Sri Lanka prison riot kills 26, with more than 100 others wounded 07. July 2026 (02:35) Victims with cuts and gunshot injuries rushed to hospital after fighting between prisoners from two drug gangsClashes at a Sri Lankan jail have killed 26 people, including seven guards, and wounded more than 100 in the country’s deadliest prison riot in years, officials said.Victims with cuts and gunshot injuries were rushed to Negombo hospital, north of the capital Colombo after overnight fighting between prisoners from two drug gangs, police said on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Melbourne police in standoff with graffiti artist perched above Pam the Bird tag on Bolte Bridge tower 07. July 2026 (02:30) Man on bridge refuses to come down after posting tax complaint on social mediaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice in Melbourne are stuck in a standoff with a man on top of a major inner-city bridge after a dangerous graffiti stunt, with traffic slowing to a crawl.Emergency services were called to the Bolte Bridge at 3am on Tuesday over reports a graffiti artist had climbed up one of the bridge’s 120-metre high pillars. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chinese government tells critics not to ‘overinterpret’ missile test in Pacific as criticism grows 07. July 2026 (01:33) The Australian government says there was ‘insufficient notice’ as details of missile path are released by Taiwan government China’s missile test in the Pacific did not comply with international law and was conducted with “insufficient notice” to nearby countries, officials in the US and Australia have said, amid growing international condemnation.But a Chinese government spokesperson claimed the test was “safe” and part of “routine” military training, telling critics to “not over-interpret it.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prison education cuts driving drug use, self-harm and violence, says watchdog 07. July 2026 (01:01) Report by HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales comes as spending on frontline education falls by up to 50%“Brutal” cuts to prison education and training by Labour ministers are leading to an increase in drug use, self-harm and violence, a watchdog’s withering final annual report has said.Charlie Taylor, who steps down as HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales in the autumn after six years, has also warned the authorities must keep a “close eye” on the impending release of thousands of prisoners later this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scotland could freeze datacentre projects in challenge to UK’s AI strategy 07. July 2026 (01:01) Scottish government to consider SNP national council motion for moratorium on all new datacentresThe Scottish government is about to consider a sweeping moratorium on building new datacentres, putting a key plank of the UK’s AI strategy at risk.Last Sunday the Scottish National party (SNP)’s national council passed a motion to freeze all new datacentres in Scotland. That motion has been sent to the Scottish government to consider. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK abuse scandal ‘ignored because victims were working-class boys from north’, minister says 07. July 2026 (01:01) Jake Richards announces measures to prevent abuse like that at Medomsley detention centre in County DurhamOne of the UK’s most horrific and shocking child custody scandals was collectively ignored for decades because the victims were working-class boys from the north of England, a government minister has said.The sentencing and youth justice minister, Jake Richards, has announced he is implementing a number of recommendations to prevent abuse such as that which took place between 1961 and 1987 at Medomsley detention centre in County Durham from ever happening again. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer to rally European allies at Nato summit amid concerns over US stance 06. July 2026 (23:30) Outgoing PM will stress British commitment to defence spending at meeting in Ankara to counter Trump rebukesKeir Starmer will seek to work with European allies to shore up support for Nato at its summit in Ankara on Tuesday amid concerns that Donald Trump could further destabilise the military alliance with threats over defence spending.Downing Street said the prime minister and other international leaders would be focused on “building a stronger and more European Nato” as they attempt to address the US president’s concerns in the Turkish capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman accuses Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault 06. July 2026 (22:50) Democratic candidate for Senate, who has faced series of scandals, denies allegation reported by PoliticoA woman has accused Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in Maine, of sexual assault, according to an exclusive report by Politico.Jenny Racicot, 41, dated the oyster farmer former marine veteran and alleges he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Idaho woman who said infant twins died from vaccines charged with murder 06. July 2026 (21:35) Andrea Shaw and husband appeared on RFK Jr-linked podcast after deaths in May last year of 18-month-oldsAn Idaho mother who said her 18-month-old twins died last year after receiving three vaccines has been charged with murder in their deaths, officials said last week.Andrea Shaw, 23, was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her toddlers, Tyson and Dallas, who were found dead in a shared bed on 1 May last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lauren Bennett, singer on LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem, dies aged 37 06. July 2026 (21:27) British-born vocalist competed on The X-Factor before joining the girl groups Paradiso Girls and G.R.L.Lauren Bennett, member of the girl group G.R.L. and featured artist on LMFAO’s global smash hit Party Rock Anthem, has died at the age of 37.“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” the group wrote on their Instagram page. “Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us.” A cause of death was not specified. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
