Stories for June 18th 2026

Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 18:13 UTC
Healey MP, “my resignation was necessary for the future of the Britain’s Armed Forces”

UK Former Defense Secretary John Healey has said his surprise resignation last week was “necessary in securing the future of Britain's Armed Forces”. Now a backbench Labour MP, Healey told the House of Commons: ”I took the decision to resign with the very greatest regret and reluctance, but I continue to be certain about this decision.”
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 17:53 UTC
Brazil softens Selic rate but concerns grow about fiscal stimulus on election year and impact of El Niño

Brazil’s central bank interest rate-setting committee, Copom, ‌unanimously voted on Wednesday to lower its benchmark Selic rate by 25 basis points to 14.25%, a level last seen in May 2025, ‌but acknowledging a tougher inflation outlook given the risks from election-year fiscal stimulus and the impact of a likely El Nino weather pattern shock.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 16:45 UTC
Why More New Zealanders Are Choosing Mobile Gaming Over Traditional Entertainment

If you sit in any café in Auckland for long enough, you'll probably notice the same thing. Almost everyone has a phone in their hand. Some people are checking messages, some are scrolling through social media, and others are playing games. It's become such a normal part of everyday life that most people don't even think about it anymore.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 15:06 UTC
Falklands’ Government requests input on modern anti-discrimination legislation

The Falkland Islands Government is currently developing modernized anti-discrimination legislation, with the first phase focusing on protections relating to race.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 14:54 UTC
Fed keeps rates unchanged; new chairman Warsh anticipates FOMC summaries will be shorter…and to facts

The Federal Open Market Committee from the US Federal Reserve voted unanimously to keep its benchmark overnight borrowing rate anchored in a range of 3.5%-3.75%. It was the first meeting of the Fed with the newly appointed chairman, Kevin Warsh.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 14:48 UTC
Falklands, regular military activities around Stanley at the end of June

From 28–30 June 2026, BFSAI’s (British Forces South Atlantic Islands) current RIC (Roulement Infantry Company), 5 RIFLES, will be conducting activity in and around the capital of the Falkland Islands, Stanley.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 14:40 UTC
David Hockney, the artist who forced Britain to make room for color, joy and queerness

By Simon Mckeown. Professor of Art, School of Arts & Creative Industries, Teesside University, Teesside University

Born in Bradford and shaped by northern art-school discipline, David Hockney brought a working-class, almost punk refusal to British art: do the work, trust the eye, do not ask for approval. Hockney made success look effortless: all color, good humor, great glasses, cigarettes and smoky charm. But for a young gay artist from a northern mill town, nothing about that journey was effortless.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 07:43 UTC
Milei reforms by decree the system for appointing Argentina's Supreme Court justices

Argentina's President Javier Milei reformed by decree the system for appointing Supreme Court justices: he eliminated a stage of citizen participation prior to the nomination and removed the recommendation to consider criteria of gender, specialty and regional-origin diversity. The measure, made official on Tuesday, was questioned by legal experts and judicial-sector organizations.