Trump hijacked US’s 250 anniversary to serve ‘political ideology and pet projects’, congressional report says 02. July 2026 (12:00) House Democratic subcommittee report outlines web of alleged corruption, wire fraud and pay-to-play schemesDonald Trump staged a hostile takeover of the US’s 250th anniversary celebration to enrich political allies, harvest voter data and promote Christian nationalist ideology, according to a congressional investigation released on Thursday.The interim report, “From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of Their 250th Birthday”, outlines a web of alleged corruption, wire fraud and pay-to-play schemes orchestrated through a shadow corporation embedded within the National Park Foundation (NPF). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kyiv attacks death toll rises to 17 as Russia warns it will ‘continue to increase pressure’ on Ukrainian capital – Europe live 02. July 2026 (11:44) Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at least 20 sites were attacked overnight, with ‘most of them ordinary residential buildings’in DublinVolodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes not to wait too long for the results of an Irish government investigation into alumina exports to Russia thought to be feeding the Kremlin’s war machine.“Unfortunately there are companies in Europe that are owned or effectively controlled by Russia and its sanctioned oligarchs. They keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials even now.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Young Indonesian couple publicly caned after kissing on TikTok 02. July 2026 (11:18) Unmarried man and woman whipped 21 times each because they had violated province’s version of Islamic lawA young couple in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province have been publicly caned after a Sharia court convicted them of violating Islamic law by kissing during a TikTok livestream.The court ordered the couple, a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, to be whipped with a rattan cane 21 times each for kissing without being married. At least 100 people witnessed the caning, carried out by a group of people wearing robes and hoods on a stage in Bustanussalatin City Park in Banda Aceh. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bankers and unions set for clash over possible Burnham tax raid on UK banks 02. July 2026 (11:00) City bosses say move would be economically disastrous, but union leaders urge likely new PM to ignore ‘vested interests’Battle lines are being drawn between City bosses and trade unions over a possible tax raid on UK banks to help fund Andy Burnham’s package for struggling households this winter.While bankers have warned the move would be “economic suicide”, union leaders have said Britain cannot afford to be “held hostage” by City lobbyists, given growing pressures to find money for defence and cost of living support. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Understanding Ebola’s wildlife origins is crucial to preventing next big outbreak 02. July 2026 (11:00) If we don’t know the source, not only do humans remain at risk but wildlife can suffer needlessly via retaliationWhile virologists and public health departments were palpitating over the news of an Andes virus infectious disease outbreak on a cruise ship (13 cases, three deaths), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the Bundibugyo virus, the root of the current Ebola outbreak (currently more than 1,250 cases and at least 362 deaths), was smouldering under the radar.Bundibugyo virus is a horrifying, highly fatal pathogen. Symptom onset is sudden and includes headaches, diarrhoea, malfunctioning kidneys and liver, and, less frequently, internal and external bleeding (hence the term “haemorrhagic disease”). Grimly, contagiousness remains after death, meaning the family and loved ones of the deceased can be exposed when they wash and clothe the body in preparation for the funeral. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia ‘mounted drone surveillance of European nuclear sites over 18 months’ 02. July 2026 (10:30) Researchers say Moscow acted with ‘substantial impunity’ in 144 incidents, including over RAF LakenheathThe Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
KPMG appoints chair who claimed leak allegations were ‘completely false’ and called senator’s actions ‘inappropriate’ 02. July 2026 (10:03) Greens senator says appointment of Michael Ebeid ‘risks entrenching the very culture and leadership that need to change’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKPMG has appointed a new chair who previously claimed leak allegations were “completely false” and described a senator’s actions in revealing the scandal as “very inappropriate and unfair”.Michael Ebeid was appointed to lead the embattled firm on Thursday after the former chair, Martin Sheppard, resigned while under fire from a parliamentary inquiry into the firm’s ethical failings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
OpenAI ‘in early talks to give 5% stake to US government’ 02. July 2026 (09:31) CEO Sam Altman argued move would share benefits of AI and it would involve other firms doing similar, report saysBusiness live – latest updatesOpenAI is reportedly in early stage talks to give a 5% stake in the ChatGPT developer to the US government as artificial intelligence companies attempt to smooth relations with Donald Trump’s administration.The OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, has argued that giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI, according to the Financial Times, which cited two unnamed people familiar with the discussions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Statins helping people with obesity match those of healthy weight on key metrics, study finds 02. July 2026 (09:13) Differences in unhealthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure found to have ‘narrowed or disappeared’ in over-40sMany adults living with obesity have “indistinguishable” cholesterol and blood pressure levels compared with those who are a healthy weight, largely because of the use of statins, according to a study.In some cases, people with obesity were “better off” than those of a healthy weight, researchers added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU-approved pesticide found to have potential effects on brain development 02. July 2026 (07:00) New study on fluazinam’s neurotoxicity comes up with different findings from earlier report based on manufacturer’s dataResearchers who re-ran a crucial fungicide study on neurotoxicity have come up with significantly different findings, and campaigners argue that the substance should now be withdrawn from the market.In 2005, a study conducted by Huntingdon Life Sciences on behalf of ISK, the manufacturer of fluazinam, on the development of neurotoxicity of fluazinam in pregnant rats concluded there were no statistically significant effects in relation to brain development in the rats’ offspring. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
