Tobacco excise has passed a ‘tipping point’ and is fuelling black market, economists warn

10/06/2025 15:00 The Guardian

Taxes now account for $28 of the average $40 price for a packet, following a triple-fold excise hike in 10 years from 46c to $1.40 per cigaretteAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEconomists say regular increases to the tobacco excise have stopped working to further lower smoking rates, and are instead encouraging a soaring cigarette black market.Instead, they suggest either a freeze or a cut to the excise rate while Australia cracks down on illicit tobacco. However a public health advocate warned policymakers not to be “conned” into a radical tax cut. Continue reading...

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Putin mocking Trump with attacks on Ukraine, Poland says, as European foreign ministers meet for defence talks – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthEuropean foreign ministers are now arriving in Rome for their Weimar+ meeting on security and Ukraine.Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said his country needs...

12/06/2025 11:52 The Guardian

UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as exports hit by Trump trade war

Worse than forecast April GDP data shows challenge facing Rachel Reeves to kickstart growth to fund spending reviewBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK economy contracted in April by 0.3% as businesses cut jobs and cancelled investment plans in response to higher taxes and the uncertainty created...

12/06/2025 11:48 The Guardian

Middle East crisis: UN general assembly to vote on draft resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza – live

193-member assembly likely to adopt text calling for unconditional and permanent ceasefire, days after US vetoed similar effort in security councilSome more detail on the UN vote, expected later today, from AP.The UN General Assembly is expected to vote later today on a resolution demanding an immed...

12/06/2025 07:35 The Guardian

Thursday briefing: What sparked days of racially charged violence in Northern Ireland

In today’s newsletter: The unrest in Ballymena escalated, as tensions over immigration spiralled, leaving police injured and homes damagedGood morning. Over the past three nights, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has been rocked by riots. At least 17 police officers have been injured, while home...

12/06/2025 05:42 The Guardian

MPs call for inquiry into how RedBird Capital is funding £500m Telegraph deal

Exclusive: Cross-party group including peers warns of risk of ‘potential Chinese state influence’ in private equity firmA cross-party group of MPs and peers has called on ministers to investigate how a US private equity company is funding its £500m takeover of the Telegraph.In a letter sent to...

12/06/2025 05:00 The Guardian

Site of first purpose-built prisoner of war camp saved by Historic England funding

Norman Cross prison in Cambridgeshire was home to up to 7,000 inmates during French Revolutionary and Napoleonic warsThe French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars saw thousands of enemy prisoners incarcerated in the UK; so many that the Admiralty, with responsibility for their welfare, had to devise...

12/06/2025 05:00 The Guardian

News live: Keating says US Aukus review may ‘save Australia from itself’ as Taylor warns of ‘heavy price’ if deal fails

Follow today’s news livePentagon launches review of Aukus security allianceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe defence minister, Richard Marles, downplayed the Trump administration’s review into the Aukus program, saying it was “natural” that the US would take a lo...

12/06/2025 04:03 The Guardian

Trump administration urges other countries to skip UN conference on Israel-Gaza war

Demarche instructs governments not to participate in meeting on two-state solution between Israel and PalestiniansDonald Trump’s administration is discouraging governments around the world from attending a UN conference next week on a possible two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians...

11/06/2025 19:38 The Guardian

Police leaders say they will struggle to fulfil Labour’s promise to recruit 13,000 officers

Projected £1.2bn police funding shortfall expected to grow after spending review outlined fall in Home Office spending powerPolice forces will struggle to fulfil Keir Starmer’s promise to recruit an additional 13,000 officers and the public will “pay the price”, police leaders have warned, af...

11/06/2025 18:28 The Guardian

Labour bets on investment, but will Britons see change before the next election?

Starmer and Reeves want to improve services but a difficult fiscal backdrop means the sunlit uplands are a way offJust before winning his second term in office, Barack Obama made a plea to American voters not to switch back to the Republicans. “They drove our economy into a ditch and then they got...

11/06/2025 18:22 The Guardian

Disney and Universal sue AI image creator Midjourney, alleging copyright infringement

Studios accuse AI firm of ‘piracy’ and seek injunction over alleged use of copyrighted charactersDisney and Universal sued an artificial intelligence company on Wednesday, alleging copyright infringement. In their lawsuit, the entertainment giants called Midjourney’s popular AI-powered image g...

