Striped rock dismissed as natural in 1928 reclassified as UK’s oldest cave art 01. June 2026 (08:00) Scientific dating proves streaks on walls of Bacon Hole, near the Mumbles in south Wales, is Palaeolithic rock artIn 1912, the Guardian reported on the discovery of Palaeolithic rock art on the walls of Bacon Hole, a cave near the Mumbles in south Wales – only for the painted panel’s authenticity to be dismissed by 1928.A series of horizontal bands in red pigment were subsequently deemed no more than a natural phenomenon and the newspaper added an updated statement: “It was later established that the red streaks … turned out to be red oxide mineral seeping through the rock and not prehistoric art.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wildfires devastating richer areas but fewer hectares burned globally – study 01. June 2026 (08:00) ‘Megafires’ in California, Canada, South Korea and Europe in 2025, but changes to farming slowed spread in parts of Africa“Devastating” wildfires ripped across the wealthier parts of the world in 2025, a study has found, even as globally, the area ravaged by flames fell.Catastrophic blazes claimed lives, homes and jobs last year in California, Canada, Europe and South Korea. But the 335m hectares burned was the second-lowest since 2002, the review found, largely owing to the expansion of African farms that have fragmented landscapes and hampered the spread of large savannah fires. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran targets American base in region after US strikes Iranian air defences 01. June 2026 (07:42) Attacks reported in Kuwait – home to a US military base – and around the strait of Hormuz in latest exchange of fire as peace negotiations continueMiddle East live – latest updatesThe US said it struck Iranian military sites at the weekend and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said on Monday it had targeted a US base in response, the latest in a series of exchanges amid negotiations to end the three-month-old war.The strikes on Iran’s Gulf coast were in response to “aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters”, the US military’s central command (Centcom) said on X. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Toxic identity politics ‘tearing’ us apart, says former Oldham council leader 01. June 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: 25 years after race riots in north of England, Arooj Shah says extremist groups and lies about grooming scandal are poisoning Oldham“Identity politics is tearing communities apart”, the former leader of Oldham council has warned, in the week marking the 25th anniversary of race riots across the north of England.Arooj Shah quit as leader of the Greater Manchester borough earlier in May, after the local elections left the council with no group in overall control. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charities decry UK plan to use AI to assess age of young asylum seekers 01. June 2026 (07:00) Coalition of more than 100 organisations says move could lead to more children ending up in adult detention facilitiesA coalition of more than a hundred refugee children’s organisations has said controversial plans to use AI to assess the age of young asylum seekers could lead to more children wrongly ending up in adult prisons or detention centres.The warning follows a Home Office announcement on Friday of a contract to roll out AI facial age estimation technology on young asylum seekers whose age is disputed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is there a pianist in the house? Audience member steps up to perform in La La Land in Sydney 01. June 2026 (06:17) Sterling Nasa had tickets to see Justin Hurwitz’s La La Land in Concert. When the keyboardist suddenly fell ill, he found himself on stage performingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLa La Land is a much adored homage to Hollywood, where dreamers take chances and seize unexpected moments.On Saturday night at the ICC’s Darling Harbour theatre, that idea became a reality for a 21-year-old university student who was thrust into the spotlight at a live performance of the movie’s score – and saved a concert from derailment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mother of woman murdered by husband calls for UK animal abuse register 01. June 2026 (06:00) Annette Bramley says Holly’s Law would stop perpetrators acquiring pets and raise awareness of domestic abuse linkAnnette Bramley fondly remembers her daughter Holly as being family-oriented and a lover of animals. “She adored anything small and furry, or even not. I mean, she thought orangutans were beautiful,” she said.When Holly ended up in a controlling and abusive relationship, her husband, Nicholas Metson, was quick to use this passion against her. He bought Holly a puppy and then tried to kill it by putting it in a washing machine at their home in Lincoln. After it was rescued by Holly, he drowned it in a bath. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FCA’s Palantir deal could expose UK financial data to Trump’s US, critics fear 01. June 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: MP and campaigners say sensitive citizen and company data could be subject to US disclosure lawsThe UK’s financial watchdog is being urged to prove its relationship with the US tech company Palantir will not provide the Trump administration with backdoor access to troves of sensitive citizen and commercial data.A US law that can oblige tech companies to disclose information to American authorities may apply to Palantir’s deal to help the Financial Conduct Authority detect crime, Martin Wrigley MP, a member of the House of Commons science and technology select committee, has warned. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Kuwait reports missile and drone attack; US says it struck Iran radar sites over weekend 01. June 2026 (05:51) Kuwaiti state media report sirens sounding across the country, as officials say air defences active over the countryEuropean leaders condemn Israel’s deepening incursion into Lebanon More from the Kuwaiti army, which has announced that its air defences are intercepting missile and drone attacks.The General Staff of the Army wishes to advise that any sounds of explosions heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting these hostile attacks.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European leaders condemn Israel’s deepening incursion into Lebanon 01. June 2026 (03:03) France has requested an emergency meeting of the UN security council, after the Israeli military captured the medieval Beaufort castleEuropean leaders have condemned Israel’s expanding incursion into Lebanon, after its military captured the medieval Beaufort castle and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to push even deeper into the country.France’s president Emmanuel Macron called for an end to fighting, saying “nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon”. The country’s foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, has requested a meeting of the UN security council for Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
