Canadian boy dies of rabies after waking to find bat on his face 02. July 2026 (18:29) Eleven-year-old developed symptoms 19 days after encounter in Ontario in ‘exceedingly rare’ caseDoctors in Canada say a child who awoke to find a bat resting on his nose and mouth while visiting an Ontario cottage later died of rabies, in an “exceedingly rare case” that highlights the need for better public awareness.In a report published this week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, infectious disease physicians confirmed that the 11-year-old boy died from rabies, a fatality they said probably could have been prevented with greater awareness of how the virus is transmitted. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Women from minority backgrounds in UK less likely to receive epidurals, research finds 02. July 2026 (18:03) Exclusive: Guardian analysis exposes evidence of racial inequalities in pain relief offered across healthcare‘The epidural failed and no one believed me’How the ethnicity pain gap follows people from birth to deathWomen from Black and Asian backgrounds are less likely than their white counterparts to receive an epidural while giving birth, research has revealed.The findings, based on data collected from more than 2.7 million births in the UK, prompted experts to raise the alarm about an “ethnicity pain gap” that means people of colour are more likely to be deprived of adequate pain relief within medical settings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two teenage boys detained for rape as court of appeal overrules ‘lenient’ sentences 02. July 2026 (17:54) First judge found to have erred by giving 15-year-olds youth rehabilitation orders for rape of two girls in HampshireTwo 15-year-old boys who were spared custody for raping two girls have been sentenced to four years’ detention after the court of appeal ruled their sentences were “unduly lenient”.After a national outcry, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, referred the case to the court to consider whether the sentences given to three boys – identified only as X, Y and Z – were too light. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer considers letting pubs stay open for England v Mexico match after backlash 02. July 2026 (17:46) Government seeks workaround after licensing rules threaten to force pubs to shut before World Cup tie finishesWorld Cup live – latest updatesUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer is exploring ways to keep pubs open into the early hours of Monday after facing backlash over strict licensing rules that would force many venues to close during England’s next World Cup game.The team’s win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday night booked a last-16 tie against Mexico that is due to run until at least 3am UK time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Novice climber rescued after surviving 1,500ft fall down California mountain 02. July 2026 (17:33) The woman, 31, suffered some injuries but was found alert and in good spirits on Mount Shasta, officials saidA novice climber was rescued after surviving a 1,500ft fall down California’s Mount Shasta on Sunday, officials said.The woman, 31, was attempting to ascend the mountain along the Left of Heart variation of the popular Avalanche Gulch route alongside two other novice climbers at an elevation of about 13,000ft when she fell. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AOC endorses progressive Democrat in closely watched Michigan race for US Senate seat 02. July 2026 (17:26) El-Sayed, backed by Bernie Sanders, leads polls ahead of Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow in primaryAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez has thrown her support behind Abdul El-Sayed, the doctor and progressive Democrat seeking the party’s nomination in Michigan’s closely watched US Senate race.In an interview with the New York Times, Ocasio-Cortez – an influential congresswoman on the left of the Democratic party – endorsed El-Sayed, a former public health director. “Despite our ideological differences and whatever disagreements there are in the party, every single one of us sees this moment as existential,” she said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Couple who staged apparent proposal atop Empire State Building faces slew of charges 02. July 2026 (17:04) ‘Rooftopers’ Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested after allegedly scaling the New York skyscraperTwo Russian “rooftoppers” who staged an apparent marriage proposal at the peak of the Empire State Building’s spire were reportedly arraigned in New York on Thursday on a slew of charges including reckless endangerment.Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested on Wednesday after the stunt, which featured the pair, dressed in all black, unfurling a peace banner and kissing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AFP assessing allegation of Gaza war crimes committed by Australian citizen serving in IDF 02. July 2026 (17:00) Claims against Israel Defense Forces battalion include deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings in 2023 and 2024 without military justificationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian federal police investigators are assessing a brief detailing alleged war crimes committed by an Australian citizen serving in the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza.A 61-page brief has been handed to the AFP by the Australian Centre for International Justice detailing alleged war crimes committed by an IDF battalion in Gaza across 2023 and 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians have more negative view of Israel than of China, Guardian Essential poll finds 02. July 2026 (17:00) Poll also finds perception of Donald Trump has soured since his re-election, with fewer than a third of respondents viewing him positivelyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians have a more negative view of Israel than of China, the latest Guardian Essential poll has found, with women and middle-aged people exhibiting the least positive perception of Israel.The poll also finds Australians’ perceptions of Donald Trump have tumbled since his re-election, with fewer than a third of voters having a positive response to the US president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s median wealth falls almost 7% since 2020 despite the rich getting richer, report says 02. July 2026 (17:00) Swiss bank UBS finds ‘growing divide between the wealthiest and the broader population’ as country adds more than 25,000 more millionairesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMiddle Australia’s wealth is going backwards while the richest claim an ever-greater share of the pile, according to new research that shows more than 25,000 people across the country became millionaires last year.The latest global wealth report from the Swiss bank UBS said 2025 marked “an extraordinary year”, in which close to a million new millionaires were created worldwide – a record increase in a single year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