11/06/2025 17:05 The Guardian

Trump administration to cut all USAID overseas roles in dramatic restructuring

State department to take over US foreign assistance programs as staffers warn of devastating impactThe Trump administration will eliminate all USAID (United States Agency for International Development) overseas positions worldwide by 30 September in a dramatic restructuring of remaining US foreign a...

11/06/2025 15:13 The Guardian

Israeli army officers refuse to serve in ‘unnecessary, eternal war’ in Gaza

In letter to Netanyahu, 41 signatories say government’s orders are ‘clearly illegal’ and hostages have been given ‘death sentence’Israel’s government is issuing “clearly illegal” orders that must not be obeyed, a group of Israeli military intelligence officers have said, announcing t...

11/06/2025 14:52 The Guardian

Hong Kong police tell people not to download ‘secessionist’ mobile game

Players face possible arrest for downloading Taiwan-developed Reversed Front: Bonfire, which lets them ‘overthrow the communist regime’Hong Kong police have warned people against downloading a Taiwan-developed mobile game which they say is “secessionist” and could lead to arrest.The game, Re...

11/06/2025 12:32 The Guardian

Otters posing for selfies in Japanese cafes may be linked to illegal trade, experts warn

The DNA of rare small-clawed otters in captivity in Japan has been matched to wild populations in poaching hotspots in ThailandPosing for selfies on the laps of excited visitors, the otters of Tokyo’s animal cafes have learned to play their part in their online stardom. In thousands of social medi...

11/06/2025 10:30 The Guardian

Rachel Reeves says she ‘chooses investment’ as she prepares to unveil Labour’s spending review – UK politics live

Chancellor will reveal how the government plans to spend almost £1.4tn in 2026-27, rising to almost £1.5tr in 2028-29At Westminster it is assumed that Kemi Badenoch is the party leader most likely to lose her job. But today the Herald is running a story by Andrew Learmonth, its political editor, s...

11/06/2025 10:24 The Guardian

Israeli strikes near aid site in the Gaza Strip kill 35, medics say – Middle East crisis live

Medical officials say at least 25 people were killed near US-backed aid site and the other 10 people were killed by strikes in Khan YounisIsrael deported activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday, a day after the Gaza-bound ship she was on was seized by the Israeli military, reports the Associated Press (A...

11/06/2025 08:52 The Guardian

US and China agree framework deal to extend trade war truce

US commerce secretary expresses optimism that deal will resolve concerns about rare earths and magnetsBusiness live – latest updatesThe US and China have extended the truce in their trade war after two days of talks in London that resulted in a “framework” deal over export restrictions on rare...

11/06/2025 08:20 The Guardian

Arrests as curfew begins in downtown LA; Newsom decries Trump’s ‘assault’ on democracy – as it happened

LA police issue warning to groups that continue to congregate in curfew area after California governor launches blistering attack on US presidentLA protests – liveTroop mobilization in LA to cost Americans at least $134m, Hegseth saysFact-check: Trump’s speech at Fort Bragg contained lies and co...

11/06/2025 06:19 The Guardian

LA protests: LAPD says it has made ‘mass arrests’ after mayor issued curfew for downtown – live

Mayor Karen Bass issues curfew for one square mile area in downtown, beginning at 8pm local time on Tuesday until 6am local time on WednesdayWelcome to the Guardian’s continued coverage of the protests in Los Angeles. If you are just tuning in, here is a handy summary to bring you up to speed.The...

11/06/2025 06:17 The Guardian

Expanded ‘Jack’s law’ police powers could lead to further ‘surveillance and harassment’ of some Queenslanders, expert warns

LNP moves to allow police to detain and search people with metal detecting wand in any public place and remove sunset clauseAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVulnerable and marginalised Queenslanders could be subjected to “survei...

11/06/2025 05:39 The Guardian

‘We won’t give up’: Kumanjayi White’s family hold vigil demanding independent investigation

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency calls on the federal government to stage an ‘emergency intervention’ into punitive justice laws in the Northern TerritoryWarning: this article contains names and images of Indigenous Australians who have died• Australia news live: latest politics...

