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Switzerland rejects a cap on its population in a referendum

June 14, 2026 at 17:33

Switzerland has rejected a cap on the country's population when the proposal was put to the vote in a nationwide referendum.

Voters in the country cast their final ballots on Sunday on an initiative to limit its population at 10 million.

It was the first country in the world to vote on the matter.

When the result was announced, just over 45% of voters supported the move, and just under 55% voted against.

The Swiss People's Party, or SVP, which has the most seats in parliament, had put forward the "sustainability initiative" after arguing Swiss infrastructure, housing, social programs, natural resources and way of life had been strained by demographic growth.

It mirrored the SVP's anti-migration sentiment in recent years, notably about an influx of workers from the neighbouring European Union.

But critics claimed the move would have weakened ties with the EU, Switzerland's top trading partner.

They argued the boom in migration had brought foreign labour and skills to sectors including healthcare and finance.

Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums, typically held every five years.

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Hamilton, Russell and Norris complete all-British podium at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

June 14, 2026 at 17:27

Sir Lewis Hamilton has won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory with Ferrari, while George Russell and defending champion Lando Norris made it the first all-British podium since 1968.

Hamilton's victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix was the 106th of the seven-time world champion's career, and at 41, also made him the oldest race winner since Jack Brabham in 1970, who was 43 years 11 months at his last win in South Africa.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli saw his lead over Hamilton slashed from 66 points to 41 after being forced to retire five laps from the end of the race.

The last all-British podium occurred in 1968, when Sir Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees all took the top three spots at that year's US Grand Prix.

It was also the first time any country had drivers in the top three since 1983, when France's Patrick Tambay, Alain Prost and Rene Arnoux swept the podium at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Speaking after the race, the seven-time world champion thanked his Ferrari team for their role in the victory.

"I started out [on] a dream which seemed almost impossible during my time last year, but we never gave up hope, and the team continued to lift me up. We made so many changes, and we made so many improvements."

Hamilton added that all his victories are special in their own way, but his first with Ferrari is "something else".

"I watched Ferrari have all that success when I was younger, watching it on TV. And as I've been racing here, I'd always watched the screens and wondered what it would be like to win in that car - and it's come."

Hamilton's victory was aided by Antonelli suffering an engine failure late in the race shortly after overtaking his Mercedes teammate Russell - making it the second straight year he'd failed to finish in Barcelona.

"There is a long, long way to go, and they've still got great pace, as you can see. But we are going to keep working and trying to close that gap.

"It's not over, that's for sure."

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Russell, who made his first podium since March and gained his first points after retiring in Canada and a 12th-placed finish in Monaco, acknowledged Hamilton's accomplishment.

"I know how hard he works. We spent a lot of years together at Mercedes, so I'm really pleased to see him back to the Lewis I remember when I was growing up."

He said while it was good to be back on the podium, Mercedes needs to keep pushing after Ferrari's performance.

"Yesterday was a real surprise for the team, and today the pace was insane from Lewis. They are coming, I think."

Defending world champion Norris, whose third-place finish saw him rise to fifth in the championship standings, said it was a tough race for McLaren.

"We gave ourselves a chance if anything happened, and we obviously got a bit lucky with Antonelli going out.

"We're doing a good job as a team. I think we're making good progress, but these guys are just doing a better job.

Norris said the team have to keep working hard and putting in the effort to ensure they'll be back on top.

Hamilton, who is second in the Driver's Championship standings, is now on 115 points, 41 behind leader Antonelli on 156.

Russell is now up to third on 106 points, with Norris in fifth on 73 points, two points behind Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles LeClerc in fourth.

The next Formula One race takes place in Austria in two weeks.

Tommy Robinson says he's been detained at Heathrow

June 14, 2026 at 09:47

Tommy Robinson says he's been detained at Heathrow under counter-terrorism laws.

The far-right activist said his phones have been seized and he was held for "the best part of three hours".

"I'M A TERRORIST AGAIN," he posted on X.

"I was detained under section 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019."

He added: "Looks like more defence and court fees ***!!!

"Absolute ****ing madness."

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, earlier this month gave a speech at a protest in Southampton over the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.

