USA Update

A man’s body has been found in the driver’s seat of a luxury car parked at a service station in Sydney’s west.

French President Macron has visited Greenland in a show of support for the autonomous Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump.

The Wales children have paid a heartfelt tribute to Prince William in honour of Father’s Day but royal watchers have picked up on one notable detail that suggests Kate Middleton has broke tradition.

A demonstrator who was shot at a "No Kings" protest in the US has died, with the fatal shot apparently fired by one of the demonstration's peacekeepers.

Footage has captured the moment a man was arrested after allegedly torturing a newborn baby, with police describing the case as “deeply confronting”.

Barnaby Joyce is calling for a “contingency plan” amid fears the US is abandoning the centrepiece of Australia’s 21st century defence strategy.

MILLIONS will be able to sign up for “life-changing” clinical trials through the NHS app.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has vowed to speed up access to ground-breaking treatments by making medical research studies available to join via smartphone.

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Health Secretary Wes Streeting is making medical research studies available to join via smartphone[/caption]

The move could slash trial set-up times from 250 days to 150 or fewer by next year.

Patients will receive push notifications from the app matching them to relevant studies based on their health data.

NHS Trusts will be ranked on trial performance.

Funding will be prioritised for the best.

The moves are part of Mr Streeting’s Ten-Year Health Plan, due shortly.

He said: “The app will become the digital front door to the NHS.

“It will enable us to play our part in developing the medicines of the future.”

PA

Millions will be able to sign up for ‘life-changing’ clinical trials through the NHS app[/caption]

Belated justice

THE Prime Minister has finally agreed to a national inquiry into the child grooming scandal that has seen countless young white girls raped and abused by mostly Asian gangs.

It should never have taken so long.

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Thousands of white girls were abused in grooming gang scandals across the country[/caption]

For decades councils, police and officials turned a blind eye to the appalling crimes going on under their noses, supposedly to protect “social cohesion”.

The pain and suffering of girls as young as ten was apparently judged a price worth paying to avoid community tensions. That is appalling.

Most of the known grooming cases happened in areas where the local Labour authority relied on the Asian vote.

But this is not just an historic scandal.

As recently as January, Sir Keir Starmer and others in the Government accused those calling for a national inquiry of “jumping on the band-wagon” and “amplifying” the far-right.

Now he has made yet another U-turn — almost certainly because he has been forced to, rather than because he’s suddenly realised it’s the moral thing to do.

The inquiry findings are unlikely to reflect well on his party, but there can be no more cover-up.

The politicians and officials who allowed this scandal to carry on for so many years must be held to account.

Trigger point

NO sane person is comfortable with the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

But Israel’s precision bombing of Iran’s nuclear development sites and military leaders is hardly unprovoked.

Iran’s mad mullahs have been waging war on Israel, through their terrorist proxies, for years.

With their avowed intent to destroy Israel, Iran’s rush to develop nuclear weapons in breach of international agreements presents an existential threat the Israelis could not ignore.

But Israel is not just defending itself by thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — it is also making the world safer.

Moderate Iranians despair at how their hardline leaders have squandered the country’s wealth to fund a murderous ideology.

Anyone fighting the Tehran regime’s corner is blinded by the same anti-Israel hatred.

Daft punt

LABOUR’S nannying backbenchers might reckon ramping up tax on online horse-racing bets is a safe punt but senior MPs — on both sides — know better.

It would hammer a sector that employs thousands of voters, and decimate horse-racing and other sports that rely on gambling revenue.

Rachel Reeves, with her previous tax decisions, has already shown a habit of backing losers.

This would be another.

HORSE racing risks being destroyed if Rachel Reeves pushes ahead with a tax raid on online gambling, MPs warned today.

Senior Labour and Tory politicians urged the Chancellor not to whack up betting levies.

They say it could wipe out “one of the crown jewels of UK sport and culture”.

The Treasury is considering a new flat-rate remote betting and gaming duty, under which horse racing bets would be taxed at the same rate as online gaming and slots — despite being less profitable.