11/06/2025 05:09 The Guardian

Public health bodies urged to launch period tracking apps to protect data

Women’s personal information at risk of being harvested by private firms running their own versions, report warnsPublic health bodies should launch alternatives to commercial period tracker apps, experts have said, as a report warns women’s personal data is at risk of being harvested by private...

10/06/2025 23:01 The Guardian

Survivors of Ireland’s mother and baby homes risk losing UK benefits over compensation

Campaign pushes to change law that could lead to survivors living in UK being disqualified from means-tested benefitsSurvivors of Ireland’s mother and baby homes are being “retraumatised” by the prospect of losing benefits in the UK if they accept compensation from the Irish state, Westminster...

10/06/2025 18:45 The Guardian

Israeli troops kill 17, say Gaza officials, as UN experts decry ‘obliteration’ of education

Palestinians reportedly killed while trying to reach food sites, while Israel accused of war crime in targeting schoolsIsraeli troops killed at least 17 Palestinians trying to reach food distribution sites on Tuesday, health authorities in Gaza said, as UN experts accused Israel’s military of comm...

10/06/2025 18:20 The Guardian

Middle East crisis: ‘We survived Pharaoh, we will survive Starmer’ says far-right Israeli minister after sanctions – as it happened

Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will have assets frozen and travel bans imposed by UK and other countriesUK and other countries sanction far-right Israeli ministersAfter rockets were reportedly fired from northern Gaza at southern Israel, the IDF have issued an evacuation wa...

10/06/2025 17:15 The Guardian

AI can ‘level up’ opportunities for dyslexic children, says UK tech secretary

Peter Kyle, who is dyslexic and uses AI in his work, says government should look at how it ‘can transform education’Artificial intelligence should be deployed to “level up” opportunities for dyslexic children, according to the UK science and technology secretary, Peter Kyle, who warned there...

10/06/2025 16:57 The Guardian

‘We did nothing wrong’: Greta Thunberg accuses Israel of kidnapping yacht crew

Swedish activist says ‘12 peaceful volunteers’ did not break laws during attempt to bring symbolic aid shipment to GazaHours after being deported from Israel, Greta Thunberg accused the country of kidnapping her and her fellow activists in international waters, adding that she had refused to sig...

10/06/2025 16:33 The Guardian

Zelenskyy calls for ‘concrete actions’ as Russian strikes hit seven of Kyiv’s 10 districts

Ukraine president criticises lack of response from US and others after one of Moscow’s largest attacks of war on KyivVolodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced his frustration with Donald Trump by calling for “concrete actions” rather than “silence” after Russia launched one of its largest attacks on...

10/06/2025 16:08 The Guardian

RFK Jr’s ‘clean sweep’ of CDC vaccine panel experts will erode public trust

Health officials, scientists and vaccine researchers sound alarm after health secretary fires 17 advisory membersRobert F Kennedy’s “clean sweep” of a critical vaccine advisory panel spread shock and dismay among health experts, as many warned the health secretary’s decision would erode trus...

