Meta bosses grilled over decision to cut ‘censorship’ that has potentially unleashed more antisemitic content 06. July 2026 (08:12) ‘Over-enforcement poses significant risk to the communities that we try to protect,’ royal commission told A decision aimed at reducing “censorship” on major social media sites including Facebook and Instagram potentially led to greater levels of hate speech, the royal commission into antisemitism has heard.Meta announced in January 2025, after the re-election of Donald Trump in the US, that it would “reduce censorship”, get rid of factcheckers and only tackle illegal and very serious violations proactively, relying on users to report less serious breaches. Its platforms include Facebook, Instagram and Threads. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Millions join funeral procession for Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei 06. July 2026 (08:10) Crowds grew as they moved through Tehran as mourners wore black and carried flags with the slogan ‘we will rise’A millions strong crowd assembled on Monday to take part in the funeral procession of Iran’s assassinated supreme leader.The scale, and depth of the march, however engineered, is an extraordinary turn around for a country that only seven months ago was gripped by street protests that saw thousands killed by government security forces. Many will say that the assembly was a monument to a misconceived war launched on Iran by Donald Trump in February. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Half of affordable new homes in rural England could be at risk if planning rules relaxed, analysis shows 06. July 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: National Housing Federation says ending quotas for developers could cost 32,000 homes over 10 yearsHalf of all affordable housing supply in rural England could be under threat under plans being considered by ministers to relax regulations for private housing developers, according to analysis.The government has proposed ending affordable housing quotas – known as section 106 agreements – for new developments of between 10 and 49 houses in an effort to jumpstart sluggish housebuilding rates. Ministers are due to make a final decision within weeks on whether developers should be allowed to make cash payments to local authorities instead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Likely origin of mysterious ‘space balls’ found on Queensland beaches revealed by Australian Space Agency 06. July 2026 (07:42) Organisation says objects consistent with ‘debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere’ The Australian Space Agency has said the six so-called “space balls” found in north Queensland were likely from a “foreign rocket body” that had recently re-entered the atmosphere after being in orbit.The six mysterious objects were found by the public washed ashore in the Forrest Beach area, north of Townsville, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How BT’s ‘no nonsense’ first female chief helped turn company around 06. July 2026 (07:00) The firm’s share price has risen 80% under Allison Kirkby’s leadership – but pressure remains for her to deliver further growthIf timing is everything, then Allison Kirkby may have judged it perfectly.Since becoming BT’s first female chief executive more than two years ago the company’s share price has climbed 80%, an investor-pleasing turnaround that has seen Kirkby well-rewarded with a pay and bonus package of £5.6m last year, the largest for a boss of the telecoms company in well over a decade. However, there are questions over how much credit Kirkby can take for the apparent revival of the business. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ukraine hopes to sign ‘drone deals’ with seven Nato countries by end of year 06. July 2026 (06:00) Kyiv offers expertise on how to develop radar systems and ground stations as it turns from buyer to security providerUkraine hopes to sign major defence deals with at least seven Nato countries by the end of the year, according to a top official, highlighting a new aspect of Kyiv’s foreign policy intended to show it can be a provider as well as a recipient of military hardware and expertise.Kyiv has signed “drone deals” with six countries in recent months. Three are Middle Eastern states, who became eager for Ukrainian support after being targeted with Iranian long-range Shahed drones after the US-Israeli war on Iran began in spring. These are the same weapons that have targeted Ukrainian cities relentlessly over the past four years. Azerbaijan has also signed an agreement with Kyiv, as well as the Nato members Latvia and Lithuania. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Calls for independent review as police probe if cannibalism involved in four-year-old’s alleged murder 06. July 2026 (05:41) Police charge woman with murder after the body of a preschooler was found in a Central Coast home on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW opposition is demanding an independent review after it was confirmed the family of a four-year-old who was allegedly murdered was known to the department in charge of child protection.A woman has been remanded in custody and was on Sunday charged with murder after police found the body of a preschooler at a home on the New South Wales Central Coast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia launches deadly missile and drone attacks on Kyiv 06. July 2026 (05:13) At least seven killed in the Ukraine capital in the second major assault on the city and its surrounds in less than a weekRussia struck Ukraine’s Kyiv region with ballistic missiles on Monday, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens, authorities said, on the eve of a Nato summit in Turkey.Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said rescue crews were pulling residents from buildings shattered by the overnight barrage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Melbourne teacher receiving end-of-life care after horror head clash during suburban football game 06. July 2026 (04:37) Epping footballer Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, remains in hospital after hitting his head during a game in Lalor on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA suburban Melbourne footballer is receiving “end-of-life” care in hospital after a horror head clash saw him fall to the ground and hit his head on a covered cricket pitch, his club says.High school teacher Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital on Saturday after the incident during an Australian rules football game in Lalor, in Melbourne’s north. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Nepotism and bias’ rife in England and Wales police leadership, report finds 06. July 2026 (01:01) Inquiry co-chaired by David Blunkett uncovers loss of focus on fighting crime, plus low standards and need for reformPolice leadership in England and Wales is plagued by “nepotism and bias” and too many chiefs have lost focus on fighting crime, a government-backed report has found.The inquiry, co-chaired by former home secretary David Blunkett, found a reset was needed at all levels, with scores of top officers facing misconduct inquiries. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
