Author: staff
Candidates in a by-election contest that could determine who becomes Britain’s next prime minister are making their final pitches to voters ahead of Thursday’s vote. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hopes to become an MP — which would make him eligible to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership of the ruling Labour Party. Burnham — whose achievements as a northern mayor have led to him being dubbed the “king of the north” — is unusually popular for a Labour politician among the British public, and also came out on top as Labour members’ preferred next leader in a Survation poll earlier…
Published on 17/06/2026 – 8:49 GMT+2 The German government is reportedly preparing for its armed forces to potentially take part in a mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to information obtained by Der Spiegel, the foreign office and the defence ministry have already drawn up a draft mandate for the Bundestag, which could be approved by the cabinet at short notice. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) says no final decision has yet been made. In addition, the legal basis for any participation still has to be clarified, Merz said after the G7 summit in Évian in…
The Academy Award winner left his handprints and footprints in wet cement before adding an unusual personal touch by pressing his nose into the slab, a first for the landmark event. Speaking before guests and media, Bardem described the honour as a humbling moment and said it was difficult to believe he was joining so many celebrated figures who had stood on the same spot. The ceremony highlighted Bardem’s enduring influence on international cinema and came as the actor continues to expand his film career. During his speech, he thanked his wife, actress Penélope Cruz, and their children, Leo and…
With just 24 hours until polling day, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview three pivotal by-elections that could reshape British politics. The duo assess the contests in Makerfield, Aberdeen South and Arbroath & Broughty Ferry, exploring: Why Makerfield has become one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent political history How the Conservatives hope to capitalise on support for the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen South Why Arbroath & Broughty Ferry is a crucial test of the SNP’s ability to fend off Labour’s challenge Away from the campaign trail, Anne brings the latest intelligence from the UK-EU summit…
Published on 17/06/2026 – 9:33 GMT+2 As the 2026 World Cup gets underway, FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces an unprecedented ethics backlash over his open alignment with the White House, a high-profile visa scandal blocking Africa’s top referee, and vital hydration breaks being turned into TV advertisement slots. Born in 1970 to modest Italian immigrants in the quiet Swiss town of Brig, Infantino grew up far from luxury. His mother ran a railway station newsstand, while his father worked on sleeping cars. A multilingual lawyer by training, he quietly climbed the ranks at UEFA to become the trusted right-hand man…
Published on 17/06/2026 – 8:06 GMT+2•Updated 8:51 Iranian oil tankers have passed through a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in two months, a maritime intelligence company said on Wednesday, as Tehran and Washington prepare to sign a peace deal aimed at ending the war. According to TankerTrackers, at least two National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) supertankers named Diona and Hero2 exited the blockade line carrying a total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil between them. The tracking site said the NITC’s Stream ship was also approaching the blockade from the Pakistan exclusive…
Oil prices sank further on Wednesday, with the international benchmark Brent trading well below $80 per barrel for the first time since early March, as optimism continued to drive prices lower following an interim peace agreement between the US and Iran that is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by the end of the week. The possibility of renewed traffic through the strait has helped ease fears of prolonged disruptions to energy supplies from the Gulf, a key source of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. The strategic shipping route has been effectively closed since the Iran war…
Later this year, we are launching Add to Delivery across Europe. Prime members can add items to an upcoming shipment in two clicks, at no extra cost. An intuitive feature, but emblematic of a broader principle: technology should reduce friction, not create it. The appetite for AI leadership in Europe is real. But appetite requires the right conditions. The regulations being written today will determine whether European AI deployment accelerates or stalls. I would encourage policymakers to treat industry as a partner in getting implementation right, not merely a subject of it. The continent’s competitiveness depends on that distinction. Building…
Published on 17/06/2026 – 8:34 GMT+2 G7 leaders have adopted a joint statement committing to increased deliveries of weapons, including air defence systems and long-range capabilities, while signalling the “right moment” has come to tighten the screws on Russia’s energy sector. The leaders of the G7 countries have been gathering in Évian-les-Bains, France, for the past two days. On Tuesday night, they endorsed a statement expressing “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.” The statement praises Ukraine for the new momentum it has built on the battlefield, and commits to sustaining that momentum through increased…
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington has turned green with algae only days after reopening following a renovation project promoted by US President Donald Trump. National Park Service crews were deployed to the site on June 16, using pumps, vacuum equipment and cleaning stations set up along the pool to remove algae from the water and the newly painted bottom. Workers were seen vacuuming large patches of algae that had spread across the surface and floor of the pool. The renovation, which cost more than $14 million according to public records, included repainting the bottom of the iconic reflecting…