10/06/2025 15:58 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

12/06 11:57 - Thunderstorm warnings in place as drought declared for millions 12/06 11:52 - Putin mocking Trump with attacks on Ukraine, Poland says, as European foreign ministers meet for defence talks – Europe live 12/06 11:48 - UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as exports hit by Trump trade war 12/06 11:45 - Mamdani’s Delicate Quest to Become New York City’s First Muslim Mayor 12/06 11:38 - Reeves refuses to rule out tax rises after economy shrinks 12/06 10:18 - US Treasury chief warns against new Russia sanctions 12/06 09:15 - At least 242 on board Air India flight to London that crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad 12/06 09:02 - Climate Change Could Complicate Anti-Submarine Warfare 12/06 08:59 - Watchdog finds Iran failing to meet nuclear obligations for first time in 20 years 12/06 08:57 - NATO chief in Rome for key Ukraine talks 12/06 08:24 - US sanctions ICC judges: RT examines why (VIDEO) 12/06 07:35 - Middle East crisis: UN general assembly to vote on draft resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza – live 12/06 07:32 - Rubio sends congratulations on Russia Day 12/06 06:55 - New China Trade ‘Deal’ Takes U.S. Back to Where It Started 12/06 06:38 - Sweets from US company could damage DNA and increase cancer risk, UK agency warns 12/06 06:31 - Japan protests to China after ‘dangerous’ moves by warplanes over Pacific 12/06 06:31 - Japan protests to China after ‘dangerous’ moves by warplanes over Pacific 12/06 06:12 - Syria returns offer 'ray of hope' as wars displace 122 million people worldwide 12/06 05:42 - Thursday briefing: What sparked days of racially charged violence in Northern Ireland 12/06 05:00 - MPs call for inquiry into how RedBird Capital is funding £500m Telegraph deal 12/06 05:00 - Site of first purpose-built prisoner of war camp saved by Historic England funding 12/06 04:07 - Serbia responds to accusations of ‘betraying’ Russia 12/06 04:03 - News live: Keating says US Aukus review may ‘save Australia from itself’ as Taylor warns of ‘heavy price’ if deal fails 12/06 03:57 - News24 | US warns of consequences for attending UN meet on Israel-Palestinian two-state solution 12/06 02:01 - U.S. to Evacuate Diplomats From Iraq Amid Iran Tensions 12/06 01:15 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,204 12/06 01:15 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,204 11/06 23:11 - Ehud Olmert on Israel’s Catastrophic War in Gaza 11/06 22:42 - The West seeks to ‘sacrifice Ukraine’ – Bosnian Serb leader (VIDEO) 11/06 21:54 - McConnell Tells Hegseth U.S. Reputation Is at Stake in Ukraine War 11/06 20:53 - Israeli gunfire, strikes kill 120 Palestinians in Gaza, many at aid sites 11/06 20:53 - Israeli gunfire, strikes kill 120 Palestinians in Gaza, many at aid sites 11/06 20:35 - Why Trump’s attempts to make peace in Ukraine will fail 11/06 20:35 - Why Trump’s attempts to make peace in Ukraine will fail 11/06 19:44 - Trump caught lying about date of phone call to Governor Gavin Newsom 11/06 19:38 - Trump administration urges other countries to skip UN conference on Israel-Gaza war 11/06 19:09 - Hundreds arrested as calm returns to Los Angeles 11/06 19:01 - Reviewers In Their 40s *Love* These 27 Warm Weather Pieces From Amazon 11/06 18:28 - Police leaders say they will struggle to fulfil Labour’s promise to recruit 13,000 officers 11/06 18:22 - Labour bets on investment, but will Britons see change before the next election? 11/06 18:17 - Clothes at what cost? French fast fashion bill puts onus on Chinese brands 11/06 18:01 - These 32 Products Work Scary Good, And We’ve Got The Reviewer Pics To Prove It 11/06 17:41 - Was hope of aid for Gaza seized with the Freedom Flotilla? 11/06 17:41 - Was hope of aid for Gaza seized with the Freedom Flotilla? 