‘The things that connect us are fraying’: James Graham short film explores what it means to be English 01. July 2026 (01:01) Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Love Letter to England celebrates what English people have in commonWhat does it mean to be English? Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Ian McKellen and the award-winning playwright James Graham have released a short film that attempts to answer that deceptively simple question.The film, Love Letter to England, explores and celebrates what people across the country have in common. It draws on early contributions to the National Conversation, a UK-wide initiative that began last month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jamaican delegation to travel to UK to lodge formal slavery reparations petition with King Charles 01. July 2026 (00:20) Visit to monarch planned for 6 September and will take Jamaica’s mission for reparatory justice to the ‘next level’Jamaican officials will travel to the UK in September to formally lodge an unprecedented petition with King Charles to seek legal guidance on their slavery reparations claim from Britain, the country’s government announced on Tuesday.Speaking in the parliament of the Caribbean nation, Olivia Grange, the culture minister, confirmed that the trip was planned for 6 September, and was intended to take Jamaica’s mission for reparatory justice to the next level. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU diplomats clash with Trump administration over top Bosnia and Herzegovina post 30. June 2026 (23:26) Diplomats in Sarajevo failed to agree on a candidate for the high representative role, which carries a lot of power and influence across the BalkansDiplomats from the US and Europe have been unable to resolve their differences and agree on a new top international envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a standoff which has become a transatlantic test of wills over influence in the Balkans.A meeting in Sarajevo to select a new high representative, a post with far-reaching powers, ended without a compromise, in a spat that has undermined western cohesion in the region in the Trump era. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charlie Kirk’s widow and parents to attend hearing for man accused of his killing 30. June 2026 (23:11) Hearing set to begin 6 July would mark the first time Kirk’s family has been in the courtroom with the suspectCharlie Kirk’s parents and his widow Erika Kirk are expected to attend a key hearing next week in Utah for the murder case against the man accused of slaying the conservative political activist, according to multiple news outlets.The preliminary hearing, set to begin 6 July, would mark the first time Kirk’s family has been in the courtroom with Tyler James Robinson, the 23-year-old charged with aggravated murder related to Kirk’s death. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Most asylum seekers rejected under tightened laws will remain in UK 30. June 2026 (22:43) Critics call proposed limits on asylum claims a ‘quick fix that will create long-term chaos’More than half of the people whose asylum and visa claims will be rejected under tightened human rights laws will continue to live in the UK, according to the Home Office’s own assessment.Documents released on Tuesday show that plans to set new limits on article 8 of the European convention on human rights are expected to result in another 11,700 people having their claims rejected annually. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trans youth athletes vow to keep playing after US supreme court sports ruling 30. June 2026 (22:24) Justices upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho, boosting similar restrictions in 25 other statesTransgender youth athletes have vowed to keep playing sports and fighting for equal access to teams after the US supreme court ruled in favor of laws banning their participation.The court’s conservative supermajority on Tuesday upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho prohibiting trans girls from participating in women’s teams, finding the laws were constitutional. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Maddy Cusack’s eating habits changed after manager’s comment, girlfriend tells inquest 30. June 2026 (22:18) Grace Riglar fights back tears giving evidenceCusack called Sheffield United omission a ‘personal attack’The girlfriend of the late Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack has told an inquest that Cusack’s former manager Jonathan Morgan called her a “psycho” and that her eating habits changed after he allegedly made a comment referencing her weight.Grace Riglar, who played for Sheffield United for one season alongside Cusack, fought back tears multiple times during an emotional and lengthy evidence session at Chesterfield coroner’s court on Tuesday. At one stage she had to take a break while being cross-examined by lawyers representing Sheffield United. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Patient being tested for Ebola virus at Glasgow hospital 30. June 2026 (22:08) Patient reported to have been admitted to the Queen Elizabeth university hospital in the early hours of TuesdayA patient is being tested for the Ebola virus at a Glasgow hospital, the Press Association has reported.It is understood the patient was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth university hospital in the early hours of Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment plan 30. June 2026 (21:54) Ally of PM-in-waiting says four-year boost for the armed forces is an ‘unexploded bomb’Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie aheadAndy Burnham will have to find an extra £4.7bn for defence in his first budget, after Keir Starmer announced a £298bn defence investment plan (Dip) without having fully identified how it will be funded.Sources close to the Makerfield MP said he would not try to renegotiate the Dip after the outgoing prime minister announced its details at a press conference on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Frequent AI chatbot users more likely to believe anti-vaccine myths, poll finds 30. June 2026 (21:51) Poll finds use of AI tools for health advice is correlated with belief in vaccine falsehoods, such as shots causing autismAdults in the US who frequently seek out health advice from artificial intelligence chatbots are more likely to believe myths about vaccines, according to a poll released on Tuesday by health research firm KFF.The survey, which was conducted in May and polled a representative sample of 2,480 US adults, found that use of AI tools and chatbots correlated with belief in falsehoods such as vaccines causing autism or that the measles vaccine poses more danger than the corresponding virus. The connection remained while controlling for factors such as age, race, education and political partisanship. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