The teenage student was handcuffed by police who ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed as he lay dying after his killer Vickrum Digwa claimed to have been the victim of a racist attack.

During the Southampton protest, 13 police officers and a police dog were injured in clashes with demonstrators.

When he shared details of planned protests across the UK, Elon Musk then shared the post to his 240 million followers.

An admin on the former English Defence League leader's X account said: "This is an attack on free speech, this is an attack on investigative journalism, nothing more, nothing less."

The admin said officers "likely want to see who [Yaxley-Lennon] is talking to, and maybe find out who his sources are".

They claimed the activist's sources would "expose politicians".

Robinson was previously cleared of a terror charge after he refused to give police the PIN to his phone during a stop in July 2024. He argued the device contained confidential journalistic material.

A district judge concluded he could not be sure the police stop, which happened at the Channel Tunnel while Robinson was driving to Benidorm, was lawful.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had stopped a man in his 40s at Heathrow Airport following his return to the UK from Russia via Turkey.

They said: "The man was interviewed by officers and his communication devices were seized. He was subsequently released."

Ninth person arrested over murder of Ellis Cox, police say

June 14, 2026 at 11:55

A ninth man has been arrested during an investigation into the murder of Ellis Cox in Aintree two years ago, Merseyside Police have said.

Nineteen-year-old Ellis was fatally shot on 23 June 2024 at the Liver Industrial Estate.

Now, a 31-year-old man, from Walton, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

He has been taken into police custody, with the other eight people arrested still under investigation.

After the teenager was killed, Ellis' family said: "Ellis was making the most of a sunny day going on a bike ride with his friends.

"Ellis loved the outdoors and spent lots of time with his family fishing, quad biking and camping, and it was rare he went anywhere without a family member.

"He was the best son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandson and friend you could ever hope for and was fiercely loyal to us all."

After this ninth arrest, Detective Inspector Steve Wilkinson said the investigation into Ellis' murder is "ongoing".

He said: "This month will mark two years since Ellis was fatally shot at the Liver Industrial Estate and his family have been forced to live without anyone facing justice.

"We remain determined to find the people who were responsible and although we have made this arrest, it is vital that anyone who has information comes forward as a matter of urgency so we can prosecute those who were involved in Ellis's murder."

Kemi Badenoch urges Labour leadership rivals to cut welfare spending and boost defence

June 14, 2026 at 05:24

Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer and his potential Labour leadership rivals to cut welfare spending and redirect savings to defence.

The Conservative leader offered her party's support to get the necessary legislation through parliament in a letter to the prime minister, as well as to his possible successors.

It comes after John Healey and Al Carns resigned from their respective roles as defence secretary and armed forces minister over the long-delayed defence investment plan (DIP)

In her letter, Ms Badenoch told the prime minister it was "time to get serious".

She said: "We cannot have our military inadequately funded at a time of growing threats. The funding must also not be backloaded when the pressures are urgent.

"I have made several offers to work with you in the national interest to reduce benefit spending so we can invest more in our defence. Sir Tony Blair, the longest-serving Labour prime minister, has urged you to accept them," she wrote.

"Since the Parliamentary defeat of your modest attempt at welfare reform in the summer of last year, it is obvious that your left-wing MPs will not support any real attempt to cut the welfare bills. Therefore, the support of the Conservatives will be critical to delivering substantive reforms that will reduce the benefits bill."

Ms Badenoch had also sent the letter to Mr Carns, as well as Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Catherine West, Darren Jones and Ed Miliband.

Mr Carns has signalled he would take part in any leadership contest.

"If someone fires a starting pistol, I'm not afraid of gunfire," he told Times Radio.

A Downing Street spokesperson says the prime minister spoke to NATO secretary general Mark Rutte earlier on Saturday about the DIP.

"The NATO secretary general welcomed the UK's increased investment in defence as an important contribution to the Alliance and to meeting the threats we face," they said.

The prime minister also reiterated his aim to raise defence spending to three per cent of GDP in the next parliament, and that national security remains the government's top priority.

The spokesperson also confirmed Sir Keir would publish the DIP before next month's NATO summit in Ankara.

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