11/06 17:38 - Ukraine membership out of NATO summit statement – Bloomberg 11/06 17:05 - Disney and Universal sue AI image creator Midjourney, alleging copyright infringement 11/06 16:54 - Redefining history: Why the fate of the Russia-Ukraine war is being decided in Türkiye 11/06 16:51 - Russia sentences Alexey Navalny ally in absentia to 18 years in prison 11/06 16:51 - Russia sentences Alexey Navalny ally in absentia to 18 years in prison 11/06 16:50 - Ukraine collects 1,212 bodies in latest swap with Russia 11/06 16:29 - Confiscating Russian assets ‘complicated’ – British PM 11/06 15:37 - Trump Hails Progress With China as He Reverses Damage From His Own Trade War 11/06 15:14 - Military jet crashes in Myanmar, homes set ablaze 11/06 15:14 - Military jet crashes in Myanmar, homes set ablaze 11/06 15:13 - Trump administration to cut all USAID overseas roles in dramatic restructuring 11/06 14:52 - Will the US-China ‘framework’ agreement defuse trade tension? 11/06 14:52 - Will the US-China ‘framework’ agreement defuse trade tension? 11/06 14:52 - Israeli army officers refuse to serve in ‘unnecessary, eternal war’ in Gaza 11/06 14:49 - Germany Embraces LNG as It Weans Itself Off Russian Gas 11/06 14:34 - Amid Russian Strikes, a Remote Corner of Ukraine Beckons 11/06 14:33 - 'The two-state solution is going to happen': Israel’s Olmert and ex-Palestinian FM Qudwa 11/06 14:01 - 27 Versatile Lane Bryant Pieces To Help You Maximize Your Travel Wardrobe 11/06 13:50 - UK MPs react to report alleging David Cameron ‘threatened’ ICC withdrawal 11/06 13:50 - UK MPs react to report alleging David Cameron ‘threatened’ ICC withdrawal 11/06 13:31 - Iran says it will target US bases if conflict breaks out over nuclear enrichment 11/06 13:13 - In India, war came dressed in feminist camouflage 11/06 13:13 - In India, war came dressed in feminist camouflage 11/06 12:32 - Hong Kong police tell people not to download ‘secessionist’ mobile game 11/06 12:10 - First heat-health alerts issued for 2025 while storms bring flood risk 11/06 11:50 - Trump warns of 68% tax hike if budget bill fails. Not true, say experts 11/06 11:50 - Trump warns of 68% tax hike if budget bill fails. Not true, say experts 11/06 11:24 - Russian Drone Barrage Kills 3 in Kharkiv 11/06 11:14 - What’s behind Russia’s ‘evolving’ drone warfare in Ukraine? 11/06 11:14 - What’s behind Russia’s ‘evolving’ drone warfare in Ukraine? 11/06 10:48 - Russian drone attacks kill three, wound 60 in Ukraine’s Kharkiv 11/06 10:48 - Russian drone attacks kill three, wound 60 in Ukraine’s Kharkiv 11/06 10:34 - ABC airs Gaza footage in report on Russian strike in Ukraine (VIDEO) 11/06 10:30 - Otters posing for selfies in Japanese cafes may be linked to illegal trade, experts warn 11/06 10:24 - Rachel Reeves says she ‘chooses investment’ as she prepares to unveil Labour’s spending review – UK politics live 11/06 10:20 - News24 | Trump trades barbs with California’s Gavin Newsom over protests: ‘Civil war would happen’ 11/06 10:16 - News24 | ‘Russia lies every day about its desire for peace’: One dead as massive strike hits Ukraine hospital 11/06 10:00 - Hong Kong Bans Taiwanese Video Game for Promoting ‘Armed Revolution’ 11/06 09:15 - 'Trump doesn't know what he will do': Ex-CIA director calls president's Ukraine plan 'naive' 11/06 08:52 - Israeli strikes near aid site in the Gaza Strip kill 35, medics say – Middle East crisis live 11/06 08:20 - US and China agree framework deal to extend trade war truce 11/06 07:56 - Month of May was world’s second-warmest on record: EU scientists 11/06 07:56 - Month of May was world’s second-warmest on record: EU scientists 11/06 07:29 - EU nation won’t back new Russia sanctions – PM 11/06 06:19 - Arrests as curfew begins in downtown LA; Newsom decries Trump’s ‘assault’ on democracy – as it happened 11/06 06:17 - LA protests: LAPD says it has made ‘mass arrests’ after mayor issued curfew for downtown – live 11/06 05:39 - Expanded ‘Jack’s law’ police powers could lead to further ‘surveillance and harassment’ of some Queenslanders, expert warns 11/06 05:09 - ‘We won’t give up’: Kumanjayi White’s family hold vigil demanding independent investigation 11/06 04:06 - US, China say high-level talks yield 'framework' for trade deal 11/06 03:59 - Deadly Russian strikes hit Kharkiv as Ukraine brings home bodies of 1,212 soldiers 11/06 00:09 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,203 11/06 00:09 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,203 10/06 23:02 - Sudanese army accuses Libya’s Haftar of joint border attack with RSF 10/06 23:02 - Sudanese army accuses Libya’s Haftar of joint border attack with RSF 10/06 23:01 - Public health bodies urged to launch period tracking apps to protect data 10/06 22:45 - German foreign intelligence chief claims Russia could attack NATO