Nigel Farage did not declare gifts from crypto entrepreneur convicted of fraud 05. July 2026 (11:40) Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick says Farage accepted staff, security and accommodation from George Cottrell before becoming an MPNigel Farage did not declare gifts and benefits provided by a crypto entrepreneur who has previously been convicted of fraud, Reform’s economic spokesperson has admitted.Robert Jenrick said on Sunday that the Reform leader had accepted staff, security and accommodation from George Cottrell, but claimed they were personal gifts provided before he became an MP and so did not need to be declared. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran’s supreme leader absent from funeral of father Ali Khamenei 05. July 2026 (10:46) Three sons of killed ayatollah were seen beside coffin during ceremonies drawing huge crowds in TehranThree sons of the former Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed beside his coffin and those of four other family members on Sunday, but Mojtaba, the son who has succeeded him as Iran’s supreme leader, did not make an appearance.State TV showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei praying behind the coffins laid out in the vast courtyard of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla, a sprawling religious complex. In a show of public devotion to the theocratic state and revolutionary zeal, the country is staging a week of mass funeral processions for Khamenei, including taking his remains to Shia religious sites in neighbouring Iraq. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Baptism record at Manchester Cathedral offers insight into Black Mancunian life in Georgian-era England 05. July 2026 (10:00) A parish entry reveals an argument that proved pivotal to the abolitionist cause, at a time when an estimated 20,000 Black people were living in the countryWhen the abolitionist Thomas Clarkson gave a sermon in 1787 at Manchester Cathedral – during the city’s first mass meeting against the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans – he saw a “great crowd of black people standing round the pulpit”.However, little is known about Black Mancunians in the Georgian era, which makes one recently rediscovered entry in parish records at Manchester Cathedral particularly significant. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW Labor toughens pokies stance as Sydney inner west mayor points to ‘unstoppable’ momentum for reform 05. July 2026 (08:34) State Labor conference passes motion committing to higher taxes on some clubs and moratorium on licenses for new machines Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, will take a tougher stance on poker machines to the next election after being pushed to adopt the approach by the party’s left.A motion which passed the NSW Labor conference with unanimous support on Sunday afternoon has added a plan to take “decisive action” on problem gambling and the growing use of poker machines to its policy platform, amid surging profits for operators and accusations of inaction on reform. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ofsted drops ‘clumsy’ and ‘offensive’ guidance linking autism and extremism 05. July 2026 (08:00) Training document used to teach inspectors updated after campaign by celebrities including Chris PackhamOfsted, the body responsible for safeguarding in education in England, has dropped guidance for inspectors that linked autism and extremism after an outcry from celebrity campaigners.An education minister has disclosed that an updated training document “no longer includes reference to children with autism” after claims that it was “offensive” and “clumsy” discrimination. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’ – and may contain toxic rocket fuel 05. July 2026 (07:52) Australian Space Agency working to confirm origin of objects as space archaeologist says they may be connected to a rocket launchGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSix pieces of suspected space debris found washed up on north Queensland beaches could be “space balls” that are often left over from rocket launches, according to one expert.The Australian Space Agency confirmed on Sunday it was working to determine the nature and origin of the mysterious objects, which police said were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan says coalition with One Nation ‘not even being talked about’ 05. July 2026 (07:07) Anthony Albanese mocks ructions on conservative side of politics and says three rightwing parties are caught up in ‘race to the bottom’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal frontbencher Dan Tehan says he does not want to be in a rightwing coalition with One Nation, despite senior colleagues urging closer ties with Pauline Hanson and polls suggesting her rise will make it difficult for the opposition party to ever govern in its own right again.Prime minister, Anthony Albanese, on Sunday mocked the Liberal, National and One Nation parties as an “axis of grievance” on the conservative side of politics, but Tehan said a formal alliance was not being discussed among his colleagues. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Could Farage quit? Questions swirl over Reform UK leader’s future 05. July 2026 (07:00) Farage is under pressure over £5m gift, byelection losses and rise of rival Restore but allies say exit speculation is ‘wishful thinking’“Of course he’s tired. He’s just done two months campaigning every day on the road, it would be weird if he wasn’t. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to quit,” says one friend of Nigel Farage who has spent time with him in recent weeks.Westminster has been ablaze with rumours that Farage is growing weary in the job of leading Reform UK after the bruising scandal around his decision to accept a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. He is now also facing further questions about whether his lifestyle has been partly funded by George Cottrell, his close friend and a convicted fraudster. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Make Ed Miliband chancellor, ex-chief Treasury adviser tells Andy Burnham 05. July 2026 (07:00) Nicholas Stern joins growing number backing Miliband, saying he has vision and experience to revive economyA former chief economic adviser to the Treasury has called on Andy Burnham to appoint Ed Miliband as chancellor, arguing the energy secretary has a “bold” vision to revive the economy.Nicholas Stern, a professor at the London School of Economics who was a senior figure in the Treasury during Gordon Brown’s tenure, said only Miliband had the experience and the strategic vision to accelerate investment and rebuild public trust in the state’s ability to “get things done”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Founder of prominent underground church released from prison in China 05. July 2026 (03:40) Ezra Jin, founder of Zion Church, lands in the US and reunites with family who are ‘overwhelmed with joy’The founder of one of China’s most prominent underground churches has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States.Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, landed in the US on Friday evening. He was one of dozens of church members who were detained in a sweeping crackdown on Christians in October. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