Such a move would discourage bookmakers from promoting the sport, leading to fewer bets, it is claimed.

In a new report, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock said the tax would bring job losses and economic pain for towns such as Doncaster, Cheltenham and Newmarket.

Labour MP Dan Carden said: “I’m calling on the Government to secure a fair funding model, protect jobs and allow horse racing to thrive for future generations.”

And Tory MP Nick Timothy added: “Horse racing is one of the crown jewels of British sport and culture. Nobody will forgive ministers if their decisions lead to its decline.”

The MPs’ concerns are backed by voters, with polling for the APPG showing two-thirds see horse racing as key to the identity of race meeting towns.

The racing sector contributes £4.1billion to the economy and supports more than 85,000 jobs.

Reuters

Horse racing risks being destroyed if Rachel Reeves pushes ahead with tax raid on online gambling, MPs warn[/caption]

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Your sun and moon mix makes you enigmatic and charismatic in equal parts.

You can make an impact in any meeting, from two to two hundred, and a message you first voice on a screen can reach far further than you expect.

Mixing silver and gold can link you to luck – along with a woman who wears many rings.

 TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Feelings are strong early in the day, especially around a set of rules you may feel have become unfair.

Calm, controlled words work better here than any display of anger, and you can be the perfect pick for a team leader to address this issue.

In love? Listen to your deepest heart, it tells the truth.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

A strong sense of breaking through barriers is just one of the highlights of your day.

You may feel any progress you are making is small, but it can be building to a big finale, so stick to your plans.

If you’re in love, one partner’s wish-list may overwhelm both of you unless you seek better balance.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Your new Jupiter self is generous to a fault – but do guard against giving away feelings or belongings that you really should hold on to for yourself.

The future shines brightest when you let your own light be seen, rather than just reflecting other people’s.

In a relationship, at any stage, this is important to remember.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LEO

July 23 to August 23

Staying on the diplomatic side of a decision is a great move – as a choice may turn out to be more complicated than you think, and you need to be ready to lead a rethink.

At work, your words can be kind but clear, so everyone knows where they stand.

But in love, do leave some wriggle room for sudden changes of heart.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Big changes are firing up for Virgo, and a time of feeling unheard, or unappreciated, can be close to the end.

Take some time today to celebrate what you have achieved, and who and what you are – unique and special.

In love? Say yes to a request you’ve always refused before.

Single? A Pisces traveller can be The One.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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A fitness track may twist and turn, but the finish line is within reach[/caption]

LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

A rush of unexpected feelings can be the result of Uranus taking you places you have never been before.

At work, this can mean a new project in a very new area.

At home, an unusual address can start to seem a great fit.

And passion wise, love that’s 100 per cent on your own terms is on the horizon now.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Most of your day can find you getting through to-do lists in your own usual smart, efficient way.

But later, as your imagination kicks in, story and script ideas can pour into your mind and demand that you pay attention.

You are ready to share something with the world that has never been seen or heard before.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

You’re a fascinating blend of sensitivity and stamina today – and this can stand you in good stead in so many ways.

In love, you don’t let surface distance deter you from trying to get closer to someone special.

At work, you take feedback so well, and this time, see exactly how two rivals could make a great team.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

It may have felt like a pointless position to keep sticking to your own principles – but this is very close to paying off.

When you know you have done the right thing, your mind can clear and leave room for some exciting next steps.

Your cash chart is a little stubborn – it’s not too late to talk through a choice again.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Supplied

In love? Keep asking for what you need, and you’ll be heard[/caption]

AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Your conscience is primed by the moon today – you are ready to face an issue and fix it.

This can link back to a past family or friendship choice that could still be affecting your future.

You can address this, but no one else can do it for you.

Passion may seem to follow a set pattern, but a big surprise is ahead.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

PISCES

February 19 to March 20

You’re such a dreamy sign, and this aspect of yourself is what more business-like individuals are admiring at the moment.

You have a special something that can bring other people’s ideas to life, and take your name to a new audience.

So when you sense you may be on show today, make sure you show your true self.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions