cars, art, jewellery and other goodsBritish nationals can expect shorter passport queues at Swiss airports and border crossings after a £5.2bn trade deal was sealed by Keir Starmer, likely his last big international agreement as prime minister.As part of the deal they will be able to use e-gates from later this year, starting with exit checks at Zurich airport and with Basel and Geneva, a leading airport for business and winter sports travel, to follow next year. Continue reading...

Oliver Blume tells staff restructuring proposal includes ‘controversial decisions’ but he has broad supportBusiness live – latest updatesThe chief executive of Volkswagen has confirmed plans to cut 50,000 more jobs despite the carmaker’s supervisory board rejecting his plan to shut four factories in Germany.Oliver Blume told staff on Monday that proposals for a sprawling restructuring was “the most comprehensive realignment in the company’s history” and revolved around “12 initiatives, approximately 150 pages and 45 individual resolutions” for change. Continue reading...

Home secretary also set to outline plans to enable deportation of grooming gang ringleader Shabir AhmedUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham is expected to vote for the immigration bill on Monday night in the Commons, with his team indicating that he backs Shabana Mahmood’s changes for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and on refugee settlement.The bill returns to the Commons on Monday for its second reading, where Mahmood is also expected to announce plans to make it possible to deport the ringleader of a grooming gang, Shabir Ahmed, a move publicly backed by Burnham. Continue reading...

Proposed legal settlement over 2022 oil spill would resolve allegations that South Bow violated clean water lawsA proposed legal settlement with the US government would require the Keystone pipeline system’s operator to pay a $26.9m civil penalty over a large oil spill in Kansas in December 2022 and spend about $40m more to prevent future accidents.The agreement would resolve allegations from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Kansas that South Bow, based in Canada, violated US and state clean water laws. The rupture dumped nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington county, Kansas, about 150 miles (241km) north-west of Kansas City. Continue reading...